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Electromagnetic field cancer scares
1University of South Florida, Electrical Engineering Department, Tampa 33620, USA.
Health Physics
|August 1, 1997
Summary
This study calculates human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Results show typical EMFs are far below levels associated with biological effects, suggesting no link to cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Electromagnetism
- Public Health
Background:
- Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are prevalent in modern environments.
- Understanding human exposure levels is crucial for safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate internal electric current and power levels in humans exposed to typical EMF environments.
- To evaluate compliance with existing EMF exposure standards.
Main Methods:
- Calculated internal current densities resulting from specific electric (600 V m(-1)) and magnetic (200 microT) field strengths at 60 Hz.
- Compared calculated current densities to the threshold for biological effects (action potential) and established safety standards (ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1991).
Main Results:
- At 60 Hz, a 600 V m(-1) electric field yielded a current density of 0.0002 microA cm(-2), and a 200 microT magnetic field yielded 0.6 microA cm(-2).
- These calculated values are significantly lower than the 800 microA cm(-2) associated with an action potential.
- The ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1991 standards (3 kHz to 300 GHz) were examined.
Conclusions:
- Calculated human exposure to EMFs in typical environments is well below established safety limits.
- Epidemiological studies were briefly considered.
- It is highly unlikely that there is a link between electromagnetic fields and cancer.