Review Article

Effects of Electromagnetism Exposure on

Human Environment Kenny Colón Department of Biology University of Puerto Rico at Cayey

Keywords: Electromagnetism, electromagnetic spectrum, frequency, radiation, EMP, ELF-EMF, EMI,

SMF

Abstract This paper discusses the possible

effects of electromagnetism on human

environment by analyzing different reported

studies. Electromagnetic fields can affect

various biological aspects of the human body as

well as helps the propagation of cancer cells.

Electromagnetivity can help with the diagnosis

of pathological conditions and is also used as a

therapy to treat most of these conditions. Nearly

all electromagnetic radiation is emitted from

electronic devices and other elements produced

by human activity. Since humans live in

environments where these elements are present

we are in constant exposure to

electromagnetivity. It is of concern to know

whether this constant exposure to these

electromagnetic fields can cause harm rather

than beneficial effects on humans.

Introduction

Humans have always been exposed to

electromagnetic radiation (EMR) since the

existence of sunlight, cosmic rays and other

sources that emit natural radiation. These

sources of radiation do not present a mayor risk

to humans. What can be hazardous to humans is

the emission of EMR from sources generated

from human actions. In these last sources we can

include: X-rays used as diagnostics, gamma

rays, television or radio signals, or mobile

telephones.

The kind of EMR depends on the frequency in

the electromagnetic spectrum (Figure 1). These

radiations can be categorized in three principal

groups: indirectly-ionizing EMR, visible and

non-ionizing radiation. The indirectly-ionizing

EMR can be the most dangerous one if exposure

takes place; because it causes molecular

alterations. The visible radiation is the one that

we can perceive through our eyes. Lastly, non-

ionizing radiation produces thermic effects and

it is the one whose harmful effects have not yet

been studied.

Sources and Uses

Electromagnetic waves can be used for

technological and biological purposes. In

technological terms, thanks to the

electromagnetivity we can make calls from one

part of the planet to another; we can cook meals

with microwaves; we can see during the night

with infrared vision, and even browse through

the Internet. In biological means,

electromagnetism is used mostly for treating

cancer disease, but there have been

counterarguments stating that electromagnetism

can promote carcinogenic cell spreading.

When an excess of electromagnetic frequencies

occur, our electronical appliances may suffer

from a system breakdown if that radiation

reaches them. This is called an electromagnetic

pulse (EMP). An EMP has the potential to

produce energy at frequencies from DC (zero

Hz) up to any level depending of the source that

originated it. Obviously this is a threat to almost

any living being because molecules of the body

suffer great alterations. In addition, places where

the EMP is emitted remain radioactive. There

are various places where EMPs’ effects remain

active. In Chernobyl many people died because

of exposure to radiation due to an accidently

flawed nuclear reactor. In Harrisburg,

Pennsylvania a similar accident occurred in the

Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station.

Review Article

Like previously mentioned, most of the time we

are in contact with electric devices. These

devices emit extremely low frequency

electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) which we are

not aware of.

Experimental Investigations

A study conducted in Netherland showed that

exposure to low frequency electromagnetic

fields can modulate receptors in human

peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These

receptors are respondent to invading pathogens

and are stimulus from the innate immune

system. This system is characterized by the

production of cytokines that act as key

regulators in innate immunity. There have been

discoveries of signalling patterns of the

cytokines in the innate immune system. The

method used for developing the experiment was

the insertion of ligands and microorganisms in

the mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers to

bind components present within the cells. Those

cells were then exposed to controlled and

standardized low frequency electromagnetic

fields inside a signal generator with pre-

programmed signals for different sets of time.

The cytokine production was measured after

electromagnetic stimulation. The conclusion was

that there was no difference in immune

response. Low frequency electromagnetic fields

do not modulate the innate immune system of

human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The

investigators in charge of this study think that

trying the same experiment with a higher

frequency in these electromagnetic fields may

lead to different results (Kleijn et al. 2011).

Another replicate study developed by Swiss

investigators demonstrated that intermittent -but

not continuous- exposure to ELF-EMF may

affect the DNA in human cells. Researchers

believe results were debatable for two principal

reasons: reproducibility of cells and the absence

of a probable explanation for how

electromagnetic fields EMF could damage

DNA. Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis assay

(Comet assay), a technique used to detect any

DNA damage at the level of the individual

eukaryotic cell was used, on human primary

fibroblast cells exposed to 50 Hz of EMF at a

flux level of 1 militesla (mT). Results showed a

significant increase of DNA fragmentation. The

assay showed results relied on DNA replication

and cell reproduction processes that were

affected, not on the DNA itself. The effect of the

assay was correlated to the reduction of cell

mitosis and the accompanying increase of

apoptotic cells. Apoptotic cells are cells that are

in the process of dying. Therefore, in

conclusion, the exposure of human primary

fibroblast to ELF-EMF stimulates cell

Figure 1: Electromagnetic Spectrum Website source http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/ALSTool/EMSpec/EMSpec2.html

Review Article

termination (necrosis) rather than DNA

alteration (Focke et al. 2009).

A study developed by Lakshmanadoss U et al.

had to do with the effect that EM had on patients

with antecedent cardiovascular diseases and that

also have a peacemaker implanted. Since

pacemakers operate by microcircuits and use

EM waves as impulses to stimulate a heart’s

beats, while there is another source interfering

with EM, the peacemaker may be damaged. This

type of interference is called an electromagnetic

interference (EMI). According to an experiment

developed, EMI affects circuits because of the

voltage induction of conductors at certain

distances depending of the frequency of the

radiation and other facts dependent of the

circuits (Kune et al. 2013). The malfunctions of

the peacemakers were visualized as wrong

responses towards cardiac signals (diastole-

systole rhythm). A group of investigators in

Lakshmanadoss’ study dedicated themselves to

measure the distance at which a peacemaker

may be affected near different EMI fields. There

are instructions and guides about safe distances

at which patients with peacemakers can be, to

ensure their normal function away from EMI

sources. Thanks to advances in electronic

technologies, some new methods of productions

in electrical devices have developed designs that

reject sources of EMI over the past years

(Lakshmanadoss et al. 2011).

Benefits

Those studies were, somehow, trying to prove

alterations in human functions -not necessarily

positive- but some studies about the beneficial

effects of EMF specifically against cancer

disease. There are many common types of

cancer. Some methods to treat them are

combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and

ionizing radiation. Although chemotherapy and

ionizing radiation can be effective against

cancer; they also harm normal tissues in

humans. Researchers from Maryland have

discovered that the use of non-ionizing,

magnetic fields can suppress tumour growth.

Mice were injected with breast cancer cells

labelled with firefly luciferase (bioluminescent

component). Some of them were exposed daily

to a magnetic source for 360 minutes during four

weeks. The control group was not exposed to

magnetic fields. The growth and progression of

tumours in real time in individual mice was

monitored with a vivo imaging system.

Eventually, the mice that were exposed to the

magnetic source subdued cancer cell growth

whereas the mice of the control group developed

tumours (Tatarov et al. 2011).

Verginadis I. develops an article about various

experiments that have been developed regarding

the beneficial effects that electromagnetic

radiation can produce against cancer, osteoporosis, bone fractures, muscle

regeneration, diabetes, arthritis and neurological

disorders. One of the experiments mentioned

was the investigation of Salvatore J, which uses

a combination of static magnetic field (SMF)

and antineoplastic chemotherapy, in patients

with lung cancer, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,

and colon/rectum cancer. The purpose of this

experiment was to understand if the combination

of these two methods of treating the mentioned

diseases could develop chemotherapy toxicity.

White blood cell and platelet amount data were

estimated from 10 patients after the

chemotherapy treatment and the exposure to

static magnetic field. Results from this work

suggest that the combination of SMF and

antineoplastic chemotherapy is safe without

increasing the severity of chemotherapy toxicity

(Salvatore et al. 2003). Another study elaborated

by Jimenez-Garcia et al. explains what happens

when male Fischer-344 rats are exposed to low

level electromagnetic fields. The rats were

exposed to 4.5 mT - 120 Hz ELF-EMF. The

results showed findings in the inhibition of

preneoplastic lesions, through antiproliferative

activity of ELF-EMF (Jimenez-Garcia et al.

2010).

These findings support the potential use of non-

ionizing magnetism as a method of intervention

against cancer development. I think it’s a new

area of cancer therapeutics that can be explored

so that, hopefully, we could be closer to finding

a cure for this illness.

Review Article

Conclusion

Lately, studies have shown that EMF can be

prejudicial to human environment, but others

have proven completely the opposite. Some

researchers say that the relation, whether EMF

can cause problems to humans or not, rely on the

level of frequency of the radiation that is emitted

and the exposure to it. Contradicting evidence

does not support it like the experiment

demonstrating the connection between exposure

to ELF-EMF and human cell termination. Since

the effects of EMF exposure on humans have

not yet been studied, we do not know what other

consequences may originate due to the

continuous use of these radiations as therapies.

The government and health institutions know

about this -and even some of them have taken

responsibilities about this problem- but most

have not taken this seriously. Some

recommendations to the problem can be to stop

using devices that can emit excessive radiation

in workplaces, unplugging any other device that

is connected to a power outlet, and avoid being

in contact with these devices for long periods of

time, among others. We should be aware of the

localization of these sources to avoid

unnecessary exposure just so we don’t suffer

consequences which are still unclear.

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