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Better Health Channel
Environmental health
Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated in the vicinity of power lines, mobile phones, mobile phone towers, broadcast towers and similar transmitters.
- Whether or not EMF can harm human health is a controversial issue.
- Scientific evidence does not demonstrate a causal link between typical exposures to EMF and adverse health effects.
- The Victorian Department of Human Services recommends that heavy exposure to EMF be avoided, if possible.
On this page
- Two decades of debate
- UK findings are inconclusive
- No proof of harm
- Victorian government policy
- Where to get help
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated in the vicinity of power lines, mobile phones, mobile phone towers, broadcast towers and similar transmitters. Whether or not EMF can harm human health is a controversial issue. One EMF source to have received significant media attention is the high-voltage power line.
Various studies have comprehensively investigated power lines and cancers (such as leukaemia) to see if there is a causal link. Some researchers maintain that EMF generated by power lines have frequencies which are too low to influence living cells or harm DNA. Other researchers disagree. They suggest that EMF from power lines can cause significant changes in a biological system via electric fields induced in the body. Scientific standards have been developed to limit public exposure to power-frequency EMF, so that induced currents are below those that occur naturally in the body.
Two decades of debate
In 1979, researchers investigating childhood leukaemia in Denver, Colorado (USA) found an association between high-current configuration electrical wiring near the home and an increased risk of childhood cancer (Wertheimer and Leeper). This initial work, however, did not measure electromagnetic fields, relying instead on distances from power lines and the type of wiring. Since then, researchers across the world have investigated power lines. To date, serious limitations have been identified in nearly all studies on power lines and cancer. It has not been possible to confirm whether or not there is a real association between EMF and cancer.
UK findings are inconclusive
The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in the United Kingdom recently released a report which found some evidence that EMF exposures higher than 0.4 microtesla (µT) are associated with a doubling of the risk of leukaemia in children. The review found no evidence of any increased risk of cancer in adults. However, the NRPB was careful to explain that no causal link was found, and recommended that further studies are needed. The evidence for the effect was inconclusive because the key studies in the review might have suffered from selection bias or random variation.
No proof of harm
Despite the evidence for an increased risk of leukaemia in children exposed to higher than 0.4µT of EMF, a range of experimental studies have failed to provide clear supporting evidence for the claim that EMF can be harmful to health, including:
- No clear evidence that EMF affects biological processes.
- No evidence that EMF can change living cells or is genotoxic (harmful to DNA).
- No convincing evidence from animal studies to support the claim that EMF increases the risk of cancer.
Victorian government policy
The Victorian Department of Human Services supports the view that current guidelines on EMF and power lines are adequate, since the EMF generated by power lines is well below the recommended maximum limit of exposure. However, it is advisable to avoid heavy exposure, if possible.
Where to get help
- Your GP (doctor)
- Department of Health, Radiation Safety TeamExternal Link Tel. 1300 767 469
- Non-Ionising Radiation Protection in Australia, Radiation and Health Information, The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Department of Health and Ageing, Commonwealth Government of Australia, Canberra.
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health - Environmental Health Unit
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Department of Health - Environmental Health Unit
View all environmental health
More information
Related information
- Asbestos and your health When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs.
- Cancer and asbestos Long-term exposure to asbestos is a cause of lung cancer and other serious illnesses.
- Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia.
- Mobile phones and your health Using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of traffic accidents.
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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circ*mstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Healthshall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
Reviewed on: 30-04-2014
