| Document ID (ISN) | 56421 |
| CIS number |
91-1341 |
| Year |
1989 |
| Convention or series no. |
OTA-BP-E-53
|
| Author(s) |
Nair I., Morgan M.G., Florig H.K.
Congress of the United States, Office of Technology Assessment |
| Title |
Biological effects of power frequency electric and magnetic fields. Background paper |
| Bibliographic information |
US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, USA, May 1989. v, 104p. Illus. 214 ref. |
| Abstract |
Although there is no significant transfer of energy from power-frequency fields to biological systems, some animal cells and tissues respond to such fields in the laboratory. Whole-animal and human experiments have examined 5 categories of effect: on mood or behaviour; on physiological variables such as growth or respiration; on specific biochemicals such as hormones that regulate physiological and psychological functions; on biological rhythms; on the epidemiology of cancer, especially leukaemia and brain cancer. The results are complex and inconclusive, but the epidemiological evidence is beginning to provide a basis for concern about risks from chronic exposure. If power-frequency fields do pose a health risk, high-voltage transmission lines will not be the only source of concern: distribution lines, wall wiring, appliances and lighting fixtures also produce such fields, and are much more common than transmission lines. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
electromagnetic radiation; electric fields; magnetic fields; biological effects; electric power transmission |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
report; epidemiologic study; animal experiments; carcinogenic effects; long-term exposure; neuropsychic effects; human experiments |
| Document type |
E - Books, reports, proceedings |
| Country / State or Province | USA |
| Subject(s) |
Radiation
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Physical hazards
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Electromagnetic fields
Electricity
|
