Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? This volume assesses the data and draws conclusions about the consequences of human exposure to EMF. The committee examines what is known about three kinds of health effects associated with EMF: cancer, primarily childhood leukemia; reproduction and development; and neurobiological effects. This book provides a detailed discussion of hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization for each.

Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields also discusses the tools available to measure exposure, common types of exposures, and what is known about the effects of exposure. The committee looks at correlations between EMF exposure and carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, neurobehavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, effects on melatonin and other neurochemicals, and effects on bone healing and stimulated cell growth.

Contents

• COMMITTEE ON THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON BIOLOGIC SYSTEMS
• BOARD ON RADIATION EFFECTS RESEARCH
• COMMISSION ON LIFE SCIENCES
• Preface
• OTHER REPORTS OF THE COMMISSION ON LIFE SCIENCES
• Acknowledgments
• [The National Academies]
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction
  • Background
  • Scope Of The Study
  • Areas Of Concern
  • Definitions And Descriptions Of Terms
  • Sources Of Exposure
  • Why Knowledge About Electric And Magnetic Fields Is Important
  • Related Reports
  • Organization Of This Report
• 2. Exposure and Physical Interactions
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • Definition of Terms
  • Methods Of Exposure Assessment
  • Typical Exposures
  • Exposures In Epidemiologic Studies
  • Exposures In Laboratory Experiments
  • Induced Fields And Currents
• 3. Cellular and Molecular Effects
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • Utility And Limitations Of In Vitro Studies
  • Genotoxicity And Carcinogenic Potential Of Power-Frequency Electric And Magnetic Fields
  • Experimental Studies Of In Vitro Effects
• 4. Animal and Tissue Effects
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • Criteria For Consideration Of Literature
  • Use Of Animal Studies In Evaluating Risk
  • Carcinogenic And Mutagenic Effects
  • Reproductive And Developmental Effects
  • Neurobehavioral Effects
  • In Vivo Neurochemical And Neuroendocrine Effects
  • Bone Healing And Stimulated Cell Growth
  • Discussion
• 5. Epidemiology
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • Interpretation Of Epidemiologic Evidence
  • Cancer Epidemiology—Residential Exposures
  • Cancer Epidemiology—Appliance Exposures
  • Cancer Epidemiology—Occupational Exposures
  • Reproduction And Development
  • Learning And Behavior
• 6. Risk Assessment
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • Risk Assessment
• 7. Research Needs and Research Agenda
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Laboratory Studies
  • Research Strategy
• Appendix A Tables
• Appendix B Exposure Assessment in Residential Studies
• References
• Glossary
• Biographic Sketches of Committee Members

This report was prepared under Grant No. DE-FG01-92CE34100 between the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.