EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY-LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELDS AND THE RISK OF MALIGNANT DISEASES - AN EVALUATION OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND EXPERIMENTAL FINDINGS

Epidemiological and experimental studies concerning extremely low freq uency electromagnetic field exposure and malignant diseases published up to 1 July 1994 were evaluated to assess the possible carcinogenicit y of electromagnetic fields and the scientific basis for environmental and occupational standard setting. We concluded that there are possib le associations between (i) an increased risk of leukaemia in children and the existence of, or distance to, power lines in the vicinity of their residence, (ii) an increased risk of chronic lymphatic leukaemia and occupational exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields and (iii) an increased risk of breast cancer, malignant melanoma of the s kin, nervous system tumours, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute lymphatic leu kaemia or acute myeloid leukaemia and certain occupations. There is no scientific basis for occupational or environmental standard setting f or low frequency electric or magnetic fields.