Intrauterine effects of electromagnetic Fields - (Low frequency, mid-frequency RF, and microwave): Review of epidemiologic studies

Electromagnetic radiations are named according to frequency or to wavelengt h (which is inversely proportional to frequency) and create electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Frequencies widely vary according to sources: high-voltage power lines, electrically heated beds, MRI, VDTs, microwave ovens, satellit e, and radio/TV transmissions or cellular phone transmitters/receivers. Pub lic concern has increased about the potential health effects of EMFs, There are arguments in favour of EMFs being biologically active, but no mechanis m has been identified that explains the link between EMFs and bioeffects. H uman data reviewed concern the potential reproductive effects (mainly spont aneous abortions, low birthweight and congenital malformations) of exposure to sources of EMFs: maternal residence, electrically heated beds, occupati onal exposure (mainly video display terminals), and medical exposures. The available epidemiologic studies all have limitations that prevent to draw c learcut conclusions on the effects of EMFs on human reproduction. EMFs are ubiquitous and unavoidable exposures. The matter of possible effects cannot be considered closed, but until our understanding of the biologic importan t parameters of EMFs exposures is stronger,design of new studies will be di fficult and small epidemiologic studies are unlikely to provide definitive answers and should not be given high priority. No conclusion can be drawn f or radiofrequencies and microwaves because of lack of data. There is no con vincing evidence today that EMFs of the sort pregnant women or potential fa thers meet in occupational or daily life exposures does any harm to the hum an reproductive process. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.