Research | Research key areas | Electromagnetic fields and effects on health

Health effects of electromagnetic fields

Since 1960, epidemiological studies have highlighted the possibility of an associative link between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the occurrence of severe pathologies.

Several studies have shown an increased risk of cancer or leukemia
related to low or extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields a finding which led more recently WHO to classify low or extremely low frequencies in the 2B category, ie as possibly carcinogenic. The deleterious effects of Radiofrequencies on health have been more and more pointed out by scientific publications which led WHO to classify radiofrequencies from mobile phone also in the 2B category, meaning that as low or extremely low EMF, radiofrequencies are recognized as "possibly carcinogenic to humans". Indeed, this was particularly based on the possibility of "an increased risk for brain tumors, associated with wireless phone use".

ECERI research objectives are to understand the precise biological effects by which electromagnetice fields can trigger effects and more particularly cancer and so called electrohypersensitivity, by associating scientists from different research areas. Several research projects have been so far submitted to the ECERI Scientific Committee which is presently searching for fundings.

Four research centers have been proposed to be involved in ECERI collaborative research projects : ARTAC (Paris), because of availability of one of  the largest cohort of electrohypersensitive patients examined in medical consultation (Pr Belpomme),  Pr Olle Johansson’s laboratory (Karolinska Institute), Pr Hardell’s Department (Orebro Hospital) and the ICEMS (International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety, Italy).

To read more about about a recent study on electrohypersensitivity, see ECERI's Newsletter

Publications:

Hallberg Ö, Johansson O, Increasing melanoma – too many skin cell damages or too few repairs?, Cancers 2013; 5: 184-204. Abstract

Hardell L., Carlberg M., Söderqvist F., Hansson Mild K. Pooled analysis of case-control studies on acoustic neuroma diagnosed 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 and use of mobile and cordless phone. International Journal of Oncology. 10.3892/ijo.2013.2025. Abstract

Carlberg M., Söderqvist F., Hansson Mild K, Hardell L.Meningioma patients diagnosed 2007-2009 and the association with use of mobile and cordless phone : a case-control study. Environment Health 2013, 12:60, doi:10.1186/1476-069X-12-60. Abstract

Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K.Use of mobile phones and cordless phones is associated with increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma. Pathophysiology. 2013 Apr;20(2):85-110. doi: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2012.11.001. Epub 2012 Dec 21.Abstract

Hardell L, Carlberg M. Use of mobile and cordless phones and survival of patients with glioma.
Neuroepidemiology. 2013;40(2):101-8. doi: 10.1159/000341905. Epub 2012 Oct 24. Abstract

Ledoigt G., Belpomme D. Tumour Induction pathway and HF-EMF irradiation, Advances in biological Chemistry 3, 177-186. doi: 10.4236/abc.2013.32023. Abstract

Hallberg Ö, Johansson O, Comparing lung cancer risks in Sweden, USA, and Japan Countries, ISRN Oncol. 2012;2012:687298. doi: 10.5402/2012/687298. Epub 2012 Mar 7. Abstract

Manzetti S, Johansson O, Global electromagnetic toxicity and frequency-induced diseases: Theory and short overview, Pathophysiology 2012; 19: 185-191. Abstract

Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L. Use of wireless phones and the risk of salivary gland tumours: a case-control study. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2012 Nov;21(6):576-9. Abstract

Hagström M, Auranen J, Johansson O, Ekman R, Reducing electromagnetic irradiation and fields alleviates experienced health hazards of VDU work, Pathophysiology 2012; 19: 81-87. Abstract

Hallberg Ö, Johansson O, Decreasing rates of brain cancer – A worrying trend?, Open Access Scientific Reports, 2012; 1: 499-501, doi:10.4172/scientificreports.499. Article

Hallberg Ö, Johansson O, Increasing rates of head melanoma in Nordic countries. Pathophysiology. 2011 Sep;18(4):313-5. Abstract

Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K, Hardell L. Childhood brain tumour risk and its association with wireless phones: a commentary. Environ Health. 2011 Dec 19;10:106. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-10-106. Abstract

Belpomme D., Irigaray P., Hardell L. Electromagnetic fields as cancer-causing agents. Environ. Research, 107 (2008) 289–290.

      French Senate Statement

      In 2009, four European scientific experts in the field of electromagnetic fields and health, launched an appeal to public authorities regarding the risks of unlimited use of wireless technologies.