1. Review Article
Effects of Electromagnetism Exposure on
Human Environment
Kenny Colón Department of Biology University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
Keywords: Electromagnetism, electromagnetic spectrum, frequency, radiation, EMP, ELF-EMF, EMI,
SMF
Abstract This paper discusses the possible
effects of electromagnetism on human
environment by analyzing different reported
studies. Electromagnetic fields can affect
various biological aspects of the human body as
well as helps the propagation of cancer cells.
Electromagnetivity can help with the diagnosis
of pathological conditions and is also used as a
therapy to treat most of these conditions. Nearly
all electromagnetic radiation is emitted from
electronic devices and other elements produced
by human activity. Since humans live in
environments where these elements are present
we are in constant exposure to
electromagnetivity. It is of concern to know
whether this constant exposure to these
electromagnetic fields can cause harm rather
than beneficial effects on humans.
Introduction
Humans have always been exposed to
electromagnetic radiation (EMR) since the
existence of sunlight, cosmic rays and other
sources that emit natural radiation. These
sources of radiation do not present a mayor risk
to humans. What can be hazardous to humans is
the emission of EMR from sources generated
from human actions. In these last sources we can
include: X-rays used as diagnostics, gamma
rays, television or radio signals, or mobile
telephones.
The kind of EMR depends on the frequency in
the electromagnetic spectrum (Figure 1). These
radiations can be categorized in three principal
groups: indirectly-ionizing EMR, visible and
non-ionizing radiation. The indirectly-ionizing
EMR can be the most dangerous one if exposure
takes place; because it causes molecular
alterations. The visible radiation is the one that
we can perceive through our eyes. Lastly, non-
ionizing radiation produces thermic effects and
it is the one whose harmful effects have not yet
been studied.
Sources and Uses
Electromagnetic waves can be used for
technological and biological purposes. In
technological terms, thanks to the
electromagnetivity we can make calls from one
part of the planet to another; we can cook meals
with microwaves; we can see during the night
with infrared vision, and even browse through
the Internet. In biological means,
electromagnetism is used mostly for treating
cancer disease, but there have been
counterarguments stating that electromagnetism
can promote carcinogenic cell spreading.
When an excess of electromagnetic frequencies
occur, our electronical appliances may suffer
from a system breakdown if that radiation
reaches them. This is called an electromagnetic
pulse (EMP). An EMP has the potential to
produce energy at frequencies from DC (zero
Hz) up to any level depending of the source that
originated it. Obviously this is a threat to almost
any living being because molecules of the body
suffer great alterations. In addition, places where
the EMP is emitted remain radioactive. There
are various places where EMPs’ effects remain
active. In Chernobyl many people died because
of exposure to radiation due to an accidently
flawed nuclear reactor. In Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania a similar accident occurred in the
Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station.

2. Review Article
Like previously mentioned, most of the time we
are in contact with electric devices. These
devices emit extremely low frequency
electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) which we are
not aware of.
Experimental Investigations
A study conducted in Netherland showed that
exposure to low frequency electromagnetic
fields can modulate receptors in human
peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These
receptors are respondent to invading pathogens
and are stimulus from the innate immune
system. This system is characterized by the
production of cytokines that act as key
regulators in innate immunity. There have been
discoveries of signalling patterns of the
cytokines in the innate immune system. The
method used for developing the experiment was
the insertion of ligands and microorganisms in
the mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers to
bind components present within the cells. Those
cells were then exposed to controlled and
standardized low frequency electromagnetic
fields inside a signal generator with pre-
programmed signals for different sets of time.
The cytokine production was measured after
electromagnetic stimulation. The conclusion was
that there was no difference in immune
response. Low frequency electromagnetic fields
do not modulate the innate immune system of
human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The
investigators in charge of this study think that
trying the same experiment with a higher
frequency in these electromagnetic fields may
lead to different results (Kleijn et al. 2011).
Another replicate study developed by Swiss
investigators demonstrated that intermittent -but
not continuous- exposure to ELF-EMF may
affect the DNA in human cells. Researchers
believe results were debatable for two principal
reasons: reproducibility of cells and the absence
of a probable explanation for how
electromagnetic fields EMF could damage
DNA. Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis assay
(Comet assay), a technique used to detect any
DNA damage at the level of the individual
eukaryotic cell was used, on human primary
fibroblast cells exposed to 50 Hz of EMF at a
flux level of 1 militesla (mT). Results showed a
significant increase of DNA fragmentation. The
assay showed results relied on DNA replication
and cell reproduction processes that were
affected, not on the DNA itself. The effect of the
assay was correlated to the reduction of cell
mitosis and the accompanying increase of
apoptotic cells. Apoptotic cells are cells that are
in the process of dying. Therefore, in
conclusion, the exposure of human primary
fibroblast to ELF-EMF stimulates cell
Figure 1: Electromagnetic Spectrum Website source http://www.lbl.gov/MicroWorlds/ALSTool/EMSpec/EMSpec2.html

3. Review Article
termination (necrosis) rather than DNA
alteration (Focke et al. 2009).
A study developed by Lakshmanadoss U et al.
had to do with the effect that EM had on patients
with antecedent cardiovascular diseases and that
also have a peacemaker implanted. Since
pacemakers operate by microcircuits and use
EM waves as impulses to stimulate a heart’s
beats, while there is another source interfering
with EM, the peacemaker may be damaged. This
type of interference is called an electromagnetic
interference (EMI). According to an experiment
developed, EMI affects circuits because of the
voltage induction of conductors at certain
distances depending of the frequency of the
radiation and other facts dependent of the
circuits (Kune et al. 2013). The malfunctions of
the peacemakers were visualized as wrong
responses towards cardiac signals (diastole-
systole rhythm). A group of investigators in
Lakshmanadoss’ study dedicated themselves to
measure the distance at which a peacemaker
may be affected near different EMI fields. There
are instructions and guides about safe distances
at which patients with peacemakers can be, to
ensure their normal function away from EMI
sources. Thanks to advances in electronic
technologies, some new methods of productions
in electrical devices have developed designs that
reject sources of EMI over the past years
(Lakshmanadoss et al. 2011).
Benefits
Those studies were, somehow, trying to prove
alterations in human functions -not necessarily
positive- but some studies about the beneficial
effects of EMF specifically against cancer
disease. There are many common types of
cancer. Some methods to treat them are
combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and
ionizing radiation. Although chemotherapy and
ionizing radiation can be effective against
cancer; they also harm normal tissues in
humans. Researchers from Maryland have
discovered that the use of non-ionizing,
magnetic fields can suppress tumour growth.
Mice were injected with breast cancer cells
labelled with firefly luciferase (bioluminescent
component). Some of them were exposed daily
to a magnetic source for 360 minutes during four
weeks. The control group was not exposed to
magnetic fields. The growth and progression of
tumours in real time in individual mice was
monitored with a vivo imaging system.
Eventually, the mice that were exposed to the
magnetic source subdued cancer cell growth
whereas the mice of the control group developed
tumours (Tatarov et al. 2011).
Verginadis I. develops an article about various
experiments that have been developed regarding
the beneficial effects that electromagnetic
radiation can produce against cancer,
osteoporosis, bone fractures, muscle
regeneration, diabetes, arthritis and neurological
disorders. One of the experiments mentioned
was the investigation of Salvatore J, which uses
a combination of static magnetic field (SMF)
and antineoplastic chemotherapy, in patients
with lung cancer, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,
and colon/rectum cancer. The purpose of this
experiment was to understand if the combination
of these two methods of treating the mentioned
diseases could develop chemotherapy toxicity.
White blood cell and platelet amount data were
estimated from 10 patients after the
chemotherapy treatment and the exposure to
static magnetic field. Results from this work
suggest that the combination of SMF and
antineoplastic chemotherapy is safe without
increasing the severity of chemotherapy toxicity
(Salvatore et al. 2003). Another study elaborated
by Jimenez-Garcia et al. explains what happens
when male Fischer-344 rats are exposed to low
level electromagnetic fields. The rats were
exposed to 4.5 mT - 120 Hz ELF-EMF. The
results showed findings in the inhibition of
preneoplastic lesions, through antiproliferative
activity of ELF-EMF (Jimenez-Garcia et al.
2010).
These findings support the potential use of non-
ionizing magnetism as a method of intervention
against cancer development. I think it’s a new
area of cancer therapeutics that can be explored
so that, hopefully, we could be closer to finding
a cure for this illness.

4. Review Article
Conclusion
Lately, studies have shown that EMF can be
prejudicial to human environment, but others
have proven completely the opposite. Some
researchers say that the relation, whether EMF
can cause problems to humans or not, rely on the
level of frequency of the radiation that is emitted
and the exposure to it. Contradicting evidence
does not support it like the experiment
demonstrating the connection between exposure
to ELF-EMF and human cell termination. Since
the effects of EMF exposure on humans have
not yet been studied, we do not know what other
consequences may originate due to the
continuous use of these radiations as therapies.
The government and health institutions know
about this -and even some of them have taken
responsibilities about this problem- but most
have not taken this seriously. Some
recommendations to the problem can be to stop
using devices that can emit excessive radiation
in workplaces, unplugging any other device that
is connected to a power outlet, and avoid being
in contact with these devices for long periods of
time, among others. We should be aware of the
localization of these sources to avoid
unnecessary exposure just so we don’t suffer
consequences which are still unclear.
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5. Review Article
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