Health Impacts of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs): A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence (2015–2023)
-
Ali Jafari
,
Mahdi Jafari nodoushan
,
Mostafa Jafari zaveh
,
Vida Rezaei hachesu
,
Mohammad Javad Sheikhmozafari
,
Mohammad Reza Monazzam
Abstract
Background: Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) is pervasive due to modern reliance on electrical and electronic devices. This review examines the potential adverse health effects of ELF-EMFs based on studies published between 2015 and 2023. The investigation spans a range of health outcomes—including neurological, oncological, genetic, and mental health effects—while also highlighting research gaps and regional disparities.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Eligible studies included original research focused on ELF-EMFs and health outcomes. Data extraction covered study type, health effects, exposure magnitude, and geographical distribution. A total of 65 studies were analyzed and categorized into experimental, epidemiological, and case-control designs.
Results: The findings indicate significant associations between ELF-EMF exposure and conditions such as childhood leukemia, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. Mental health outcomes, including anxiety and depression, were frequently studied but yielded mixed results. Occupational exposure studies revealed potential risks, particularly among power plant workers and utility staff, while residential exposures were linked to neurobehavioral changes and sleep disturbances. Nevertheless, inconsistencies across studies hinder conclusive risk assessment.
Conclusion: While certain health risks of ELF-EMFs are well supported, substantial gaps remain in understanding less-studied effects, such as cardiovascular and endocrine disruptions. Future research should prioritize long-term, real-world exposures and address methodological limitations. These efforts are critical for informing public health guidelines and mitigating the potential risks associated with ELF-EMFs.
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2. Wood AW, Karipidis K. Non-ionizing radiation protection: summary of research and policy options. 2017.
3. Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G. Environ Health. 2022;21(1):92.
4. Schuermann D, Mevissen M. Manmade electromagnetic fields and oxidative stress—biological effects and consequences for health. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(7):3772.
5. Tian H, Zhu H, Gao C, Shi M, Yang D, Jin M, et al. System-level biological effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields: an in vivo experimental review. Front Neurosci. 2023;17:1247021.
6. Ortega-Garcia JA, Martin M, Navarro-Camba E, Garcia-Castell J, Soldin OP, Ferrís-Tortajada J. Pediatric health effects of chronic exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. Curr Pediatr Rev. 2009;5(4):234–40.
7. Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Norouzi P, Mirbadie SR, Fazli M, Mirzaii M. Oxidative stress associated with long term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields. Work. 2021;68(2):379–86.
8. Tukimin R, Mahadi W, editors. A study of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) exposure levels at multi-storey apartment. In: Proc Kuala Lumpur Int Conf Biomed Eng. 2011.
9. Turner M, Benke G, Bowman J, Figuerola J, Cardis E, editors. Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and brain tumors in the INTEROCC study. ISEE Conf Abstr. 2013;25.
10. Hosseinabadi MB, Khanjani N, Mirzaii M, Norouzi P, Atashi A. DNA damage from long-term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields among power plant workers. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2019;846:403079.
11. Fang YY, Tu Q, Zhang YT, Liu J, Liu HG, Zhao ZH, et al. Effect of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on the thyroid gland of workers: a prospective study. Curr Med Sci. 2022;42(4):817–23.
12. Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. No effects of power line frequency extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on selected neurobehavior tests of workers inspecting transformers and distribution line stations versus controls. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med. 2014;37(1):37–44.
13. Lee SK, Park S, Gimm YM, Kim YW. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields induce spermatogenic germ cell apoptosis: possible mechanism. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:567183.
14. Touitou Y, Selmaoui B. The effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on melatonin and cortisol, two marker rhythms of the circadian system. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012;14(4):381–99.
15. Schüz J, Dasenbrock C, Ravazzani P, Röösli M, Schär P, Bounds PL, et al. Extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukemia: a risk assessment by the ARIMMORA consortium. Bioelectromagnetics. 2016;37(3):183–9.
16. Prihoda TJ. Genetic damage in human cells exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields: a meta-analysis of the data from 88 publications (1990–2011). Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2012;749(1–2):1–16.
17. Kheifets L, Ahlbom A, Crespi CM, Draper G, Hagihara J, Lowenthal RM, et al. Pooled analysis of recent studies on magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia. Br J Cancer. 2010;103(7):1128–35.
18. Elmas O, Comlekci S. Investigation of effects of short-term exposure to 50Hz magnetic field on central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems in rats. Bioelectromagnetics. 2015;36(6):420–9.
19. Salari M, Eftekhar-Vaghefi SH, Asadi-Shekaari M, Esmaeilpour K, Solhjou S, Amiri M, et al. Impact of ketamine administration on chronic unpredictable stress-induced rat model of depression during extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure: behavioral, histological and molecular study. Brain Behav. 2023;13(5):e3157.
20. Pedersen C, Poulsen AH, Rod NH, Frei P, Hansen J, Grell K, et al. Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and risk for central nervous system disease: an update of a Danish cohort study among utility workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017;90(7):619–28.
21. Liebl MP, Windschmitt J, Besemer AS, Schäfer AK, Reber H, Behl C, et al. Low-frequency magnetic fields do not aggravate disease in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep. 2015;5:8514.
22. Maes A, Anthonissen R, Wambacq S, Simons K, Verschaeve L. The Cytome assay as a tool to investigate the possible association between exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(3):741–9.
23. Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Li N. Short-term effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on Alzheimer’s disease in rats. Int J Radiat Biol. 2015;91(1):28–34.
24. Rathebe P, Weyers C, Raphela F. Some health effects of exposure to static magnetic fields and radiofrequency energy among MRI staff working with 1.5 and 3.0 tesla scanners in South Africa. Afr J Biomed Res. 2020;23(1):57–63.
25. Shuo T, Yumeng Y, Leilei Y, Yanhui H, Chao Y, Hua Y, et al. Static magnetic field induces abnormality of glucose metabolism in rats’ brain and results in anxiety-like behavior. J Chem Neuroanat. 2021;113:101989.
26. Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Ebrahimi MH, Haji B, Abdolahfard M. The effect of chronic exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep quality, stress, depression and anxiety. Electromagn Biol Med. 2019;38(1):96–101.
27. Djordjevic NZ, Paunović MG, Peulić AS. Anxiety-like behavioural effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field in rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017;24(27):21693–9.
28. Faraji N, Salehi I, Alizadeh A, Pourgholaminejad A, Komaki A, Azandaryani MT, et al. Comparing the effects of long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields with different values on learning, memory, anxiety, and β-amyloid deposition in adult rats. Basic Clin Neurosci. 2021;12(6):849–59.
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| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 16 No 1 (2024) | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Published | 2025-08-30 | |
| Keywords | ||
| ELF-EMFs health effects DNA damage leukemia exposure assessment | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Jafari A, Jafari nodoushan M, Jafari zaveh M, Rezaei hachesu V, Sheikhmozafari M, Monazzam M. Health Impacts of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs): A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence (2015–2023). Int J Occup Hyg. 2025;16(1):7-19.
