Electrical Effects on Health

St Cloud State University

Sydney Green

Todays' society is driven and dependent on the use of electricity in every aspect of
everyday life. Electricity is used in many diverse applications such as; controlling indoor
temperatures, provide light, clean clothes, power electronics, run factories, application of
medical imaging, cardiac pacemakers, communication, and many other everyday uses. The use
of electricity is so widespread it is impossible to avoid exposure to electric and magnetic fields.
Unfortunately, not many people are aware of the effects exposure to electric and magnetic fields
have on human health. Electrical effects on human health first arose when military personnel
were exposed to fields of high frequency radar systems and video screens during WWII. Since
then, the means to generate and control technology use, and effects it has on the body has
become more adequately understood and well known.

Electric and magnetic fields are characterized by their frequency and strength. The full
range of frequencies of electromagnetic fields is described as the electromagnetic spectrum. The
electromagnetic spectrum ranges from extremely low frequencies, which are associated with
common household electric current from 50-60 Hz following; radio waves (106-1010 Hz),
microwaves (1010-1012 Hz), infrared radiation (1012-1014 Hz), visible light (1014 Hz), ultraviolet
radiation (1015 Hz),x-rays and gamma rays (> 1017 Hz). Electric and magnetic fields at low
frequencies can be induced when the current is used to operate appliances, such as electric
razors, hair dryers, video-display terminals, and dimmer switches. Direct exposure to high
frequencies and strength of electric fields to high-voltage power lines and electric appliances
induce current on the surface of an exposed person's body.

Exposure to electric and magnetic fields can create either health or biologic effects.
Biologic effects typically occur at very low frequencies and low field strengths, which effect cell
metabolism and growth, gene expression, hormones, promotion of tumors, learning and
behavior. Although uncommon, some biologic effects at high field strengths can affect nerve
stimulation and the heating of tissue. For example; if electromagnetic fields were to stimulate
hormone in the body, it could alter the production or amount of hormones in an individuals body.
On the other hand, there are beneficial effects, for example; the ability of fields to stimulate
tissue and bone growth in order to speed the healing of fractures and burns. There have been
numerous studies on possible health effects of magnetic and electric fields. Cancer, reproductive
and developmental effects, primarily abnormalities, premature pregnancy termination, and
neurobiologic effects have become the chief concerns of the public and health officials. Cancer,
focused on childhood leukemia has attracted the most attention because of studies conducted that
reported an increased risk of the disease in association with various indicators of exposure to
electric or magnetic fields.

Sources of exposure depend upon where an individual lives, what an individual is

involved in, or what an individual uses electronically. Electric power lines are a common source
of exposure to magnetic fields due to the constant current running through them. They are
typically located in neighborhoods and depending on the height, voltage, and configuration of
suspension from the towers, could produce a greater or less magnetic field. Electric appliances
are another potential source of daily exposure to magnetic and electric currents. Voltage of
household appliances tend to be typically small, therefore produce minimal to no harmful effects.
Lastly, transportation systems such as subways and trains operate on an ac current and generate
electric and magnetic fields.

Over the course of the past decade, many electromagnetic field sources have become the
focus of health concerns which include power lines, microwave ovens, computer and TV
screens, security devices, radars and most recently mobile phones. The study of electromagnetic
fields in relation to cancer is the main focus of current and future research, along with the long-
term health effects of mobile phone usage. Studies in search of possible cancer-producing effects
of power frequency fields is continuing. Regarding the safety of cell phones, further research
aims to determine whether any less obvious effects might occur at low exposure levels.
Researchers will continue to conduct experiments and lead to more known information as to
what and why electromagnetic fields do to the human body. Despite extensive research, there is
no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human
health.