The works of S. Shmigelskyj presented new aspects in 1993 when he tried to analyze the influence of electromagnetic fields (EMFS) on the development of neoplasms paying special attention to the extremely low frequency (ELF). This research purposefully engaged in previous controversy regarding health hazards of EMFs, especially emitted by usual sources such as: electrical appliances, power lines, and electronic devices. This research purposefully engaged in previous controversy regarding health hazards of EMFs, especially emitted by usual sources such as: electrical appliances, power lines, and electronic devices. However, Szmigielski connected both pieces of information, based on epidemiology and laboratory observations, and in so doing, partly explained the cancer risk, especially of neoplasias, associated with ELF-EMF exposure. This paper examines the key aspects of Szmigielski's research, the biological mechanisms involved, and the details of the health hazard.

An invisible energetic sphere called an electromagnetic field is generated whenever electrical energy is used, be it from natural or artificial sources. Conventionally, two kinds of EMFs are classified according to their frequencies, which are the ionizing and the non-ionizing radiation. An ionizing radiation such as X-Ray is capable of cutting chemical strands and directly emitting energy towards the DNA makes it a definitive carcinogen. Bulk of the ELF radiation categorically fits within non-ionizing radiation, which does not exhibit enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules. Even so, Szmigielski’s research studied whether the long-term exposure to ELF-EMFs pose health risks in, among others, cancer development.

ELF-EMFs can alternatively be defined as the electromagnetic fields with frequencies lower than 300 Hz. The rise of a power-dependent society has made this frequency numerous. Power lines, electrical wiring, household appliances such as refrigerators, television sets and microwave ovens among many others are its common sources. It goes without saying then that the majority of people around the world come into contact with ELF-EMFs which begs the question as to whether they are safe.

Szmigielski’s 1993 Study: Basic Conclusions

Among the few studies completed earlier that may be cited remains Szmigielski’s of a Polish origin from 1993 which has shown specifically focus on the use of the ELF-EMF and risk of neoplasms. Neoplasms are tissue growths that can be either non-cancerous or cancerous; benign and malignant respectively. There was material for linking the risk of cancer with exposure to ELF-EMFs, for example, in connection with various professional activities in which EMF exposure was rather high and of prolonged duration.

The principal results of the studies conducted by Szmigielski include:

1. Industrial Exposure and Correlation with Increased Cancer Risk: One of the core aspects of Szmigielski’s study was its focus on people who suffered from occupational ELF-EMFs. The research established that employees of the telecommunications, electrical utilities and manufacturing industries which had high ELF-EMF exposure were more susceptible to neoplasms. Such individuals were observed to be at greater risk of brain tumors, leukemia and some other cancers than the average population does. The results of this study were extremely important for people with EMF exposure for a long time, such as electrical engineers and power plant employees.
2. Laboratory Studies on ELF-EMF Exposure: Apart from epidemiological polarization tendency Szmigielski also carried out laboratory experiments to assess the biological impact of ELF-EMFs on healthy and malignant cell and tissue culture models. These studies showed that prolonged exposure to ELF-EMFs could result to alteration of genes, excessive growth of cells, and disruption of cellular intercommunication. It was therefore anticipated that their laboratory results could result in promotion of neoplasms through circumventing the processes involved in cell growth and repair which maintained the neoplasms latent.
3. Cause of Cancer in Animals Models: Szmigielski’s work also included experiments on animal models, which also provided biological evidence on the association of exposure with cancer development due to ELF-EMF. The animal studies confirmed that there was elevated risk of tumor formation following exposure to ELF-EMFs, with brain and hematopoietic (blood-forming) systems being specifically targeted. These findings were in agreement with the epidemiological data, which pointed out a higher prevalence of brain tumors and leukemia related to exposure of workers to ELF-EMFs.
4. The Role of ELF-EMFs in Promoting the Growth of Neoplasms: While the work of Szmigielski did not for all intents and purposes prove that ELF-EMFs were direct causative agents of cancer, it managed to produce strong evidence that ELF-EMFs have the capacity to promote neoplasm development. In the same way, ELF-EMFs humans may not be cancer’s direct cause, but they have the ability to promote other carcinogenic agents or conditions that promote tumor development. This hypothesis was reinforced by the fact that the exposure of individuals to ELF-EMF was associated with oxidative injury and inflammation, both of which are activating processes relevant to cancer progression.

Conclusion

In 1993, Szmigielski offered clear evidence pointing to a possible association between neoplasms and exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs). Concentrating on both epidemiological perspective and laboratory studies, it was established in Szmigielski’s research that long term exposure to ELF - EMFs may be associated with high likelihood of getting cancer, especially among the working people. Although the precise biological pathways of ELF-EMF-induced cancer are still under investigation, Szmigielski was the first prosthesis in this field who justified the need for additional studies of health consequences of EMF exposure. The risk of ELF-EMFs on human health cannot be fully discounted as the world advances technologically, thus the concern regarding its cancer causing effects will still be of paramount concern for global health.

References

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