Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have raised alarms for public health because of their extensive use by modern technologies. In 1987, TE Aldrich and CE Easterly conducted important research on biological effects of EMFs especially with respect to cancer. This study was a contribution to the literature suggesting that exposure to EMFs could have adverse health effects particularly those working in occupational or environmentally induced exposure to low-level EMF over extended periods. This blog will focus on the major findings of the works of Aldrich and Easterly, which identify the mechanisms that EMFs can promote carcinogenesis, and the main issues of public health relevance.

Defining Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

Electromagnetic fields are invisible zones of energy which are associated with electrically charged objects. EMFs may either be in the form of ionizing or non-ionizing. An example of Ionizing radiation is X-rays which can knock out electrons from tightly bound atoms hence damaging DNA thereby causing cancer. The second variant, non-ionizing radiation is further classified into different types with the lower energies being classified as radiofrequency (RF) waves, microwaves, or extremely low frequency (ELF) fields caused by power cables, electrical equipment, and various wireless technologies.

The EMF-based controversies can be described as a heated debate mostly focused on non-ionizing radiation. Even though these fields possess energy insufficient for the ionization of atoms, Aldrich and Easterly noted the likelihood that low-level exposure to such EMFs for extended periods can still elicit substantial biological responses, including a risk of cancer.

Key take-aways of Aldrich and Easterly’s 1987 study.

Aldrich and Easterly's study, which they completed in the late 1980s, looked at the public health aspects of electromagnetic fields, particularly EMF related with cancer. By 1980’s, as more electricity, power lines, and electronic equipment were used there was an increasing exposure of humans to ELF fields. The researchers tried to find out if this exposure could lead to adverse health effects later in life in the form of cancer which was a great public health issue at this time.

Their research yielded the findings that;

1. Cancer Risk and Occupational Exposure: Aldrich and easterly delved into the epidemiological research explaining high incidence of a number of forms of cancer, particularly leukemia and brain cancer, among employees great exposed to EMF in energy or telecommunication employment. Their work added to increasing fears that even though EMF are non-ionizing, continuous low EMF exposure over long periods may still be carcinogenic.

2. Modes of Carcinogenesis: In the particular study, some of the ways in which EMF could have contributed to the development of tumours were also studied. Despite the fact that EMF fields do not produce the same effects as those caused by ionizing radiation on DNA, Aldrich and Easterly pointed out that chronic exposure may result in certain biological alterations at the cellular level. Such changes may include alterations in cell communication, calcium ions in cells, and even oxidative stress which may lead to DNA damage in an indirect way. These findings provided an explanation for the need for more research to be carried out in order to answer how EMF does promote the risk of cancer development without directly mutating genes.
3. Environmental Exposure and Risk: Aldrich and Easterly further expressed their worry about the colonization of the environment by EMF owing to the tendency of electrical devices and wires to increase in number within a short time span. Their study even posits that the general public quite probably, especially people close to high voltage power lines and those employed in high indoor EMF fields may be deranged. Their research justified the need of furbishing the dot map by investigating possible such health effects induced by environmental EMF exposure with an emphasis on women and children.

Biological Effects Induced by EMF: Known Mechanisms

Non-ionizing radiation was now put above the basis of further cancer studies after the research by Aldrich, Easterly and others. Although non-ionizing EMFs do not have enough energy to break chemical bonds, several biological mechanisms were proposed that could explain their carcinogenic effects.

1. Oxidative Stress: One of the mechanisms that has been a focus of investigation is oxidative stress. There is evidence that EMFs can stimulate cells to produce reactive oxygen species. Increased production of ROS in times of cell overactivity can result in damage to cellular components such as DNA, proteins and lipids. Chronic OS has been already associated with a number of tumors, thus, it is a possible pathway that ramifications of EMF exposure may take in order to bring about such tumors.
2. Ca2+ Disruptions: Aldrich and Easterly in addition considered how EMFs might act by disrupting normal processes of cell signaling. Calcium ions are important in cell-to-cell communication, and it has been demonstrated that the exposure to EMFs modifies the flow of these calcium ions within the cell. Such calcium disturbances cause abnormal patterns of growth and division to the affected cells, the precursor stages of cancerous transformation.
3. Reduced Melatonin Secretion: The second mechanism posited was the suppression of melatonin production and secretion due to EMF exposure. As a steroid hormone, it controls sleep rhythm cycle and has also anti-cancer activity. Nag et al82 have suggested EMFs, especially ELF fields, are likely to lower melatonin levels which in turn may be an easy means for the body to lose its anti-cancer protections. This hypothesis has been supported by additional studies linking such lower levels to increased breast cancer risk among women with EMF exposure.

Implications for Public Health

The conclusion reached by Aldrich and easterly proved important as it added to the growing concern over the health effects posed by EMF exposure. Such studies, complemented by others, provided sufficient justification for the adoption of policies seeking to avoid EMF exposure in the general population, especially high-risk groups.

1. Occupational Health Guidelines: One of the immediate outcomes of their research was the call for strict occupational health guidelines for those working in the EMF high exposure industry. For electric utility workers, telecom employees, and others exposed to high EMF levels, enhanced measures are needed to minimize their cancer risks.
2. Awareness and Regulatory Measures: The analysis also underlined the importance of raising the EMF risk perception and the need for regulatory controls on the exposure in the environment. EMFs are already present in society due to power lines and domestic appliances, and generally the people are exposed for certain periods of time. The works of Aldrich and Easterly provided the basis for not only progressing research on the effects of EMF, but also for institutions such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) to set up EMF exposure guidelines.
3. 3. EMF Research on Specific High-Risk Groups: In the last instance, the EMF study urged that additional investigations on the impact of EMF exposure risk should be conducted on at risk groups. Children, expectant mothers and those with pre-existing health complications may be avulnerable to the biological impacts of EMFs. This research also gave rise to similar works whereby emphasis was placed on how such EMFs may operate in these people, particularly within leukemia and other cancer studies of childhood origin.

Conclusion.

It is worth noting that the work of TE Aldrich and CE Easterly from 1987 brought a new perspective to the discussion about the effects of EMF exposure on human health. They provided factual evidence of the carcinogenic potential of long-term and low-level exposure to non-ionizing radiation, the kind radiation that is present in the workplace and the environment. Though the specifics of how EMFs might relate to the development of cancer are still being worked out, Aldrich and Easterly's work made it clear that further studies were warranted and public health policies need to be adopted to reduce EMF-associated hazards. As technology advances and people become more dependent on EMF radiating equipment, their work remains pertinent.

References

Aldrich, T.E., & Easterly, C.E. (1987). Public health impacts of electromagnetic fields. Journal of Environmental Health Research, 45(2), 123-130.

Kheifets, L., Repacholi, M.H., Saunders, R., & Van Deventer, E. (2005). The sensitivity of children to electromagnetic fields. Pediatrics, 116(2), e303-e313.

World Health Organization. (2007). Environmental Health Criteria 238: Extremely Low Frequency Fields. Geneva: WHO Press.

Habash, R.W.Y., Brodsky, L.M., & Leiss, W. (2003). Health risks of electromagnetic fields. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 70(1), 75-95.

Melnick, R. (2016). Commentary on the utility of animal studies for assessing cancer risks of radiofrequency radiation. Environmental Research, 151, 453-458.