Electromagnetic field cancer scares.
The internal electric current or power levels that a human is likely to encounter in a typical electromagnetic field environment are calculated. At 60 Hz, a reasonable value for maximum permissible exposure is an internal current density of 1 microA cm(-2). At this frequency, a 600 V m(-1) electric field results in a current density of 0.0002 microA cm(-2), while a 200 microT magnetic field results in 0.6 microA cm(-2). This should be compared with an action potential, which is associated with a current density of 800 microA cm(-2). The ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1991 standards, whose frequency range is 3 kHz to 300 GHz, are examined. Epidemiological studies are briefly considered. The conclusion is that it is highly unlikely that there is a link between electromagnetic fields and cancer.
Deutsch
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University of South Florida, Electrical Engineering Department, Tampa 33620, USA.
Wilkening
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*