title: Influence of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on the circadian system: current stage of knowledge.
abstract: One of the side effects of each electrical device work is the electromagnetic field generated near its workplace. All organisms, including humans, are exposed daily to the influence of different types of this field, characterized by various physical parameters. Therefore, it is important to accurately determine the effects of an electromagnetic field on the physiological and pathological processes occurring in cells, tissues, and organs. Numerous epidemiological and experimental data suggest that the extremely low frequency magnetic field generated by electrical transmission lines and electrically powered devices and the high frequencies electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices have a potentially negative impact on the circadian system. On the other hand, several studies have found no influence of these fields on chronobiological parameters. According to the current state of knowledge, some previously proposed hypotheses, including one concerning the key role of melatonin secretion disruption in pathogenesis of electromagnetic field induced diseases, need to be revised. This paper reviews the data on the effect of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on melatonin and cortisol rhythms-two major markers of the circadian system as well as on sleep. It also provides the basic information about the nature, classification, parameters, and sources of these fields.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego Street 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2604-926X
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lewczuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechatronics and High Voltage Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Własna Strzecha Street 18A, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland ; Department of Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, Electronics, and Control Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego Street 11, 10-736 Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1597-5145
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Redlarski
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechatronics and High Voltage Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Własna Strzecha Street 18A, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zak
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego Street 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0748-7777
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ziółkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego Street 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1712-5884
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Przybylska-Gornowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechatronics and High Voltage Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Własna Strzecha Street 18A, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9640-4696
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krawczuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057906:Circadian Clocks; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D060733:Electromagnetic Radiation; D006801:Humans