Abstract

REVUELTAS AGUERO, Moura; AVILA ROQUE, Ibis; BAQUES MERINO, Raúl  and  BELTRAN REGUERA, Ramona Consuelo. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and their impact on human health. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2014, vol.52, n.2, pp.210-227. ISSN 1561-3003.

Introduction: recorded intensity of the extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) from the use of electricity at work and in community settings, exceeds several times the natural background values and is expected to increase in the coming years. The approach to the EMF and knowledge of the controversial issue prompted us to prepare this paper. Objective: to show the influence of the electromagnetic fields on the human body and its possible implications for health. Methods: occupational and Medicine, Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environmental and Health were among the specialized journals on environmental health published from 1988-1997 and used to make a literature review on this topic. International databases, sources and other information resources were explored. Results: of the total number of publications, only 4 did not relate exposure to electromagnetic field with onset of human health problems; but the vast majority (55 documents) did so in one way or another. Six made reference to the electromagnetic field causing somehow biological and physiological changes in humans whereas 49 associated it with the occurrence of diseases. Conclusions: there is no doubt that the productive and technical development has not been unrelated to human health. Therefore, it is required to determine, quantify and assess the risk in order to clarify its relation to human health, which will allow taking actions towards protection and safety in the future.

Keywords : electromagnetic fields; environmental health; occupational exposure.

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