Describes the analysis and conclusions of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) regarding possible health effects from ELF-EMF (magnetic field) exposures. The NIEHS carried out a hazard evaluation of ELF-EMF exposure that examined both historical and novel scientific evidence on possible health and biological effects at a series of open, scientific meetings. The scientific evidence suggesting that ELF-EMF exposures pose any health risk is weak, and there is a lack of connection between the human data and the experimental data (animal and mechanistic).

The possible health effects of electro-magnetic (EMF) from high-voltage electric power lines have been discussed sine the 1970s. The concern was triggered by epidemilogical studies in the United States and Europe that suggested a slightly increased incidence of leukaemia's and brain tumours occured among those living and working near high-voltage power lines. Although studies can indicate an associate between factor and effect, the studies themselves cannot confirm a cause-effect relationship. Whether EMF is producing these ill effects must be confirmed by experimental studies.

Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? This volume assesses the data and draws conclusions about the consequences of human exposure to EMF. The committee examines what is known about three kinds of health effects associated with EMF: cancer, primarily childhood leukemia; reproduction and development; and neurobiological effects. This book provides a detailed discussion of hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization for each. Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields also discusses the tools available to measure exposure, common types of exposures, and what is known about the effects of exposure. The committee looks at correlations between EMF exposure and carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, neurobehavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, effects on melatonin and other neurochemicals, and effects on bone healing and stimulated cell growth.