British Study Finds No Link Between EMF Exposure and DNA Repair
A study published this month in the British Journal of Cancer finds that there is no link between exposure to electromagnetic fields and the ability of cells to repair DNA damage — one hypothesis on how EMF exposure might possibly increase risk of cancer in young children.
Researchers at the UK’s National Radiological Protection Board exposed human blood cells to very strong magnetic fields to see if the exposure would affect the ability of the cells to repari DNA damage. In a press release describing the results, researcher David Lloyd said,
Some studies in the past have thrown up evidence of a weak link between unusually strong magnetic fields experienced in some homes, and leukemia in children. We tried to produce this effect in cells in the lab, but couldn’t find it even using magnetic fields stronger than people would experience in every day life.
This again suggests that there likely is no connection between EMF exposure and cancer. As Lloyd put it, “Studies like ours have so far failed to uncover a pathway by which magnetic fields could cause childhood leukemia — and it’s looking probably that none exists.”
Source:
UK study doubts power line, leukemia link. Reuters Health, June 11, 2003.
Tags: EMF