Developmental effects of electromagnetic fields

Abstract

This paper reviews experimental studies on the effects of radiofrequency (RF), extremely low frequency (ELF), and intermediate frequency (IF) electromagnetic fields on animal development. Numerous studies have shown that RF fields are teratogenic at exposure levels sufficiently high to cause significant increase of temperature. There is no consistent evidence of RF field effects at nonthermal exposure levels. Only a few studies have evaluated possible effects on postnatal development using sensitive endpoints, such as behavioral effects. ELF electric fields up to 150 kV/m have been evaluated in several mammalian species. The results are rather consistent and do not suggest adverse developmental effects. The results of studies on ELF magnetic fields suggest effects on bird embryo development, but not consistently in all studies. Results from experiments with other non-mammalian experimental models have also suggested subtle effects on developmental stability. In mammals, most studies have shown no effects of prenatal exposure to ELF or IF magnetic on gross external, visceral, or skeletal malformations. The only finding that shows some consistency is increase of minor skeleton alterations in several experiments. Taken as a whole, the results do not show robust adverse effects of ELF and IF fields on development. However, additional studies on the suggested subtle effects on developmental stability might increase our understanding of the sensitivity of biological organisms to weak low-frequency magnetic fields.