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Dialogues in clinical neuroscience
Dec, 2012;14 (4): 381-99.

The effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on melatonin and cortisol, two marker rhythms of the circadian system.

Yvan Touitou, Brahim Selmaoui
Author Information
  1. Yvan Touitou: Chronobiology Unit, Foundation A. de Rothschild, Paris, France. yvan.touitou@chronobiology.fr
PMID: 23393415

Abstract

In the past 30 years the concern that daily exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) (1 to 300 Hz) might be harmful to human health (cancer, neurobehavioral disturbances, etc) has been the object of debate, and has become a public health concern. This has resulted in the classification of ELF-EMF into category 2B, ie, agents that are "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Since melatonin, a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland, has been shown to possess oncostatic properties, a "melatonin hypothesis" has been raised, stating that exposure to EMF might decrease melatonin production and therefore might promote the development of breast cancer in humans. Data from the literature reviewed here are contradictory. In addition, we have demonstrated a lack of effect of ELF-EMF on melatonin secretion in humans exposed to EMF (up to 20 years' exposure) which rebuts the melatonin hypothesis. Currently, the debate concerns the effects of ELF-EMF on the risk of childhood leukemia in children chronically exposed to more than 0.4 μT. Further research is thus needed to obtain more definite answers regarding the potential deleterious effects of ELF-EMF.

Keywords

cancer chronodisruption circadian rhythm cortisol environment magnetic field marker rhythm melatonin neurobehavioral disturbances rhythm desynchronization

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MeSH Term

Circadian Rhythm
Electromagnetic Fields
Environmental Exposure
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Melatonin

Chemicals

Melatonin
Hydrocortisone
Journal Article Review
Article has an altmetric score of 34

Word Cloud

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