Review
BibTex RIS Cite

Effects Of Electromagnetic Pollution On Human Health: Current Findings, Scientific Evidence And Reflections On Health Policies

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 30 - 45, 30.06.2025
https://doi.org/10.52148/ehta.1687251

Abstract

Objective: Electromagnetic pollution (EMP) has become an important environmental health problem with the increase in technological developments. The effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by devices such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi networks and base stations on human health have been intensively investigated in recent years. This review evaluates the effects of non-ionizing EMF on health in the light of current scientific evidence.
Method: Effects such as neurological effects, sleep disorders, headache, stress, attention problems, and possible effects on reproductive health, child development and cancer risk are discussed. In addition, recommendations from international institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and current health policies in Türkiye are presented comparatively.
Conclusions: Current scientific data are insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion about the effects of electromagnetic pollution on health.
Discussion: The importance of a cautious approach and protective policies for EMF should be considered in determining health policies.

References

  • Adey, W. R. (1993). Biological effects of electromagnetic fields. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 51(4), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.240510402
  • Altpeter, E. S., Röösli, M., Battaglia, M., Pfluger, D., Minder, C. E., & Abelin, T. (2006). Effect of short-wave (6–22 MHz) magnetic fields on sleep quality and melatonin cycle in humans: The Schwarzenburg shut-down study. Bioelectromagnetics, 27(2), 142–150. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20183
  • Bonhomme-Faivre, L., Marion, S., Forestier, F., Santini, R., & Auclair, H. (2003). Effects of electromagnetic fields on the immune systems of occupationally exposed humans and mice. Archives of Environmental Health, 58(11), 712–717. https://doi.org/10.3200/AEOH.58.11.712-717
  • Carpenter, D. O. (2019). Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results. Environmental Research, 178, 108688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108688
  • Chu, K. Y., Khodamoradi, K., Blachman-Braun, R., Dullea, A., Bidhan, J., Campbell, K., Zizzo, J., Israeli, J., Kim, M., Petrella, F., Ibrahim, E., & Ramasamy, R. (2023). Effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by modern cellphones on sperm motility and viability: An in vitro study. European Urology Focus, 9(1), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2022.08.007
  • Consales, C., Merla, C., Marino, C., & Benassi, B. (2012). Electromagnetic fields, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. International Journal of Cell Biology, 2012, 683897. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/683897
  • Council of the European Union. (1999). Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1999/519/EC). Official Journal of the European Communities, L199, 59–70. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31999H0519
  • Divan, H. A., Kheifets, L., Obel, C., & Olsen, J. (2008). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to cell phone use and behavioral problems in children. Epidemiology, 19(4), 523–529. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e318175dd47
  • Erogul, O., Oztas, E., Yildirim, I., Kir, T., Aydur, E., Komesli, G., Irkilata, H. C., Irmak, M. K., & Peker, A. F. (2006). Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: An in vitro study. Archives of Medical Research, 37(7), 840–843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2006.05.003
  • European Parliament and Council of the European Union. (2013). Directive 2013/35/EU of 26 June 2013 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (20th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). Official Journal of the European Union, L 179, 1–21. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013L0035
  • Foster KR, Repacholi MH. Biological effects of radiofrequency fields: does modulation matter? Radiat Res. 2004 Aug;162(2):219-25. doi: 10.1667/rr3191. PMID: 15387150.
  • Gürkan, M. F. (2016). Düzenleyici ve Denetleyici Kurum Olarak Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu BTK. İnönü Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(2), 333-356. https://doi.org/10.21492/inuhfd.239846
  • Gorpinchenko, I., Nikitin, O., Banyra, O., & Shulyak, A. (2014). The influence of direct mobile phone radiation on sperm quality. Central European Journal of Urology, 67(1), 65–71. https://doi.org/10.5173/ceju.2014.01.art14
  • Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2013). Using the Hill viewpoints from 1965 for evaluating strengths of evidence of the risk for brain tumors associated with use of mobile and cordless phones. Reviews on Environmental Health, 28(2–3), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2013-0006
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2011). IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf
  • International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. (2010). Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz). Health Physics, 99(6), 818–836. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0b013e3181f06c86
  • Israel Barbara, A., Parker Edith, A., Rowe, Z., Salvatore, A., Minkler, M., López, J., . . . Halstead, S. (2005). Community-Based Participatory Research: Lessons Learned from the Centers for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(10), 1463-1471. doi:10.1289/ehp.7675
  • Jammoul, M., & Lawand, N. (2022). Melatonin: A potential shield against electromagnetic waves. Current Neuropharmacology, 20(3), 648–660. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210609163946
  • Khurana, V. G., Teo, C., Kundi, M., Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2009). Cell phones and brain tumors: A review including the long-term epidemiologic data. Surgical Neurology, 72(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surneu.2009.01.019
  • Kheifets L, Repacholi M, Saunders R, van Deventer E. The sensitivity of children to electromagnetic fields. Pediatrics. 2005 Aug;116(2):e303-13. doi: 10.1542/peds.2004-2541. PMID: 16061584.
  • Kumar, S., Kesari, K. K., & Behari, J. (2011). Influence of microwave exposure on fertility of male rats. Fertility and Sterility, 95(4), 1500–1502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.04.078
  • Kwon, M. S., & Hämäläinen, H. (2011). Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields: Critical evaluation of behavioral and neurophysiological studies. Bioelectromagnetics, 32(4), 253–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20637
  • Li, D. K., Chen, H., Ferber, J. R., Odouli, R., & Quesenberry, C. (2017). Exposure to magnetic field non-ionizing radiation and the risk of miscarriage: A prospective cohort study. Scientific Reports, 7, 17541. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16623-8
  • Nittby, H., Grafström, G., Eberhardt, J. L., Malmgren, L., Brun, A., Persson, B. R., & Salford, L. G. (2008). Radiofrequency and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field effects on the blood–brain barrier. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 27(2), 103–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368370802072148
  • Repacholi, M. H. (1997). Radiofrequency field exposure and cancer: What do the laboratory studies suggest? Environmental Health Perspectives, 105(Suppl 6), 1565–1568. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.97105s61565
  • Röösli, M., Frei, P., Mohler, E., & Hug, K. (2010). Systematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 88(12), 887–896F. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.09.071852
  • Sage, C., & Burgio, E. (2018). Electromagnetic fields, pulsed radiofrequency radiation, and epigenetics: How wireless technologies may affect childhood development. Child Development, 89(1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12824
  • Salford, L. G., Brun, A. E., Eberhardt, J. L., Malmgren, L., & Persson, B. R. R. (2003). Nerve cell damage in mammalian brain after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(7), 881–883. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6039
  • Scientific Committee on Emerging Newly Identified Health Risks. Opinion on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2015 Sep;36(6):480-4. doi: 10.1002/bem.21930. Epub 2015 Jul 16. PMID: 26179386.
  • Stam, R. (2010). Electromagnetic fields and the blood-brain barrier. Brain Research Reviews, 65(1), 80–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2010.06.001
  • Thomée, S. (2018). Mobile phone use and mental health. A review of the research that takes a psychological perspective on exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12), 2692. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122692
  • UK Government. (2016). The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 (Statutory Instrument No. 588). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/588
  • World Health Organization. (2007). Electromagnetic fields and public health: Exposure to extremely low frequency fields. https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/radiation-and-health/non-ionizing/emf
  • Zhao, J., Tian, Y., Nie, J., Xu, J., & Liu, D. (2012). Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. Journal of Athletic Training, 47(6), 673–678. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.04
  • Zothansiama, Zosangzuali, M., Lalramdinpuii, M., & Jagetia, G. C. (2017). Impact of radiofrequency radiation on DNA damage and antioxidants in peripheral blood lymphocytes of humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 36(3), 295–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368378.2017.1350584

Elektromanyetik Kirliliğin İnsan Sağlığı Üzerine Etkileri: Güncel Bulgular, Bilimsel Kanıtlar ve Sağlık Politikalarına Yansımalar

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 30 - 45, 30.06.2025
https://doi.org/10.52148/ehta.1687251

Abstract

Amaç: Elektromanyetik kirlilik (EMK), teknolojik gelişmelerle birlikte önemli bir çevresel sağlık sorunu olarak gündeme gelmiştir. Mobil telefonlar, Wi-Fi ağları ve baz istasyonları gibi cihazların yaydığı elektromanyetik alanlara (EMA) maruziyetin insan sağlığı üzerindeki etkileri, son yıllarda yoğun bir şekilde araştırılmaktadır. Bu derleme, iyonlaştırıcı olmayan EMA’nın sağlık üzerindeki etkilerini güncel bilimsel kanıtlar ışığında değerlendirmektedir.
Yöntem: Nörolojik etkiler, uyku bozuklukları, baş ağrısı, stres, dikkat sorunları gibi etkiler ile üreme sağlığı, çocuk gelişimi ve kanser riski üzerindeki olası etkiler ele alınmıştır. Ayrıca, Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (WHO) ve Uluslararası İyonlaştırıcı Olmayan Radyasyondan Korunma Komisyonu (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection(ICNIRP) gibi uluslararası kurumların önerileri ile Türkiye'deki mevcut sağlık politikaları karşılaştırmalı olarak sunulmuştur.
Sonuçlar: Mevcut bilimsel veriler, elektromanyetik kirliliğin sağlık üzerindeki etkileri konusunda kesin bir yargıya varmak için yetersizdir.
Tartışma: EMK için ihtiyatlı yaklaşım ve koruyuc

References

  • Adey, W. R. (1993). Biological effects of electromagnetic fields. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 51(4), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.240510402
  • Altpeter, E. S., Röösli, M., Battaglia, M., Pfluger, D., Minder, C. E., & Abelin, T. (2006). Effect of short-wave (6–22 MHz) magnetic fields on sleep quality and melatonin cycle in humans: The Schwarzenburg shut-down study. Bioelectromagnetics, 27(2), 142–150. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20183
  • Bonhomme-Faivre, L., Marion, S., Forestier, F., Santini, R., & Auclair, H. (2003). Effects of electromagnetic fields on the immune systems of occupationally exposed humans and mice. Archives of Environmental Health, 58(11), 712–717. https://doi.org/10.3200/AEOH.58.11.712-717
  • Carpenter, D. O. (2019). Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results. Environmental Research, 178, 108688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108688
  • Chu, K. Y., Khodamoradi, K., Blachman-Braun, R., Dullea, A., Bidhan, J., Campbell, K., Zizzo, J., Israeli, J., Kim, M., Petrella, F., Ibrahim, E., & Ramasamy, R. (2023). Effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by modern cellphones on sperm motility and viability: An in vitro study. European Urology Focus, 9(1), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2022.08.007
  • Consales, C., Merla, C., Marino, C., & Benassi, B. (2012). Electromagnetic fields, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. International Journal of Cell Biology, 2012, 683897. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/683897
  • Council of the European Union. (1999). Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1999/519/EC). Official Journal of the European Communities, L199, 59–70. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31999H0519
  • Divan, H. A., Kheifets, L., Obel, C., & Olsen, J. (2008). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to cell phone use and behavioral problems in children. Epidemiology, 19(4), 523–529. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e318175dd47
  • Erogul, O., Oztas, E., Yildirim, I., Kir, T., Aydur, E., Komesli, G., Irkilata, H. C., Irmak, M. K., & Peker, A. F. (2006). Effects of electromagnetic radiation from a cellular phone on human sperm motility: An in vitro study. Archives of Medical Research, 37(7), 840–843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2006.05.003
  • European Parliament and Council of the European Union. (2013). Directive 2013/35/EU of 26 June 2013 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (20th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). Official Journal of the European Union, L 179, 1–21. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013L0035
  • Foster KR, Repacholi MH. Biological effects of radiofrequency fields: does modulation matter? Radiat Res. 2004 Aug;162(2):219-25. doi: 10.1667/rr3191. PMID: 15387150.
  • Gürkan, M. F. (2016). Düzenleyici ve Denetleyici Kurum Olarak Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu BTK. İnönü Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, 4(2), 333-356. https://doi.org/10.21492/inuhfd.239846
  • Gorpinchenko, I., Nikitin, O., Banyra, O., & Shulyak, A. (2014). The influence of direct mobile phone radiation on sperm quality. Central European Journal of Urology, 67(1), 65–71. https://doi.org/10.5173/ceju.2014.01.art14
  • Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2013). Using the Hill viewpoints from 1965 for evaluating strengths of evidence of the risk for brain tumors associated with use of mobile and cordless phones. Reviews on Environmental Health, 28(2–3), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2013-0006
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2011). IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf
  • International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. (2010). Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz). Health Physics, 99(6), 818–836. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0b013e3181f06c86
  • Israel Barbara, A., Parker Edith, A., Rowe, Z., Salvatore, A., Minkler, M., López, J., . . . Halstead, S. (2005). Community-Based Participatory Research: Lessons Learned from the Centers for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(10), 1463-1471. doi:10.1289/ehp.7675
  • Jammoul, M., & Lawand, N. (2022). Melatonin: A potential shield against electromagnetic waves. Current Neuropharmacology, 20(3), 648–660. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210609163946
  • Khurana, V. G., Teo, C., Kundi, M., Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2009). Cell phones and brain tumors: A review including the long-term epidemiologic data. Surgical Neurology, 72(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surneu.2009.01.019
  • Kheifets L, Repacholi M, Saunders R, van Deventer E. The sensitivity of children to electromagnetic fields. Pediatrics. 2005 Aug;116(2):e303-13. doi: 10.1542/peds.2004-2541. PMID: 16061584.
  • Kumar, S., Kesari, K. K., & Behari, J. (2011). Influence of microwave exposure on fertility of male rats. Fertility and Sterility, 95(4), 1500–1502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.04.078
  • Kwon, M. S., & Hämäläinen, H. (2011). Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields: Critical evaluation of behavioral and neurophysiological studies. Bioelectromagnetics, 32(4), 253–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.20637
  • Li, D. K., Chen, H., Ferber, J. R., Odouli, R., & Quesenberry, C. (2017). Exposure to magnetic field non-ionizing radiation and the risk of miscarriage: A prospective cohort study. Scientific Reports, 7, 17541. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16623-8
  • Nittby, H., Grafström, G., Eberhardt, J. L., Malmgren, L., Brun, A., Persson, B. R., & Salford, L. G. (2008). Radiofrequency and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field effects on the blood–brain barrier. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 27(2), 103–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368370802072148
  • Repacholi, M. H. (1997). Radiofrequency field exposure and cancer: What do the laboratory studies suggest? Environmental Health Perspectives, 105(Suppl 6), 1565–1568. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.97105s61565
  • Röösli, M., Frei, P., Mohler, E., & Hug, K. (2010). Systematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 88(12), 887–896F. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.09.071852
  • Sage, C., & Burgio, E. (2018). Electromagnetic fields, pulsed radiofrequency radiation, and epigenetics: How wireless technologies may affect childhood development. Child Development, 89(1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12824
  • Salford, L. G., Brun, A. E., Eberhardt, J. L., Malmgren, L., & Persson, B. R. R. (2003). Nerve cell damage in mammalian brain after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(7), 881–883. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.6039
  • Scientific Committee on Emerging Newly Identified Health Risks. Opinion on potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2015 Sep;36(6):480-4. doi: 10.1002/bem.21930. Epub 2015 Jul 16. PMID: 26179386.
  • Stam, R. (2010). Electromagnetic fields and the blood-brain barrier. Brain Research Reviews, 65(1), 80–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2010.06.001
  • Thomée, S. (2018). Mobile phone use and mental health. A review of the research that takes a psychological perspective on exposure. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(12), 2692. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122692
  • UK Government. (2016). The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 (Statutory Instrument No. 588). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/588
  • World Health Organization. (2007). Electromagnetic fields and public health: Exposure to extremely low frequency fields. https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/radiation-and-health/non-ionizing/emf
  • Zhao, J., Tian, Y., Nie, J., Xu, J., & Liu, D. (2012). Red light and the sleep quality and endurance performance of Chinese female basketball players. Journal of Athletic Training, 47(6), 673–678. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-47.6.04
  • Zothansiama, Zosangzuali, M., Lalramdinpuii, M., & Jagetia, G. C. (2017). Impact of radiofrequency radiation on DNA damage and antioxidants in peripheral blood lymphocytes of humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 36(3), 295–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/15368378.2017.1350584
There are 35 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Major Global Burdens of Disease
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Esra Daharlı 0000-0002-1387-2751

Publication Date June 30, 2025
Submission Date April 30, 2025
Acceptance Date June 10, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Daharlı, E. (2025). Elektromanyetik Kirliliğin İnsan Sağlığı Üzerine Etkileri: Güncel Bulgular, Bilimsel Kanıtlar ve Sağlık Politikalarına Yansımalar. Eurasian Journal of Health Technology Assessment, 9(1), 30-45. https://doi.org/10.52148/ehta.1687251

It is an open access and double-blinded peer-reviewed journal.

The journal context is provided free of charge to all users.
The scientific responsibility of the articles in the journal belongs to the authors.
The articles that had been published in the journal are not allowed to be used without citation.
© Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health Services, R&D and Health Technology Assessment Department
All rights are reserved to Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Health Services.