Running head: A Review of EMF Effects on Human Reproductive System Literature
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Electromagnetic Field Radiation Effects on Human Reproductive Health: A Review of Literature
Amandeep “Amy” Bhopal
School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco
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I. INTRODUCTION
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is the invisible field of energy that we cannot see, taste or
smell (Giancoli, 2008). It is comprised of electric and magnetic energy waves that radiate
throughout the environment. EMR and/or electromagnetic fields (EMFs)—terms that are
interchangeably used to broadly describe exposures – have become one of the most pervasive
environmental exposures today (BioInitiative Working Group, Sage, & Carpenter, 2012).
Created by the vast array of wired and wireless technologies including but not limited to
computers, WIFI, WLAN, cell phones, and power lines, these sources have ultimately altered the
landscape of our lives both beneficially and detrimentally. Its benefits include maximization of
energy efficiency, steadfast telecommunications, and mere convenience. The soaring usage of
such technologies can be illustrated by the sobering statistic that out of the world’s estimated
seven billion population approximately six billion have access to mobile phones (Eliasson,
2013). This is far greater than the 4.5 billion individuals who have accessibility to functioning
toilets (Eliasson, 2013). This illustrates how developments in wireless technology and the
deployment of wireless infrastructure have become the bedrock of today’s society. It is also an
illustration of the grandiose EMF exposure globally and its potentially adverse effects on the
reproductive organs. EMF exposure, therefore, represents an emergent public health issue and
rising public concern. The research community within the environmental, medical, and public
health disciplines have begun to amass bodies of evidence regarding these potential health risks
and concerns. This review summarizes a small portion of epidemiological and experimental
findings pertaining to EMFs that might affect the reproductive health of both males and females.
It concludes with brief recommendations for further research aimed at improving health risk
assessments and prudent policies acting on the best available scientific evidence.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Peer-reviewed publications utilized in this review were searched using the electronic databases
PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the national journal archive of Environmental Health Perspectives.
Combinations were searched for either of the key words “EMF”, “EMR”, and “RF-EMF” with
any of the following: “health effects”, “pregnancy”, “sperm quality” “prenatal”, “infertility”,
“fetal growth”, “birth weight”, and “growth retardation”. Reference lists of identified papers
were also searched for additional publications.
III. RESULTS
A. Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation Affects Sperm Quality in Males
Radiofrequency energy is a subset of electromagnetic radiation that is low in nature and
commonly produced by many man-made sources including cell phones and base stations,
television and radio broadcasting facilities, radar, and other electronic devices within our living
and working environments (Giancoli, 2008). Agarwal et al. explored the potential impacts of
radiofrequency on semen quality in 361 healthy males attending an infertility clinic (Agarwal et
al, 2007). These males were subjected to classification based on their cell phone usage:
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Group A: no use (n=40);
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Group B: less than 2hrs a day (n=107);
Group C: 2-4 hours a day (n=100);
Group D: more than 4 hours a day (n=114).
In order to assess semen quality, semen was collected using masturbation methods and analyzed
using World Health Organization guidelines (WHO, 2000). Semen analysis consisted of eight
sperm parameters: volume, liquefaction time, pH, viscosity, sperm count, motility, viability, and
percentage normal morphology. A majority of the sperm parameters across all groups were
found to be significantly different (Agarwal et al., 2007). These results suggested that
radiofrequencies emitted by cell phones might adversely affect semen quality, motility, viability,
morphology, and in turn, contribute to male infertility.
In a more recent study of 371 healthy males undergoing infertility evaluations, daily use of cell
phones correlated negatively with the proportion of motile sperm and positively with the
proportion of slow progressive sperm (Fejes et al., 2005). Therefore, they too concluded that
prolonged use of cell phones might also have adverse effects on sperm motility. In another study,
13 healthy males using digital (Global System for Mobile Communications [GSM]) phones for
six hours a day for five consecutive days displayed decreased rapid progressive motility of sperm
(Davoudi et al., 2002). Various other studies also indicate the correlation of frequent cell phone
use to the decrease in the percentage of live sperm cells and its progressive motility (Erogul et
al., 2006; Wdowiak et al., 2007).
Contrary to these results, Dasdag et al. reported no adverse effects of cell phone exposure on
sperm count, morphology, and histologic structure in the rat species (Dasdag et al, 1999).
However, in a similar study of sperm motility, morphology, and count in rats, results suggested
that carrying cell phones near the gonads could negativity affect male fertility. These statistically
significant results were based on rats that exhibited higher incidence of sperm cell death than
control group rats when exposed to 6 hours of daily cellular phone emissions (Yan et al., 2007).
Together, these studies associate the role of RF-EMFs in cellphones to decreased semen quality
and are suggestive of male infertility. The potential mechanisms of EMF from cell phones on the
male reproductive system is unclear and deserves further investigation, as this can provide great
insight to develop efforts in increasing sperm vitality.
B. Maternal Residential Magnetic Field Exposure and Potential Prenatal Effects
Potential associations of early pregnancy loss (EPL) with residential exposure to magnetic fields
were first explored in case-controlled studies in the early 1990s (Matilainen et al., 1990;
Juutilainen et al., 1993). These early studies investigated the incidence of EPL in women
attempting to become pregnant by measuring magnetic field exposures sourced by common
home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, electric blankets, washing machines,
and dryers. Since there were a small number of highly exposed subjects and other limitations, the
results are not interpreted here. Rather, these studies provide historical context regarding
preliminary efforts to study magnetic field exposure as they pertain to the reproductive health of
women. In a more recent case-controlled study in France, Robert et al. investigated whether
living in close proximity to high voltage power lines increased risk of congenital anomalies using
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the Central-East France Registry of Congenital Malformations (Robert et al, 1996). In this study,
distance from the high voltage power lines to the maternal residence were surrogate measures of
magnetic field exposures – using 100 meters as the cut off between exposed and nonexposed.
Among the 11 identified malformed infants within the 100-meter limit, only two children were
identified with Down syndrome (Robert et al., 1996). The results of the study found no
significant pattern in the occurrence of particular congenital anomalies.
On the other hand, two recent studies from California suggest an effect of maximum field
exposure on the risk of miscarriage. Li et al. conducted a population-based prospective cohort
study of 969 women (Li et al., 2002). All women had a positive pregnancy test at less than 10
weeks of gestation. Magnetic field exposure was measured by a magnetic field meter band that
was worn for 24 hours immediately after in person interviews. Results indicated no perceived
association between average magnetic field exposure levels and miscarriage risk (Li et al., 2002).
However, risks for miscarriage were increased at a maximum magnetic field exposure at 16
milligauss (mG) and this remained elevated for levels greater than 16 mG. These findings
extrapolated by Li et al. provide strong evidence that maximum magnetic field exposure above a
certain level may be associated with miscarriage risk. Similarly, Lee et al. in a prospective sub
study of 219 participants of the same Li et al. study explored whether the same exposure
assessments were achieved at 12 and 30 weeks of gestation (Lee et al., 2002; Li et al., 2002).
Evaluating wire codes, area measures, and personal meter metrics, the study found that
maximum personal magnetic field exposures and the exposures with large average differences
between consecutive levels are in fact associated with the risk of clinical miscarriages.
IV. CAVEATS
Findings in this review are based on studies of variable size and quality, which sometimes reach
differing conclusions. Most were conducted outside of the United States and need to interpreted
and applied within the American context. Only studies published since 1990 were included. The
literature varied in terms of the quality of the sampling procedures employed. Issues of bias,
selection, accurately measuring EMF exposure during a relevant time period, and identifying
susceptible populations were some common limitations. This may be a reflection of the difficulty
in recruiting and retaining large samples for intervention studies or perhaps the difficulty of
obtaining longitudinal data on EMFs and human reproductive health effects.
V. CONCLUSION
Although this review of the literature was very limited in scope, the implications of this data are
alarming. Epidemiological research has indicated potential adverse reproductive health outcomes
with exposure to EMFs. At high EMF exposure levels, risks for early pregnancy loss and/or
miscarriages are significantly elevated. In men, radiofrequency EMFs decrease the vitality of
semen, which ultimately can affect reproductive fitness. Due to the rapid global deployment of
various wired and wireless technologies chronically exposing billions to EMF radiation, it is
inevitably one of the most pervasive environmental exposures today.
New EMF limits ought to be warranted based on the overall existing epidemiological and
scientific evidence. These limits should reflect environmental levels of EMF that have been
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demonstrated to increase risk for miscarriages, prenatal defects, and sperm quality. Currently,
there are no federal regulations limiting EMF exposure that could be either occupationally or
residentially derived. As such, it is not prudent public health policy to wait any longer to adopt
new public safety limits for EMF. These limits should reflect the exposures that are commonly
associated with the increased risks of miscarriages and/or decreased sperm quality. While there
are uncertainties regarding EMF exposure on particular reproductive effects, it is pertinent to
extrapolate policies using the best available scientific evidence. In order to substantiate the
growing body of evidence of EMF exposure impact on reproductive health, further investigations
should be enforced.
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