Valberg P A
Gradient Corporation, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1996;68(6):448-54. doi: 10.1007/BF00377868.
Because we use electric power throughout our homes and workplaces, we are all subject to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) that are created by the voltages and currents present in electrical conductors and electrical equipment. Interest in the health effects of electric-power EMF has been motivated by several epidemiologic studies showing weak associations between surrogate measures of low-level EMF exposure and both childhood cancers and adult cancers. Due to the ubiquitous presence of electric power, the public health implications of this association are potentially very significant; however, good evidence for a causal relationship between exposure to EMF and any health effect has not been found. Yet, uncertainty, plus the suggestive epidemiologic findings, have fueled public anxiety and media attention. To put this potential health threat into perspective, it is important to consider the strength of the epidemiology, the availability of supporting animal studies, and mechanistic or biophysical information about the interaction of EMF with matter. Any discussion of steps that might be taken to avoid potential EMF health-effects needs to incorporate a perspective on how hypothetical EMF risks relate to other hazards to life and health.
因为我们在家庭和工作场所都使用电力，所以我们都暴露于由电气导体和电气设备中的电压和电流产生的电场和磁场（EMF）中。几项流行病学研究表明，低水平EMF暴露的替代指标与儿童癌症和成人癌症之间存在微弱关联，这引发了人们对电力EMF健康影响的关注。由于电力无处不在，这种关联对公共卫生的影响可能非常重大；然而，尚未发现暴露于EMF与任何健康影响之间存在因果关系的确凿证据。然而，不确定性以及具有启发性的流行病学研究结果加剧了公众的焦虑和媒体的关注。为了正确看待这一潜在的健康威胁，重要的是要考虑流行病学的证据力度、支持性动物研究的可得性，以及关于EMF与物质相互作用的机制或生物物理信息。任何关于为避免潜在的EMF健康影响而可能采取的措施的讨论，都需要纳入对假设的EMF风险与其他生命和健康危害之间关系的看法。
