Biological Effects of AC Magnetic Fields

Measured in Milligauss (mG)

Alternating Current (AC) magnetic fields are an invisible but powerful force generated by the flow of electricity through wiring, appliances, transformers, and power lines. While they are a common part of modern living, research has shown that chronic exposure—especially to low-frequency AC magnetic fields—can impact biological systems in significant ways. From interfering with cellular function and hormone regulation to contributing to sleep disorders, immune dysregulation, and even cancer risk, these fields are more than just electrical background noise. Below you will see just SOME of the biological effects of AC magnetic fields, how exposure happens in homes and workplaces, and actionable steps recommended by Building Biology to protect your health and well-being.

9040 mG

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Recommended Limit for Public Exposure (there are no US federal standards for limiting ELF-EMF AC magnetic field exposure).

2000 mG

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)

Recommended Limit for Public Exposure.

16 mG

Intermittent exposure to AC magnetic fields results in an 80% increased risk of miscarriage for pregnant women (Li et al 2002).

> 5 mG

Building Biology Extreme Concern Level (SBM-2015).

≥ 4 mG

A 560% increased risk of all major cancers in Danish children living near high voltage power lines (Olsen et al 1993).

3-4 mG

In 2001, ELF-EMF (AC magnetic fields) classified as a Class 2B possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) of the World Health Organization based on an increased occurrence of childhood leukemia (Kheifets, 2005).

≥ 3 mG

Children in remission from leukemia had a 450% increased risk of dying when recovering in homes with 3 mG or greater (Foliart 2006).

> 3 mG

An 87% increased risk of hematological cancer in adults living near high voltage power lines (Youngson 1991).

> 2 mG

Magnetic field exposure during pregnancy results in a 3.5 fold increased rate of asthma in child (Li et al 2011).

≥ 2 mG

A 710% increased risk of childhood leukemia in children under four years of age sleeping in 2 mG or above (Michaelis 1997).

≥ 2 mG

A 710% increased risk of childhood leukemia in children under four years of age sleeping in 2 mG or above (Michaelis 1997).

1.9 mG

A 70% increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia for adults living near high voltage power lines (Feychting 1994).

≥ 1.4 mG

A 570% increased risk of leukemia in children under six years of age than for children with exposure under 0.3 mG (Green 1999).

≥ 1.3 mG

A 200% increased risk of ADHD diagnosis in children living in homes ≥ 1.3 mG; a 338% increase when ADHD persists into adolescence (Li et al 2020).

1-5 mG

Building Biology Severe Concern Level (SBM-2015)

0.2-1 mG

0.2-1 mG Building Biology Slight Concern Level (SBM-2015)

< 0.2 mG

Building Biology No Concern Level (SBM-2015)

References:

IEEE SCC 28 (now ICES). IEEE C95.6-2002.

ICNIRP statement—guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz)” Health Physics vol 99 pp 818-836 2010.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Lack of Federal Standard:

https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-resources-outside-epa#powerlines.

Li DK, Odouli R, Wi S, et al. A population-based prospective cohort study of personal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage. Epidemiology. 2002;13(1):9-20. doi:10.1097/00001648- 200201000-00004.

Olsen JH, Nielsen A, Schulgen G. Residence near high voltage facilities and risk of cancer in children. BMJ. 1993;307(6909):891-895. doi:10.1136/bmj.307.6909.891.

Kheifets L Shimkhada R. 2005. Childhood Leukemia and EMF: Review of the Epidemiological Evidence. Bioelectromagnetics Supplement #7, 1-7.

Foliart DE, Pollock BH, Mezei G, et al. Magnetic field exposure and long-term survival among children with leukaemia [published correction appears in Br J Cancer. 2006 Mar 27;94(6):940]. Br J Cancer. 2006;94(1):161- 164. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602916.

JHAM Youngson et al. A case/control study of adult haematological malignancies in relation to overhead powerlines. Br J Cancer 63:977-985. 1991.

Li, D. K., Chen, H. & Odouli, R. Maternal Exposure to Magnetic Fields During Pregnancy in Relation to the Risk of Asthma in Ofspring. Arch.Pediatr.Adolesc.Med. (2011).

Michaelis J, Schüz J, Meinert R, et al. Combined risk estimates for two German population-based casecontrol studies on residential magnetic fields and childhood acute leukemia. Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.). 1998 Jan;9(1):92-94. DOI: 10.1097/00001648-199801000-00014.

Feychting M, Ahlbom A. Magnetic fields, leukemia and central nervous system tumors in Swedish adults residing near high voltage power lines. Epidemiology 1994. 5:501-509.

Green LM, Miller AB, Agnew DA, et al. Childhood leukemia and personal monitoring of residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields in Ontario, Canada. Cancer Causes Control. 1999;10(3):233-243. doi:10.1023/a:1008919408855.

Li D, Chen H, Ferber JR, Hirst AK, Odouli R. Association Between Maternal Exposure to Magnetic Field Nonionizing Radiation During Pregnancy and Risk of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring in a Longitudinal Birth Cohort. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(3):e201417. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.1417

BioInitiative Working Group, Cindy Sage and David O. Carpenter, Editors. BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF) at www.bioinitiative.org, August 31, 2007.

BioInitiative Working Group, Cindy Sage and David O. Carpenter, Editors. BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Radiation at www.bioinitiative.org, December 31, 2012.

For further reading: Briefing Report on Electromagnetic Fields: Health Effects, Public Policy and Site Planning y CL Sage, MA and SA Sage, BS. J. Aust. Coll. Nutr. & Env. Med. Vol. 25 No.2 (August 2006) pages 3-6 & 9.NewFooter

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