a-b | c | d-f | g-j | k-m | n-p | r-s | t-z
Kilovolt per metre 1000 volts per metre. Unit of electric field used sometimes where it is more convenient than volts per metre. Symbol kV/m or kV m-1
Latent period The period between the event or exposure which is thought to cause the disease, and the disease being detected
Leukaemia (USA spelling leukemia) A type of cancer of the blood; a malignant proliferation of blood cells
Linear polarisation If we have a single ac source or a single-phase circuit, the field at any point simply oscillates backwards and forwards along a straight line. This is known as linear polarisation.
Lou Gehrig’s Disease American name for ALS
LRF Leukaemia Research Fund, one of the major UK cancer research charities, heavily involved in the UKCCS.
Magnetic fields are produced by currents, irrespective of the voltage. The magnetic field is the region around a current where a moving charge will experience a force.
Magnetic field strength One of the two closely related characteristics of a magnetic field (the other is the magnetic flux density). For EMFs, it is normal just to refer the magnetic field without worrying about the distinction.
Magnetic flux density One of the two characteristics of a magnetic field (the other is the magnetic field strength). For EMFs, it is normal just to refer the magnetic field without worrying about the distinction.
Magnetite A magnetic material (an iron oxide) found in small particles in some biological material, which features in one proposed mechanism for the effect of magnetic fields.
Magnetophosphenes A flickering sensation round the periphery of vision produced by induced currents in the retina at high magnetic fields
Maxwell’s equations Four equations which describe how electric and magnetic fields interact with each other
Melatonin A naturally occurring hormone, involved in the body’s circadian rhythms and also in certain types of cancer, suggested by some studies to be affected by magnetic fields
Meta-analysis Combining the results from several different epidemiological studies into a single result
mG milligauss. 1/1000 of a gauss, a unit of magnetic field
µT Symbol for microtesla
Microshocks Small discharges sometimes experienced when touching a metal object in an electric field, similar to touching a filing cabinet or door knob after walking across a nylon carpet
Microtesla 1/1,000,000 of a tesla. A unit of magnetic field more commonly used than the tesla because it is more convenient. Symbol µT
Millitesla 1/1000 of a tesla. A unit of magnetic field more commonly used than the tesla because it is more convenient. Symbol mT
mT see millitesla