Reproductive effects

View of ICNIRP

A major review of epidemiology by ICNIRP published in 2001 concluded:

(note: this paper was written before two recent results from California which are discussed by the NRPB - see below)

"Thus fundamental methodological limitations preclude firm conclusions about reproductive outcomes. Studies with refined measurements of exposure and outcome could yield different results than those reported to date. However, on the basis of theoretical considerations and both experimental and epidemiological studies, there is very little encouragement for pursuing research on EMF and reproductive health. Existing evidence does not support the hypothesis that maternal exposure to EMF through residential, including heated bed, exposure or through the workplace is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes." More on ICNIRP

View of NRPB

A statement by the NRPB’s Advisory Group on “Magnetic fields and miscarriage”, April 2002 discusses two recent papers on magnetic fields and miscarriage from California. It concludes:

"Conclusion
Neither study provides substantial evidence of increased risk of miscarriage attributable to exposure to above average magnetic fields and neither justifies regulatory action. It would be expensive and difficult to carry out further epidemiological investigation that would address the issue robustly and, in the absence of a plausible biological mechanism that would link such exposure to miscarriage, it is arguable whether it would be justifiable to support research of this type. If further study is required, it would be worth financing only if a large cohort of (say) 2000 women could both be interviewed and have measurements made of their exposures over a period of at least 24 hours less than 8 weeks after their last menstrual period and have repeat measurements made on at least two further occasions within the next 8 weeks to determine the consistency of the exposures throughout early pregnancy and their temporal relationship to miscarriage." More on NRPB

In its new advice on exposure guidelines in 2004, the NRPB stated:

“The overall evidence from studies of maternal exposure to ELF EMFs in the workplace does not indicate an association with adverse pregnancy outcomes, while studies of maternal exposure in the home are difficult to interpret.” More on NRPB

View of WHO

The WHO Environmental Health Criteria Monograph published in 2007 concluded:

"On the whole,epidemiological studies have not shown an association between adverse human reproductive outcomes and maternal or paternal exposure to ELF fields. There is some evidence for an increased risk of miscarriage associated with maternal magnetic field exposure, but this evidence is inadequate.

Overall, the evidence for developmental and reproductive effects is inadequate."

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