Cellular responses to electromagnetic fields

Recently, significant interest has developed on the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields on the human body, especially the issue whether or not the electromagnetic fields have carcinogenic potential. In our living environment, there are many devices and environments that generate electromagnetic fields, such as MRI machines used in medical care, the alternating magnetic fields near transformer stations and beneath power lines, electric household appliances, and linear motor cars that will be realized in the near future. In addition, exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields from the recent increase in use of mobile phones has jumped, with more than 90 million mobile phones in use in Japan today. Therefore, we are exposed to electromagnetic fields much more frequently than in the previous natural environments. Here, I review the present status of investigations on the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) and radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields on living organisms, especially on the response of cells and genes to these electromagnetic fields, including studies conducted by ourselves. Animals and epidemiological studies on the effects of ELF electromagnetic fields are also reviewed. On the other hand, I introduce the evaluation for carcinogenic effects of electromagnetic fields by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in which I had participated in the evaluation meeting at IARC as a member of working group.