Miscarriages linked to EMF

The debate over the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on our health has raged for years. Now the issue has been partly addressed by researchers in the Kaiser Foundation, which is based in California. They conducted a study involving 1063 women who were in their first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The results clearly demonstrate a relationship between peak EMF exposure and the risk of miscarriage.

The EMF exposure was measured by a EMF meter, which was worn by the women as they went about their regular chores. The meter recorded the exposure every 10 seconds.

The results show that women who had been exposed to peak radiation levels of 1.6 microtesla or more were twice as likely to have a miscarriage than those women who had not been exposed. Although previous studies showed no correlation between health and exposure to EMFs, Dr De-Kun Li, who is the lead researcher, believes that it is because those studies measured average levels rather than peak levels. According to Dr Li, the miscarriages could have been caused by the spikes in EMF disrupting cell-to-cell activities.

NOTE: A peak exposure of 1.6 microtesla can easily occur by the ordinary use of a hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, blender or electric pencil sharpener.

Source: Li, De-Kun, et al. A population-based prospective cohort study of personal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage. Epidemiology, Vol. 13, January 2002, pp. 9-20.