Carcinogenicity of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields: A systematic review of animal studies
Abstract
Category: Toxicology, Environmental Health Tags: extremely low-frequency magnetic fields, ELF, carcinogenicity, animal studies, systematic review, risk of bias, co-carcinogenicity DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121819 URL: sciencedirect.com Overview Possible carcinogenicity of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs), associated with the use and transmission of electricity, has been under scientific and public debate for decades. This review aims to provide an update on studies testing carcinogenicity of ELF MFs in experimental animals. Emphasis was placed on identifying possible connections between study characteristics and the results obtained. Methodology - This review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. - The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies developed by the National Toxicology Program's Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT). - Publication bias was assessed using the caliper test. - Fifty-four eligible studies were identified. Findings - Despite poor ratings in certain aspects of the risk of bias evaluation, the quality of the studies was generally relatively good, with only four studies receiving the weakest rating. - Overall, there was very little evidence that ELF MFs alone are carcinogenic. - Evidence of co-carcinogenicity, from studies that have used ELF MFs in combination with other agents, remains inconclusive. - A clear indication of publication bias was observed, though it is unlikely that this bias alone explains all reported MF-modified effects. Conclusion Based on the current literature, future studies on co-carcinogenicity of ELF MFs should employ approaches other than classical initiation-promotion models. Additionally, well-designed studies to better understand the reported effects of ELF MFs and the underlying mechanisms are warmly welcomed.
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
Across 54 eligible animal studies, the review reports very little evidence that ELF magnetic fields alone are carcinogenic. Evidence regarding co-carcinogenicity (ELF MFs combined with other agents) is described as inconclusive, and a clear indication of publication bias was observed.
Outcomes measured
- Carcinogenicity
- Co-carcinogenicity (MFs combined with other agents)
- Risk of bias / methodological quality
- Publication bias
Limitations
- Some aspects of risk of bias were rated poorly across studies
- Clear indication of publication bias
- Co-carcinogenicity evidence remains inconclusive
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2025,
"study_type": "systematic_review",
"exposure": {
"band": "ELF",
"source": "use and transmission of electricity",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": null
},
"population": "Experimental animals",
"sample_size": 54,
"outcomes": [
"Carcinogenicity",
"Co-carcinogenicity (MFs combined with other agents)",
"Risk of bias / methodological quality",
"Publication bias"
],
"main_findings": "Across 54 eligible animal studies, the review reports very little evidence that ELF magnetic fields alone are carcinogenic. Evidence regarding co-carcinogenicity (ELF MFs combined with other agents) is described as inconclusive, and a clear indication of publication bias was observed.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Some aspects of risk of bias were rated poorly across studies",
"Clear indication of publication bias",
"Co-carcinogenicity evidence remains inconclusive"
],
"evidence_strength": "high",
"confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "neutral",
"stance_confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
"summary": "This PRISMA-based systematic review evaluated 54 animal studies on the carcinogenicity of extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields. The authors report very little evidence that ELF magnetic fields alone are carcinogenic. Findings on co-carcinogenicity (ELF MFs combined with other agents) are inconclusive, and the review notes a clear indication of publication bias.",
"key_points": [
"Systematic review of animal experiments assessing ELF magnetic fields and cancer outcomes.",
"Fifty-four eligible studies were identified and assessed.",
"Study quality was generally relatively good, though some risk-of-bias aspects were rated poorly and four studies received the weakest rating.",
"The review reports very little evidence that ELF magnetic fields alone are carcinogenic.",
"Evidence for co-carcinogenicity when ELF MFs are combined with other agents is described as inconclusive.",
"Publication bias was detected, though the authors state it is unlikely to fully explain all reported MF-modified effects.",
"The authors recommend future co-carcinogenicity research use approaches other than classical initiation-promotion models.",
"They call for well-designed studies to clarify reported effects and underlying mechanisms."
],
"categories": [
"ELF",
"Cancer",
"Animal Studies",
"Systematic Reviews",
"Risk of Bias"
],
"tags": [
"Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields",
"ELF",
"Magnetic Fields",
"Carcinogenicity",
"Co-Carcinogenicity",
"Animal Studies",
"Systematic Review",
"PRISMA",
"Risk of Bias",
"OHAT Tool",
"Publication Bias",
"Initiation-Promotion Model"
],
"keywords": [
"extremely low-frequency magnetic fields",
"ELF",
"magnetic fields",
"carcinogenicity",
"animal studies",
"systematic review",
"risk of bias",
"OHAT",
"publication bias",
"co-carcinogenicity"
],
"suggested_hubs": [],
"social": {
"tweet": "Systematic review (PRISMA) of 54 animal studies finds very little evidence that ELF magnetic fields alone are carcinogenic; co-carcinogenicity evidence remains inconclusive, with publication bias detected. (Environ Res, 2025)",
"facebook": "A 2025 PRISMA-based systematic review of 54 animal studies reports very little evidence that extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields alone are carcinogenic. Evidence for co-carcinogenicity with other agents is inconclusive, and publication bias was observed.",
"linkedin": "Environ Res (2025): PRISMA systematic review of 54 animal studies on ELF magnetic fields and cancer reports very little evidence for carcinogenicity of ELF MFs alone. Co-carcinogenicity findings remain inconclusive, and publication bias was detected; authors call for well-designed mechanistic and alternative-model studies."
}
}
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