Biological Effects of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields from 0 to 100 MHz on Fauna and Flora: Workshop Report

Abstract

Biological Effects of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields from 0 to 100 MHz on Fauna and Flora: Workshop Report Pophof B, Henschenmacher B, Kattnig DR, Kuhne J, Vian A, Ziegelberger G. Biological Effects of Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields from 0 to 100 MHz on Fauna and Flora: Workshop Report. Health Phys. 2023 Jan 1;124(1):39-52. doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001624. Abstract This report summarizes effects of anthropogenic electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 0 to 100 MHz on flora and fauna, as presented at an international workshop held on 5-7 November in 2019 in Munich, Germany. Such fields may originate from overhead powerlines, earth or sea cables, and from wireless charging systems. Animals and plants react differentially to anthropogenic fields; the mechanisms underlying these responses are still researched actively. Radical pairs and magnetite are discussed mechanisms of magnetoreception in insects, birds, and mammals. Moreover, several insects as well as marine species possess specialized electroreceptors, and behavioral reactions to anthropogenic fields have been reported. Plants react to experimental modifications of their magnetic environment by growth changes. Strong adverse effects of anthropogenic fields have not been described, but knowledge gaps were identified; further studies, aiming at the identification of the interaction mechanisms and the ecological consequences, are recommended. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpt Taken together, the effects of electromagnetic fields on individual organisms have now been widely investigated for a multitude of plant and animal species. However, this does not yet address the ecological consequences of this perception in the context of increased anthropogenic EMF emissions. This will require studies of natural populations in their natural habitat and entire ecosystems, including the evaluation of the relevant physical variables over Earth’s surface, along the seabed, in space and time, and detailed biological information on the relevant states of populations. Besides deciphering the action mechanism, this is a field of great demand for assessing the actual environmental effects of steadily increasing EMF emissions. Finally, and importantly, many results from isolated but often paradigm-forming studies have to be independently reproduced. In particular, due to the ongoing technological development, the following topics are of special importance: • Wireless charging and safety of small animals; • Ecological consequences of the known behavioral effects of electric and magnetic fields from widespread marine cables; • Ecological consequences of electromagnetic noise, known to disrupt animal (e.g., migratory bird) orientation in the laboratory, on animal orientation in the natural environment; • Ecological consequences of observed behavioral effects of ELF-EMFs from powerlines, e.g., on insects and mammals; and • Pinpointing sensory structures and action mechanism, whereby it is expected that progress for one species can fertilize progress in others

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Workshop report summarizing reported effects of anthropogenic electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (0–100 MHz) on plants and animals. Behavioral reactions to anthropogenic fields have been reported in several insects and marine species, and plants can show growth changes under experimental magnetic modifications. The report states that strong adverse effects of anthropogenic fields have not been described, but identifies substantial knowledge gaps and recommends further studies, including replication and ecosystem-level research.

Outcomes measured

• Behavioral reactions/orientation (e.g., migratory bird orientation disruption in laboratory)
• Magnetoreception/electroreception mechanisms (radical pairs, magnetite; electroreceptors)
• Plant growth changes under modified magnetic environment
• Ecological consequences of anthropogenic EMF emissions (knowledge gaps/research needs)

Limitations

• Workshop report (not a primary experimental study)
• Mechanisms underlying responses are still actively researched
• Ecological consequences in natural populations and ecosystems not yet well addressed
• Need for independent reproduction of paradigm-forming studies
• Relevant physical exposure variables over space/time require evaluation

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.1)
  Mentions anthropogenic sources such as powerlines/cables; however, the focus is environmental fauna/flora rather than workplace exposure.

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF/RF (0–100 MHz)",
        "source": "anthropogenic electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (e.g., overhead powerlines, earth/sea cables, wireless charging systems)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Fauna and flora (multiple plant and animal species; includes insects, birds, mammals, marine species)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Behavioral reactions/orientation (e.g., migratory bird orientation disruption in laboratory)",
        "Magnetoreception/electroreception mechanisms (radical pairs, magnetite; electroreceptors)",
        "Plant growth changes under modified magnetic environment",
        "Ecological consequences of anthropogenic EMF emissions (knowledge gaps/research needs)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Workshop report summarizing reported effects of anthropogenic electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (0–100 MHz) on plants and animals. Behavioral reactions to anthropogenic fields have been reported in several insects and marine species, and plants can show growth changes under experimental magnetic modifications. The report states that strong adverse effects of anthropogenic fields have not been described, but identifies substantial knowledge gaps and recommends further studies, including replication and ecosystem-level research.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Workshop report (not a primary experimental study)",
        "Mechanisms underlying responses are still actively researched",
        "Ecological consequences in natural populations and ecosystems not yet well addressed",
        "Need for independent reproduction of paradigm-forming studies",
        "Relevant physical exposure variables over space/time require evaluation"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "0–100 MHz",
        "electric fields",
        "magnetic fields",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "flora",
        "fauna",
        "magnetoreception",
        "radical pair",
        "magnetite",
        "electroreception",
        "powerlines",
        "marine cables",
        "wireless charging",
        "orientation",
        "plant growth",
        "ecology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.1000000000000000055511151231257827021181583404541015625,
            "reason": "Mentions anthropogenic sources such as powerlines/cables; however, the focus is environmental fauna/flora rather than workplace exposure."
        }
    ]
}

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