Effects of Exposure to Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Nocturnal Serum Melatonin and Other Hormone Levels in Adult Males: Preliminary Findings

Population-based case-control study of occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and breast cancer

PURPOSE

This population-based case-control study examined occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in relation to female breast cancer incidence among 843 breast cancer cases and 773 controls.

METHODS

Exposure was classified based on work in the two longest-held jobs, and indices of cumulative exposure to magnetic fields based on a measurement survey.

RESULTS

Female breast cancer was not associated with employment as an office or industrial worker. For the total study population, cumulative exposure over the entire career, and in the past 0-10 and 10-20 years generally showed odds ratios (ORs) close to the null. Moderately elevated risks were found for intermediate but not high levels of cumulative exposure accumulated 20 or more years ago (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1-2.0). Associations were stronger for premenopausal women (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1-2.7) in the past 10-20 years, and those with estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast tumors (OR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.1-4.0). No consistent dose-response patterns were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings give little support to the hypothesis that electromagnetic fields cause cancer of the female breast.

A single nocturnal exposure to 2-7 millitesla static magnetic fields does not inhibit the excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in healthy young men

The present study sought to evaluate possible acute effects on 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) excretion, a surrogate for melatonin levels in blood, in volunteers exposed to static magnetic fields with flux densities representative for workers in light metal reduction plants and operators of medical MRI in hospitals. Eleven healthy male volunteers (23-43 years) participated. Urine samples were collected for two consecutive 24 h periods from 22:00 hours day 1 (exposure day) through day 2 (day after exposure) and then for 24 h from 07:00 hours on day 7 (control day). On the day of exposure the subjects slept in the MRI room from 22:00 hours until 07:00 hours next morning, thus receiving a 9 h exposure to the magnetic field (2-7 mT). On the day after exposure and on the control day, they slept at home and otherwise performed their ordinary daily activities. Total daily urine production was collected in four parts: 22:00-07:00 hours, 07:00-11:00 hours, 11:00-18:00 hours, 18:00-22:00 hours, and the volume for each interval was measured and recorded. Samples were transferred to coded bottles and frozen for later RIA analysis of aMT6s. Pairs of values of mean hourly aMT6s excretion, both diurnal and for the four daily intervals, were compared using two-sided Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The day of exposure and the day after exposure were not significantly different from the control day, either for the total diurnal secretion or the interval data. In summary, the study shows no association between a single nocturnal exposure to a static magnetic field of strength 2-7 mT and excretion of aMT6s in urine.

The relationship between electromagnetic field and light exposures to melatonin and breast cancer risk: a review of the relevant literature

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common malignancy accounting for 20-32% of all female cancers. This review summarizes the peer-reviewed, published data pertinent to the hypothesis that increased breast cancer in industrialized countries is related to the increased use of electricity [Stevens, R.G., S. Davis 1996]. That hypothesis specifically proposes that increased exposure to light at night and electromagnetic fields (EMF) reduce melatonin production. Because some studies have shown that melatonin suppresses mammary tumorigenesis in rats and blocks estrogen-induced proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro, it is reasoned that decreased melatonin production leads to increased risk of breast cancer. To evaluate this hypothesis, the paper reviews epidemiological data on associations between electricity and breast cancer, and assesses the data on the effects of EMF exposure on melatonin physiology in both laboratory animals and humans. In addition, the results on the effects of melatonin on in vivo carcinogenesis in animals are detailed along with the controlled in vitro studies on melatonin's effects on human breast cancer cell lines. The literature is evaluated for strength of evidence, inter-relationships between various lines of evidence, and gaps in our knowledge. Based on the published data, it is currently unclear if EMF and electric light exposure are significant risk factors for breast cancer, but further study appears warranted. Given the ubiquitous nature of EMF and artificial light exposure along with the high incidence of breast cancer, even a small risk would have a substantial public health impact.

The effect of a 7 T magnetic field on the egg hatching of Heliothis virescens

The effect of a strong magnetic field on the egg hatching of Heliothis virescens (Tobacco bugworm) in a 7 Tesla field was studied, and apparent biological effects of the magnetic field were observed. On average of three batches of eggs in this study, the hatching of the eggs in the 7 T field was delayed about 21.7 +/- 0.9 h and the hatching rate was reduced to about 58 +/- 8% compared to those of eggs in 1.4 Gauss field. No apparent effect of the 1600 Gauss fringe field of the 7 T magnet on the egg hatching of Heliothis virescens was observed.