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Magnetic Field Exposure and Cancer: Questions and Answers 

1. What are electric and magnetic fields? 

Electricity is the movement of electrons, or current, through a wire. The type of 

electricity that runs through power lines and in houses is alternating current (AC). AC 

power produces two types of fields (areas of energy)—an electric field and a magnetic 

field. An electric field is produced by voltage, which is the pressure used to push the 

electrons through the wire, much like water being pushed through a pipe. As the voltage 

increases, the electric field increases in strength. A magnetic field results from the flow 

of current through wires or electrical devices and increases in strength as the current 

increases. These two fields together are referred to as electric and magnetic fields, 

or EMFs. 

Key Points

• Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are areas of energy that surround any electrical 

device. EMFs are produced by power lines, electrical wiring, and appliances 

(see Question 1). 

• Electric fields are easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects, whereas 

magnetic fields are not. Since magnetic fields are more likely to penetrate the body, 

they are the component of EMFs that are usually studied in relation to cancer 

(see Question 1). 

• Overall, there is limited evidence that magnetic fields cause childhood leukemia, and 

there is inadequate evidence that these magnetic fields cause other cancers in children 

(see Question 2). 

• Studies of magnetic field exposure from power lines and electric blankets in adults 

show little evidence of an association with leukemia, brain tumors, or breast cancer 

(see Question 3). 

• Past studies of occupational magnetic field exposure in adults showed very small 

increases in leukemia and brain tumors. However, more recent, well-conducted 

studies have shown inconsistent associations with leukemia, brain tumors, and breast 

cancer (see Question 4).
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Both electric and magnetic fields are present around appliances and power lines. 

However, electric fields are easily shielded or weakened by walls and other objects, 

whereas magnetic fields can pass through buildings, humans, and most other materials. 

Since magnetic fields are most likely to penetrate the body, they are the component of 

EMFs that are usually studied in relation to cancer. 

The focus of this fact sheet is on extremely low-frequency magnetic fields. Examples of 

devices that emit these fields include power lines and electrical appliances, such as 

electric shavers, hair dryers, computers, televisions, electric blankets, and heated 

waterbeds. Most electrical appliances have to be turned on to produce a magnetic field. 

The strength of a magnetic field decreases rapidly with increased distance from the 

source. 

2. Is there a link between magnetic field exposure at home and cancer in children? 

Numerous epidemiological (population) studies and comprehensive reviews have 

evaluated magnetic field exposure and risk of cancer in children (1, 2). Since the two 

most common cancers in children are leukemia and brain tumors, most of the research 

has focused on these two types. A study in 1979 pointed to a possible association 

between living near electric power lines and childhood leukemia (3). Among more recent 

studies, findings have been mixed. Some have found an association; others have not. 

These studies are discussed in the following paragraphs. Currently, researchers conclude 

that there is limited evidence that magnetic fields from power lines cause childhood 

leukemia, and that there is inadequate evidence that these magnetic fields cause other 

cancers in children (2). Researchers have not found a consistent relationship between 

magnetic fields from power lines or appliances and childhood brain tumors. 

In one large study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Children’s Oncology 

Group, researchers measured magnetic fields directly in homes (4). This study found that 

children living in homes with high magnetic field levels did not have an increased risk of 

childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The one exception may have been children 

living in homes that had fields greater than 0.4 microtesla (μT), a very high level that 

occurs in few residences. Another study conducted by NCI researchers reported that 

children living close to overhead power lines based on distance measurements were not at 

greater risk of leukemia (5).

To estimate more accurately the risks of leukemia in children from magnetic fields 

resulting from power lines, researchers pooled (combined) data from many studies. In 

one pooled study that combined nine well-conducted studies from several countries, 

including a study from the NCI, a twofold excess risk of childhood leukemia was 

associated with exposure to magnetic fields above 0.4 μT (6). In another pooled study 

that combined 15 studies, a similar increased risk was seen above 0.3 μT (7). It is 

difficult to determine if this level of risk represents a real increase or if it results from 

study bias. Such study bias can be related to the selection of study subjects or possibly to 

other factors that relate to levels of magnetic field exposure. If magnetic fields caused 
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childhood leukemia, certain patterns would have been found such as increasing risk with 

increasing levels of magnetic field exposure. 

Another way that people can be exposed to magnetic fields is from household electrical 

appliances. Several studies have investigated this relationship (2). Although magnetic 

fields near many electrical appliances are higher than near power lines, appliances 

contribute less to a person’s total exposure to magnetic fields. This is because most 

appliances are used only for short periods of time, and most are not used close to the 

body, whereas power lines are always emitting magnetic fields. 

In a detailed evaluation, investigators from NCI and the Children’s Oncology Group 

examined whether the use of household electrical appliances by the mother while 

pregnant and later by the child increased the risk of childhood leukemia. Although some 

appliances were associated with childhood leukemia, researchers did not find any 

consistent pattern of increasing risk with increasing years of use or how often the 

appliance was used (8). A few other studies have reported mostly inconsistencies or no 

relation between appliances and risk of childhood cancer. 

Occupational exposure of mothers to high levels of magnetic fields during pregnancy has 

been associated with childhood leukemia in a Canadian study (9). Similar studies need to 

be done in other populations to see if this is indeed the case. 

3. Is there a link between magnetic field exposure in the home and cancer in adults? 

Although several studies have looked into the relationship of leukemia, brain tumors, and 

breast cancer in adults exposed to magnetic fields in the home, there are only a few large 

studies with long-term, magnetic field measurements. No consistent association between 

magnetic fields and leukemia or brain tumors has been established. 

The majority of epidemiological studies have shown no relationship between breast 

cancer in women and magnetic fields from electrical appliances. Recent studies of breast 

cancer and magnetic fields in the home have included direct and indirect magnetic field 

measurements. These studies mostly found no association between breast cancer in 

females and magnetic fields from power lines or electric blankets (10, 11, 12, 13). A 

Norwegian study found a risk for exposure to magnetic fields in the home (14), and a 

study in African-American women found that use of electric bedding devices may 

increase breast cancer risk (15). 

4. Is there a link between magnetic field exposure at work and cancer in adults? 

Several studies conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s reported that people who worked 

in some electrical occupations (such as power station operators and phone line workers) 

had higher than expected rates of some types of cancer, particularly leukemia, brain 

tumors, and male breast cancer (2). Some occupational studies showed very small 

increases in risk for leukemia and brain cancer, but these results were based on job titles 

and not actual measurements. More recently conducted studies that have included both 
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job titles and individual exposure measurements have no consistent finding of an 

increasing risk of leukemia, brain tumors, or female breast cancer with increasing 

exposure to magnetic fields at work (14, 16, 17, 18). 

5. What have scientists learned from animal experiments about the relationship 

between magnetic field exposure and cancer? 

Animal studies have not found that magnetic field exposure is associated with increased 

risk of cancer (2). The absence of animal data supporting carcinogenicity makes it 

biologically less likely that magnetic field exposures in humans, at home or at work, are 

linked to increased cancer risk. 

6. Where can people find additional information on EMFs? 

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Web site has 

information about EMFs and cancer, as well as information and publications related to 

the EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination (RAPID) Program. NIEHS can 

be contacted at: 

Address: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 

 Post Office Box 12233 

 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 

Telephone: 919–541–3345 

TTY: 919–541–0731 

E-mail: webcenter@niehs.nih.gov 

Internet Web site: http://www.niehs.nih.gov

Note: Information about cancer risk and EMFs emitted from hand-held cellular phones 

(i.e., microwave frequencies) can be found in the NCI fact sheet Cellular Telephone Use 

and Cancer, which is available at 

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones on the Internet. 

Selected References 

1. Ahlbom A, Cardis E, Green A, Linet M, Savitz D, Swerdlow A. Review of the 

epidemiologic literature on EMF and health. Environmental Health Perspectives 2001; 

109(6): 911–933. 

2. World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. Volume 80: 

Non-ionizing radiation, Part 1, Static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and 

magnetic fields. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to 

Humans. 2002: Lyon, France. 

3. Wertheimer N, Leeper E. Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. 

American Journal of Epidemiology 1979; 109(3): 273–284. 
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4. Linet MS, Hatch EE, Kleinerman RA, et al. Residential exposure to magnetic fields and 

acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. The New England Journal of Medicine 1997; 

337(1): 1–7. 

5. Kleinerman RA, Kaune WT, Hatch EE, et al. Are children living near high voltage 

power lines at increased risk of acute lymphocytic leukemia? American Journal of 

Epidemiology 2000; 15: 512–515. 

6. Ahlbom A, Day N, Feychting M, et al. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and 

childhood leukaemia. British Journal of Cancer 2000; 83(5): 692–698. 

7. Greenland S, Sheppard AR, Kaune WT, Poole C, Kelsh MA. A pooled analysis of 

magnetic fields, wire codes, and childhood leukemia. Childhood Leukemia-EMF Study 

Group. Epidemiology 2000; 11(6): 624–634. 

8. Hatch EE, Linet MS, Kleinerman RA, et al. Association between childhood acute 

lymphoblastic leukemia and use of electrical appliances during pregnancy and childhood. 

Epidemiology 1998; 9(3): 234–245. 

9. Infante-Rivard C, Deadman JE. Maternal occupational exposure to extremely low 

frequency magnetic fields during pregnancy and childhood leukemia. Epidemiology

2003; 14: 437–441. 

10. Schoenfeld ER, O’Leary ES, Henderson K, et al. Electromagnetic fields and breast 

cancer on Long Island: A case-control study. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 

158: 47–58. 

11. London SJ, Pagoda JM, Hwang KL et al. Residential magnetic field exposure and breast 

cancer risk: A nested case-control study from a multi-ethnic cohort in Los Angeles, 

California. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 158: 969–980. 

12. Davis S, Mirick DK, Stevens RG. Residential magnetic fields and the risk of breast 

cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology 2002; 155: 446–454. 

13. Kabat GC, O'Leary ES, Schoenfeld ER, et al. Electric blanket use and breast cancer on 

Long Island. Epidemiology 2003; 14(5): 514–520. 

14. Kliukiene J, Tynes T, Andersen A. Residential and occupational exposures to 50-Hz 

magnetic fields and breast cancer in women: A population-based study. American 

Journal of Epidemiology 2004; 159(9): 852–861. 

15. Zhu K, Hunter S, Payne-Wilks K, et al. Use of electric bedding devices and risk of breast 

cancer in African-American women. American Journal of Epidemiology 2003; 158: 

798–806. 
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16. Tynes T, Haldorsen T. Residential and occupational exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields 

and hematological cancers in Norway. Cancer Causes & Control 2003; 14: 715–720. 

17. Labreche F, Goldberg MS, Valois M-F, et al. Occupational exposures to extremely low 

frequency magnetic fields and postmenopausal breast cancer. American Journal of 

Industrial Medicine 2003; 44: 643–652. 

18. Willett E, McKinney PA, Fear NT, et al. Occupational exposure to electromagnetic 

fields and acute leukaemia: Analysis of a case-control study. Occupational and 

Environmental Medicine 2003; 60: 577–583. 

# # # 

Related Resources

Publications (available at http://www.cancer.gov/publications) 

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 3.72, Cellular Telephone Use and Cancer

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Resources

Cancer Information Service (toll-free)

 Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) 

 TTY: 1–800–332–8615 

Online 

NCI’s Web site: http://www.cancer.gov 

LiveHelp, NCI’s live online assistance: 

https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp

This fact sheet was revised on 4/21/05