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Effects of high-frequency fields

High frequency electromagnetic fields are absorbed by biological systems and lead, above all, to a warming of the tissue. The physical basis of this thermal effect is well known and beyond dispute. It is questionable, however, if there are non-thermal biological effects in the region of low intensities of high frequency radiation. Their existence has not been proven up to now but intensive research in this field is going on.

Proven effects

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are absorbed by the body and may subsequently provoke various effects.

The strength of the energy absorption depends on the strength and the frequency of the electromagnetic fields, but also on the properties and structures of the biological tissue. Forces and heating due to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are clearly proven and physically defined.

Classification of high-frequency electromagnetic fields by the IARC

In May 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) analysed the current knowledge of high frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer illnesses and classified these fields into Group 2B "possibly carcinogenic" on the IARC scale. This classification means that according to the estimation of the IARC, based on current knowledge, there are limited indications that high frequency electromagnetic fields have a carcinogenic effect on humans.

Discussed effects

The existence of health effects below the limit values was neither confirmed by the results of the DMF, nor by other up-to-date studies conducted on national or international levels. Non-thermal health effects were not proven. Long-term effects for periods of use exceeding a decade remain an open issue. Therefore, further research is conducted into this question.

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