International workshop on the influence of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on oxidative stress

What is the issue?

The expansion of the power grid in the course of the energy transition, the introduction of 5G and the integration of digital technologies into almost all areas of everyday life are changing the conditions in which the general public and the environment are exposed to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of all frequency ranges. Although the applicable limits for protecting the population are adhered to, some concerns remain in relation to possible health effects. In public and scientific debates, oxidative stress is often raised as a possible mechanism by which electromagnetic fields could affect biological systems such as humans.

The term “oxidative stress” describes an imbalance between the production of reactive chemical particles and their detoxification. In this context, “reactive” means the ability to donate or remove electrons. Oxidative stress therefore refers to the presence of particles that want to donate or accept electrons. Reactive chemical particles are formed naturally in processes such as cellular energy generation or the defence against pathogens and are broken down by antioxidant defence mechanisms.

What is the current situation?

The state of scientific knowledge regarding the influence of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on oxidative stress is generally insufficient. Although there have been many studies into the topic, the results are highly inconsistent and, in some cases, of poor quality.

It was against this backdrop that the World Health Organisation (WHO) commissioned 10 systematic reviews of various biological and health effects of high-frequency fields in 2020. These reviews included one into the effect of high-frequency fields on biomarkers (biomolecules, such as modified proteins, whose presence can point to biological processes and therefore also to diseases) of oxidative stress with the participation of the BfS. In parallel, the BfS has also commissioned a systematic review of the effect of static and low-frequency magnetic fields on oxidative stress as part of the Power Grid Expansion research programme.

What are the objectives of the workshop?

The workshop's aims were as follows:

1. improve the understanding of the causes and consequences of oxidative stress
2. improve the classification and evaluation of the large number of studies into electromagnetic fields and oxidative stress, whose quality varies widely
3. collate and discuss a number of current and relevant study findings in relation to mechanisms of action and possible effects of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields.

The public workshop was attended by over 80 people from nine different countries (Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Finland, the United Kingdom, the USA and Japan).

What results did the workshop deliver?

As the direct measurement of oxidative stress is a highly complicated and laborious process, almost all studies instead measure the changes that the stress leaves behind in proteins, fats and DNA. However, the biological markers of oxidative stress vary widely in terms of their informative value. For example, some markers are formed not only in the event of oxidative stress but also when there are changes in metabolism, the activation of signal pathways or the action of enzymes. It is therefore recommended that multiple independent markers be determined in order to increase the informative value.

Moreover, many studies lack positive and negative controls, and there is a shortage of replication studies in which the same biological markers are determined in comparable conditions (for example, frequencies, temperature or time of measurement). In general, one way of improving the quality of future studies could be to elaborate a ranking of biological markers of oxidative stress. In terms of determining the oxidative stress, another challenge was found to be the lack of a clearly defined boundary between “physiological” oxidative stress that is necessary for important processes in the body (eustress) and harmful oxidative stress (distress).

Overall, the studies discussed at the workshop do not provide a reliable indication that electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields lead to an increase in oxidative stress. It is expected that the systematic reviews commissioned by the WHO and the BfS, which are due to be published in early 2024, will provide deeper insights into the effects of these fields on oxidative stress and into the informative value of its biological markers.