Co-carcinogenicity of magnetic field exposure

What is the issue?

Substances and environmental factors that can trigger cancer are referred to as carcinogens and include certain chemicals or ionising radiation, for example. In addition to these carcinogens, there are substances and environmental factors that cannot cause cancer themselves but can intensify the effect of carcinogens. These are known as co-carcinogens. Although low-frequency magnetic fields are not carcinogenic according to current scientific knowledge, it remains to be verified whether they can act as a co-carcinogen.

What is the current situation?

There are numerous possible combinations in which magnetic fields may act as a co-carcinogen. In the past, a number of individual studies have identified a co-carcinogenic effect of magnetic fields. Among others, a study published in 2016 revealed significantly higher morbidity rates for various types of tumours in rats exposed to low-frequency magnetic fields for their entire lives in addition to a one-off dose of ionising radiation. The WHO has identified gaps in current scientific knowledge and, in its research agenda, recommends carrying out studies on a possible co-carcinogenic effect of magnetic fields both in animals and in vitro (in a controlled, artificial environment, such as a test tube).

What are the objectives of the BfS research project?

The aim is to investigate the possibility that magnetic fields act as a co-carcinogen. Given the large number of possible combinations, this involves reproducing the findings of other studies or examining them in greater detail. If, for example, the above mentioned co-carcinogenic effect of magnetic fields in combination with ionising radiation as the carcinogenic environmental factor is observed in additional studies, this will be investigated.

Current status of the research project

There is no growing evidence for a possible co-carcinogenic effect of low-frequency magnetic fields since start of the research program. Therefore, the research project, which was already planned with a low priority, will be dropped. The decision was presented in the technical discussion held in May 2022 on the status of the BfS research projects in the areas of power grids and mobile communications and was supported by the experts present. The BfS continues to follow and evaluate the study situation on this topic and will - should the need arise - initiate research on this.