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4. Investigation of the co-carcinogenicity of exposure to magnetic fields

Animal studies and in vitro studies on co-carcinogenicity have been classified as high priority by the WHO (2007). A recent study by Soffritti et al. (2016) on Sprague-Dawley rats with lifelong exposure (prenatal to natural death) to 20µT or 1mT 50-Hz fields and one additional exposure to a dose of 0.1 Gy of ionising radiation at the age of 6 weeks, revealed a significantly increased morbidity for several types of tumours. The possible co-carcinogenic effect of magnetic fields is to be verified.

Research project

Investigations of the co-carcinogenicity of exposure to magnetic fields

Within this research project the possible co-carcinogenic effect of magnetic fields is to be verified.

Outcome of the online consultation

Topic area 4show / hide

Rating of topic area 4 Rating of topic area 4Rating of topic area 4

This topic area was predominantly rated as very important (see figure). The lack of specific research priorities was criticised and the prospects of success were rated as poor due to the complexity of the research question. For this topic area also, it was suggested to include biochemical signalling cascades.

Statement of the BfS

The topic area "co-carcinogenicity of magnetic field exposure" was indicated to have low priority by the BfS, because the number of co-exposures seems too large for testing one of the many possible combinations arbitrarily and without any further suspicion. Should any indications from other studies become apparent that have to be reproduced or investigated more closely, the topic area will be specified accordingly.

An anonymised synopsis of the comments relating to topic 4 is available for download (in German language).

State of 2017.11.08

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