SCIENCE / MEDICINE : New Look at Risk From Low-Level Radiation

The health risks from very low levels of electromagnetic radiation, such as that from computers and even electric blankets, requires further study, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Standards and Technology reported last week in the journal Science.

Several researchers have presented evidence that an increased risk of cancer results from exposure to relatively high magnetic fields, such as those around electric transmission lines and radar emitters. A recent study also showed a higher risk among telephone company workers who are exposed to electromagnetic radiation when splicing cables.

Most critics have argued, however, that lower levels of radiation are harmless because natural heat fluctuations within living cells would be greater than any disturbances caused by electromagnetic radiation. But the theoretical calculations by researchers indicate that this is not the case, and that radiation effects would not be swamped by thermal fluctuations.

“This does show that maybe this (issue) should be taken a bit more seriously, seeing as one of the often-cited objections appears not to hold up,” MIT’s James C. Weaver said. “We should look at this area more closely, without presumptions.”