The normal rise in melatonin levels overnight is disrupted by 60-Hz magnetic fields in the bedroom, which results in increased risk of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to test the nighttime urinary production of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, a breakdown product of melatonin, with controlled amounts of electromagnetic forces (EMF’s) under the bed. The subjects received exposure of 5-10 mG. greater than normal EMF exposure for 5 nights in a row. A charging base of an electric toothbrush generated the EMF’s.
Blood levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estrogen were checked. These were tested to see if the increased breast cancer risk could be due to altered reproductive hormones from EMF exposure. The testing was done in healthy premenopausal women, with urinary levels of estrone, estradiol and estriol tested.
The 115 women tested received EMF’s on some nights and none on others. They were their own control subjects. The study showed that, on the night of increased EMF exposure, the women produced reduced amounts of melatonin. They did not show increased amounts of FSH, LH or estrogen.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that 60-Hz exposure at night can reduce blood levels of melatonin and increase the risk of breast cancer, thereby.
In general, EMF exposure did not change reproductive hormone levels. EMF exposure in patients with alcohol use within 24 hours resulted in increased amounts of the breakdown products from melatonin in the urine. Increased nighttime darkness and increased exercise resulted in decreased levels of urinary estrogen.
NOTE: There have been studies that have shown that 60-Hz exposure reduces the effectiveness of some chemotherapy medications used against breast cancer.
PMID: 16458540.
Summary #188.
