Can disturbances in the atmospheric electric field created by powerline corona ions disrupt melatonin production in the pineal gland?

Abstract

: Recent epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of leukemia in adults and children near overhead high voltage powerlines at distances beyond the measured range of the direct electric and magnetic fields. Corona ions are emitted by powerlines, forming a plume that is carried away from the line by the wind. The plume generates highly variable disturbances in the atmospheric electric field of tens to a few hundred V/m on time scales from seconds to minutes. Such disturbances can be seen up to several hundred meters from powerlines. It is hypothesized that these random disturbances result in the disruption of nocturnal melatonin synthesis and related circadian rhythms, in turn leading to increased risk of a number of adverse health effects including leukemia. In support of the hypothesis, it is noted that melatonin is highly protective of oxidative damage to the human hemopoietic system. A review of electric field studies provides evidence that (i) diurnal variation in the natural atmospheric electric field may itself act as a weak Zeitgeber; (ii) melatonin disruption by electric fields occurs in rats; (iii) in humans, disturbances in circadian rhythms have been observed with artificial fields as low at 2.5 V/m. Specific suggestions are made to test the aspects of the hypothesis.

Challenges in coupling atmospheric electricity with biological systems

“…Power lines have been observed to trigger behavioural responses in insects and planarians (Jackson et al 2011;Petri et al 2017;Schmiedchen et al 2018), but no physiological mechanism underlying these observations has been detected so far. It has also been proposed that resulting fluctuations in E-fields can be disruptive to circadian rhythms (Henshaw et al 2008), and power frequency fields have resulted in melatonin disruption in rats (e.g., Wilson et al 1981;Wilson et al 1986;Reiter et al 1988;Grota et al 1994). In addition to AC and DC fields, power lines can shed ions, thereby providing a Fig.…”

Melatonin: does it have utility in the treatment of haematological neoplasms?

“…ternal environment and increasing risk of haematological malignancy (Henshaw and Reiter, 2005;Henshaw et al, 2008). Flight personnel are often exposed to the non-visible, low-frequency electromagnetic fields and often have disrupted sleep patterns, which depend on normal melatonin rhythm.…”

Residential exposure to electromagnetic fields and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a dose–response meta-analysis

“…In particular, corona ions may interact with aerosol particles by modification of the electric charge state of air pollutants 38 . It has been supposed that charged air pollutants may have an increased probability of deposition on the skin and in the respiratory system, thus leading to potential increased risk for human health, including disturbances in circadian rhythm and also cancer 39 , 40 . The transportation of charged airborne particles at long distances from the power lines by the wind 37 might also explain the lack of a dose–response association with increasing exposure to magnetic fields, as well as the inconsistent positive association for subjects in the intermediate category but not for those living closest to power lines as shown in several studies 20 , 23 , 25 .…”