Cancer Risk from Electromagnetic Radiation in Cars

The integration of electric and hybrid drivetrains into the modern transportation setting introduces not only mechanical and energy-efficiency challenges but also unique electromagnetic exposure scenarios.

As automotive systems increasingly rely on high-current electrical subsystems and wireless communication technologies, the electromagnetic field (EMF) environment inside vehicles becomes a subject of scrutiny.

Here, we’ll look at whether being exposed to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields, particularly those found in electric and hybrid cars, could possibly lead to long-term health problems, especially cancer.

Electromagnetic Radiation: A Primer

Definition and Classification

Electromagnetic radiation includes oscillating electric and magnetic fields spanning a broad frequency spectrum, from ionizing radiation such as X-rays to non-ionizing emissions like ELF and radiofrequency (RF) fields. Unlike ionizing radiation, non-ionizing fields lack the energy required to disrupt molecular bonds but may influence biological systems through alternate mechanisms.

In-vehicle EM emissions are predominantly non-ionizing and originate from the following categories:

• Static magnetic fields: Emanating from DC battery systems and magnetic braking.
• ELF fields (tens and hundreds of Hz): Produced by alternating current in motor drives, inverters, converters and different loads. Mostly radiated through cables.
• RF radiation (Up to several GigaHertz) : Associated with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile communication subsystems.

In-Vehicle EM Field Sources

Electric and hybrid vehicles create a composite EM environment. ELF emissions are most prominent during dynamic load events or charging:

• Acceleration
• Regenerative braking
• AC-DC power conversion

RF sources are intermittent, depending on the use of wireless communication modules. The intensity and spatial distribution of these fields vary significantly based on vehicle architecture, component layout, and electromagnetic shielding design.

Health Effects Attributed to EMF Exposure

Thermal vs Non-Thermal Mechanisms

EMF interaction with biological tissue is categorized by its thermal or non-thermal nature. RF fields at high intensities are known to produce heating effects, which are well understood and regulated. ELF fields, by contrast, are not associated with measurable heating but have been associated with several non-thermal biological effects, including:

• DNA strand breaks, as reported in several laboratory studies (Section 6: Evidence for Genotoxic Effects – RFR and ELF DNA Damage) and by Ivancsits et al. (2002).
• Increased oxidative stress, indicated by increased biomarkers of cellular stress and inflammation in animal models exposed to ELF-EMF (see Tiwari et al. (2014), discussed in Section 6 of the BioInitiative Report).
• Changes in hormonal and immune parameters have been described in some experimental studies, as observed in various experimental studies including those reviewed by Kıvrak et al. (2017) and the WHO’s Environmental Health Criteria 238 on ELF fields.
• Some studies, which have proposed that ELF-EMF exposure may influence calcium signaling in cells. These effects are notably discussed in Section 20 of the BioInitiative Report 2012, which mentioned possible links between disrupted calcium signaling and neurological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Such effects are typically subtle, cumulative, and dependent on chronic exposure levels.

Established Cancer Associations from Sources Similar to EMF in Cars

Epidemiological evidence, primarily from residential proximity to power lines, forms the backbone of ELF carcinogenicity research. Pooled analyses of residential studies consistently show that long term exposure to magnetic fields above about 0.3–0.4 µT is associated with a statistically significant increase in childhood leukemia incidence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its specialized agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), evaluated this body of evidence and concluded that extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B). This classification rests on three pillars:

• Epidemiological studies: Several pooled analyses have found a consistent association between residential ELF-MF levels above about 0.4 µT and an increased risk of childhood leukemia.
• Experimental data: Laboratory studies have reported effects of ELF-MF on cell functions, including changes in gene expression, cell proliferation, and DNA damage, although not all studies agree.
• Mechanistic evidence: Hypotheses include ELF-MF effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage DNA and may contribute to carcinogenesis.

Beyond childhood leukemia, several analyses and reviews have examined ELF-MF in relation to other cancers and health outcomes. Pooled and comparative analyses by Ahlbom, Kheifets, Greenland and others reinforce the association between higher chronic ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukemia and compare this evidence with other environmental carcinogens such as radon and gamma radiation. WHO’s Environmental Health Criteria 238 and the IARC Monograph Volume 80 summarize this literature and support the Group 2B classification.

While direct, longitudinal studies assessing EMF exposure from vehicle systems are still limited, ELF magnetic field strengths recorded in electric and hybrid vehicles can often exceed 1 µT at specific locations in the cabin, and some measurements in passenger seats of certain models have exceeded 20 µT during specific operating conditions. These levels are markedly higher than typical indoor background fields in homes, which are usually below 0.1 µT (1 mG). Because these in-vehicle fields fall into the same low frequency range as power-line fields, the existing epidemiological data on power-line exposure provide the main proxy for estimating potential long term cancer risks from ELF-MF in cars.

WHO and IARC View on Cancer Risk

Neither WHO nor IARC state that ELF magnetic fields from cars or power lines are proven causes of cancer. Instead they judge the available evidence to be sufficiently concerning to warrant classification and ongoing evaluation.. The IARC Group 2B classification reflects limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and insufficient evidence in experimental animals, coupled with plausible biological mechanisms.

WHO’s Environmental Health Criteria monograph on ELF fields highlights the association between chronic residential ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukemia and recommends precautionary policies to limit long term exposures, especially for children. These conclusions underpin many national guidelines and policies that aim to keep chronic exposures as low as reasonably achievable when technically and economically practical.

In-Car EMF Exposure

Measured Field Intensities

Peer-reviewed measurements have identified magnetic field intensities inside EVs and hybrids that vary significantly by cabin location and operational state. Increased ELF values have been recorded:

• Near floorboards, especially above battery arrays
• Adjacent to inverter enclosures and AC wiring routes
• Within footwells of driver and rear-seat passengers, typically peaking during high power draw or charging cycles.

Biological and Laboratory Findings

Controlled animal studies have shown that exposure to ELF-like fields designed to mirror real-world conditions (including those similar to in-vehicle fields) can lead to alterations in immune cell profiles and hematological markers. Parallel in vitro studies have revealed that ELF fields in the µT range can induce oxidative DNA damage and modulate gene expression patterns, suggestive of stress responses relevant to carcinogenesis.

These findings, while not sufficient to establish causality on their own, contribute to the biological plausibility that long-term ELF-MF exposure could play a role in disease processes, particularly when combined with the epidemiological evidence on childhood leukemia.

Population Sensitivities

Pediatric and prenatal vulnerability to EMF exposure is a documented concern. The small body size and ongoing physiological development of fetuses and children may amplify susceptibility to field-induced biological perturbations. Studies such as A Nested Case-Control Study of Residential and Personal Magnetic Field Measures and Miscarriages by Lee et al. (2002) have linked increased magnetic field exposure during pregnancy to increased miscarriage rates and developmental anomalies.

The Precautionary Principle and Public Health Policy

Given the uncertainty surrounding chronic EMF exposure outcomes, precautionary frameworks have been endorsed by various international bodies. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union both recommend exposure minimization, especially in environments where mitigation is economically and technically feasible.

Examples include:

• Application of precautionary zoning policies in the Netherlands, including restrictions on building residential structures near high-voltage power lines based on cost-benefit assessments and exposure mitigation strategies (see 13.4 Precautionary-based policy approaches of WHO Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) 238).
• Establishment of strict precautionary exposure values in Italy, including “attention values” and “quality goals” to limit EMF exposure in sensitive areas such as schools and homes.
• Enforcement of lower EMF exposure thresholds in Belgium, particularly in regions like Brussels, to proactively reduce public exposure to electromagnetic radiation (see Section 22 of BioInitiative Report 2012).
• Integration of the EMF precaution into Israeli national legislation related to public health and safety.

Engineering Controls and Industry Response

Current mitigation strategies employed by automotive OEMs fall into two main categories:

• Passive design adjustments: Improved spatial separation of field sources from cabin zones, shielding of high-current cables, and optimized component routing.
• Active solutions: Implementation of active cancellation systems (e.g., those developed by SafeFields Technologies), which generate out-of-phase magnetic fields to counteract existing exposures.

Despite growing awareness, in-cabin EMF measurements remain largely undisclosed by manufacturers, limiting public access to comparative safety information.

Public Perception, Behavior, and Cancer Fear

A survey indicated that perceived EMF health risks influence consumer preferences. When informed of potential EMF exposure, some consumers show increased hesitation toward purchasing EVs or hybrids, particularly individuals already concerned with radiation safety.

Nonetheless, the trade-off between vehicle electrification’s environmental benefits and unresolved EMF concerns necessitates improved transparency, clearer labeling, and targeted risk communication to make more informed decisions.

Summary

For short duration exposures, staying below ICNIRP reference levels protects against acute, short term effects such as nerve and muscle stimulation. For long term exposures, pooled epidemiological studies have found higher childhood leukemia risk above about 0.3–0.4 µT, and WHO/IARC have classified ELF magnetic fields in this range as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

Given that measurements inside some electric and hybrid vehicles can exceed these levels, especially near the floor and in certain seats, it’s important to keep chronic in-car ELF-MF exposure as low as reasonably achievable, particularly for children, pregnant passengers, and people who spend many hours in such vehicles.

References

1. National Cancer Institute (2022). Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer
2. Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (German Federal Office for Radiation Protection) (2025). Bestimmung von Expositionen gegenüber elektromagnetischen Feldern der Elektromobilität (Determination of exposure to electromagnetic fields from electromobility).
3. World Health Organization (2007). Extremely Low Frequency Fields: Environmental Health Criteria 238
4. Ahlbom A, Day N, et al. (2000). A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia
5. BioInitiative Working Group (2012). BioInitiative 2012
6. European Commission Joint Research Centre (2020). Assessment of Low Frequency Magnetic Fields in Electrified Vehicles
7. Ivancsits S, Diem E, Pilger A, Rüdiger HW, Jahn O (2002). Induction of DNA strand breaks by intermittent exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in human diploid fibroblasts
8. Tiwari R, Lakshmi NK, Bhargava SC, Ahuja YR (2014). Epinephrine, DNA integrity and oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) at 132 kV substations
9. Kıvrak EG, Yurt KK, Kaplan AA, Alkan I, Altu G (2017). Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on the antioxidant defense system
10. Li J, Changyuan W, Yujie Z (2022). Biological experimental study on the cumulative effect of vehicle electromagnetic radiation
11. Lee GM, Neutra RR, Hristova L, Yost M, Hiatt RA (2002). A Nested Case-Control Study of Residential and Personal Magnetic Field Measures and Miscarriages
12. IAEA International Nuclear Information System (IAEA) (2008). RC6 Non ionizing radiation – Radiofrequency fields: Bases for exposure limits
13. Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection (2020). הטקסט המקורי בעברית (Magnetic Field Exposure Limits as a Function of Exposure Duration)
14. Tchetchik A, Kaplan S, Rotem-Mindali O (2024). Do non-ionizing radiation concerns affect people’s choice between hybrid and traditional cars?