Epidemiologic studies of electric and magnetic fields and cancer: a case study of distortions by the media.

Articles alleging hazards of electric or magnetic fields, based on epidemiologic studies, have appeared in the popular press. Some of these articles, which contain distortions of the scientific evidence, have been cited in the scientific and medical literature, thereby being given some degree of apparent legitimacy. In particular, articles appeared in 1989 in The New Yorker magazine, claiming a strong association between exposure to electric or magnetic fields and cancer. Assertions made in these articles (and a book dealing with essentially the same information) have been challenged by members of the scientific community. This paper will identify some additional misconceptions presented in two more recent articles from The New Yorker. Scientists and physicians should be aware of the deficiencies in these articles, and are encouraged to seek a more balanced view of the research performed in this area.