McElroy JA1, Newcomb PA, Remington PL, Egan KM, Titus-Ernstoff L, Trentham-Dietz A, Hampton JM, Baron JA, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC.Author information1University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison 53705, USA.AbstractPrevious research has demonstrated inconsistent associations between electromagnetic radiation, especially from electric blanket use, and breast cancer. Breast cancer risk according to electric blanket or mattress cover use was examined as part of a multicenter population-based case-control study. Breast cancer patients 50-79 years of age (N = 1949) were identified from statewide tumor registries in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin from the period June 1994 to July 1995. Women of similar age were randomly selected from population lists as controls. Information regarding electric blanket and mattress cover use and breast cancer risk factors was obtained through telephone interviews. After adjustment for age, body mass index, and other breast cancer risk factors, the risk of breast cancer was similar among ever-users (relative risk = 0.93; 95% confidence interval = 0.82-1.06) and lower among current users than among never-users (relative risk = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.66-0.95).
There was no evidence of a dose-response relation with increasing number of months that electric blankets had been used. This study provides evidence against a positive association between electric blanket or mattress cover use and breast cancer.PMID: 11679786 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Publication TypesMulticenter StudyResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.MeSH TermsAgedBedding and Linens/adverse effects*Breast Neoplasms/epidemiologyBreast Neoplasms/etiology*Case-Control StudiesElectric WiringElectromagnetic Fields/adverse effects*FemaleHumansIncidenceMelatonin/metabolismMelatonin/radiation effectsMiddle AgedNeoplasms, Radiation-Induced/epidemiologyNeoplasms, Radiation-Induced/etiology*Pineal Gland/metabolismPineal Gland/radiation effectsPostmenopauseUnited States/epidemiologySubstancesMelatoninGrant SupportR01 CA47147/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesR01 CA47305/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesFull Text SourcesLippincott Williams & WilkinsOvid Technologies, Inc.Other Literature SourcesCOS Scholar UniverseMedicalBreast Cancer - Genetic AllianceBreast Cancer - MedlinePlus Health InformationElectromagnetic Fields - MedlinePlus Health InformationMiscellaneousMELATONIN - Hazardous Substances Data Bank
Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Why are electric blankets discouraged for people who have diabetes? Diabetes has many possible complications, including nerve damage (neuropathy). Over time, excess blood sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves. This can cause tingling or numbness that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and over a period of months or years gradually spreads upward. Left untreated, it's possible to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. If you have any degree of nerve damage, you may not be able to sense if an electric blanket or heating pad is too hot — which can lead to inadvertent burns. The same issue applies to water temperature when bathing. If you have diabetes and would like to use an electric blanket, warm up your bed with the blanket before bedtime — then turn the blanket off or remove it from the bed before you climb in.
M. Regina Castro, M.D. Air pollution and exerciseVegetarian diet: Can it help me control my diabetes? Longo DL, et al., eds. Diabetes mellitus. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; Accessed Oct. 9, 2016. Diabetic neuropathies: The nerve damage of diabetes. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Are electric blankets safe or dangerous? The Electric Blanket Institute. See more Expert Answers Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineA 4-Step Plan for HappinessMayo Clinic on Alzheimer's DiseaseControlling High Blood PressureThe Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-Z Drugs and Supplements A-Z Patient and Visitor Guide
Safety Advice for Electromagnetic Fields (PDF) Should I Ground Myself and What's Wrong with Earthing Mats and Pads? Electric Fields and Body Voltage | Is it good to earth oneself? In the author's opinion, earthing is not recommended in environments with a lot of unshielded, ungrounded electricity, but it can be helpful in the outdoors away from electricity. The following discussion will go into more about earthing and its potential dangers. To Ground or Not to Ground -- That is the Question Whereas popular earthing books may advise you to take off your rubber sneakers so that you can ground yourself, popular DIY guides to wiring actually advise the opposite. Because when working with electricity, wearing rubber sneakers provides insulation against potential shock. From a safety standpoint, you want to avoid becoming part of the circuit when you are handling a live wire. By grounding yourself, you may become a target of electrical fields that are looking for the path of least resistance back to the ground (through you), and run the risk of a shock.
10 Precautions for EMF Safety (PDF) On the other hand, there are applications where grounding yourself is said to be desirable. For example, when working with electronics, grounding oneself can prevent one from damaging electronics via static electricity that one might get from walking on a carpet. So what is the verdict-- is grounding dangerous or beneficial to human health? Perhaps, if you'll excuse the pun, there could be a middle ground -- there are times to ground and times not to ground.. When NOT to Ground Oneself: When there is a lot of unshielded, ungrounded electricity around you, there is a risk that in grounding yourself, your body may provide the shortest pathway to the ground, i.e., the path of least resistance. When to Ground Oneself: Grounding yourself is potentially beneficial when there is little electricity around you, such as outside on the bare earth, away from external sources of EMF's. Grounding appliances such as a lamp or laptop with 2-pin plug directly to the earth is potentially beneficial, so they do not interfere with one's electrical system (in the same way that one grounds oneself to avoid interference with sensitive electronics).