I stumbled across this relatively new book from the WHO bookshop.
I have not had a chance to read it, but may review it later. Not
that you can get it cheaper if you live in a "developing country"!

Scott Hill
frontier sciences group
Copenhagen
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Environmental Health Criteria Series,No. 232

ISBN-13 9789241572323 ISBN-10 9241572329

Order Number 11600232

Price CHF 54.00 / US$ 48.60 Developing countries:
CHF 37.80

English 2006 368 pages

Summary
This book examines the health effects of exposure to static electric
and magnetic fields found in selected industries, such as medical
facilities with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high-energy
physics research facilities and some transportation systems. To
date, research on their health effects lags far behind the rapid
advances in technology.

Electric and magnetic fields are generated by natural phenomena such
as the Earth s magnetic field, thunderstorms, and by man-made
sources that use electricity. When such fields do not vary with time
they are referred to as static.

For static electric fields, studies carried out to date suggest that
the main effect is discomfort from electric discharges to the body.
For static magnetic fields, acute effects are only likely to occur
when there is movement of a person in the field. For example, a
person moving within a relatively high field can experience
sensations of vertigo and nausea, and sometimes a metallic taste in
the mouth and perceptions of light flashes. Although only temporary,
such effects may have a safety impact for workers executing delicate
procedures, e.g. surgeons performing operations within MRI units.

Even when at rest, a person will experience internal body movement,
such as blood flow or heart beat. When placed within a high magnetic
field, electrical fields and currents are generated around the heart
and major blood vessels that can impede the flow of blood. Possible
effects range from minor changes in heartbeat to an increase in the
risk of abnormal heart rhythms that might be life-threatening.