GP CLINICAL: Magnetism and the fetus - Behind the headlines - Research has suggested a connection between a rise in the miscarriage rate and electromagnetism. Monika Polak looks at the evidence.

Household appliances can significantly increase a woman's risk of miscarriage, newspaper reports claimed earlier this month.

The reports, based on the findings of new US research, said everyday exposure to the magnetic fields generated by electrical appliances, such as hair dryers and vacuum cleaners, could almost double a woman's chances of miscarrying her baby.

National guidelines, published by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), set 1,600 microtesla (mu T) as the maximum magnetic field density to which anyone should be exposed. The UK has also adopted international maximum levels for public and occupational exposure, which are 100 and 500mu T respectively.

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