8,655 Studies Reviewed. 86.9% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
All Exposure Types

Magnetic Fields (ELF)

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Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) magnetic fields are produced by the flow of electrical current. They are measured in milligauss (mG) or microtesla (µT). Unlike electric fields, magnetic fields easily penetrate walls and most materials.

Concern Level Thresholds

Based on Building Biology Institute guidelines (mG (milligauss)):

No Concern
< 0.2 mG
Slight Concern
0.2 – 1 mG
Severe Concern
1 – 5 mG
Extreme Concern
> 5 mG

See where common exposures fall on the scale:

Your RF Exposure in ContextA logarithmic scale showing your reading relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and FCC regulatory limits.Your RF Exposure in ContextNo ConcernSlightSevereExtreme0.215FCC Limit 0.0110,000 mG

Showing 487 studies with measured magnetic fields (elf) exposure

Exposure to AC and DC magnetic fields induces changes in 5-HT1B receptor binding parameters in rat brain membranes.

Espinosa JM, Liberti M, Lagroye I, Veyret B. · 2006

Scientists exposed rat brain tissue to magnetic fields from power lines and found significant changes in serotonin receptors that control mood and sleep. One hour of exposure at levels found near electrical equipment altered brain chemistry, demonstrating that common magnetic field exposure can directly affect how brain cells function.

Effects of sinusoidal electromagnetic fields on histopathology and structures of brains of preincubated white leghorn chicken embryos

Lahijani MS, Bigdeli MR, Kalantary S. · 2011

Researchers exposed chicken eggs to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (like those from power lines) for 24 hours before incubation, then examined the developing embryos' brains after 14 days. The exposed embryos showed significant brain damage, including increased cell death (apoptosis) and tissue degeneration. This study demonstrates that even brief pre-development exposure to common electromagnetic frequencies can cause measurable harm to the developing nervous system.

Effects of sinusoidal electromagnetic fields on histopathology and structures of brains of preincubated white Leghorn chicken embryos.

Lahijani MS, Bigdeli MR, Kalantary S. · 2011

Researchers exposed chicken embryos to magnetic fields similar to power lines before incubation and studied their brain development for 14 days. The exposed embryos showed significant brain damage including increased cell death and tissue breakdown compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that magnetic field exposure during critical development periods can harm the developing nervous system.

Biophoton emission of MDCK cell with hydrogen peroxide and 60 Hz AC magnetic field.

Cheun BS, Yi SH, Baik KY, Lim JK, Yoo JS, Shin HW, Soh KS · 2007

Researchers exposed canine kidney cells to a 60 Hz magnetic field (the same frequency as household electricity) while measuring their light emission when stressed by hydrogen peroxide. The magnetic field altered how cells responded to oxidative stress, changing the pattern of light they emitted. This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields can influence cellular stress responses at the biochemical level.

Oxidative stress and apoptosis in relation to exposure to magnetic field

Emre M, Cetiner S, Zencir S, Unlukurt I, Kahraman I, Topcu Z · 2011

Researchers exposed rats to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (1-40 Hz) for one hour daily over 30 days and measured liver damage markers in blood and cell death in tissues. They found increased oxidative stress indicators and changes in cell death patterns, suggesting that even low-level magnetic field exposure can trigger biological stress responses. This matters because these frequency ranges are common around power lines and household electrical systems.

DOSIMETRY, INSTRUMENTATION AND EXPOSURE CHAMBERS FOR DC MAGNETIC FIELD STUDIES

Tom S. Tenforde · 1979

This 1979 technical report by Tenforde examined methods for measuring and controlling DC (direct current) magnetic field exposures in laboratory studies. The research focused on developing proper instrumentation, dosimetry techniques, and exposure chambers needed to conduct reliable scientific studies of static magnetic fields. This foundational work helped establish standardized approaches for EMF research that continues today.

Direct magnetic separation of red cells from whole blood

D. Melville, F. Paul, S. Roath · 1975

This 1975 research by Melville explored using magnetic fields to directly separate red blood cells from whole blood, investigating how hemoglobin's magnetic properties could enable blood cell isolation. The study examined magnetic separation techniques that could potentially be used for medical or research applications involving blood component analysis.

Effects of a 60 Hz Magnetic Field Exposure Up to 3000 μT on Human Brain Activation as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Legros A, Modolo J, Brown S, Roberston J, Thomas AW. · 2015

Researchers scanned people's brains after one-hour exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields from power lines. Brain scans showed altered activation patterns during tasks, even though performance stayed normal. This suggests magnetic field exposure can change how the brain functions, with effects lasting after exposure ends.

Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulates cellular proliferation in human intervertebral disc cells.

Lee HM et al. · 2010

Researchers exposed human spinal disc cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields at 1.8 millitesla for 72 hours to see how electromagnetic fields affect cell growth. They found that the magnetic fields stimulated DNA synthesis and increased cell proliferation without causing cell damage. This suggests that specific EMF exposures might have therapeutic potential for treating degenerative disc disease by promoting healthy cell growth.

Effects of fifty-hertz electromagnetic fields on granulocytic differentiation of ATRA-treated acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells.

Errico Provenzano A et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed leukemia cells to 50Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) to see how it affected cell development. They found that the magnetic field exposure helped cancer cells mature into normal, healthy blood cells when combined with a standard treatment. This suggests that extremely low frequency magnetic fields might influence how cells develop and could potentially affect blood cell formation in the body.

Effects of single and repeated exposure to a 50-Hz 2-mT electromagnetic field on primary cultured hippocampal neurons

Zeng Y, Shen Y, Hong L, Chen Y, Shi X, Zeng Q, Yu P · 2017

Researchers exposed brain cells from the hippocampus (a memory center) to 50-Hz magnetic fields at 2 milliTesla for 8 hours daily and measured various biological effects. They found that repeated exposure reduced cell survival and increased harmful reactive oxygen species, but did not cause DNA damage or cell death. The study suggests that while these magnetic fields create cellular stress, they may not cause severe biological damage.

Effects of Single and Repeated Exposure to a 50-Hz 2-mT Electromagnetic Field on Primary Cultured Hippocampal Neurons.

Zeng Y, Shen Y , Hong L, Chen Y, Shi X, Zeng Q, Yu P. · 2017

Researchers exposed brain cells important for memory to power-line frequency magnetic fields for eight hours daily. The exposure reduced cell health and increased cellular damage from free radicals, suggesting household electrical fields may stress brain cells without causing severe damage.

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) prevents pro-oxidant effects of H2O2 in SK-N-BE(2) human neuroblastoma cells.

Falone S et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed drug-resistant brain cancer cells to pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) at 75 Hz for brief periods over five days, then tested how well the cells handled oxidative stress. The PEMF treatment boosted the cells' antioxidant defenses and reduced harmful reactive oxygen species when challenged with hydrogen peroxide. This suggests that specific electromagnetic field exposures might actually help protect cells from oxidative damage rather than harm them.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field modulates the level of neurotransmitters.

Chung YH et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed laboratory rats to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electrical systems) for 2 to 5 days and found significant changes in brain chemistry. The magnetic field exposure altered levels of key neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine across multiple brain regions. These chemical messengers control mood, movement, attention, and other critical brain functions.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field modulates the level of neurotransmitters.

Chung YH et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electricity) for 2-5 days and measured brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. They found significant changes in key brain chemicals including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine across multiple brain regions. These neurotransmitters control mood, movement, and cognitive function, suggesting that magnetic field exposure can alter brain chemistry.

Effects of two different waveforms of ELF MFs on bioelectrical activity of antennal lobe neurons of Morimus funereus (Insecta, Coleoptera).

Todorović D, Prolić Z, Petković B, Kalauzi A. · 2015

Researchers exposed longhorn beetles to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and measured how their brain neurons responded. They found that square wave magnetic fields caused measurable changes in neural activity after 10-15 minutes of exposure, while sine wave fields did not. This demonstrates that even insects show biological responses to power-frequency magnetic fields, and that the waveform shape matters for biological effects.

Power frequency magnetic fields induced reactive oxygen species-related autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Chen Y, Hong L, Zeng Y, Shen Y, Zeng Q. · 2014

Researchers exposed mouse embryonic cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the type from power lines) at 2 milliTesla for various time periods. They found that 6-hour exposures triggered autophagy, a cellular cleanup process, through increased reactive oxygen species (cellular stress molecules). This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields can alter fundamental cellular processes even at the cellular level.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Increased γ-H2AX by exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic fields combined with ionizing radiation, but not hydrogen peroxide, in non-tumorigenic human cell lines.

Yoon HE, Lee JS, Myung SH, Lee YS · 2014

Researchers exposed human lung cells to 60-Hz magnetic fields at different strengths and measured DNA damage markers. They found that stronger magnetic fields (2 mT) caused DNA damage on their own and made cells more vulnerable to radiation damage, while weaker fields (1 mT) had no effect. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields can damage DNA at high enough levels.