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

Improvement of spatial memory disorder and hippocampal damage by exposure to electromagnetic fields in an Alzheimer's disease rat model.

Liu X et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats with artificially induced Alzheimer's disease symptoms to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as household power lines) for 60 days. The EMF exposure actually improved the rats' memory and reduced brain damage associated with Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that certain types of electromagnetic field exposure might have protective effects on the brain, contrary to concerns about EMF causing neurological harm.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on gap junctional intercellular communication in NIH3T3 cells.

Percherancier Y et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed mouse cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields for 24 hours to study whether these fields affect gap junctions (tiny channels that allow cells to communicate with each other). They found no impact on cell communication at the magnetic field strengths tested (0.4 and 1 mT), contradicting some previous studies that suggested power frequency fields could disrupt this cellular function.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields enhance the proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells cultured from ischemic brains.

Cheng Y et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed brain stem cells (neural progenitor cells) from stroke-damaged brains to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 0.4 mT for 7 days. The magnetic field exposure significantly increased both cell multiplication and the development of these stem cells into neurons. This suggests that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields might help brain recovery after stroke by promoting the growth of new brain cells.

Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields modulates Na+ currents in rat cerebellar granule cells through increase of AA/PGE2 and EP receptor-mediated cAMP/PKA pathway.

He YL, Liu DD, Fang YJ, Zhan XQ, Yao JJ, Mei YA. · 2013

Chinese researchers exposed rat brain cells to power line-frequency electromagnetic fields for 10-60 minutes and found sodium channels increased activity by 30-125%. Since sodium channels control nerve signals, this suggests EMF exposure can directly alter how brain cells communicate with each other.

Using model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae to evaluate the effects of ELF-MF and RF-EMF exposure on global gene expression.

Chen G, Lu D, Chiang H, Leszczynski D, Xu Z · 2012

Researchers exposed yeast cells to both 50 Hz magnetic fields and 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation to see if electromagnetic fields could change gene activity. They found that magnetic fields caused no confirmed gene changes, while radiofrequency exposure affected only 2-5 genes out of thousands tested. This suggests that EMF effects on basic cellular processes may be more limited than some studies indicate.

Expressions of some antioxidant genes in SH-SY5Y cells treated with β-lapachone, morphine and electromagnetic field.

Mahmoudinasab H, Saadat M. · 2018

Researchers exposed human brain cells (neuroblastoma cells) to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 0.5 mT for different time patterns and measured changes in antioxidant gene expression. They found that EMF exposure altered the activity of genes responsible for protecting cells from damage, with different exposure patterns producing different effects. This suggests that even brief EMF exposures can disrupt the cellular machinery that defends against oxidative stress.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Evaluation of cell viability, DNA single-strand breaks, and nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW264 exposed to a 50-Hz magnetic field.

Nakayama M, Nakamura A, Hondou T, Miyata H · 2016

Researchers exposed immune cells called macrophages to 50-Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 24 hours to see if it would damage their DNA. They found that magnetic field exposure alone caused no harm, but when cells were first activated by bacterial toxins, the magnetic field exposure increased DNA damage and reduced cell survival.

Long-term exposure to ELF-MF ameliorates cognitive deficits and attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation in 3xTg AD mice.

Hu Y et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed genetically modified mice with Alzheimer's disease to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50Hz, 500μT) for three months daily. The magnetic field exposure improved cognitive function, reduced brain cell death, and decreased tau protein abnormalities that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that controlled magnetic field exposure might have therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative conditions.

Effects of short term and long term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on depressive disorder in mice: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway.

Madjid Ansari A et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type generated by power lines and electrical appliances) to study effects on depression-like behavior. They found that short-term exposure (2 hours) had no effect, but long-term exposure (2 hours daily for 2 weeks) actually reduced depressive symptoms in the mice. The study suggests this effect may work through changes in nitric oxide levels in the brain.

Effects of short term and long term extremely low frequency magnetic field on depressive disorder in mice: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway.

Ansari AM et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type emitted by power lines and electrical devices) for either 2 hours once or 2 hours daily for 2 weeks. They found that long-term exposure reduced depression-like behavior in the mice, while short-term exposure interfered with antidepressant medications. This suggests that chronic EMF exposure may alter brain chemistry and affect how psychiatric medications work.

Long-term exposure to ELF-MF ameliorates cognitive deficits and attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation in 3xTg AD mice.

Hu Y et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice with Alzheimer's disease to a 50 Hz magnetic field (the type from power lines) for 20 hours daily over 3 months. The magnetic field exposure improved the mice's memory and learning abilities, while also reducing toxic protein buildup in their brains that's characteristic of Alzheimer's. This suggests that certain types of electromagnetic fields might actually have protective effects on brain health rather than harmful ones.

Effects of short term and long term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on depressive disorder in mice: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway

Ansari AM et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type produced by power lines and electrical devices) for either 2 hours once or 2 hours daily for 2 weeks. They found that long-term exposure actually reduced depression-like behavior in the mice, while short-term exposure had no effect. The study suggests these magnetic fields may alter brain chemistry by affecting nitric oxide levels, which plays a role in mood regulation.

The impact of electromagnetic radiation of different parameters on platelet oxygen metabolism - in vitro studies.

Lewicka M et al. · 2015

Polish researchers exposed human blood platelets to electromagnetic fields from car electronics, physiotherapy equipment, and LCD monitors for 30 minutes. They found that all three sources caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals), with car electronics producing the strongest effects. This suggests that common electronic devices may damage our blood cells and potentially contribute to diseases linked to oxidative stress.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) reduces oxidative stress in the brain of gerbils submitted to global cerebral ischemia.

Rauš Balind S, Selaković V, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B · 2014

Researchers exposed gerbils to power line frequency magnetic fields after stroke-like brain damage. The magnetic field exposure helped reduce brain oxidative stress caused by the stroke, with stress levels returning nearly to normal by day 14, suggesting potential protective effects against brain injury.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura.

Dimitrijević D, Savić T, Anđelković M, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2014

Scientists exposed fruit flies to 50 Hz magnetic fields (power line frequency) and found the fields reduced adult fly movement and activity, regardless of when exposure occurred. This demonstrates that common electrical frequencies can alter nervous system function in living organisms.

The extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure differently affects the AMPAR and NMDAR subunit expressions in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and prefrontal cortex without effects on the rat spatial learning and memory.

Li C, Xie M, Luo F, He C, Wang J, Tan G, Hu Z. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields for up to 28 days and found the exposure altered brain receptor proteins in multiple regions. Despite these measurable brain chemistry changes, the rats showed no problems with spatial learning or memory, suggesting functional abilities remained intact.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura.

Dimitrijević D, Savić T, Anđelković M, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2014

Researchers exposed fruit flies to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) at 0.5 milliTesla for 48 hours and tracked their development and behavior. The magnetic field exposure shortened development time, increased survival rates, but significantly reduced the flies' movement and activity levels. This study demonstrates that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can alter both biological development and nervous system function in living organisms.

Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) Reduces Oxidative Stress in the Brain of Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia.

Rauš Balind S, Selaković V, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2014

Researchers exposed stroke-damaged gerbils to power line frequency magnetic fields for seven days. While initially increasing brain stress, the magnetic field exposure ultimately protected against stroke damage, returning brain stress markers to normal levels by day fourteen, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.

Changes of dendritic spine density and morphology in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex induced by extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure.

Xiong J, He C, Li C, Tan G, Li J, Yu Z, Hu Z, Chen F. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields from power lines for up to 28 days and found significant damage to brain cell connections in areas controlling memory and navigation. These structural changes to nerve cells could explain cognitive problems linked to EMF exposure.

Response of Hippocampal Neurons and Glial Cells to Alternating Magnetic Field in Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia.

Rauš S et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 7 days after inducing stroke-like brain damage. The magnetic field exposure actually reduced brain cell death in the hippocampus, the brain region most critical for memory formation. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might have protective effects on brain tissue after injury.

Changes in synaptic efficacy in rat brain slices following extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure at embryonic and early postnatal age

Balassa T et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant and newborn rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields (household electricity frequency) during brain development. The exposure altered how brain cells communicate, increasing electrical activity but impairing the brain's ability to form new memories and connections during critical developmental periods.

Changes of dendritic spine density and morphology in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex induced by extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure.

Xiong J, He C, Li C, Tan G, Li J, Yu Z, Hu Z, Chen F. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to power line-frequency magnetic fields for 14-28 days and found significant damage to brain cell connections in the entorhinal cortex, a memory center. The exposure destroyed dendritic spines that enable brain cells to communicate, potentially explaining EMF-related cognitive problems.

Response of Hippocampal Neurons and Glial Cells to Alternating Magnetic Field in Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia.

Rauš S et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) after inducing stroke-like brain damage to see if EMF exposure affected recovery. They found that animals exposed to magnetic fields at 0.5 mT had significantly less brain cell death and better immune cell responses compared to unexposed animals. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might actually protect brain tissue during injury recovery.