3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Household Appliance EMF Research

ELF Magnetic Fields

Research on ELF magnetic fields from household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and hair dryers.

411
Studies
87%
Showed Bioeffects
1
EMF Type
50/60
Hz

Related Studies (411)

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on learning and memory abilities of STZ-induced dementia rats.

Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang W, Zhang Y, Yu Y, Cheing GL, Pan W. · 2019

Researchers exposed rats with chemically-induced dementia to pulsed magnetic fields (10 mT at 20 Hz) and found dramatic improvements in learning and memory abilities. The treated rats showed 66% faster escape times in maze tests and 55% shorter swimming distances compared to untreated dementia rats. The magnetic field exposure also increased expression of genes linked to brain growth and repair, suggesting the fields may help protect against cognitive decline.

Effects of single- and hybrid-frequency extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field stimulations on long-term potentiation in the hippocampal Schaffer collateral pathway.

Zheng Y, Ma XX, Dong L, Gao Y, Tian L. · 2019

Researchers exposed rat brain tissue to 15 Hz magnetic fields at medical device levels to study effects on brain connections. The magnetic fields significantly disrupted normal brain signaling that supports learning and memory, showing common electromagnetic frequencies can interfere with basic brain functions.

Effects of 5-HT1 and 5-HT 2 Receptor Agonists on Electromagnetic Field-Induced Analgesia in Rats.

Ozdemir E, Demirkazik A, Taskıran AS, Arslan G. · 2019

Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 2 hours daily over 15 days and found the fields produced pain relief (analgesia). They discovered this pain-blocking effect works through serotonin receptors in the brain - the same chemical system involved in mood and sleep. The study shows that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can directly alter brain chemistry and pain perception.

Transduction of the Geomagnetic Field as Evidenced from alpha-Band Activity in the Human Brain.

Wang CX et al. · 2019

Researchers exposed participants to Earth-strength magnetic fields while monitoring their brain activity with EEG. They discovered that specific magnetic field rotations caused measurable changes in brain waves (alpha oscillations), but only when the field was oriented as it naturally occurs in the Northern Hemisphere. This suggests humans possess an unconscious magnetic sensing ability similar to migratory animals.

Spatial memory recovery in Alzheimer's rat model by electromagnetic field exposure.

Akbarnejad Z et al. · 2018

Researchers injected rats with Alzheimer's-causing proteins and then exposed them to magnetic fields (50 Hz at 10 milliTesla) for 14 days. The magnetic field exposure significantly improved memory and learning abilities in the Alzheimer's rats, as measured by maze tests. This suggests that certain electromagnetic fields might help protect brain function in neurodegenerative diseases.

Effect of weak combined static and extremely low-frequency alternating magnetic fields on spatial memory and brain amyloid-β in two animal models of Alzheimer's disease.

Bobkova NV et al. · 2018

Russian researchers exposed Alzheimer's mice to extremely weak magnetic fields for 4 hours daily over 10 days. The treatment reduced toxic brain plaques and improved memory in some mice, suggesting specific magnetic frequencies might help clear harmful proteins in early neurodegenerative diseases.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

50-Hz magnetic field impairs the expression of iron-related genes in the in vitro SOD1G93A model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Consales C et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed lab-grown nerve cells with ALS-related genetic mutations to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for up to 72 hours. They found that while the magnetic field didn't kill cells or increase oxidative stress, it disrupted iron metabolism genes specifically in cells with the SOD1G93A mutation linked to familial ALS. This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields may interfere with cellular iron regulation in genetically susceptible individuals.

Coupling of oxidative stress responses to tricarboxylic acid cycle and prostaglandin E2 alterations in Caenorhabditis elegans under extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field

Sun Y, Shi Z, Wang Y, Tang C, Liao Y, Yang C, Cai P · 2018

Researchers exposed tiny worms (C. elegans) to 50-Hz magnetic fields at 3 milliTesla from egg to larval stage and found significant disruptions in cellular energy production and inflammation pathways. The magnetic field exposure caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from free radicals), impaired the worms' energy-producing machinery, and increased inflammatory compounds. This matters because it demonstrates that power-frequency magnetic fields can disrupt fundamental biological processes at the cellular level.

Reactive oxygen species mediates 50-Hz magnetic field-induced EGF receptor clustering via acid sphingomyelinase activation.

Sun L, Chen L, Bai L, Xia Y, Yang X, Jiang W, Sun W. · 2018

Researchers exposed human cells to power line frequency magnetic fields for 15 minutes and found they triggered harmful cellular changes linked to uncontrolled cell growth. The magnetic fields increased damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species, proving these everyday exposures can disrupt normal cell function.

Decrease of motor cortex excitability following exposure to a 20 Hz magnetic field as generated by a rotating permanent magnet.

Gallasch E, Rafolt D, Postruznik M, Fresnoza S, Christova M. · 2018

Researchers exposed 14 healthy volunteers to 20 Hz magnetic fields generated by rotating permanent magnets for 15 minutes, then measured brain activity in the motor cortex (the brain region controlling movement). They found that this magnetic field exposure significantly reduced motor cortex excitability, meaning the brain region became less responsive to stimulation. This demonstrates that even brief exposure to rotating magnetic fields can measurably alter brain function.

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.

Fifty-Hertz Magnetic Field Affects the Epigenetic Modulation of the miR-34b/c in Neuronal Cells.

Consales C et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed human brain cells and mouse neurons to 50-Hz magnetic fields (the type from power lines) at 1 milliTesla and found significant changes in gene regulation. The magnetic fields altered microRNAs (small molecules that control gene expression) and increased production of alpha-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's disease. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields may disrupt normal brain cell function through epigenetic changes that could predispose neurons to degeneration.

Protective properties of Myrtus communis extract against oxidative effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on rat plasma and hemoglobin.

Seif F, Bayatiani MR, Ansarihadipour H, Habibi G, Sadelaji S · 2018

Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields from power lines for 2 hours daily over a month, finding significant blood damage and reduced antioxidant defenses. Myrtle plant extract prevented these harmful effects, suggesting magnetic field exposure causes oxidative stress but natural compounds may offer protection.

Effects of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Oxidative Stress in Selected Structures of the Central Nervous System.

Budziosz J et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed rats to power-line frequency electromagnetic fields (50 Hz) for 28 days to study effects on brain oxidative stress, which occurs when harmful molecules damage cells. While overall oxidative stress markers remained unchanged, the study found decreased activity of protective antioxidant enzymes in most brain regions. This suggests that even when obvious damage isn't apparent, the brain's defense systems may be working harder under EMF exposure.

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.

Comparative of transcranial magnetic stimulation and other treatments in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Medina-Fernandez FJ et al. · 2018

Researchers tested whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using 60 Hz magnetic fields at 0.7 mT could help treat an animal model of multiple sclerosis. They found that TMS reduced brain inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) more effectively than standard pharmaceutical treatments. This suggests magnetic field therapy might have protective effects on the nervous system.

miRNA expression profile is altered differentially in the rat brain compared to blood after experimental exposure to 50 Hz and 1 mT electromagnetic field.

Erdal ME, Yılmaz SG, Gürgül S, Uzun C, Derici D, Erdal N. · 2018

Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields for 60 days and found significant changes in brain molecules that control gene expression. Young female rats showed the most dramatic effects, with altered patterns in both brain tissue and blood, suggesting chronic EMF exposure may disrupt normal brain function.

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on turkeys.

Laszlo AM et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed turkeys to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the type from power lines) for three weeks and found it disrupted their stress response system by reducing a key cellular signaling pathway called beta-adrenoceptor function. The birds' systems returned to normal after five weeks without exposure, suggesting the effects were reversible. This matters because it shows even relatively low-level magnetic field exposure can alter fundamental biological processes in living animals.

RKIP-Mediated NF-κB Signaling is involved in ELF-MF-mediated improvement in AD rat.

Zuo H, Liu X, Wang D, Li Y, Xu X, Peng R, Song T. · 2018

Chinese researchers exposed Alzheimer's rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields for 60 days and found improved memory and learning abilities. The exposure activated protective brain pathways that reduced inflammation and cognitive decline, suggesting electromagnetic fields might offer therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases.

FAQs: Appliances EMF Research

Of 411 peer-reviewed studies examining appliances electromagnetic radiation, 87% found measurable biological effects. These studies span decades of research conducted by scientists worldwide and include both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies examining the health effects of appliances radiation exposure.
The BioInitiative Report database includes 411 peer-reviewed studies specifically examining appliances electromagnetic radiation and its potential health effects. These studies have been conducted by researchers worldwide and published in scientific journals. The research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, reproductive health, and other health outcomes.
87% of the 411 studies examining appliances electromagnetic radiation found measurable biological effects. This means that 358 studies documented observable changes when organisms were exposed to appliances EMF. The remaining studies either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results.