6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Electrical Wiring EMF Research

ELF Magnetic FieldsELF Electric Fields

Research on ELF magnetic and electric fields from residential and commercial building wiring.

922
Studies
85%
Showed Bioeffects
2
EMF Types
50/60
Hz

About Electrical Wiring EMF

  • -Every home and building contains miles of electrical wiring hidden behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings.
  • -This wiring carries alternating current (AC) electricity at 50-60 Hz, creating extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields that extend into your living spaces.
  • -While you can't see these fields, they're present wherever electricity flows, and unlike many EMF sources, electrical wiring operates 24/7 in virtually every indoor environment.

Every home and building contains miles of electrical wiring hidden behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings. This wiring carries alternating current (AC) electricity at 50-60 Hz, creating extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields that extend into your living spaces. While you can't see these fields, they're present wherever electricity flows, and unlike many EMF sources, electrical wiring operates 24/7 in virtually every indoor environment. The science on ELF fields from electrical wiring reveals significant biological activity.

Related Studies (922)

Neuronal Cellular Responses to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure: Implications Regarding Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration.

Reale M et al. · 2014

Researchers evaluated the effects of an electromagnetic wave at a magnetic field intensity of 1 mT and a frequency of 50-Hz on human SH-SY5Y cells, a well-characterized immortalized neuronal cell model. ELF-EMF exposure elevated the expression of NOS and O2−, which were countered by compensatory changes in antioxidant catalase activity and enzymatic kinetic parameters related to CYP-450 and CAT activity. Cytokine gene expression was additionally evaluated and found rapidly modified by ELF-EMF exposure. When co-exposed to H2O2-induced oxidative stress, ELF-EMF proved not as well counteracted, resulting in a decline in CAT activity and a rise in O2− levels.

Neuronal Cellular Responses to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure: Implications Regarding Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration.

Reale M et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed human brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from household electricity and found they triggered harmful oxidative stress. The cells' natural defenses initially compensated, but failed when combined with other stressors, suggesting everyday EMF exposure may increase brain vulnerability to damage.

Pulsed electromagnetic field enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression through L-type voltage-gated calcium channel- and Erk-dependent signaling pathways in neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Li Y, Yan X, Liu J, Li L, Hu X, Sun H, Tian J. · 2014

Researchers examined the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) exposure on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from neonatal rats. Exposure to 50 Hz and 1 mT PEMF for 2 hours increased both intracellular free calcium levels and Bdnf mRNA expression. The increase in calcium was found to come from influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, while calcium mobilization from internal stores was not involved. Blocking the Erk signaling pathway strongly inhibited PEMF-related Erk1/2 activation and BDNF expression, indicating that Erk activation was required for PEMF-induced BDNF upregulation.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields affect transcript levels of neuronal differentiation-related genes in embryonic neural stem cells

Ma Q et al · 2014

Researchers exposed primary cultured embryonic neural stem cells to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at various magnetic intensities and exposure times. Cell proliferation showed no significant change across multiple assays including viability, DNA synthesis, neurosphere size, cell cycle, and cell-cycle gene transcripts. During differentiation, 50 Hz ELF-EMF at 2 mT for 3 days down-regulated Sox2 and up-regulated Math1, Math3, Ngn1, and Tuj1 mRNA levels. However, the percentages of neurons and astrocytes did not change as measured by immunofluorescence.

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.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X- rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields

Saha S et al · 2014

X-ray exposure significantly increased DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in the embryonic neuronal stem cell compartment, with a linear dose response. DSB repair was delayed at doses below 50 mGy compared to 100 mGy. No significant induction of DSBs or apoptosis was observed after magnetic field exposure.

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 studied whether an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF, 50 Hz, 0.5 mT) affects oxidative stress in the brains of gerbils submitted to 10-min global cerebral ischemia. After occlusion of both carotid arteries, 3-month-old gerbils were continuously exposed to ELF-MF for 7 days, and oxidative stress markers were measured in the forebrain cortex, striatum and hippocampus. Ischemic gerbils exposed to ELF-MF showed increased oxidative stress on the 7th day after reperfusion, but to a lesser extent than ischemic or ELF-MF-exposed animals alone, and by the 14th day their oxidative stress parameters were mostly at control levels. The results indicate a beneficial effect of ELF-MF (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) in the model of global cerebral ischemia.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Short term effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on Alzheimer's disease in rats.

Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Li N. · 2014

Researchers exposed 20 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats to 100 μT/50 Hz ELF-EMF or sham exposure for 12 weeks. The Morris water maze test showed no cognitive or memory impairment in the exposed rats compared to sham-exposed rats. Body weight, Aβ levels, and neuron morphology showed no significant changes between groups.

Stimulation of neural differentiation in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields incorporated with MNPs.

Choi YK, Lee DH, Seo YK, Jung H, Park JK, Cho H. · 2014

Researchers used PEG-phospholipid encapsulated magnetite nanoparticles on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to improve intracellular uptake. Cell viability and intracellular iron content were measured after nanoparticle treatment. RT-PCR and immunohistological analysis with neural cell type-specific genes and antibodies were performed after electromagnetic field exposure. The results suggested that electromagnetic fields enhance neural differentiation in these cells and would be an effective method for differentiating neural cells.

Egr1 mediated the neuronal differentiation induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2014

Human bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells were exposed to ELF-EMF at 50 Hz and 1 mT for 8 days. The hBM-MSC derived neurons were then analyzed by immunofluorescence and quantitative RT-PCR. Researchers analyzed the transcriptome of neuronal cells after an 8-day ELF-EMF exposure (50 Hz, 1 mT) and compared the transcriptional profiles to control cells. Early growth response protein 1 (Egr1) is one of the key transcription factors in ELF-EMF-induced neuronal differentiation. Transplantations of ELF-EMF-induced neurons significantly alleviate symptoms in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease.

Egr1 mediated the neuronal differentiation induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2014

Researchers exposed human bone marrow stem cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and found these fields triggered the cells to transform into neurons. The key discovery was that a specific protein called Egr1 controls this transformation process. When these EMF-induced neurons were transplanted into mice with brain diseases, the animals showed significant improvement.

Egr1 mediated the neuronal differentiation induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2014

Researchers exposed human bone marrow stem cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) at 1 milliTesla for 8 days and found the fields triggered the cells to develop into neurons. The study identified a specific protein called Egr1 that controls this transformation, and showed that transplanting these EMF-created neurons helped reduce symptoms in mice with neurodegenerative diseases.

Whole Body / General
Not an original health-effects study

Dosimetric study of fetal exposure to uniform magnetic fields at 50 Hz

Liorni I et al · 2014

Numerical computations were performed on high-resolution pregnant models at 3, 7, and 9 months of gestational age. Fetal whole-body and tissue-specific induced electric fields and current densities were analyzed as a function of magnetic field polarization and gestational age. The study also analyzed induced field variation due to changes in fetal position and calculated uncertainty from grid resolution.

Dosimetric study of fetal exposure to uniform magnetic fields at 50 Hz

Liorni I et al · 2014

Italian researchers used computer models to calculate how 50 Hz magnetic fields (like those from power lines) create electric currents inside developing fetuses at 3, 7, and 9 months of pregnancy. They found that exposure levels stayed well below international safety guidelines, but the induced electric fields increased as fetuses grew larger and varied significantly based on fetal position and the direction of the magnetic field.

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields induce oxidative stress in rat brain.

Manikonda PK et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed male Wistar rats to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at 50 Hz, at intensities of 50 and 100 µT, for 90 days continuously. The hippocampal, cerebellar and cortical regions of the brain were analyzed for reactive oxygen species, markers of oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzymes. Compared with control rats, exposed rats showed oxidative stress and altered glutathione levels in a dose-dependent manner across all brain regions.

Involvement of NMDA receptor in low-frequency magnetic field-induced anxiety in mice.

Salunke BP, Umathe SN, Chavan JG. · 2014

Researchers exposed Swiss albino mice to a 50 Hz, 10 G extremely low-frequency magnetic field for 8 hours per day across periods of up to 120 days. Anxiety was measured using an elevated plus maze, open field test, and social interaction test, on the 7th, 30th, 60th, 90th, and 120th exposure day, respectively. The findings suggest that the magnetic field significantly induced anxiety behavior and that the NMDA receptor was involved in its effect. Glutamate and GABA levels were significantly elevated in the hippocampus and hypothalamus, though GABA receptor modulators did not produce a significant effect on the induced anxiety.

Whole Body / General
Not an original health-effects study

Occupational exposure to intermediate frequency and extremely low frequency magnetic fields among personnel working near electronic article surveillance systems.

Roivainen P, Eskelinen T, Jokela K, Juutilainen J · 2014

Researchers measured intermediate frequency and extremely low frequency magnetic fields at cashiers' seats in Finnish stores. At the cashier's seat, IF magnetic fields ranged from 0.2 to 4 µT and ELF magnetic fields ranged from 0.03 to 4.5 µT, both well below exposure limits. However, when cashiers walked through EAS gates, peak IF fields reached up to 189 µT, exceeding the ICNIRP occupational reference level of 141 µT.

Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on NGF induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

Jung IS, Kim HJ, Noh R, Kim SC, Kim CW. · 2014

Researchers investigated how extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect nerve-growth-factor-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells using proteomic methods. After 5 days of exposure at 50 Hz and 1 mT, neurite length and the number of neurite-bearing cells increased, while proliferation activity decreased. Six proteins were found to be differentially expressed between exposed and unexposed NGF-treated cells, including peripherin, VGF8a, HSP72-psI, LMW-PTP/ACP1, TUBA1A, and OPA1L.

Effects of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on in vitro establishment, multiplication, and acclimatization phases of Coffee arabica seedlings

Isaac Aleman E et al · 2014

Researchers investigated the influence of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on net photosynthesis, transpiration, photosynthetic pigment concentration, and RBCS1 gene expression during in vitro establishment, in vitro multiplication and acclimatization phases of coffee seedlings. Treated plants were exposed to a 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field of 2 mT for 3 minutes while untreated plants served as controls. Magnetically treated plants showed significant increases in net photosynthesis and photosynthetic pigment concentration across phases, along with differential RBCS1 gene expression and decreased transpiration rates.

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on paraoxonase serum activity and lipid peroxidation metabolites in rat.

Seifirad S et al. · 2014

Single exposure significantly increased lipid peroxidation and also increased antioxidant serum activity, including HDL, paraoxonase activity, and serum total antioxidant capacity. Chronic exposure increased lipid peroxidation, affected the antioxidant system, and led to irreversible changes, while acute exposure tended toward reversible alterations. The researchers noted that antioxidant capability was dependent on the duration and continuity of ELF-MF exposure.

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 fibroblast WI-38 cells and human lung epithelial L132 cells to a 60-Hz magnetic field at 2 mT for 6 hours. The 2 mT exposure increased γ-H2AX expression and foci production, a marker of DNA double-strand breaks. A 1 mT exposure did not produce this effect. The 2 mT field enhanced the DNA damage marker when combined with ionizing radiation but not with hydrogen peroxide.

FAQs: Electrical Wiring EMF Research

Every home and building contains miles of electrical wiring hidden behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings. This wiring carries alternating current (AC) electricity at 50-60 Hz, creating extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields that extend into your living spaces.
The SYB Research Database includes 922 peer-reviewed studies specifically examining electrical wiring 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.
85% of the 922 studies examining electrical wiring electromagnetic radiation found measurable biological effects. This means that 784 studies documented observable changes when organisms were exposed to electrical wiring EMF. The remaining studies either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results.