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Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on antioxidant activity in plasma and red blood cells in spot welders

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Sharifian A, Gharavi M, Pasalar P, Aminian O · 2009

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Magnetic field exposure at occupational levels significantly reduced key antioxidant enzymes by up to 22%, potentially increasing vulnerability to cellular damage.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied 46 spot welders exposed to magnetic fields at work versus unexposed workers. Exposed workers showed 22% and 12.3% decreases in key antioxidant enzymes in their blood cells, suggesting magnetic field exposure may weaken the body's natural defenses against cellular damage.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that ELF magnetic field exposure can compromise our body's antioxidant defense system, even at exposure levels considered 'safe' by current guidelines. The magnetic field strengths these welders experienced (8.8-84 microTesla) overlap with levels you might encounter near household appliances, power lines, or in certain occupational settings. What makes this research particularly significant is the clear dose-response relationship - the stronger the magnetic field exposure, the greater the reduction in antioxidant enzyme activity. The science demonstrates that oxidative stress is a key mechanism through which EMF exposure may contribute to various health problems. When your body's antioxidant defenses are compromised, you become more vulnerable to cellular damage that can contribute to aging, inflammation, and chronic disease. This adds to a growing body of evidence showing biological effects from EMF exposure occur well below current safety standards.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.0088 - 0.084 mG
Electric Field
20–133 V/m
Source/Device
50 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.0088 - 0.084 mG for magnetic fields:

This study used 20–133 V/m for electric fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0088 - 0.084 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 227,273x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of this study was to determine a possible relation between exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and the human antioxidant activity.

The total serum antioxidant status (TAS), red blood cells (RBCs) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and su...

No significant differences in TAS levels were observed (P value = 0.065). However, in RBCs of expose...

The results of this study indicate that ELF-MF could influence the RBC antioxidant activity and might act as an oxidative stressor. Intracellular antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPX were found to be the most important markers involving in this process. The influence of magnetic field on the antioxidant activity of RBCs might occur even at the recommended levels of exposure.

Cite This Study
Sharifian A, Gharavi M, Pasalar P, Aminian O (2009). Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on antioxidant activity in plasma and red blood cells in spot welders Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 82(2):259-266, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2009_effect_of_extremely_low_460,
  author = {Sharifian A and Gharavi M and Pasalar P and Aminian O},
  title = {Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on antioxidant activity in plasma and red blood cells in spot welders},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1007/s00420-008-0332-2},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00420-008-0332-2},
}
DOI: 10.1007/s00420-008-0332-2

Cited By (26 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2009 study found that spot welders exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields showed significant decreases in key antioxidant enzymes. Their blood cells had 22% less SOD and 12.3% less GPX activity compared to unexposed workers, weakening cellular defenses against damage.
Research on spot welders revealed that occupational magnetic field exposure significantly reduces antioxidant enzyme activity in red blood cells. The study found stronger magnetic fields correlated with lower protective enzyme levels, suggesting these fields act as oxidative stressors in the workplace.
A study of spot welders suggests 50 Hz magnetic fields may cause biological effects even at recommended exposure levels. Workers showed decreased antioxidant enzyme activity in blood cells, indicating the body's natural defense systems were compromised despite following safety guidelines.
Spot welders exposed to magnetic fields showed significant reductions in two critical antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased by 22% and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) by 12.3%. These enzymes normally protect cells from oxidative damage and free radical stress.
Research identified SOD and GPX enzymes as the most important markers of magnetic field exposure effects. In spot welders, both enzymes showed significant decreases that correlated negatively with magnetic field intensity, indicating these markers reliably detect exposure-related cellular stress.