Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
A 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic field promotes human cell proliferation by decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species levels
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 2018
60 Hz power line frequency EMF increased cell proliferation in both normal and cancer cells by reducing cellular stress.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers exposed human cells to 60 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and found that uniform fields promoted cell growth by 24% in cancer cells and 15% in normal cells. The effect was reversible and appeared to work by reducing cellular stress markers called reactive oxygen species.
Exposure Information
Cite This Study
Unknown (2018). A 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic field promotes human cell proliferation by decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species levels.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_60_hz_uniform_electromagnetic_field_promotes_human_cell_proliferation_by_decreasing_intracellular_reactive_oxygen_species_levels_ce4216,
author = {Unknown},
title = {A 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic field promotes human cell proliferation by decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species levels},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0199753},
}Quick Questions About This Study
Yes, continuous exposure to 6 mT, 60 Hz uniform electromagnetic fields increased cell proliferation by 24.4% in cancer cells and 15.2% in normal fibroblasts. The effect was directly related to field strength and exposure duration.
This study found that 60 Hz EMF exposure enhanced proliferation in both HeLa cancer cells and normal cells. The increased growth was reversible when EMF exposure stopped, returning to normal rates.
The electromagnetic field decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels while increasing phosphorylation of growth-promoting proteins Akt and Erk1/2. Researchers believe this reduction in cellular stress contributed to enhanced proliferation.
6 mT is a relatively high field strength typically found very close to high-voltage power lines, electrical substations, or certain industrial equipment. Most household exposures are much lower, usually under 1 mT.
Yes, the same research group previously found that gradient 60 Hz EMF caused DNA damage, while this study showed uniform fields promoted growth without DNA damage, demonstrating field uniformity significantly affects biological responses.