Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on turkeys.
Laszlo AM, Ladanyi M, Boda K, Csicsman J, Bari F, Serester A, Molnar Z, Sepp K, Galfi M, Radacs M. · 2018
View Original AbstractThree weeks of power-line frequency magnetic field exposure disrupted turkeys' stress response systems at levels comparable to some household exposures.
Plain English Summary
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.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect biological systems. The exposure level of 10 microTesla is significant because it's within the range you might encounter near power lines or some household appliances, though higher than typical background levels. What makes this research particularly valuable is that it demonstrates a clear biological mechanism - the disruption of beta-adrenoceptor signaling, which plays a crucial role in how animals respond to stress and regulate various physiological processes. The fact that the effects were reversible after exposure stopped is both reassuring and concerning. It suggests that while the damage isn't permanent, ongoing exposure could mean ongoing biological disruption. The researchers' conclusion that these findings 'could affect public health and the economy' reflects the broader implications when we consider that similar biological systems exist in humans.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.01 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 3 wk
Exposure Context
This study used 0.01 mG for magnetic fields:
- 500x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 100x above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 Details
Our aims were the following: 1) to investigate the intracellular mechanisms; 2) to compare the intracellular mechanisms in the treated and control groups over time, considering inter-individual differences and intra-subject correlations; 3) and to study the reversible nature of the response.
The turkeys in the treatment group were treated in vivo with ELF EMF (50 Hz; 10 μT) for 3 wk after a...
According to our results, NE-activated β-adrenoceptor function was decreased in the treated birds in...
furthermore, these findings could affect public health and the economy.
Show BibTeX
@article{am_2018_effects_of_extremely_low_670,
author = {Laszlo AM and Ladanyi M and Boda K and Csicsman J and Bari F and Serester A and Molnar Z and Sepp K and Galfi M and Radacs M.},
title = {Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on turkeys.},
year = {2018},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119309162},
}