Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Assessment of genetic damage in peripheral blood of human volunteers exposed (whole-body) to a 200 muT, 60 Hz magnetic field
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 2009
Four-hour exposure to 200 microTesla power line magnetic fields caused no detectable DNA damage in human blood cells.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Canadian researchers exposed 20 healthy volunteers to whole-body 60 Hz magnetic fields at 200 microTesla for 4 hours, then tested their blood for DNA damage using two different laboratory methods. The study found no evidence that this exposure level caused genetic damage to blood cells, even though positive control tests confirmed their methods could detect DNA damage.
Exposure Information
Cite This Study
Unknown (2009). Assessment of genetic damage in peripheral blood of human volunteers exposed (whole-body) to a 200 muT, 60 Hz magnetic field.
Show BibTeX
@article{assessment_of_genetic_damage_in_peripheral_blood_of_human_volunteers_exposed_whole_body_to_a_200_mut_60_hz_magnetic_field_ce3951,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Assessment of genetic damage in peripheral blood of human volunteers exposed (whole-body) to a 200 muT, 60 Hz magnetic field},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1080/09553000802641169},
}Quick Questions About This Study
No, this study found no DNA damage in blood cells after 4-hour whole-body exposure to 200 microTesla, 60 Hz magnetic fields. Two sensitive laboratory tests detected no genetic damage compared to unexposed controls.
200 microTesla is approximately 1,000 times stronger than typical household magnetic field levels of 0.1-1 microTesla. This exposure level might occur near high-voltage power lines or industrial electrical equipment.
This study found no evidence that 4 hours of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure at 200 microTesla levels causes damage to blood cells or DNA in healthy human volunteers.
Researchers used the alkaline comet assay to detect DNA breaks and the micronucleus assay to identify chromosomal damage in blood cells. Both tests are standard methods for detecting genetic damage.
Yes, researchers included sham-exposed controls and positive controls using gamma radiation that successfully caused detectable DNA damage, confirming their methods could identify genetic damage when present.