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DNA & Genetic Damage130 citations

Oxidative DNA damage in rats exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.

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Yokus B, Cakir DU, Akdag MZ, Sert C, Mete N · 2005

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Rats exposed to ELF-EMF showed significantly higher oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation than sham controls at both 50 and 100 days.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers examined the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 Hz, 0.97 mT) on oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in rats. Measurements of 8OHdG and TBARS were taken at 50 and 100 days to look for time-dependent changes. The 8OHdG levels of the exposed group were significantly higher than the sham group at both 50 and 100 days (p<0.001). The extent of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation appeared to depend on exposure time.

Why This Matters

The study used 8OHdG as a marker of oxidative DNA damage and TBARS as a marker of lipid peroxidation in plasma. Measurements were taken at 50 and 100 days to examine possible time-dependent changes resulting from magnetic field exposure. Higher TBARS levels were detected in the exposure group at both 50 and 100 days (p<0.001). The researchers noted that their data may have important implications for long-term exposure to ELF-EMF, which they suggested may cause oxidative DNA damage.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.97 mT
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
50 and 100 days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.97 mT for magnetic 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: 0.97 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 5 times the FCC limit
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

To sudy the oxidative DNA damage in rats exposed to extremely low frequency electro magnetic fields.

We examined the effects of extremely low frequency electro magnetic field (ELF-EMF) (50 Hz, 0.97 mT)...

Our results showed that the exposure to ELF-EMF induced oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation ...

Our data may have important implications for the long-term exposure to ELF-EMF which may cause oxidative DNA damage.

Cite This Study
Yokus B, Cakir DU, Akdag MZ, Sert C, Mete N (2005). Oxidative DNA damage in rats exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. Free Radic Res. 39(3):317-323, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2005_oxidative_dna_damage_in_485,
  author = {Yokus B and Cakir DU and Akdag MZ and Sert C and Mete N},
  title = {Oxidative DNA damage in rats exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.},
  year = {2005},
  doi = {10.1080/10715760500043603},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10715760500043603},
}
DOI: 10.1080/10715760500043603

Cited By (130 papers)

View all 130 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field at 50 Hz and 0.97 mT.
Researchers measured 8OHdG levels in DNA as a marker of oxidative DNA damage, and TBARS in plasma as a marker of lipid peroxidation.
The 8OHdG levels of the exposed group (4.39±0.88 and 5.29±1.16) were significantly higher than the sham group (3.02±0.63 and 3.46±0.38) at both 50 and 100 days (p<0.001).
The extent of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation appeared to depend on the exposure time.
The researchers suggested their data may have important implications for long-term exposure to ELF-EMF, which may cause oxidative DNA damage.