Static magnetic field sensitivity of endothelial cells.
Martino CF · 2011
View Original AbstractStatic magnetic fields as low as 30 microtesla measurably affect blood vessel cells through free radical mechanisms.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human blood vessel cells to static magnetic fields and found that very weak fields (30 µT) reduced cell growth while stronger fields increased it. The effects appear linked to free radical production, showing even low-level magnetic fields can measurably affect cardiovascular cells.
Why This Matters
This research adds important evidence to our understanding of how magnetic fields interact with human biology at the cellular level. What makes this study particularly significant is that it demonstrates biological effects at magnetic field strengths as low as 30 microtesla - levels you might encounter near some electrical appliances or in certain occupational settings. The finding that these effects appear to work through free radical mechanisms is especially noteworthy, as oxidative stress from free radicals is linked to various health concerns including cardiovascular disease and aging. The fact that adding antioxidants suppressed some of the magnetic field effects supports this free radical connection and suggests potential protective strategies. While this is laboratory research on isolated cells rather than whole-body effects, it provides biological plausibility for how magnetic field exposure might influence cardiovascular health through effects on the endothelial cells that line our blood vessels.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.03 and 0.12 mG
Exposure Context
This study used 0.03 and 0.12 mG for magnetic fields:
- 1.5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 300x 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
In this manuscript, data demonstrating the magnetic sensitivity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is presented.
The effects of low level fields (LLF; 0.2–1 µT), 30 and 120 µT magnetic fields on the proliferation ...
Although cell numbers were slightly affected between 30 and 120 µT magnetic fields, reducing the mag...
It is proposed that the static magnetic field interacts with endothelial cells via a free radical mechanism
Show BibTeX
@article{cf_2011_static_magnetic_field_sensitivity_422,
author = {Martino CF},
title = {Static magnetic field sensitivity of endothelial cells.},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20665},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20665},
}