Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
DNA and chromosomal damage in response to intermittent extremely low-frequency magnetic fields
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 2008
High-quality study found no DNA damage from intermittent power-frequency magnetic fields up to 1000 microT.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
UK researchers exposed human skin cells to intermittent extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (50-1000 microT) for 15 hours using switching patterns similar to power lines. They found no DNA damage or chromosomal abnormalities using multiple sensitive detection methods. This contradicts some previous studies that reported genetic damage from similar EMF exposures.
Cite This Study
Unknown (2008). DNA and chromosomal damage in response to intermittent extremely low-frequency magnetic fields.
Show BibTeX
@article{dna_and_chromosomal_damage_in_response_to_intermittent_extremely_low_frequency_magnetic_fields_ce2186,
author = {Unknown},
title = {DNA and chromosomal damage in response to intermittent extremely low-frequency magnetic fields},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1016/j.mrgentox.2008.10.016},
}Quick Questions About This Study
This study found no single-strand or double-strand DNA breaks in human fibroblasts exposed to switching magnetic fields (5 minutes on, 10 minutes off) for 15 hours, even at strengths up to 1000 microT.
Researchers used a 5-minute-on, 10-minute-off switching pattern for 15 hours total, designed to mimic intermittent appliance use rather than continuous exposure like some previous studies used.
No, despite using nearly identical equipment to the EU REFLEX program, researchers could not detect any DNA damage or chromosomal abnormalities that previous REFLEX studies reported from similar magnetic field exposures.
The gammaH2AX assay used could detect DNA damage equivalent to 0.025 Gy of X-ray radiation, making it extremely sensitive, yet still found no magnetic field effects on cellular DNA.
Researchers tested magnetic fields from 50 to 1000 microT, which spans from moderate household appliance levels up to industrial-strength exposures, finding no chromosomal aberrations at any level.