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50 Hz Electromagnetic Field Produced Changes in FTIR Spectroscopy Associated with Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential Reduction in Neuronal-Like SH-SY5Y Cells.

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Calabrò E, Condello S, Currò M, Ferlazzo N, Vecchio M, Caccamo D, Magazù S, Ientile R. · 2013

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Power-frequency magnetic fields above 0.8 milliTesla damaged brain cell mitochondria and proteins, levels found in some occupational settings.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers exposed human brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (European power frequency) and found exposures above 0.8 milliTesla damaged cellular energy systems and altered protein structures. This demonstrates measurable biological harm from power-frequency magnetic fields at levels found in some occupational environments.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that power-frequency magnetic fields can cause measurable cellular damage, particularly to the mitochondria that power our cells. What makes this research particularly valuable is its use of advanced spectroscopic techniques to identify specific molecular changes, moving beyond simple observations of cell death to understand the underlying mechanisms of EMF damage. The exposure levels tested (0.05 to 1.4 milliTesla) span from typical household levels up to occupational exposures found near industrial equipment or power lines. The finding that significant damage occurred at 0.8 mT and above is concerning given that such levels can be encountered in real-world situations. The research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that EMF exposure affects cellular energy production and protein function, two fundamental processes critical to human health.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.05 - 1.4 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.05 - 1.4 mG 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: 0.05 - 1.4 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 40,000x higher than this level
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

The aim of this study is to observe 50 Hz electromagnetic field produced changes in FTIR spectroscopy associated with mitochondrial transmembrane potential reduction in neuronal-like SH-SY5Y cells

SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were used as an experimental model to study the effects of 50 Hz electro...

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis evidenced a reduction in intensity of the amide A b...

The observed changes after exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field higher than 0.8 mT were associated with a significant reduction of cell viability and reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential.

Cite This Study
Calabrò E, Condello S, Currò M, Ferlazzo N, Vecchio M, Caccamo D, Magazù S, Ientile R. (2013). 50 Hz Electromagnetic Field Produced Changes in FTIR Spectroscopy Associated with Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential Reduction in Neuronal-Like SH-SY5Y Cells. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2013;2013:414393. doi: 10.1155/2013/414393. Epub 2013 Jul 16.
Show BibTeX
@article{e_2013_50_hz_electromagnetic_field_609,
  author = {Calabrò E and Condello S and Currò M and Ferlazzo N and Vecchio M and Caccamo D and Magazù S and Ientile R.},
  title = {50 Hz Electromagnetic Field Produced Changes in FTIR Spectroscopy Associated with Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential Reduction in Neuronal-Like SH-SY5Y Cells.},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23970948/},
}
PubMed: 23970948

Cited By (36 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Italian researchers found that 50 Hz magnetic fields above 0.8 milliTesla damaged human brain cells' energy systems and altered protein structures. This exposure level reduced cell viability and disrupted mitochondrial function in neuronal-like cells, demonstrating measurable biological harm from power-frequency magnetic fields.
Research shows 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (European power frequency) cause protein conformational changes in brain cells. Exposure above 0.8 milliTesla altered protein structures, affecting alpha-helix and beta-sheet contents and causing membrane protein unfolding in human neuronal-like cells.
Exposure to 1.4 milliTesla 50 Hz electromagnetic fields significantly reduces mitochondrial transmembrane potential in brain cells. This disruption of cellular energy production was associated with decreased cell viability and altered membrane protein structures in human neuronal-like cells.
FTIR spectroscopy revealed that 50 Hz magnetic field exposure above 0.8 milliTesla altered cellular membrane components and peptide bonds in brain cells. The technique detected changes in amide bands and methylene groups, indicating protein structural damage and membrane disruption.
Yes, SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells effectively demonstrate EMF effects on brain tissue. Italian researchers used these human-derived cells to show that 50 Hz magnetic fields above 0.8 milliTesla cause measurable protein damage and mitochondrial dysfunction similar to what might occur in actual neurons.