Exposure of mammalians to strong 50 Hz electric fields. 1) Effects on the proportion of the different leucocyte types. 2) Effects on heart's and brain's electrical activity
Blanchi, D., L. Cedrini, F. Ceria, E. Meda, G.G. Re · 1972
Early 1972 research showed that 50 Hz electric fields from power systems cause measurable changes in mammalian blood, heart, and brain function.
Plain English Summary
This 1972 study examined how strong 50 Hz electric fields (the frequency used in European power systems) affected mammalian test subjects, specifically looking at changes in white blood cells and electrical activity in the heart and brain. The research represents early scientific investigation into whether power frequency electromagnetic fields cause biological effects in living organisms.
Why This Matters
This research from 1972 represents pioneering work in understanding how power frequency electric fields affect mammalian biology. The focus on 50 Hz fields is particularly relevant for Europeans, whose electrical grid operates at this frequency, compared to North America's 60 Hz system. What makes this study significant is its examination of fundamental biological systems - blood cells, heart function, and brain activity - that could indicate broader health impacts from electric field exposure.
The reality is that we're all exposed to 50 Hz or 60 Hz electric fields daily from our electrical infrastructure, household wiring, and appliances. While this early research helped establish that power frequency fields do produce measurable biological effects, it also highlights how long scientists have been documenting EMF impacts on living systems. The science demonstrates that even decades ago, researchers recognized the need to understand how our electrical environment affects our biology.
Finding
The results, summarized in table 1, show at the end of the 1000 h exposed mice, in comparison with the control mice, of respectively 98.5% and 44.0%, together with a percentage.
In their words
“The results, summarized in table 1, show at the end of the 1000 h exposed mice, in comparison with the control mice, of respectively 98.5% and 44.0%, together with a percentage.”
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 1000 hours
Study Details
To investigate the biological effects of 50 Hz electric fields, particularly focusing on changes in white blood cell proportions and electrical activity of heart and brain.
Twelve male C57/black mice were exposed to a homogeneous 50 Hz electric field of 1 kV/cm intensity f...
Exposed mice showed 98.5% neutrophils and 44.0% eosinophils compared to control mice. Changes in whi...
The study demonstrates that exposure to strong 50 Hz electric fields causes significant changes in white blood cell proportions and electrical activity of heart and brain. The changes in white blood cell proportions are similar to those observed by Barnothy in mice exposed to strong magnetic fields. The lengthening of the QRS complex was found to be consistent with previous findings in persons chronically exposed to electromagnetic fields in UHF and SHF frequency ranges. The observed effects suggest that 50 Hz electric fields may have biological effects on hematological parameters and cardiovascular function.
Show BibTeX
@article{exposure_of_mammalians_to_strong_50_hz_electric_fields_1_effects_on_the_proporti_g5942,
author = {Blanchi and D. and L. Cedrini and F. Ceria and E. Meda and G.G. Re},
title = {Exposure of mammalians to strong 50 Hz electric fields. 1) Effects on the proportion of the different leucocyte types. 2) Effects on heart's and brain's electrical activity},
year = {1972},
}