Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields in Domestic Birds
Wayne K. Durfee, Pei Wen Chang, Charles Polk, Lewis T. Smith, Vance J. Yates, Paul R. Plante, S. Muthukrishnan, Hang-Ju Chen · 1975
Early 1975 research investigated how power line frequency electromagnetic fields affect domestic birds as biological indicators.
Plain English Summary
This 1975 technical report examined how extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields affect domestic birds. The study represents early research into ELF field effects on living organisms, focusing on continuous wave exposures. While specific findings aren't available, this work contributed to understanding biological responses to the type of electromagnetic fields generated by power lines and household electrical systems.
Why This Matters
This 1975 research represents pioneering work in understanding how the electromagnetic fields from our electrical infrastructure affect living organisms. The focus on domestic birds is particularly relevant because birds have been used as sensitive biological indicators of environmental hazards for decades. The reality is that extremely low frequency fields from power lines, household wiring, and electrical appliances create continuous exposures that didn't exist before the 20th century.
What makes this study significant is its early recognition that ELF fields warrant biological investigation. The science demonstrates that birds, with their unique physiology and navigation systems, can be especially sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances. This research laid groundwork for understanding how the 50-60 Hz fields that surround us daily might affect biological systems, research that continues to reveal concerning effects nearly five decades later.
Finding
Statistical analyses of the results of these studies revealed that the ELF magnetic and electric fields tested had no significant or consistent effects on the following criteria used to evaluate the responses of embryos and chicks: 1. Hatchability of fertile eggs. 2. Embryonic survival during the most critical stages of development. 3. Early post-embryonic growth (to four weeks of age). 4. Learning and memory consolidation in the neo-nate chick. 5. Growth and development of the immature bird to ten weeks of age.
In their words
“Statistical analyses of the results of these studies revealed that the ELF magnetic and electric fields tested had no significant or consistent effects on the following criteria used to evaluate the responses of embryos and chicks: 1. Hatchability of fertile eggs. 2. Embryonic survival during the most critical stages of development. 3. Early post-embryonic growth (to four weeks of age). 4. Learning and memory consolidation in the neo-nate chick. 5. Growth and development of the immature bird to ten weeks of age.”
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: continuous exposure of embryos and chicks throughout the egg holding, incubation, and hatching periods and through the first four weeks of brooding
Study Details
To evaluate the influence of ELF electric and magnetic fields (45 and 75 Hz with exposure at 1 and 10 v/m and 1.0 gauss) upon: 1) Growth and development of the chick embryo; 2) Early post-embryonic growth, development, and behavior of the chick; 3) The juvenile and adult bird.
The domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) was the laboratory test species used to evaluate the responses...
Chicken embryo cell growth was inhibited when incubated in a magnetic field of 1, 5, or 8 gauss at 6...
The ELF magnetic and electric fields tested had no significant or consistent effects on hatchability of fertile eggs, embryonic survival during the most critical stages of development, early post-embryonic growth (to four weeks of age), learning and memory consolidation in the neo-nate chick, or growth and development of the immature bird to ten weeks of age. However, 5 gauss magnetic fields may lower metabolic activity.
Show BibTeX
@article{extremely_low_frequency_electric_and_magnetic_fields_in_domestic_birds_g3854,
author = {Wayne K. Durfee and Pei Wen Chang and Charles Polk and Lewis T. Smith and Vance J. Yates and Paul R. Plante and S. Muthukrishnan and Hang-Ju Chen},
title = {Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields in Domestic Birds},
year = {1975},
}