Increased levels of hsp70 transcripts induced when cells are exposed to low frequency electromagnetic fields
R. Goodman, M. Blank, H. Lin, R. Dai, O. Khorkova, L. Soo, D. Weisbrot, A. Henderson · 1994
View Original AbstractCells treat EMF exposure as biological stress, activating the same protective responses used against heat and toxins.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human and yeast cells to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (0.0008 to 0.08 millitesla) and found that these fields triggered the production of heat shock proteins - cellular stress response molecules normally produced when cells are damaged by heat or toxins. The cells responded to EMF exposure as if they were under biological stress, activating the same protective mechanisms they use against harmful conditions.
Why This Matters
This study reveals something critical about how our cells respond to EMF exposure at the molecular level. The fact that cells activate their stress response systems when exposed to magnetic fields suggests they recognize EMF as a potential threat - much like they would respond to heat, chemicals, or other harmful stimuli. What makes this particularly significant is that the magnetic field strengths used (0.0008 to 0.08 millitesla) are well within the range of everyday exposures from power lines, household wiring, and electrical appliances. The science demonstrates that even at these relatively low levels, cells are mounting a biological defense response. This cellular stress response doesn't prove immediate harm, but it does indicate that EMF exposure isn't biologically neutral as industry often claims.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.0008 - 0.08 mG
Exposure Context
This study used 0.0008 - 0.08 mG for magnetic fields:
- 40x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 8x 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
The aim of this study is to observe Increased levels of hsp70 transcripts induced when cells are exposed to low frequency electromagnetic fields
The conditions of maximum induction for hsp70 were coordinate with those of c-myc. In yeast cells, t...
Thus the model of cell interaction with electric and/or magnetic fields appears to be related to the stress response model for heat shock.
Show BibTeX
@article{goodman_1994_increased_levels_of_hsp70_786,
author = {R. Goodman and M. Blank and H. Lin and R. Dai and O. Khorkova and L. Soo and D. Weisbrot and A. Henderson},
title = {Increased levels of hsp70 transcripts induced when cells are exposed to low frequency electromagnetic fields},
year = {1994},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/030245989485002X},
}