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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Cancer & Tumors

Combined effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure with various stress factors on cellular transformation in NIH3T3 cells.

No Effects Found

Lee HJ, Jin YB, Lee JS, Choi JI, Lee JW, Myung SH, Lee YS. · 2012

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This study found no cancer-promoting effects from 60 Hz magnetic fields at levels much higher than typical household exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mouse cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the type from power lines) to see if this could trigger cellular transformation into cancer-like cells. They tested the magnetic field alone and combined with known cancer-causing agents like radiation. The study found no evidence that the magnetic field exposure caused cell transformation or enhanced the cancer-causing effects of other agents.

Why This Matters

This study contributes to our understanding of whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields can promote cancer development at the cellular level. The researchers used a 1 mT (milliTesla) magnetic field, which is significantly stronger than typical household exposures (usually measured in microTesla). What makes this research particularly relevant is that it tested not just direct cancer-causing effects, but also whether EMF exposure might amplify the harm from other cancer-promoting factors we encounter daily. The negative results suggest that at least for this specific exposure duration and intensity, 60 Hz magnetic fields don't appear to initiate or accelerate cellular transformation. However, this single study represents just one piece of a much larger puzzle, and the scientific community continues to investigate potential long-term effects of chronic, lower-level exposures that better reflect real-world conditions.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
1 mT
Source/Device
60 Hz
Exposure Duration
4 h

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mT 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: 1 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 5 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Here, the carcinogenic potential of ELF-MF exposure alone and in combination with various stress factors was investigated in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts using an in vitro cellular transformation assay.

NIH3T3 cells were exposed to a 60 Hz ELF-MF (1 mT) alone or in combination with ionizing radiation (...

A 4 h exposure of NIH3T3 cells to ELF-MF alone produced no cell transformation. Moreover, ELF exposure did not influence the transformation activity of IR, H2O2, or activated c-Myc in our in vitro assay system, suggesting that 1 mT ELF-MF did not affect any additive or synergistic transformation activities in combination with stress factors such as IR, H2O2, or activated c-Myc in NIH3T3 cells.

Cite This Study
Lee HJ, Jin YB, Lee JS, Choi JI, Lee JW, Myung SH, Lee YS. (2012). Combined effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure with various stress factors on cellular transformation in NIH3T3 cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 33(3):207-214, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{hj_2012_combined_effects_of_60_2853,
  author = {Lee HJ and Jin YB and Lee JS and Choi JI and Lee JW and Myung SH and Lee YS.},
  title = {Combined effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure with various stress factors on cellular transformation in NIH3T3 cells.},
  year = {2012},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20700},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20700},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20700

Cited By (17 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2012 study found that 60 Hz magnetic fields from power lines did not transform normal mouse cells into cancer cells. The researchers exposed NIH3T3 cells to 1 mT magnetic fields for 4 hours and found no cellular transformation occurred, even when combined with known cancer-causing agents.
Research shows 60 Hz magnetic fields do not enhance radiation damage to cells. When scientists combined 1 mT power line frequency exposure with ionizing radiation in mouse cells, the magnetic field did not increase the cancer-causing effects of the radiation or promote cellular transformation.
Studies indicate 1 mT magnetic field exposure does not cause cellular damage or transformation. Researchers exposed mouse cells to this power line frequency intensity for 4 hours and found no evidence of cell transformation, suggesting this exposure level is not harmful to cellular integrity.
Research demonstrates household magnetic fields do not combine with cellular stress factors to promote cancer development. A study testing 60 Hz magnetic fields with various stress agents like hydrogen peroxide found no additive or synergistic effects that could lead to cellular transformation into cancer-like cells.
A 4-hour exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields showed no effects on cellular transformation in laboratory studies. Researchers found this duration of power line frequency exposure at 1 mT intensity did not cause normal mouse cells to transform into cancer-like cells or enhance other damaging factors.