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Information Profile - Magnetic Fields

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Science Information Services Department · 1978

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The 1978 NIOSH information profile reviewed research on magnetic field effects across many organisms and field strengths, finding more pronounced effects at very low and very high intensities than near the natural geomagnetic field.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

The profile surveyed biological effects of magnetic fields on organisms from microorganisms to humans. Very low and very high magnetic fields produced more pronounced effects than intensities near the natural geomagnetic field. Human studies reported flicker-fusion threshold depression at near-zero fields, perception changes at 5-10 G, and magnetophosphenes with altered blood iron and copper at 100-400 G. The United States had no governmental exposure standards, while the Soviet Union set limits at 300 G for whole-body and 700 G for hands.

Why This Matters

Monkeys exposed to high field strength (104 - 10° G) showed changes in electroencephalogram and electrocardiogram. Soviet workers exposed to very high intensity magnetic fields (10° - 10' Oe) suffered organic disturbances of the cardiovascular, central nervous, and endocrine systems.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50-60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50-60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Science Information Services Department (1978). Information Profile - Magnetic Fields.
Show BibTeX
@article{information_profile_magnetic_fields_g4073,
  author = {Science Information Services Department},
  title = {Information Profile - Magnetic Fields},
  year = {1978},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

The profile reviewed studies on microorganisms, tissue culture cells, worms, insects, fish, birds, mammals, and humans.
Very low and very high magnetic fields produced more pronounced effects than intensities near the natural geomagnetic field.
Near-zero fields under 0.5 mOe depressed flicker-fusion threshold after 10 days of exposure. Fields of 5-10 G changed perception and reaction time, while 100-400 G produced magnetophosphenes and altered blood iron and copper.
Electricians, power linemen, radio and television repairmen, power station operators, stationary engineers, solderers, stationary firemen, and communications industry operatives were identified using 1970 census figures.
The United States had no governmental standards, while the Soviet Union set limits at 300 G for whole-body exposure and 700 G for hands.