Effects of static magnetic fields on the growth of various types of human cells.
Sullivan K, Balin AK, Allen RG · 2011
View Original AbstractStatic magnetic fields reduced human cell growth by 20% and increased cellular stress, showing that magnetic exposure can disrupt basic cellular functions.
Plain English Summary
Scientists exposed human cells to magnetic fields for two weeks and found cell growth decreased by up to 20% in lung and skin cells, while increasing cellular damage markers by 37%. This suggests magnetic field exposure can disrupt normal cell function and growth.
Why This Matters
This controlled laboratory study adds to mounting evidence that magnetic field exposure can interfere with fundamental cellular processes. The magnetic field strengths used (35-120 millitesla) are thousands of times stronger than typical household exposures but comparable to what you might encounter with some medical devices or industrial equipment. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates cell-type specific responses - some cells showed clear growth inhibition and oxidative stress, while others appeared unaffected. This selective vulnerability helps explain why EMF health effects can be so variable between individuals and tissues. The finding that oxidative stress peaked during the critical cell attachment phase suggests that timing of exposure matters as much as intensity.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 35 to 120 mG
Exposure Context
This study used 35 to 120 mG for magnetic fields:
- 1.7Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 350Kx 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 effects of a static magnetic field (SMF) on the proliferation of various types of human cells were determined.
All cultures were maintained at 37 °C throughout the experiment. SMF was generated by placing two ma...
Exposure to SMF significantly decreased initial attachment of fibroblasts and decreased subsequent g...
These results indicate that exposure to SMF has significant biological effects in some, but not all types of human cells.
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2011_effects_of_static_magnetic_467,
author = {Sullivan K and Balin AK and Allen RG},
title = {Effects of static magnetic fields on the growth of various types of human cells.},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20624},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20624},
}