Human cognitive performance in a 3 mT power-line frequency magnetic field.
Corbacio M, Brown S, Dubois S, Goulet D, Prato FS, Thomas AW, Legros A. · 2011
View Original AbstractStrong magnetic fields blocked normal learning improvement in memory tests, suggesting EMFs may interfere with brain plasticity.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed 99 people to a strong 60 Hz magnetic field (3 mT) for 30 minutes while they performed memory and thinking tests. While the magnetic field didn't clearly impair cognitive performance overall, it did prevent the normal learning improvement that occurs when people repeat the same memory test. This suggests that power-line frequency magnetic fields may interfere with the brain's ability to form new memories through practice.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a subtle but concerning effect of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on brain function. The 3 mT exposure level used here is significantly higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01 to 0.2 mT), but it's within the range that workers in certain industries or people living very close to power lines might encounter. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that it detected an effect on synaptic plasticity - the brain's fundamental mechanism for learning and memory formation. The researchers found that magnetic field exposure blocked the normal practice effect, where performance improves with repetition. This suggests that even when EMFs don't cause obvious cognitive impairment, they may still interfere with the brain's ability to adapt and learn. The science demonstrates that our nervous systems are more sensitive to electromagnetic interference than many realize, and this study adds to growing evidence that we should take precautionary steps to limit unnecessary EMF exposures, especially in environments where learning and memory are critical.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 3 mG
- Source/Device
- 60 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 30 min
Exposure Context
This study used 3 mG for magnetic fields:
- 150Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 30Kx 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
This research aims to evaluate the impact of a 60 Hz, 3 mT MF on human cognitive performance.
Ninety‐nine participants completed the double‐blind protocol, performing a selection of psychometric...
Performance between repetitions improved in 11 of 15 psychometric parameters (practice effect). A si...
Overall, this study does not establish any clear MF effect on human cognition. It is speculated that an ELF MF may interfere with the neuropsychological processes responsible for this short‐term learning effect supported by brain synaptic plasticity.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2011_human_cognitive_performance_in_234,
author = {Corbacio M and Brown S and Dubois S and Goulet D and Prato FS and Thomas AW and Legros A. },
title = {Human cognitive performance in a 3 mT power-line frequency magnetic field.},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20676},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20676},
}