Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field changes the efficiency of the scorpion alpha toxin.
Jankowska M, Pawlowska-Mainville A, Stankiewicz M, Rogalska J, Wyszkowska J. · 2015
View Original Abstract50 Hz electromagnetic fields altered nervous system function at the cellular level, showing EMF can directly interfere with nerve signal transmission.
Plain English Summary
Polish researchers exposed cockroaches to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in electrical power systems) and found it changed how their nervous systems responded to scorpion toxin. The EMF exposure altered nerve activity patterns and reduced the toxin's effectiveness, demonstrating that power frequency fields can modify how the nervous system functions at the cellular level.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields - the type generated by power lines and household electrical systems - can alter nervous system function in measurable ways. The researchers used exposure levels of 0.7 and 7 milliTesla, which are significantly higher than typical household exposures (usually under 0.1 mT) but within ranges found near power lines or certain electrical equipment. What makes this research particularly valuable is that it demonstrates EMF effects on nerve signal transmission itself, not just behavioral changes. The fact that EMF exposure modified how neurons responded to a well-characterized toxin suggests these fields are directly interfering with fundamental cellular processes in the nervous system. While this was conducted on insects, the basic mechanisms of nerve function are remarkably similar across species, making these findings relevant for understanding potential human health impacts.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.7, 7 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.7, 7 mG for magnetic fields:
- 35Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 7Kx 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
We assumed that the exposure to ELF-EMF 0.7 mT will change the effects of the insect selective scorpion alpha toxin (recombinant LqhαIT from Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus) at the level of the cercal nerve function, the synaptic transmission and on the level of entire insect organism. Taking into account the compensatory mechanisms in organisms, we tested in addition ten times higher ELF-EMF on whole insects.
Experiments were performed in vivo on cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) and in vitro – on isolated...
The exposure to ELF-EMF (0.7 mT) modified the effects of LqhαIT (5 × 10−8 M) on activity of the cerc...
The exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF modified the mode of action of the anti-insect scorpion alpha toxin LqhαIT at cellular level of the cockroach nervous system and in biotests. Toxin appeared as a usefull tool in distinguishing between the primary and the secondary effects of ELF-EMF.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2015_exposure_to_50_hz_659,
author = {Jankowska M and Pawlowska-Mainville A and Stankiewicz M and Rogalska J and Wyszkowska J.},
title = {Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field changes the efficiency of the scorpion alpha toxin.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://www.scielo.br/j/jvatitd/a/vjJKhw4SDL9rMc38YWPjRvR/?lang=en&format=html},
}