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The 50 Hz (10 mT) sinusoidal magnetic field: effects on stress-related behavior of rats.

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Korpinar MA, Kalkan MT, Tuncel H. · 2012

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Rats exposed to power-frequency magnetic fields for 21 days showed significantly increased anxiety and stress behaviors.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electrical wiring) for 21 days and measured their anxiety levels using standard behavioral tests. The exposed rats showed significantly higher anxiety and stress-related behaviors compared to unexposed rats, spending much less time in open, exposed areas of test mazes. This suggests that prolonged exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields may increase stress responses in the brain.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can affect brain function and behavior, even at exposure levels found in some homes and workplaces. The 10 mT exposure level used here is higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01-1 mT near appliances), but it's within the range workers might encounter near power lines or industrial equipment. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is its focus on anxiety and stress responses rather than just cellular damage. The brain's stress response system appears sensitive to EMF exposure, which could help explain why some people report feeling anxious or agitated around certain electrical equipment. The 21-day exposure period also suggests these aren't just temporary effects but potentially lasting changes in brain function.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
10 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
21 Days

Exposure Context

This study used 10 mG 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: 10 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 200x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavioral changes induced by 50 Hz, 10 mT flux density Sinusoidal Magnetic Field (MF).

Seventy-six young adult male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. They were separated into two...

In the hole-board system parameters there were no statistically significant differences between the ...

Our results suggest that after 21 days, a continuous exposure to extremely low frequency of magnetic field (50 Hz, 10 mT) has no significant effect on activity and exploration activity but significantly induces stress and anxiety-related behavior in rats (Tab. 2, Fig. 9, Ref. 19).

Cite This Study
Korpinar MA, Kalkan MT, Tuncel H. (2012). The 50 Hz (10 mT) sinusoidal magnetic field: effects on stress-related behavior of rats. Bratisl Lek Listy. 113(9):521-524, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{ma_2012_the_50_hz_10_666,
  author = {Korpinar MA and Kalkan MT and Tuncel H.},
  title = {The 50 Hz (10 mT) sinusoidal magnetic field: effects on stress-related behavior of rats.},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/22979905},
}
PubMed: 22979905

Cited By (12 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2012 study found that 21 days of continuous 50 Hz magnetic field exposure significantly increased anxiety-related behaviors in rats. Exposed rats spent much less time in open areas of test mazes compared to unexposed rats, suggesting heightened stress responses.
Research shows that 21 days of continuous exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 10 mT can significantly alter stress-related behaviors in rats. The study found no effects on general activity levels, but anxiety behaviors increased substantially after three weeks of exposure.
Yes, the same 50 Hz frequency used in household electrical wiring caused significant stress and anxiety behaviors in rats after 21 days of exposure. Animals showed increased reluctance to spend time in open, exposed areas during behavioral testing.
Rats exposed to 10 mT magnetic fields at 50 Hz for 21 days showed significantly increased anxiety behaviors, spending only 12% of their time in open maze arms compared to 34% for unexposed rats. General activity and exploration remained unchanged.
No, continuous 50 Hz magnetic field exposure for 21 days did not significantly affect general exploration or activity levels in rats. However, it did cause significant increases in stress and anxiety-related behaviors during maze testing.