Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Magnetic fields and the melatonin hypothesis: a study of workers chronically exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields
Authors not listed · 2003
Men exposed chronically to 50-Hz magnetic fields for up to 20 years showed no changes in plasma melatonin, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, or melatonin circadian rhythm.
Plain English Summary
Researchers studied 15 men chronically exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields for 1–20 years and 15 unexposed controls. Exposure levels for the exposed group ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 μT weekly geometric mean. Blood samples were taken hourly from 2000 to 0800 and nighttime urine was also collected and analyzed. The study found no changes in plasma melatonin, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, or circadian rhythm in the exposed group.
Why This Matters
The researchers noted that epidemiological studies have linked magnetic field exposure to clinical disorders possibly via reduced melatonin. They concluded that their data strongly suggest magnetic fields do not have cumulative effects on melatonin secretion in humans, rebutting the melatonin hypothesis.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{magnetic_fields_and_the_melatonin_hypothesis_a_study_of_workers_chronically_exposed_to_50_hz_magnetic_fields_ce1502,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Magnetic fields and the melatonin hypothesis: a study of workers chronically exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields},
year = {2003},
doi = {10.1152/AJPREGU.00280.2002},
}