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Brain & Nervous System

Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically-stressed PC12 cells.

No Effects Found

de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014

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Magnetic fields from power lines showed no nerve cell damage at levels 10,000 times higher than typical home exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels up to 1,000 microtesla for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 48 hours. They tested both healthy cells and chemically-stressed cells that were more vulnerable to damage. The magnetic field exposure caused no detectable effects on calcium levels, cellular damage, or oxidative stress in either type of cell.

Exposure Information

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

The study examined exposure from: 50 Hz Duration: acute (30 min) and sub-chronic (48 h)

Study Details

To investigate the potential neurotoxic effects of acute (30 minutes) and sub-chronic (48 hours) exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields alone or in combination with chemical stress on PC-12 cells.

We therefore investigated effects of acute (30 min) and sub-chronic (48 h) exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF...

Our data demonstrate that acute exposure of naïve PC12 cells to 50 Hz ELF-EMF up to 1000 μT fails to...

Cite This Study
de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. (2014). Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically-stressed PC12 cells. Neurotoxicology. 44:358-364, 2014.
Show BibTeX
@article{mw_2014_assessment_of_the_neurotoxic_2839,
  author = {de Groot MW and Kock MD and Westerink RH.},
  title = {Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically-stressed PC12 cells.},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161813X14001387},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2014 study found that 50 Hz magnetic fields up to 1,000 microtesla caused no toxic effects in PC12 nerve cells. The research tested both healthy and chemically-stressed cells for up to 48 hours, finding no damage to cellular function or increased oxidative stress.
Research using PC12 nerve cells showed that 1,000 microtesla magnetic fields at 50 Hz caused no detectable damage. This exposure level is 10,000 times higher than typical background EMF, yet produced no effects on calcium levels, cell membrane integrity, or oxidative stress markers.
A laboratory study found that 50 Hz electromagnetic fields up to 1,000 microtesla did not affect calcium levels in PC12 nerve cells. Both baseline calcium and calcium responses to cellular stimulation remained normal after exposures ranging from 30 minutes to 48 hours.
Research tested whether chemically-stressed PC12 cells would be more sensitive to 50 Hz EMF damage than healthy cells. The study found no increased vulnerability - both stressed and normal nerve cells showed identical resistance to magnetic field effects up to 1,000 microtesla.
A 2014 study exposed PC12 nerve cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields for extended periods up to 48 hours and found no increase in oxidative stress. The research measured reactive oxygen species production and found no consistent effects from sub-chronic EMF exposure.