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Brain & Nervous System

Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50Hz 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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Even at magnetic field levels 10,000 times above background exposure, researchers found no toxic effects on nerve cells in laboratory tests.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at extremely high levels - up to 1000 microteslas, which is 10,000 times stronger than typical background exposure. They tested both healthy cells and chemically-stressed cells that were more vulnerable to damage. The study found no toxic effects on the nerve cells' calcium balance, oxidative stress levels, or cell membrane integrity, even at these extraordinarily high exposure levels.

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) exposure

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically stressed PC12 cells

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

The latter have higher levels of iron and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and display increased vul...

Our combined findings thus indicate that exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF up to 1000 μT, i.e. 10,000 times above background exposure, does not induce neurotoxic effects in vitro, neither in naïve nor in chemically stressed PC12 cells. Though our data require confirmation, e.g. in developing neuronal cells in vitro or (developing) animals, it appears that the neurotoxic risk of ELF-EMF exposure is limited.

Cite This Study
de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. (2014). Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically-stressed PC12 cells. Neurotoxicology. 2014 Aug 8. pii: S0161-813X(14)00138-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.07.009.
Show BibTeX
@article{mw_2014_assessment_of_the_neurotoxic_2894,
  author = {de Groot MW and Kock MD and Westerink RH.},
  title = {Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50Hz 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

Research found that 50Hz magnetic fields caused no damage to nerve cells, even at extremely high levels 10,000 times stronger than normal background exposure. The study tested both healthy and chemically-stressed nerve cells with no toxic effects observed.
A 2014 study found no neurotoxic effects from 50Hz electromagnetic fields on brain nerve cells, even at exposure levels far exceeding what you'd encounter from power lines. Both healthy and vulnerable cells showed no signs of damage.
Laboratory testing showed 50Hz electromagnetic fields did not disrupt normal brain cell functions like calcium balance or membrane integrity. Researchers exposed nerve cells to magnetic fields up to 1000 microteslas without observing harmful effects.
Research indicates the neurotoxic risk from electrical grid EMF appears limited. Scientists exposed nerve cells to 50Hz fields at levels 10,000 times higher than background exposure and found no evidence of brain cell damage or dysfunction.
Studies show extremely low frequency EMF at 50Hz does not impact neuron health or function. Even chemically-stressed nerve cells that were more vulnerable to damage showed no toxic effects from high-level EMF exposure in laboratory conditions.