In vitro developmental neurotoxicity following chronic exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in primary rat cortical cultures.

This study provides important context for understanding ELF-EMF effects on developing brains. While the researchers did observe some biological changes, they occurred only at 1000 microtesla - a field strength you'd rarely encounter outside of industrial settings or directly under high-voltage power lines. For comparison, typical residential exposure ranges from 0.01 to 0.2 microtesla, making these laboratory exposures thousands of times higher than real-world conditions. What makes this research valuable is its focus on developmental exposure, since growing nervous systems may be more vulnerable to environmental influences. The science demonstrates that while ELF-EMF can produce measurable biological effects under extreme laboratory conditions, the practical implications for everyday exposure appear limited based on these findings.