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Do 100- and 500-μT ELF magnetic fields alter beta-amyloid protein, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in rat brains?

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Akdag MZ, Dasdag S, Cakir DU, Yokus B, Kizil G, Kizil M. · 2013

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Even 'safe' levels of magnetic field exposure caused measurable brain damage in rats after 10 months.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields at levels considered safe by current standards for 10 months. The exposure significantly increased two markers of brain cell damage and aging, suggesting that even "safe" magnetic field levels may cause harmful oxidative stress in brain tissue over time.

Why This Matters

This study delivers concerning findings about magnetic field exposures that fall well within current safety guidelines. The researchers used field strengths of 100 and 500 microtesla - levels you might encounter near power lines or some household appliances - and found measurable brain damage after 10 months of exposure. The increases in protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde are particularly significant because these are established biomarkers of oxidative stress and cellular aging. What makes this research especially relevant is that it challenges the adequacy of current safety standards, which are based primarily on preventing immediate heating effects rather than long-term biological impacts. The science demonstrates that chronic exposure to magnetic fields at legally permissible levels can trigger oxidative damage in brain tissue, adding to a growing body of evidence suggesting our current safety thresholds may be insufficient to protect public health.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.1 and 0.5 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day for 10 months

Exposure Context

This study used 0.1 and 0.5 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: 0.1 and 0.5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 20,000x 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 aim of this study was to illuminate the interaction between biomolecules and ELF-MFs by investigating the effect of ELF-MFs on beta-amyloid protein (BAP), protein carbonyl (PC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat brain.

For this study, 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, which were divided into two experimenta...

The results of this study showed that neither ELF-MFs used in this study altered BAP level significa...

In conclusion, both PC and MDA levels were altered by long-term exposure to either 100 or 500 μT ELF-MF. However, many further and more comprehensive studies will be required to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between ELF-MFs exposure and living organisms.

Cite This Study
Akdag MZ, Dasdag S, Cakir DU, Yokus B, Kizil G, Kizil M. (2013). Do 100- and 500-μT ELF magnetic fields alter beta-amyloid protein, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in rat brains? Electromagn Biol Med. 32(3):363-372, 2013a.
Show BibTeX
@article{mz_2013_do_100_and_500t_316,
  author = {Akdag MZ and Dasdag S and Cakir DU and Yokus B and Kizil G and Kizil M.},
  title = {Do 100- and 500-μT ELF magnetic fields alter beta-amyloid protein, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in rat brains?},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.3109/15368378.2012.721848},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15368378.2012.721848},
}
DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2012.721848

Cited By (23 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2013 study found that 10-month exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100 and 500 microtesla significantly increased two markers of brain cell damage in rats. These levels are considered safe by current standards, yet they caused harmful oxidative stress in brain tissue.
After 10 months of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields, rat brain cells showed significantly increased protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. These are markers of cellular damage and aging, indicating that prolonged ELF exposure causes oxidative stress in brain tissue.
Research suggests they may not be. A 10-month study found that 100 microtesla 50 Hz magnetic fields significantly increased brain cell damage markers in rats. This exposure level is within current safety guidelines, yet it caused measurable oxidative stress in brain tissue.
No, the 2013 study found that 500 microtesla 50 Hz magnetic field exposure for 10 months did not significantly alter beta-amyloid protein levels in rat brains. However, it did increase other markers of brain cell damage and oxidative stress.
Yes, research shows that both 100 and 500 microtesla 50 Hz magnetic fields significantly increase protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels in rat brains after 10 months of exposure. These are established markers of oxidative stress and cellular damage in brain tissue.