Effects of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure on polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation.
Khadir R, Morgan JL, Murray JJ. · 1999
View Original Abstract60 Hz magnetic fields amplify immune cell inflammatory responses by 26-53%, suggesting EMF exposure can make your immune system overreactive.
Plain English Summary
Scientists exposed human immune cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields at levels 440 times higher than household exposure. The fields amplified inflammatory responses when cells encountered other triggers, increasing harmful free radical production by 26.5%. This suggests power line frequencies may make immune systems overreact.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which power frequency magnetic fields can amplify inflammatory responses in immune cells. While the 22 milliTesla exposure used here is much higher than typical household levels (around 0.05 milliTesla), it falls within ranges found near power lines and electrical equipment. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates how EMF exposure doesn't necessarily cause direct harm on its own, but can act as a co-factor that makes cells more reactive to other stressors. The science demonstrates that neutrophils - your body's first-line immune defenders - become hyperactive when exposed to magnetic fields in the presence of other inflammatory triggers. This suggests that chronic EMF exposure could potentially contribute to inflammatory conditions by making your immune system more prone to overreaction. The controlled, blinded design of this study adds credibility to findings that challenge the industry narrative that non-thermal EMF effects don't exist.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 22 mG
- Source/Device
- 60 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 22 mG for magnetic fields:
- 1.1Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 220Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 Details
We have investigated the effects of a sinusoidal 60 Hz magnetic field on free radical (superoxide anion) production, degranulation (β-glucuronidase and lysozyme release) and viability in human neutrophils (PMNs).
Experiments were performed blindly in very controlled conditions to examine the effects of a magneti...
Exposure of unstimulated human PMNs to a 60 Hz magnetic field did not affect the functions examined....
In conclusion, exposure of PMNs to a 22 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field potentiates the effect of PMA on O2− generation and β-glucuronidase release. This effect could be the result of an alteration in the intracellular signaling.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_1999_effects_of_60_hz_398,
author = {Khadir R and Morgan JL and Murray JJ.},
title = {Effects of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure on polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation.},
year = {1999},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304416599001427},
}