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Effects of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure on polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation.

Bioeffects Seen

Khadir R, Morgan JL, Murray JJ. · 1999

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Exposing human neutrophils to a 22 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field increased superoxide anion production and β-glucuronidase release when cells were also stimulated with PMA, but had no effect on resting cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated the effects of a sinusoidal 60 Hz magnetic field on free radical production, degranulation, and viability in human neutrophils. Exposure of unstimulated human neutrophils to the magnetic field did not affect the functions examined. When cells were also stimulated with PMA, exposure to a 22 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field induced significant increases in superoxide anion production of 26.5% and in β-glucuronidase release of 53%. Release of lysozyme and lactate dehydrogenase was unchanged by the magnetic field, whether the cells were stimulated or not.

Why This Matters

The experiments were performed blindly under controlled conditions, examining resting neutrophils and neutrophils stimulated with a tumor promoter called phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The magnetic field did not affect superoxide anion generation by a cell-free system using xanthine and xanthine oxidase, which the researchers said suggests the magnetic field could upregulate common cellular events leading to superoxide anion generation and β-glucuronidase release. The researchers concluded that the effect of the magnetic field on stimulated cells could be the result of an alteration in intracellular signaling.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
22 mT
Source/Device
60 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 22 mT 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: 22 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 110 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic 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.

Cite This Study
Khadir R, Morgan JL, Murray JJ. (1999). Effects of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure on polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1472(1-2):359-367, 1999.
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},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study examined human neutrophils, also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).
Exposure of unstimulated human neutrophils to the 60 Hz magnetic field did not affect the functions examined.
When stimulated with a suboptimal dose of PMA, cells exposed to the 22 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field showed a significant increase in superoxide anion production of 26.5%.
Release of lysozyme was unchanged by the magnetic field, whether the cells were stimulated or not.
The researchers suggested the magnetic field could upregulate common cellular events such as signal transduction, and that the effect could be the result of an alteration in intracellular signaling.