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Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields enhance chemically induced formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP)sites in A172 cells.

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Koyama S, Sakurai T, Nakahara T, Miyakoshi J · 2008

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Power-frequency magnetic fields amplified DNA damage from toxic chemicals by enhancing cellular radical activity in brain cancer cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human brain cancer cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electricity) to see if it would increase DNA damage. They found that while the magnetic fields alone didn't damage DNA, they significantly amplified the DNA damage caused by toxic chemicals. This suggests that common power-frequency magnetic fields may make cells more vulnerable to other sources of genetic damage.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a concerning amplification effect that challenges the common assumption that EMF exposures below thermal levels are harmless. The 5 millitesla magnetic field used here is roughly 100 times stronger than typical household exposures, but the mechanism identified - enhanced radical pair activity - could theoretically operate at lower levels too. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates how EMF exposure might not directly cause DNA damage, but rather make our cells more susceptible to damage from other environmental toxins we encounter daily. This co-exposure effect represents a gap in current safety standards, which typically evaluate EMF in isolation rather than considering how it might interact with other health stressors in our modern environment.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
5 mG
Source/Device
60 Hz
Exposure Duration
2, 4, 8, 16 or 24 h

Exposure Context

This study used 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: 5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 400x higher than this level
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

To detect the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields, the number of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in human glioma A172 cells was measured following exposure to ELF magnetic fields.

The cells were exposed to an ELF magnetic field alone, to genotoxic agents (methyl methane sulfonate...

There was no difference in the number of AP sites between cells exposed to an ELF magnetic field and...

Our results suggest that the number of AP sites induced by MMS or H2O2 is enhanced by exposure to ELF magnetic fields at 5 millitesla (mT). This may occur because such exposure can enhance the activity or lengthen the lifetime of radical pairs.

Cite This Study
Koyama S, Sakurai T, Nakahara T, Miyakoshi J (2008). Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields enhance chemically induced formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP)sites in A172 cells. Int J Radiat Biol. 84(1):53-59, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2008_extremely_low_frequency_elf_401,
  author = {Koyama S and Sakurai T and Nakahara T and Miyakoshi J},
  title = {Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields enhance chemically induced formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP)sites in A172 cells.},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1080/09553000701616064},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09553000701616064},
}
DOI: 10.1080/09553000701616064

Cited By (25 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

60 Hz magnetic fields alone don't directly damage DNA, according to research on human brain cells. However, these power-frequency fields significantly amplify DNA damage when cells are also exposed to toxic chemicals, suggesting they make cells more vulnerable to other genetic threats.
Household electricity generates 60 Hz magnetic fields that don't directly harm cells but can worsen damage from other sources. A 2008 study found these fields increased DNA damage in brain cells when combined with toxic chemicals, potentially making cells more susceptible to harm.
Power line magnetic fields may amplify the toxic effects of chemicals on your cells. Research shows 60 Hz magnetic fields significantly increased DNA damage in brain cells exposed to harmful chemicals, suggesting these fields make cells more vulnerable to other environmental toxins.
Electromagnetic fields at power frequencies don't directly break DNA but can enhance damage from other sources. Studies show 60 Hz magnetic fields increase chemical-induced DNA damage in brain cells, potentially making your cells more susceptible to genetic harm from environmental toxins.
Magnetic fields from household electricity don't directly damage brain cells but make them more vulnerable to harm from chemicals. Research found 60 Hz fields significantly amplified DNA damage when brain cells were exposed to toxic substances, suggesting increased cellular sensitivity.