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Study of the frequency parameters of EEG influenced by zone-dependent local ELF-MF exposure on the human head.

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Shafiei SA, Firoozabadi SM, Rasoulzadeh Tabatabaie K, Ghabaee M. · 2012

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Magnetic fields at 100 microTesla altered brain wave activity across multiple regions and frequencies, not just at the exposure site.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed different head areas to low-frequency magnetic fields and measured brain waves. The magnetic fields altered brain activity patterns across multiple regions, not just where exposed, showing that localized magnetic field exposure can affect broader brain function than previously expected.

Why This Matters

This study provides direct evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can alter human brain activity in measurable ways. The 100 microTesla exposure level used here is significant because it's within the range of fields generated by common household appliances and power lines. What makes these findings particularly noteworthy is that the brain wave changes weren't confined to the specific area exposed or limited to the frequency of exposure. Instead, the magnetic fields triggered broader changes across multiple brain wave bands and regions. This suggests the brain's electrical activity is more sensitive to external magnetic fields than many realize, and that exposure effects can cascade beyond the immediate exposure zone. The research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that our brains respond to electromagnetic fields at levels we encounter in daily life.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.1 mG
Source/Device
3, 5, 10, 17, and 45 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.1 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 ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.1 mGExtreme Concern5 mGFCC Limit2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 20,000x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

The aim of the present study was to expose different parts of the brain to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields locally and investigate EEG power spectrum alters at the frequency of stimulation.

EEG relative power spectrum were evaluated at 3, 5, 10, 17, and 45 Hz frequencies at T4, T3, F3, Cz,...

The paired t-test results showed that power value of EEG did not alter significantly at the frequenc...

Cite This Study
Shafiei SA, Firoozabadi SM, Rasoulzadeh Tabatabaie K, Ghabaee M. (2012). Study of the frequency parameters of EEG influenced by zone-dependent local ELF-MF exposure on the human head. Electromagn Biol Med. 31(2):112-12, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{sa_2012_study_of_the_frequency_298,
  author = {Shafiei SA and Firoozabadi SM and Rasoulzadeh Tabatabaie K and Ghabaee M.},
  title = {Study of the frequency parameters of EEG influenced by zone-dependent local ELF-MF exposure on the human head.},
  year = {2012},
  doi = {10.3109/15368378.2011.624658},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15368378.2011.624658},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed different head areas to low-frequency magnetic fields and measured brain waves. The magnetic fields altered brain activity patterns across multiple regions, not just where exposed, showing that localized magnetic field exposure can affect broader brain function than previously expected.