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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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.1 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 45 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 45 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

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},
}
DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2011.624658

Cited By (19 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2012 study found that ELF magnetic fields at frequencies of 3, 5, 10, 17, and 45 Hz significantly altered brain wave patterns when applied to different head regions. The changes weren't limited to the exposure point but affected multiple brain areas simultaneously.
No, research shows that localized ELF magnetic field exposure affects broader brain function than the targeted area. When researchers exposed specific head regions to low-frequency fields, brain wave changes occurred across multiple regions, not just at the exposure point.
ELF magnetic fields cause significant changes in different EEG frequency bands depending on which head area is exposed. A 2012 study found that these magnetic field effects on brain waves extend beyond the direct exposure zone to influence broader neural activity patterns.
Brain wave patterns change significantly when different head regions are exposed to ELF magnetic fields at 3-45 Hz. The study found that exposure at one location creates brain wave alterations that spread to other brain regions beyond the targeted area.
No, the study found that EEG power values did not change significantly at the specific stimulation frequencies (3-45 Hz). However, the ELF magnetic field exposure did cause significant alterations in other brain wave frequency bands across multiple head regions.