Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Saha S et al, (November 2014) Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X- rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields, J R Soc Interface
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 2014
50 Hz magnetic fields up to 300 µT caused no DNA damage in developing mouse brains, unlike X-rays.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers exposed mouse embryos in the womb to both X-rays and 50 Hz magnetic fields (like power lines) to compare their effects on developing brain cells. While very low doses of X-rays caused DNA damage and cell death in brain stem cells, the magnetic fields at 100-300 µT showed no detectable harmful effects. This suggests that power line frequency magnetic fields may be less damaging to developing brains than previously feared.
Exposure Information
Cite This Study
Unknown (2014). Saha S et al, (November 2014) Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X- rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields, J R Soc Interface.
Show BibTeX
@article{saha_s_et_al_november_2014_increased_apoptosis_and_dna_double_strand_breaks_in_the_embryonic_mouse_brain_in_response_to_very_low_dose_x_rays_but_not_50_hz_magnetic_fields_j_r_soc_interface_ce2053,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Saha S et al, (November 2014) Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X- rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields, J R Soc Interface},
year = {2014},
doi = {10.1098/rsif.2014.0783},
}Quick Questions About This Study
This study found no DNA double-strand breaks or cell death in embryonic mouse brain tissue exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100-300 µT, levels much higher than typical environmental exposures.
While very low-dose X-rays (10-200 mGy) caused significant DNA damage and cell death in developing brain tissue, 50 Hz magnetic fields showed no detectable harmful effects using the same sensitive laboratory methods.
Researchers tested 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100 and 300 µT on mouse embryos. For context, typical home exposures are under 1 µT, while standing under power lines might expose you to 1-10 µT.
No, the study found no DNA damage from 50 Hz magnetic field exposure to measure repair times. Only X-ray exposure caused DNA breaks, which showed delayed repair at doses below 50 mGy.
Despite embryonic neuronal stem cells being highly sensitive to radiation damage, they showed no detectable response to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels up to 300 µT in this controlled laboratory study.