Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells.
Kim SJ, Jang YW, Hyung KE, Lee DK, Hyun KH, Jeong SH, Min KH, Kang W, Jeong JH, Park SY, Hwang KW. · 2017
View Original AbstractPower-frequency magnetic fields at 0.8 mT amplified immune cell inflammation while blocking antioxidant protection, suggesting EMF exposure may promote chronic inflammatory conditions.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed immune cells called macrophages to 60 Hz magnetic fields at 0.8 mT (similar to power line frequencies) and found the fields significantly increased inflammatory responses. The EMF exposure boosted production of inflammatory molecules like nitric oxide and cytokines, while also reducing the effectiveness of antioxidants that normally help control inflammation. This suggests that everyday electromagnetic field exposure might make our immune cells more prone to chronic inflammation.
Why This Matters
This study provides concerning evidence that power-frequency magnetic fields can hijack our immune system's inflammatory response. The 0.8 mT exposure level used here is substantial but not unrealistic - you might encounter similar levels very close to power lines or certain electrical appliances. What makes this research particularly significant is the finding that EMF exposure didn't just trigger inflammation, but actually interfered with the body's natural antioxidant defenses. The science demonstrates that these fields activated key inflammatory pathways including NF-κB and NFAT2, while simultaneously undermining protective mechanisms. This dual effect could help explain why chronic EMF exposure has been linked to various inflammatory conditions in epidemiological studies.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.8 mG
- Source/Device
- 60 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.8 mG for magnetic fields:
- 40Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 8Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 Details
In the present study, the effects of 60 Hz 0.8 mT extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) were examined.
Under defined ELF-EMF exposure conditions, the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cyto...
These results suggest that an ELF-EMF amplifies inflammatory responses through enhanced macrophage activation and can decrease the effectiveness of antioxidants.
Show BibTeX
@article{sj_2017_extremely_lowfrequency_electromagnetic_field_399,
author = {Kim SJ and Jang YW and Hyung KE and Lee DK and Hyun KH and Jeong SH and Min KH and Kang W and Jeong JH and Park SY and Hwang KW.},
title = {Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells.},
year = {2017},
doi = {10.1002/bem.22049},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.22049},
}