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Thermal noise limit on the sensitivity of cellular membranes to power frequency electric and magnetic fields

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Authors not listed · 2002

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The study suggests that published thermal arguments may not fully account for membrane force fields, so net thermal noise fields could be smaller than thought, potentially allowing cellular membranes to respond to environmental power-frequency fields.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

However, research reports indicate that living cells may respond to power-frequency fields well below the thermal noise limits. The study proposes that published thermal arguments may not fully account for all membrane force fields of thermal origin, and that a full accounting could show smaller net thermal noise fields in the power-frequency range.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50-60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50-60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2002). Thermal noise limit on the sensitivity of cellular membranes to power frequency electric and magnetic fields.
Show BibTeX
@article{thermal_noise_limit_on_the_sensitivity_of_cellular_membranes_to_power_frequency_electric_and_magnetic_fields_ce1506,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Thermal noise limit on the sensitivity of cellular membranes to power frequency electric and magnetic fields},
  year = {2002},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.10060},
  
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.10060PubMed: 12395418

Quick Questions About This Study

Several authors concluded that thermal electromagnetic noise would be strong enough to overwhelm power-frequency fields induced in cell membranes.
Research reports indicate that living cells may respond to power-frequency electric and magnetic field levels well below the thermal noise limits.
The study aims to suggest that published thermal arguments may not fully account for all membrane force fields of thermal origin, and that a full accounting could show smaller net thermal noise fields in the power-frequency range.
If the analysis is correct, there may be no thermal noise barrier preventing cellular membranes from responding to environmental levels of power-frequency electric or magnetic fields.