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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

DNA & Genetic Damage

Effects on micronuclei formation of 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.

No Effects Found

Jin YB, Kang GY, Lee JS, Choi JI, Lee JW, Hong SC, Myung SH, Lee YS · 2012

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This study found no DNA damage from 60 Hz magnetic fields at levels higher than typical household exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Korean researchers exposed mouse and human cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency used in electrical power systems) for 4 hours to see if this would cause DNA damage, either alone or when combined with known cancer-causing agents like radiation. They found no DNA damage from the magnetic field exposure, even when combined with other harmful substances that normally cause genetic damage.

Why This Matters

This study adds to a mixed body of research on whether power frequency magnetic fields can damage DNA directly. The exposure level of 1 mT (milliTesla) is quite high compared to typical household exposures, which usually range from 0.01 to 0.2 mT near appliances. What makes this research particularly valuable is that the scientists didn't just test magnetic fields alone - they also looked for synergistic effects when combined with known DNA-damaging agents like ionizing radiation and hydrogen peroxide. The fact that 60 Hz fields showed no enhancement of DNA damage even under these challenging conditions suggests they may not be directly genotoxic. However, this single negative study doesn't settle the broader question of EMF health effects, as other biological mechanisms beyond direct DNA damage could still be at play.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
1 mT
Source/Device
60 Hz
Exposure Duration
4 h

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mT 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: 1 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 5 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The principal objective of this study was to assess the effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields in a normal cell line system, and particularly in combination with various external factors, via micronucleus (MN) assays.

Mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH3T3 cells and human lung fibroblast WI-38 cells were exposed for 4 h t...

The results obtained showed no significant differences between the cells exposed to ELF-MF alone and...

Our results demonstrate that ELF-MF did not enhance MN frequency by IR, H(2)O(2) and c-Myc activation.

Cite This Study
Jin YB, Kang GY, Lee JS, Choi JI, Lee JW, Hong SC, Myung SH, Lee YS (2012). Effects on micronuclei formation of 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression. Int J Radiat Biol. 88(4):374-80, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{yb_2012_effects_on_micronuclei_formation_2850,
  author = {Jin YB and Kang GY and Lee JS and Choi JI and Lee JW and Hong SC and Myung SH and Lee YS},
  title = {Effects on micronuclei formation of 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22191540/},
}
PubMed: 22191540

Cited By (19 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2012 Korean study found that 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency from power lines) did not cause DNA damage in mouse and human cells, even after 4 hours of exposure. The research showed no genetic damage from electrical power frequencies alone.
Research on 60 Hz magnetic fields showed no significant cellular effects in laboratory studies. Korean scientists exposed cells for 4 hours and found no DNA damage or harmful changes, even when combined with known cancer-causing substances like radiation.
Studies indicate that standard household electrical frequencies (60 Hz) don't damage DNA. Laboratory research found no genetic damage in cells exposed to these magnetic fields for extended periods, suggesting typical home electrical exposure poses minimal DNA risk.
Laboratory evidence suggests minimal DNA damage risk from 60 Hz power frequencies. A controlled study found no genetic damage in cells exposed to these magnetic fields, even when combined with other substances that typically cause DNA harm.
Research shows that 60 Hz electrical magnetic fields don't significantly impact genetic material. Scientists found no DNA damage or increased mutation rates in cells exposed to power-line frequencies, even during prolonged 4-hour exposures in laboratory conditions.