Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Genotoxic effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) evaluated by the Tradescantia-micronucleus assay med./bio.

By: Fatigoni C, Dominici L, Moretti M, Villarini M, Monarca S
Published in: Environ Toxicol 2005; 20 (6): 585-591
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible genotoxic activity of a 50 Hz magnetic field, using the Tradescantia micronucleus assay (Trad-MCN-test).

Background/further details

The magnetic flux density (1 mT) selected for this study is twofold the reference level proposed in the European Community for occupational expsoure (500 µT; European Community, 1999; based on the guidelines of ICNIRP, 1998).
Positive (NaN3 exposure (genotoxic to plants)) and negative controls were set up for each series of experiments.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1, 6, and 24 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1, 6, and 24 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The magnetic field (MF) was generated by a system consisting of a pair of parallel coils in a Helmholtz configuration. Each coil had a 16.5 cm external diameter and a 6 cm width. The distance between coils was 12 cm. The coils consisted of 1000 turns of copper wire (diameter 0.71 mm) wound in circular loops and assembled as a set of two bifilar wires. The current in the two coils could be switched parallel to generate the MF or nonparallel to mutually annul the MF generated by each of the coils (sham-exposure). The exposure system generated a horizontal MF. Plant cuttings were placed exactly at the point of maximum MF intensity and uniformity.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 mT - measured - -
Measurement and calculation details

The MF density was measured using a Narda EFA-300 field analyser, and was 2.05 µT during the sham exposure. The uniformity of the MF in the active exposure volume was ±1.0%. The ambient MF, with the power supply to the coils turned off, was 0.073 µT.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure of Tradescantia inflorescences to the extremely low frequency magnetic field for 1, 6, and 24 h resulted in a time-dependent increase in micronucleus frequency. The results indicate that a 50 Hz magnetic field of 1 mT field strength is genotoxic in the Trad-MCN-test and suggest that this assay may be suitable as a biomonitor for detecting the genotoxicity of extremely low frequency magnetic field in the field.

Study character:

Study funded by

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