Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

DNA and chromosomal damage in response to intermittent extremely low-frequency magnetic fields med./bio.

Published in: Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2009; 672 (2): 82-89

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the ability of alternating magnetic fields to induce DNA and chromosomal damage in primary human fibroblasts.

Background/further details

Exposure to ionizing radiation was used as positive control.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 5 min on - 10 min off - for 15 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 5 min on - 10 min off - for 15 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup 200 mm long solenoid with a diameter of 100 mm and 400 turns of 1.5 mm copper wire plus 52 turns at either end that can be energized independently in order to enhance the field uniformity; solenoid housed in a double-skinned mu-metal enclosure within a temperature-controlled incubator
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 50 µT minimum - - -
magnetic flux density 100 µT - - - -
magnetic flux density 500 µT - - - -
magnetic flux density 1,000 µT maximum - - -

Reference articles

  • Ivancsits S et al. (2005): Cell type-specific genotoxic effects of intermittent extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields
  • Winker R et al. (2005): Chromosomal damage in human diploid fibroblasts by intermittent exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Data of DNA single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks and visible chromosomal alterations after exposure of primary human fibroblasts to alternating magnetic fields did not lead to significant levels of damage being detected, and so yet the positive findings from the REFLEX project could not be confirmed.

Study character:

Study funded by

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