Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Low frequency electromagnetic radiation and hearing med./bio.

By: Morales J, Garcia M, Perez C, Valverde JV, Lopez-Sanchez C, Garcia-Martinez V, Quesada JL
Published in: J Laryngol Otol 2009; 123 (11): 1204-1211
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible impact of low frequency and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 5000 Hz) on the outer hair cells in a guinea pig model.

Background/further details

34 guinea pigs were exposed (four to eight in each group) and one animal per group was used as control.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz–1 kHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 hr/day on 180 days
Exposure 2: 2 kHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 hr/day on 165 days
Exposure 3: 4 kHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 hr/day on 214 days
Exposure 4: 5 kHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 16 hr/day on 390 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz–1 kHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 20 hr/day on 180 days
Additional info experiment performed with 50 Hz, 500 Hz and 1000 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup electric and magnetic components of the electromagnetic wave in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 471.4 V/m maximum - - -
magnetic flux density 1.569 µT maximum - - -
cf. remarks - - - - U = 200 V max

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 2 kHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 20 hr/day on 165 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 471.4 V/m maximum - - -
magnetic flux density 1.569 µT maximum - - -
cf. remarks - - - - U = 200 V max

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 4 kHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 20 hr/day on 214 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 471.4 V/m maximum - - -
magnetic flux density 1.569 µT maximum - - -
cf. remarks - - - - U = 200 V max

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 5 kHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 16 hr/day on 390 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 471.4 V/m maximum - - -
magnetic flux density 1.569 µT maximum - - -
cf. remarks - - - - U = 200 V max

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that the investigated parameters did not differ significantly between the exposed and the control animals of each group. The authors conclude that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields of 50 Hz to 5 kHz and 1.5 µT magnetic flux density, produced no functional or morphological alteration in the outer hair cells of the guinea pig organ of Corti.

Study character:

Study funded by

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