Archive
13 postsFilters: category: elf-magnetic-fields Clear
A Cohort Study on Alzheimer's Disease in Relation to Residential Magnetic Fields From Indoor Transformer Stations
This cohort study evaluated Alzheimer's disease incidence in relation to residential extremely low frequency magnetic fields from indoor transformer stations, using apartment location as an exposure proxy. No significant association was observed between living next to transformer stations and Alzheimer's disease risk (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.85–1.22). Duration of residence did not materially change risk, and a younger-start subgroup showed a non-significant elevation. The authors note the results did not replicate previously reported positive associations from other residential or occupational studies.
Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) and Radiofrequency: Risk of Childhood CNS Tumors in a City with Elevated ELF-MF Exposure
This case-control study in Mexico City (2017–2022) evaluated residential ELF-MF and device-use proxies for RF exposure in relation to childhood CNS tumor risk. Elevated residential ELF-MF (≥0.4 μT) was associated with approximately doubled odds of CNST, while cell phone use showed no association. Prolonged tablet use, with or without internet connectivity, was reported to be associated with higher CNST risk.
Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk
This population-based case-control study in Montréal (2008–2011) evaluated occupational extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure and postmenopausal breast cancer risk using a job-exposure matrix linked to lifetime job histories. Overall, it reports no association between occupational ELF-MF exposure and postmenopausal breast cancer. However, analyses focusing on specific exposure windows (0–10 years before interview or during breast development) reported some positive associations, especially for ER+/PR+ tumours.
Exposure of human lymphocytes to sweeping-frequency extremely low frequency magnetic field
This in vitro study exposed human umbilical cord blood lymphocytes to a sinusoidal sweeping-frequency ELF magnetic field (3–26 Hz) for 48 hours at amplitudes from 6 to 24 μT. It reports no statistically significant effects on DNA damage/repair foci or apoptosis measures overall. A non-significant trend at 8 μT showed lower γH2AX foci (p = .064) and data suggesting fewer viable cells at the same intensity, which the authors discuss as potentially protective against DNA double-strand breaks.
Magnetic Field Measurement of Various Types of Vehicles, Including Electric Vehicles
This exposure assessment measured magnetic fields inside modern Japanese EVs, PHEVs, and ICEVs during actual driving using methods aligned with IEC 62764-1:2022. All measured magnetic flux density values were reported to be below ICNIRP public exposure reference levels. The study mapped in-cabin field sources and noted methodological differences may explain higher transient spikes reported in some international studies.
Low frequency magnetic field exposure and neurodegenerative disease: systematic review of animal studies
This systematic review synthesizes animal studies on low frequency magnetic field exposure in relation to neurodegenerative diseases. It reports no support for a causal induction of Alzheimer’s-type neuropathology in naive animals, while noting that evidence is too limited to draw strong conclusions for motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease regarding induced neuropathology. In models with pre-existing neurodegenerative disease, the review describes possible therapeutic effects on behavioral and neuroanatomical outcomes for dementia-related conditions, and no apparent effect on motor neuron disease progression.
Proteomic Characterization of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Exposed to a 50 Hz Magnetic Field
This in vitro study compared proteomic profiles of PBMCs from three human donors after 24-hour exposure to a 50 Hz, 1 mT extremely low-frequency magnetic field versus unexposed cells. The abstract reports broad protein expression changes, including upregulation of proteins associated with metabolic processes and downregulation of proteins linked to T cell costimulation/activation and immune processes. No effects were observed on cell proliferation, viability, or cell cycle progression. The authors interpret the proteomic shifts as metabolic reprogramming with potential implications for immune regulation.
The proliferation rates of HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells can be accelerated or inhibited by weak static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields
This in vitro study exposed HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells for 4 days to weak extremely low frequency magnetic fields (10 μT, 12–33 Hz) superimposed on a 45 μT static field. The authors report frequency- and amplitude-dependent increases or decreases in cell growth, including sharp inversions near 16.5 Hz with small parameter changes or reversal of the static field direction. Associated changes in membrane potential, intracellular calcium, and mitochondrial superoxide are presented as supporting a bioenergetic mechanism.
Residential exposure to magnetic field due to high-voltage power lines and childhood leukemia risk in mainland France - GEOCAP case-control study
This French GEOCAP registry-based case-control study evaluated childhood acute leukemia risk in relation to residential proximity to high-voltage overhead power lines and modeled ELF magnetic-field exposure. It reports an increased risk for children under 5 living within 50 m of power lines, particularly when restricting to high-quality geocoded addresses. However, modeled ELF-MF exposure >0.3 µT was not associated with increased risk, and the authors suggest proximity may capture other factors and call for further research and precaution.
The Frequency of a Magnetic Field Determines the Behavior of Tumor and Non-Tumor Nerve Cell Models
This in vitro study exposed glioblastoma (CT2A), neuroblastoma (N2A), and non-tumor astrocyte (C8D1A) cell models to a 100 μT magnetic field across 20–100 Hz for 24–72 hours. The abstract reports decreased viability and proliferation in the tumor cell models within a frequency window centered at 50 Hz, while astrocyte viability increased at 20 and 40 Hz. The authors conclude that frequency is a key determinant of cell-type-specific responses consistent with a “biological window” model.
Extremely low frequency magnetic field distracts zebrafish from a visual cognitive task
This animal study trained adult zebrafish to perform a conditioned avoidance response to a visual cue. The visual cue was presented alone or together with an extremely low frequency sinusoidally changing magnetic field (0.3 Hz) at 0.015 mT or 0.06 mT. The abstract reports that the 0.06 mT magnetic field condition impaired learning performance and response behavior, suggesting a cross-modal distraction effect.
20 kHz Magnetic Field Emission of Induction Cooking Heaters
This exposure assessment measured 20 kHz magnetic field leakage from induction cooking heaters across four models and compared results with ICNIRP general public limits. The maximum reported magnetic flux density was 16 µT at a specified measurement point using two S-type pans. Field leakage depended on pan size and configuration, and finite element modeling was reported to align closely with measurements.
The effect of pulsed and sinusoidal magnetic fields on the morphology of developing chick embryos
This animal study reports results from five experimental campaigns over five years examining weak magnetic field exposure and morphological abnormalities in White Leghorn chick embryos. Four campaigns reported statistically significant increases in abnormality rates, while one pulsed-field campaign showed only a small, non-significant increase. Pooled analyses reported increased abnormality rates for both pulsed and 60 Hz sinusoidal exposures compared with controls, and the authors propose genetic susceptibility as a possible confounder.