• experimental
  
• epidemiological
  

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Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Assessment of genetic damage in peripheral blood of human volunteers exposed (whole-body) to a 200 muT, 60 Hz magnetic field. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
To study the extent of genetic damage in peripheral blood cells of healthy human volunteers exposed to a whole body 60 Hz magnetic field.
Background/further details:
10 healthy males and 10 females were exposed and five males and five females were sham exposed. Positive controls (gamma radiation) were performed with blood samples.
To detect possible clastogenic effects, the incidence of micronuclei was assessed in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes.

Endpoint

• genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage

Exposure
General category: magnetic field, 50/60 Hz (AC)

Field characteristics	Parameters
60 Hz exposure duration: continuous for 4 h	magnetic flux density: 200 µT

Exposed system:
human
whole body exposure

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage (alkaline comet assay) and formation of micronuclei in stimulated cells(cytokinesis block micronucleus assay)
• cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell viability

Main outcome of study (according to author)
There was no evidence of either increased DNA damage or increased incidence of micronuclei in the magnetic field exposed group. However, the in vitro exposure of 1.5 Gy gamma radiation caused a significant increase in both DNA damage and micronuclei induction.
In conclusion, no evidence was found that an acute, whole body exposure to a 200 µT, 60 Hz magnetic field for 4 hours could cause a DNA damage in human blood.

(Study character: medical/biological study, experimental study, full/main study)

Study funded by

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NERSC) of Canada

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