Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Elevated sister chromatid exchange frequencies in dividing human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields. med./biol.

Aim of study (according to author)
To study the clastogenic potentiality of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Background/further details:
Sister chromatid exchange frequencies were scored in dividing peripheral blood lymphocytes from six healthy male donors in two sets of experiments to determine reproducibility.

Endpoint

• genotoxicity/mutation: sister chromatid exchange

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

Field characteristics	Parameters
field 1: 50 Hz exposure duration: continuous for 72 h	magnetic flux density: 1 µT magnetic flux density: 1 mT
field 2: 50 Hz exposure duration: intermittent, 4 s on/4 s off, for 72 h	magnetic flux density: 1 µT magnetic flux density: 1 mT
field 3: 50 Hz exposure duration: continuous for 72 h	magnetic flux density: 1 µT magnetic flux density: 1 mT
field 4: 50 Hz exposure duration: intermittent, 4 s on/4 s off, for 72 h	magnetic flux density: 1 µT magnetic flux density: 1 mT

Exposed system:
intact cell/cell culture (in vitro)

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• genotoxicity/mutation: sister chromatid exchange frequency (analysis of metaphase cells; BrdU uptake; fluorescence plus Giemsa stain)

Main outcome of study (according to author)
A significant increase in the number of sister chromatid exchanges/cell in the exposure groups compared to the controls was found in both sets. The data showed that a square continuous waveform produced the highest number of sister chromatid exchanges in the lymphocytes.
DNA crosslinking at the replication fork is proposed as a model which could explain the mechanistic link between extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure and increased sister chromatid exchange frequency.

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

Study funded by

• Palmerston North Medical Research Foundation, New Zealand

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