Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on the frequency of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange in human lymphocytes induced by benzo(a)pyrene med./bio.

Published in: Toxicol Lett 2003; 143 (1): 37-44

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the interaction of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the frequency of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange induced by benzpyrene in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Background/further details

The carcinogen benzpyrene was simultaneously applied to electromagnetic field exposure for 24 hours and after electromagnetic field exposure for 48 hours.
Following treatment groups were performed, each to electromagnetic field groups and sham exposed groups: 1. controls (no benzpyrene treatment), 2. controls plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 3.-6. benzpyrene in four different concentrations (1, 5, 10 and 15 µg/ml).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Additional info Walleczek J, Shiu E.C, Hahn G.M, 1999 Increase in radiation induced HPRT gene mutation frequency after non thermal exposure to non ionizing 60 Hz electromagnetic fields. Radiat. Res. 151, 489-497.
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • two solenoids coils, 0.3 m in length and 0.15 m in diameter with 350 turns/m
Setup Culture plates placed in the center of the exposure system where the magnetic field was 2.5% homogeneous. The sham exposed cultures were tested with the same exposure system with the power supply switched off.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info The magnetic field was oriented horizontally with respect to the culture plates.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.8 mT unspecified measured unspecified -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The frequencies of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange induced by benzpyrene increased in a dose-dependent manner.
The co-exposure of cells to benzpyrene and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields led to significant increases in the frequencies of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchange compared to benzpyrene treatment for 72 hours alone.
No significant difference was observed between electromagnetic field exposed and sham exposed control cells (group 1).
The results suggest that low magnetic flux density extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields could act as an enhancer of the initiation process of benzpyrene rather than as an initiator of mutagenic effects in human lymphocytes.

Study character:

Study funded by

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