No evidence for genotoxicity in mice due to exposure to intermediate-frequency magnetic fields used for wireless power-transfer systems

Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis · 2021 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 1203

Male mice exposed to 85 kHz intermediate-frequency magnetic fields (average whole-body electric field 54.1 V/m) for 2 weeks showed no significant differences versus sham-exposed mice in micronucleus frequencies or Pig-a mutation frequencies in mature erythroc…

Study snapshot

PublicationMutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

No evidence for genotoxicity in mice due to exposure to intermediate-frequency magnetic fields used for wireless power-transfer systems Shin Ohtani, Akira Ushiyama, Keiji Wada, Yukihisa Suzuki, Kazuyuki Ishii, Kenji Hattori. No evidence for genotoxicity in mice due to exposure to intermediate-frequency magnetic fields used for wireless power- transfer systems. Mutat Res. Mar-Apr 2021;863-864:503310. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503310. Abstract Time varying magnetic fields (MFs) are used for the wireless power-transfer (WPT) technology. Especially, 85 kHz band MFs, which are included in the intermediate frequency (IF) band (300 Hz - 10 MHz), are commonly used WPT system for charging electric vehicles. Those applications of WPT technology have elicited public concern about health effects of IF-MF. However, existing data from health risk assessments are insufficient and additional data are needed. We assessed the genotoxic effects of IF-MF exposure on erythroid differentiation in mice. A high-intensity IF-MF mouse exposure system was constructed to induce an average whole-body electric field of 54.1 V/m. Blood samples were obtained from male mice before and after a 2-week IF-MF exposure (1 h/day, total: 10 h); X-irradiated mice were used as positive controls. We analyzed the blood samples with the micronucleus (MN) test and the Pig-a mutation assay. No significant differences were seen between IF-MF- exposed and sham-exposed mice in the frequencies of either MN or Pig-a mutations in mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes. IF-MF exposure did not induce genotoxicity in vivo under the study conditions (2.36× the basic restriction for occupational exposure, 22.9 V/m, in the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines). The absence of significant biological effects due to IF-MF exposure supports the practical application of this technology. Highlights • We examined the genotoxicity of IF-MF exposure >2× the ICNIRP guideline. • IF-MF had no genotoxic effects in an in vivo micronucleus test and Pig-a assay. • These observations are useful for assessing the safety of a WPT system. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationMale mice

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureIF · 0.085 MHz · 2 weeks; 1 h/day (total 10 h)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Genotoxicity (micronucleus test in mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes)
Mutations (Pig-a mutation assay in mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes)
Erythroid differentiation (context of assessment)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Exposure regimen limited to 2 weeks and 10 total hours
Only male mice were studied
Endpoints limited to micronucleus test and Pig-a mutation assay in blood cells

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "IF",
    "source": "wireless power-transfer (WPT) system (electric vehicle charging)",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.085,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 weeks; 1 h/day (total 10 h)"
  },
  "population": "Male mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Genotoxicity (micronucleus test in mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes)",
    "Mutations (Pig-a mutation assay in mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes)",
    "Erythroid differentiation (context of assessment)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Male mice exposed to 85 kHz intermediate-frequency magnetic fields (average whole-body electric field 54.1 V/m) for 2 weeks showed no significant differences versus sham-exposed mice in micronucleus frequencies or Pig-a mutation frequencies in mature erythrocytes and reticulocytes. Under the stated study conditions, IF-MF exposure did not induce in vivo genotoxicity.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure regimen limited to 2 weeks and 10 total hours",
    "Only male mice were studied",
    "Endpoints limited to micronucleus test and Pig-a mutation assay in blood cells"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "intermediate-frequency magnetic fields",
    "IF-MF",
    "wireless power transfer",
    "WPT",
    "85 kHz",
    "electric vehicle charging",
    "genotoxicity",
    "micronucleus test",
    "Pig-a mutation assay",
    "ICNIRP guidelines",
    "in vivo",
    "mouse"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.72,
      "reason": "Study explicitly references ICNIRP basic restriction levels and compares exposure intensity to the guideline."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503310
PubMed: 33678242

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