Effect of short-term extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field on respiratory functions

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (1992) · 2025 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2657

In 20 Wistar albino rats, short-term exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field (0.3 mT) for 2 minutes was associated during exposure with lower mean respiratory rate and higher respiratory cycle duration, inspiration time, and tidal volume compared with controls. No…

Study snapshot

PublicationRevista da Associação Médica Brasileira (1992) · 2025

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Physiology Tags: extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields, respiratory function, animal study, health risk, EMF exposure, physiology, short-term effects DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20241812 URL: scielo.br Overview Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) can cause harmful or beneficial effects on living organisms. This study aimed to examine the potential impacts of ELF-EMF exposure on respiratory physiology by analyzing changes in respiratory function parameters during and after short-term ELF-EMF exposure. Methods - Twenty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and electromagnetic field. - Lung function was measured using a noninvasive head-out plethysmography technique. - The electromagnetic field group was exposed to a 50 Hz field at a magnetic flux density of 0.3 mT for 2 minutes. - Respiratory function parameters were recorded before, during, and after EMF exposure. Parameters measured included: - Respiratory rate - Respiratory cycle duration - Inspiration time - Expiration time - Tidal volume - Minute volume - Peak inspiratory flow - Peak expiratory flow Findings - No significant difference in respiratory parameters between groups before EMF exposure. - During ELF-EMF exposure: - Mean respiratory rate in the EMF group was lower than the control group. - Respiratory cycle duration, inspiration time, and tidal volume in the EMF group were higher than the control group. - No significant differences in respiratory parameters after EMF exposure. Conclusion Short-term exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields decreased respiratory rate and increased respiratory cycle duration, inspiration time, and tidal volume in rats. These findings indicate a connection between EMF exposure and altered respiratory function, highlighting the importance of considering EMF safety due to potential health risks.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationWistar albino rats

Sample size20

ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz · 2 minutes

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Respiratory rate
Respiratory cycle duration
Inspiration time
Expiration time
Tidal volume
Minute volume
Peak inspiratory flow
Peak expiratory flow

Limitations

Short exposure duration (2 minutes)
Animal study (rats), limiting direct generalizability to humans
Only short-term effects assessed; no long-term follow-up reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 minutes"
  },
  "population": "Wistar albino rats",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "Respiratory rate",
    "Respiratory cycle duration",
    "Inspiration time",
    "Expiration time",
    "Tidal volume",
    "Minute volume",
    "Peak inspiratory flow",
    "Peak expiratory flow"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 20 Wistar albino rats, short-term exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field (0.3 mT) for 2 minutes was associated during exposure with lower mean respiratory rate and higher respiratory cycle duration, inspiration time, and tidal volume compared with controls. No significant differences in respiratory parameters were reported after exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Short exposure duration (2 minutes)",
    "Animal study (rats), limiting direct generalizability to humans",
    "Only short-term effects assessed; no long-term follow-up reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "0.3 mT",
    "respiratory function",
    "plethysmography",
    "rats",
    "short-term exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic field exposure, which can be relevant to occupational ELF contexts, though no specific occupational source is described."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1590/1806-9282.20241812
PubMed: Not supplied

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