[The effect of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on living organisms].

Sbornik lekarsky · 1998 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4056

Study snapshot

PublicationSbornik lekarsky · 1998

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This report studies effect of alternating low-frequency electromagnetic fields (Bm = 5-21.5 mT, f = 50 Hz, duration of exposure t = 0-24 min) on viability of bacteria Escherichia coli. We have shown that the growth of bacteria is impaired the electromagnetic field. Their ability to form colonies on a solid medium decreases in dependence on magnitude of magnetic field and on duration of exposure. The growth curve is influenced by the electromagnetic field as well. Effects of electromagnetic fields are independent of biological age in first four hours of their growth. We have found no morphological changes in bacterial systems in electromagnetic field by optical microscope. Viability of bacteria is bigger in a liquid medium and less in a solid medium. Bacteriophage BF 23 attach less to bacteria influenced by electromagnetic field. And finally, magnetic field did not make induction of production of bacteriophage. This effect indicates, that magnetic field did not damage DNA of exposed bacteria.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationEscherichia coli (bacteria)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 0–24 min

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Alternating low-frequency magnetic field exposure (50 Hz; 5–21.5 mT; 0–24 min) impaired E. coli growth and reduced colony formation on solid medium in a manner dependent on field magnitude and exposure duration. No morphological changes were observed by optical microscopy. Bacteriophage BF23 attachment was reduced after exposure, and magnetic field exposure did not induce bacteriophage production, which the authors interpret as indicating no DNA damage.

Outcomes measured

Bacterial viability/growth
Colony-forming ability on solid medium
Growth curve changes
Morphological changes (optical microscopy)
Bacteriophage BF23 attachment
Induction/production of bacteriophage (as proxy for DNA damage)

Limitations

In vitro bacterial model; findings may not generalize to humans or whole organisms
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metric reported as magnetic flux density (mT) without additional dosimetry details
Short exposure durations (minutes) only
DNA damage inference is indirect (based on lack of bacteriophage induction)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "0–24 min"
  },
  "population": "Escherichia coli (bacteria)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Bacterial viability/growth",
    "Colony-forming ability on solid medium",
    "Growth curve changes",
    "Morphological changes (optical microscopy)",
    "Bacteriophage BF23 attachment",
    "Induction/production of bacteriophage (as proxy for DNA damage)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Alternating low-frequency magnetic field exposure (50 Hz; 5–21.5 mT; 0–24 min) impaired E. coli growth and reduced colony formation on solid medium in a manner dependent on field magnitude and exposure duration. No morphological changes were observed by optical microscopy. Bacteriophage BF23 attachment was reduced after exposure, and magnetic field exposure did not induce bacteriophage production, which the authors interpret as indicating no DNA damage.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro bacterial model; findings may not generalize to humans or whole organisms",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metric reported as magnetic flux density (mT) without additional dosimetry details",
    "Short exposure durations (minutes) only",
    "DNA damage inference is indirect (based on lack of bacteriophage induction)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF",
    "50 Hz",
    "magnetic field",
    "Escherichia coli",
    "bacterial viability",
    "colony formation",
    "bacteriophage"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves 50 Hz ELF magnetic fields, which are common in occupational settings, though this is an in vitro experiment."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 10803288

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