Age-related effects on induction of DNA strand breaks by intermittent exposure to electromagnetic fields.

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1–24 h (maximum response at 15–19 h); intermittent exposure"
  },
  "population": "Cultured fibroblasts from six healthy human donors of different age",
  "sample_size": 6,
  "outcomes": [
    "DNA strand breaks",
    "Basal DNA strand break levels",
    "Age-related differences in response to ELF-EMF exposure"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Cultured fibroblasts exposed to intermittent 50 Hz (1 mT) ELF-EMF for 1–24 h showed basal DNA strand break levels that correlated with donor age. A maximum response occurred at 15–19 h and was more pronounced in cells from older donors.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study (cultured fibroblasts), not an in vivo or clinical outcome",
    "Small donor sample (six donors)",
    "Mechanism (DNA repair efficiency) is suggested but not directly demonstrated in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "1 mT",
    "intermittent exposure",
    "fibroblasts",
    "DNA strand breaks",
    "age-related effects",
    "DNA repair"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study concerns ELF-EMF exposure and DNA damage, relevant to EMF health risk assessment discussions."
    }
  ]
}