Induction of DNA strand breaks by intermittent exposure to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields in human diploid fibroblasts.

Mutation research · 2002 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5297

Study snapshot

PublicationMutation research · 2002

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Results of epidemiological research show low association of electromagnetic field (EMF) with increased risk of cancerous diseases and missing dose-effect relations. An important component in assessing potential cancer risk is knowledge concerning any genotoxic effects of extremely-low-frequency-EMF (ELF-EMF). Human diploid fibroblasts were exposed to continuous or intermittent ELF-EMF (50Hz, sinusoidal, 24h, 1000microT). For evaluation of genotoxic effects in form of DNA single- (SSB) and double-strand breaks (DSB), the alkaline and the neutral comet assay were used. In contrast to continuous ELF-EMF exposure, the application of intermittent fields reproducibly resulted in a significant increase of DNA strand break levels, mainly DSBs, as compared to non-exposed controls. The conditions of intermittence showed an impact on the induction of DNA strand breaks, producing the highest levels at 5min field-on/10min field-off. We also found individual differences in response to ELF-EMF as well as an evident exposure-response relationship between magnetic flux density and DNA migration in the comet assay. Our data strongly indicate a genotoxic potential of intermittent EMF. This points to the need of further studies in vivo and consideration about environmental threshold values for ELF exposure.

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 typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationHuman diploid fibroblasts

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 24 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Human diploid fibroblasts exposed to intermittent ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 1000 microT, 24 h) showed a reproducible significant increase in DNA strand break levels (mainly DSBs) compared with non-exposed controls, whereas continuous exposure did not. The intermittence pattern affected the magnitude of strand breaks, with the highest levels at 5 min field-on/10 min field-off, and an exposure-response relationship between magnetic flux density and DNA migration was reported.

Outcomes measured

DNA single-strand breaks (SSB)
DNA double-strand breaks (DSB)
DNA migration in comet assay

Limitations

In vitro study in human diploid fibroblasts; findings may not generalize to in vivo health outcomes
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Exposure details beyond 50 Hz, 24 h, and 1000 microT (e.g., exact flux densities used for exposure-response) not specified in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 h"
  },
  "population": "Human diploid fibroblasts",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "DNA single-strand breaks (SSB)",
    "DNA double-strand breaks (DSB)",
    "DNA migration in comet assay"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Human diploid fibroblasts exposed to intermittent ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 1000 microT, 24 h) showed a reproducible significant increase in DNA strand break levels (mainly DSBs) compared with non-exposed controls, whereas continuous exposure did not. The intermittence pattern affected the magnitude of strand breaks, with the highest levels at 5 min field-on/10 min field-off, and an exposure-response relationship between magnetic flux density and DNA migration was reported.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in human diploid fibroblasts; findings may not generalize to in vivo health outcomes",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure details beyond 50 Hz, 24 h, and 1000 microT (e.g., exact flux densities used for exposure-response) not specified in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely-low-frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "intermittent exposure",
    "continuous exposure",
    "human diploid fibroblasts",
    "genotoxicity",
    "DNA strand breaks",
    "double-strand breaks",
    "single-strand breaks",
    "comet assay",
    "magnetic flux density"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Study uses relatively high magnetic flux density (1000 microT) relevant to some occupational ELF exposure contexts."
    }
  ]
}

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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/s1383-5718(02)00109-2
PubMed: 12160887

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