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Effects of 50 Hz EMF exposure on micronucleus formation and apoptosis in transformed and nontransformed human cell lines.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1998 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5394

In SCL II cells, 48-h and 72-h continuous exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field at 0.8 and 1.0 mT produced statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency and apoptosis. In AFC cells, exposures across 0.1–1.0 mT and 24–72 h showed no statistically …

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1998
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of applying extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) for different durations (24, 48, and 72 h) and different field intensities (0.1-1.0 mT) on micronucleus (MN) formation and induction of apoptosis were examined in a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCL II) and in a human amniotic fluid cell line (AFC). A statistically significant increase of MN frequency and of induction of apoptosis in SCL II cells after 48-h and 72-h continuous exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) (0.8 and 1.0 mT) was found. However, exposure of AFC cells to EMF of different intensities and for different exposure times showed no statistically significant differences when compared with controls. These results demonstrate that different human cell types respond differently to EMF. Dose-dependent induction of apoptosis and genotoxic effects, resulting in increased micronucleus formation, could be demonstrated in the transformed cell line, whereas the nontransformed cell line did not show statistically significant effects. These findings suggest that EMF could be a promotor but not an initiator of carcinogenic effects.

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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 typein_vitro
Effect directionmixed
PopulationHuman cell lines: transformed human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCL II) and nontransformed human amniotic fluid cell line (AFC)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 24, 48, and 72 h (continuous exposure noted for 48 and 72 h)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In SCL II cells, 48-h and 72-h continuous exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field at 0.8 and 1.0 mT produced statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency and apoptosis. In AFC cells, exposures across 0.1–1.0 mT and 24–72 h showed no statistically significant differences versus controls.

Outcomes measured

  • Micronucleus (MN) formation
  • Apoptosis induction

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • In vitro study; findings may not generalize to in vivo or human health outcomes
  • Effects differed by cell type (transformed vs nontransformed), limiting generalization across cell types
  • Exposure conditions beyond frequency, intensity, and duration (e.g., blinding, temperature control) not described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24, 48, and 72 h (continuous exposure noted for 48 and 72 h)"
  },
  "population": "Human cell lines: transformed human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCL II) and nontransformed human amniotic fluid cell line (AFC)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Micronucleus (MN) formation",
    "Apoptosis induction"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In SCL II cells, 48-h and 72-h continuous exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field at 0.8 and 1.0 mT produced statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency and apoptosis. In AFC cells, exposures across 0.1–1.0 mT and 24–72 h showed no statistically significant differences versus controls.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro study; findings may not generalize to in vivo or human health outcomes",
    "Effects differed by cell type (transformed vs nontransformed), limiting generalization across cell types",
    "Exposure conditions beyond frequency, intensity, and duration (e.g., blinding, temperature control) not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "magnetic field",
    "micronucleus",
    "genotoxicity",
    "apoptosis",
    "human cell lines",
    "squamous cell carcinoma",
    "amniotic fluid cells",
    "dose-response"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.25,
      "reason": "Study involves ELF (50 Hz) magnetic field exposure, relevant to common occupational ELF sources, though no workplace context 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: Not supplied
PubMed: 9492164

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