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Lack of an EMF-induced genotoxic effect in the Ames assay.

Life sciences · 1996 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5435

Exposure of four Salmonella typhimurium tester strains to alternating electric fields (300 V/in.), magnetic fields (0.3 mT), or combined fields at 60, 600, or 6000 Hz for 48 hours did not affect mutation rates compared with control conditions, either with or …

Study snapshot

PublicationLife sciences · 1996
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

A few epidemiological studies have linked exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the incidence of cancer. Since many carcinogens are mutagens in the Ames assay, the purpose of this study was to determine if exposure of four tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA97a, TA98, TA100, and TA102) to EMF would increase their rate of mutation. Parallel plate electrodes and Helmholtz coils were used to create uniform field properties (300 V/in., 0.3 mT). Separate and combined alternating electric and magnetic fields effects were studied at a combined field frequency of 60, 600, and 6000 Hz at room temperature. These fields did not elevate the temperature of the culture plates above room temperature, Petri dishes containing each tester strain in top agar were exposed to an electric field (E), magnetic field (M), combined electric and magnetic field (EM), or no additional field above ambient conditions in the lab (control). Four plates containing each strain were exposed in each condition: two plates had the appropriate positive-control mutagen for each strain included in the top agar and two plates did not. Plates were exposed to either E, M, EM, or control conditions at room temperature for 48 hr. and then incubated an additional 24 hr. at 37 deg. C. The plates containing mutagen in the top agar showed an increased number of colonies consistent with mutagenesis. However, the rate of mutation in the S. typhimurium strains TA97a, TA98, TA100, and TA102 in either the presence or absence of mutagen was not affected by 48 hr. exposure at room temperature to E, M, or EM fields at 60, 600, or 6000 Hz.

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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 directionno_effect
PopulationSalmonella typhimurium tester strains (TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102) in Ames assay plates
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 48 hr exposure at room temperature; then incubated 24 hr at 37°C
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure of four Salmonella typhimurium tester strains to alternating electric fields (300 V/in.), magnetic fields (0.3 mT), or combined fields at 60, 600, or 6000 Hz for 48 hours did not affect mutation rates compared with control conditions, either with or without added positive-control mutagens.

Outcomes measured

  • Mutation rate / mutagenicity in Ames assay (colony counts)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "48 hr exposure at room temperature; then incubated 24 hr at 37°C"
  },
  "population": "Salmonella typhimurium tester strains (TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102) in Ames assay plates",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Mutation rate / mutagenicity in Ames assay (colony counts)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure of four Salmonella typhimurium tester strains to alternating electric fields (300 V/in.), magnetic fields (0.3 mT), or combined fields at 60, 600, or 6000 Hz for 48 hours did not affect mutation rates compared with control conditions, either with or without added positive-control mutagens.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Ames assay",
    "genotoxicity",
    "mutagenicity",
    "Salmonella typhimurium",
    "ELF EMF",
    "electric field",
    "magnetic field",
    "60 Hz",
    "600 Hz",
    "6000 Hz",
    "0.3 mT",
    "300 V/in",
    "Helmholtz coils",
    "parallel plate electrodes"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1016/0024-3205(96)00291-3
PubMed: 8699937

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