Carcinogenesis, Vol. 21, No. 6, 1221-1226,
June 2000
© 2000 Oxford University Press
Carcinogenesis |
Effects of 60 Hz extremely low frequency magnetic fields (EMF) on radiation- and chemical-induced mutagenesis in mammalian cells
Center for Radiological Research, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, VC 11-218, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
There is considerable uncertainty of the potential biological effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF or EMF) because of mixed results in epidemiological and laboratory studies. In the present study, exponentially growing human–hamster hybrid AL cells were treated with a 100 µT alternating EMF powered at 60 Hz for either 24 h or 7 days. Exposure to EMF was conducted either alone or in combination with graded doses of a physical or chemical carcinogen. 
-radiation was chosen as a form of ionizing radiation while N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was chosen as a form of chemical contaminant. Exposure of AL cells to EMF alone for a period up to 7 days was non-cytotoxic and non-mutagenic. Concurrent EMF treatment did not increase either the cytotoxicity or induction of CD59– mutants by graded doses of -rays or MNNG in AL cells. This study shows conclusively that short-term or long-term exposure to EMF alone neither affects the survival of AL cells nor increases the mutagenic potency of other environmental carcinogens.