Biological effects of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields: a review

Abstract

Based on the review by A. A. Marino and R. O. Becker (1977), biological effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields are significant and often act as stressors. Key findings included increased mortality in mice/insects, altered metabolism, and tripled mitotic rates in mice, largely attributed to neuroendocrine or behavioral responses to field exposure. Key Findings in the Review Stress Response: ELF electric fields (e.g., 60-Hz at 15 kV/m) act as biological stressors, causing metabolic, hormone, and body weight changes in rodents. Neurological Effects: Many observed effects appear associated with the nervous system, potentially due to direct interaction with tissue or indirect stimulation of sensory receptors. Lethality and Toxicity: High-level exposure (e.g., 5,000 volts/cm at 50 Hz) was found to be fatal to mice and insects. Cellular Changes: Experiments showed that 200 V/cm at 50 Hz for 4 hours tripled the mitotic index in mouse liver and corneal epithelial cells. Behavioral Impact: Frequently observed behavioral effects were often related to the detection of the field by the subject. Marino and Becker's research consistently highlighted that these fields, often dismissed as harmless, can have substantial, measurable impacts on living organisms.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The review summary reports significant biological effects from extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields, often described as stressor-like responses. Reported findings include increased mortality in mice/insects at high field levels, metabolic/hormonal/body weight changes in rodents, and a tripling of mitotic index in mouse liver and corneal epithelial cells under specified exposure conditions; many effects were described as associated with neuroendocrine, nervous system, or behavioral responses.

Outcomes measured

• mortality/lethality
• metabolic changes
• hormone changes
• body weight changes
• mitotic index (cell proliferation)
• neurological/nervous system-related effects
• behavioral effects

Limitations

• This is a narrative review; methods for study selection and quality assessment are not described in the provided abstract/summary.
• Sample sizes and quantitative effect estimates are not provided in the provided abstract/summary.
• Exposure metrics are given only as selected examples; overall exposure characterization across reviewed studies is not detailed in the provided abstract/summary.

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.28)
  Discusses ELF electric/magnetic field exposures (e.g., 50/60 Hz) relevant to power-frequency environments, though no specific occupational setting is stated.

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Examples include 4 hours (200 V/cm at 50 Hz)"
    },
    "population": "Mice, insects, rodents (as described in the review summary)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "mortality/lethality",
        "metabolic changes",
        "hormone changes",
        "body weight changes",
        "mitotic index (cell proliferation)",
        "neurological/nervous system-related effects",
        "behavioral effects"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The review summary reports significant biological effects from extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields, often described as stressor-like responses. Reported findings include increased mortality in mice/insects at high field levels, metabolic/hormonal/body weight changes in rodents, and a tripling of mitotic index in mouse liver and corneal epithelial cells under specified exposure conditions; many effects were described as associated with neuroendocrine, nervous system, or behavioral responses.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "This is a narrative review; methods for study selection and quality assessment are not described in the provided abstract/summary.",
        "Sample sizes and quantitative effect estimates are not provided in the provided abstract/summary.",
        "Exposure metrics are given only as selected examples; overall exposure characterization across reviewed studies is not detailed in the provided abstract/summary."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF",
        "electric fields",
        "magnetic fields",
        "stress response",
        "neuroendocrine",
        "behavior",
        "mortality",
        "mitotic index",
        "rodents",
        "mice",
        "insects"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.2800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
            "reason": "Discusses ELF electric/magnetic field exposures (e.g., 50/60 Hz) relevant to power-frequency environments, though no specific occupational setting is stated."
        }
    ]
}

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