Exposure of baboons to combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields does not produce work stoppage or affect operant performance on a match-to-sample task.

Abstract

We examined the effects of combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure on performance of delayed match-to-sample (MTS) procedure involving the flash rate of a light as the stimulus. Six baboons (Papio cynocephalus) fully acquired the task; four others functioned accurately only when cued. All ten subjects were assigned to EMF-exposed or sham-exposed groups of five and were used to test for a work-stoppage effect that was previously observed with initial exposure to electric fields (EF) of 30 or 60 kV/m. Here, we report the results of two experiments, each consisting of 6 week preexposure, exposure, and postexposure periods. We found no evidence of work stoppage with fields of 6 kV/m and 50 microT (0.5 G) or with 30 kV/m and 100 microT (1.0 G). In neither experiment was there evidence of an adverse effect of 60 Hz EMF exposure on MTS performance.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Across two experiments, there was no evidence of work stoppage at 6 kV/m with 50 microT (0.5 G) or at 30 kV/m with 100 microT (1.0 G). No adverse effects of 60 Hz combined electric and magnetic field exposure were observed on MTS task performance.

Outcomes measured

• Work stoppage
• Operant performance on delayed match-to-sample (MTS) task (flash rate of a light as stimulus)

Limitations

• Small sample size (10 baboons; 5 exposed and 5 sham per experiment/grouping as described)
• Exposure duration within the exposure period not specified in the abstract
• Some animals required cueing to perform accurately, which may affect generalizability of performance outcomes

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.25)
  Study examines combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields at kV/m and microtesla levels relevant to power-frequency environments, though no specific workplace setting is stated.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 0.059999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Two experiments; each had 6-week preexposure, exposure, and postexposure periods (exposure duration not further specified)."
    },
    "population": "Baboons (Papio cynocephalus)",
    "sample_size": 10,
    "outcomes": [
        "Work stoppage",
        "Operant performance on delayed match-to-sample (MTS) task (flash rate of a light as stimulus)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Across two experiments, there was no evidence of work stoppage at 6 kV/m with 50 microT (0.5 G) or at 30 kV/m with 100 microT (1.0 G). No adverse effects of 60 Hz combined electric and magnetic field exposure were observed on MTS task performance.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size (10 baboons; 5 exposed and 5 sham per experiment/grouping as described)",
        "Exposure duration within the exposure period not specified in the abstract",
        "Some animals required cueing to perform accurately, which may affect generalizability of performance outcomes"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "60 Hz",
        "ELF",
        "electric field",
        "magnetic field",
        "baboons",
        "Papio cynocephalus",
        "work stoppage",
        "operant performance",
        "delayed match-to-sample"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Study examines combined 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields at kV/m and microtesla levels relevant to power-frequency environments, though no specific workplace setting is stated."
        }
    ]
}

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