Effects of 60 Hz extremely low frequency magnetic fields (EMF) on radiation- and chemical-induced mutagenesis in mammalian cells.

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 A(L) cells were treated with a 100 microT 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. gamma-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 A(L) 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 gamma-rays or MNNG in A(L) cells. This study shows conclusively that short-term or long-term exposure to EMF alone neither affects the survival of A(L) cells nor increases the mutagenic potency of other environmental carcinogens.