Effects of 100-μT extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on hematograms and blood chemistry in rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) affect health or not. Here, we constructed a 100-μT/50 Hz electromagnetic field atmosphere. A total of 128 rats were randomly assigned into two groups: the ELF EMF group and the sham group. The ELF EMF group was exposed to 100-μT/50-Hz ELF EMF for 20 h per day for three months; at the same time the other group was exposed to a sham device without ELF EMF. During the three months, the weight was recorded every 2 weeks, and the water intake and food intake of the animals were recorded weekly. The hematologic parameters were detected before and after the exposure, whereas blood chemistry analysis was performed every 4 weeks. The general condition of the exposed rats was not affected by ELF EMF. Compared with the sham group, the hematograms were not significantly altered in the ELF EMF group. Similarly, the blood chemistry (including lipid profile, blood glucose, liver function and renal function of rats) from the ELF EMF group showed no difference compared with rats from the control group during the three months exposure. The present study indicated that short-term exposure of 100-μT/50-Hz ELF EMF may not affect hematograms and blood chemistry in rats.

An Investigation Into the Effects of Long‐Term 50‐Hz Power‐Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Hematogram, Blood Chemistry, Fibrosis, and Oxidant Stress Status in the Liver and the Kidney From Sprague–Dawley Rats

“…Previous studies have indicated that welders exposed to PF-EMFs, at intensities between 100 and 250 µT, had no significant change in the hematopoietic system, including total and differential white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin, and platelets [Dasdag et al, 2002]. Similarly, we have revealed that exposure to a 50-Hz PF-EMF at 100 μT exerted no effect on those indicators in rats [Lai et al, 2016b]. However, several pooled analyses have shown that children with a residential EMF exposure level above 0.4 μT might have an increased risk of leukemia [Ahlbom et al, 2000;Kheifets et al, 2010].…”

“…In contrast, another study found no statistically significant alteration in hematochemistry when rats were exposed to a 50-Hz PF-EMF at 5 µT for 12 weeks or 44 weeks [Margonato et al, 1995]. Moreover, results from other studies have indicated that either 10 or 100 µT 50-Hz PF-EMF exposure could affect blood chemistry parameters (e.g., TC, HDL, electrolytes, and glycemia) in humans [Selmaoui et al, 1999] and rats [Lai et al, 2016b]. These various observations might be due to the different exposure intensities and durations.…”

“…Therefore, in our earlier study, we investigated the effects of PF-EMF exposure on reproduction at intensities of 30, 100, and 500 µT [Ruan et al, 2019]. We have also reported that short-term exposure to a 100 µT PF-EMF exerted no effect on hematograms or blood chemistry in rats [Lai et al, 2016b]. Here, using various biological examinations, we further investigated the effects of the PF-EMF exposure-generating system on hematograms, blood chemistry, fibrosis, and oxidative stress in the liver and kidney of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at flux intensities of 30, 100, or 500 µT for 24 weeks.…”

“…However, such strong EMFs are rarely encountered in daily life. Our previous data indicated that exposure to a 50-Hz EMF at 100 µT did not affect the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), or creatine (Cr) or the structure of the kidney and liver [Lai et al, 2016b].…”

Examination of the Effect of a 50-Hz Electromagnetic Field at 500 μT on Parameters Related With the Cardiovascular System in Rats

“…Therefore, different experiments with various examinations should be designed to test and verify the effects of EMF exposure on the cardiovascular system. Previously, we found that 100 µT EMF, which is the threshold of public exposure, did not affect the cardiovascular system and other organs (4,(23)(24)(25)(26). In the current study, we elevated the intensity to 500 µT, which is the threshold of occupational exposure, to explore whether it would exert damages in the cardiovascular system in rats.…”