Chronic exposure of primates to 60‐Hz electric and magnetic fields: I. exposure system and measurements of general health and performance

Abstract

We exposed pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) to electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields at strengths of 3 kV/m and 0.1 G, 10 kV/m and 0.3 G, and 30 kV/m and 0.9 G for three 21 day segments. These three exposure segments were preceded and followed by 21 day sham exposure segments. Additional animals received only sham exposure for five 21 day segments. Detailed description of the exposure chamber and field generation apparatus is given. We evaluated measures of animal well‐being, including weight, blood chemistry, blood cell counts, and performance on a simple motor task, and performed postmortem examinations. Reliable and consistent results were obtained throughout data collection. None of the measures evaluated was significantly affected by E‐ and B‐field exposures. Data obtained during actual exposure segments were not distinguishable from those obtained during the initial and final sham exposure segments, nor were they different from data obtained from the sham‐exposed animals. Thus, field exposure had no apparent effects on general health or performance.