Evaluation of Genotoxic Effects in Human Fibroblasts after Intermittent Exposure to 50 Hz Electromagnetic Fields: A Confirmatory Study

Abstract

Scarfí, M. R., Sannino, A., Perrotta, A., Sarti, M., Mesirca, P. and Bersani, F. Evaluation of Genotoxic Effects in Human Fibroblasts after Intermittent Exposure to 50 Hz Electromagnetic Fields: A Confirmatory Study. Radiat. Res. 164, 270–276 (2005). The aim of this investigation was to confirm the main results reported in recent studies on the induction of genotoxic effects in human fibroblasts exposed to 50 Hz intermittent (5 min field on/10 min field off) sinusoidal electromagnetic fields. For this purpose, the induction of DNA single-strand breaks was evaluated by applying the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)/comet assay. To extend the study and validate the results, in the same experimental conditions, the potential genotoxicity was also tested by exposing the cells to a 50 Hz powerline signal (50 Hz frequency plus its harmonics). The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay was applied after 24 h intermittent exposure to both sinusoidal and powerline signals to obtain information...