Sector: electrical engineering

Type of hazard: radiation, work-related health hazards

Catchwords: physical factors, electromagnetic fields, health impairments and disorders

Status: completed 12/1997

Financed by: Berufsgenossenschaft der Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik

Research institution(s): Physiologisches Institut II der Universität Bonn; Institut für Pharmakologie/Toxikologie der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover

Description, key words:

Danger to the immune system through 50-Hz-magnetic field

Aims:

The need for information on the influence of alternating 50-Hz-magnetic fields of different flux density on the intra-cellular calcium concentration of freshly isolated human lymphocytes and in cells of cultivated human leukaemia T-cell lines (testing Lindström's existing results). Goal: determining the effect of low frequency magnetic fields on the immune system

Activities/methods:

17 rats were exposed for two weeks to a magnetic field of 50 Hz/100 µT or to simulated exposure; at the end of the exposure period blood samples were taken and lymphocytes isolated; analysis of 3741 cells; measurement of the intra-cellular calcium concentration; stimulation with concanavalin A.

Results:

In contrast to earlier results, simulated exposure cells showed a stronger capacity for stimulation (intermediate individual response and number of reacting cells).

last update: 22.08.2000