DNA damage induced in brain cells of CBA mice exposed to magnetic fields.

DNA migration, using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), was studied on brain cells of CBA mice exposed continuously to 50 Hz, 0.5 mT magnetic fields (MF) for 2 hrs, 5 days or 14 days. No differences were observed in the groups MF-exposed for 2 hrs and 5 days compared with controls. However, in the group exposed to MF for 14 days, a significantly extended cell DNA migration was observed (0.02 < p < 0.05). These changes together with results from previous studies indicate that magnetic fields may have genotoxic effects in brain cells.