Cytogenetic effects of pulsing electromagnetic field on human lymphocytes in vitro: chromosome aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and cell kinetics.

Exposure of human lymphocyte cultures to a pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF; 50 Hz, 1.05 mT) for various durations (24, 48 and 72 h) resulted in a statistically significant suppression of mitotic activity and a higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations. Furthermore, the shorter exposure times (24 and 48 h) did not cause a significant delay in cell turnover (cell proliferation index) or an increase in the baseline frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE). However, cultures continuously exposed to PEMF for 72 h exhibited significant reduction of the cell proliferation index (CPI) and an elevation of SCE rate. These results suggest that exposure to PEMF may induce a type of DNA lesions that lead to chromosomal aberrations and cell death but not to SCE, except probably at longer exposure times.