Mutation induction by high-density, 50-Hz magnetic fields in human MeWo cells exposed in the DNA synthesis phase.

Exposure of cultured human MeWo cells to high-density (400 mT at 50 Hz) extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) induced mutations in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene. Mutation induced by the ELF-MF increased during the DNA-synthesis phase in synchronously growing cells. DNA replication errors and/or disturbance of the mismatch repair systems caused by exposure to ELF-MF may be involved in the mutagenic effect.