Power frequency magnetic fields do not contribute to transformation of JB6 cells.

The potential for power frequency magnetic fields to enhance neoplastic transformation has been investigated in vitro using promotion-sensitive mouse epidermal JB6 cells. In a soft agar assay, 60-Hz magnetic fields of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, or 1.1 mT flux density did not induce anchorage-independent growth. In addition, these magnetic fields did not enhance tumor promoter-induced transformation showing no increase in the maximum number of transformed colonies and no shift in the dose-response curve. Thus, these data do not support the notion that environmental exposures to magnetic fields contribute to transformation.