Effects of 50 Hz EMF exposure on micronucleus formation and apoptosis in transformed and nontransformed human cell lines.

Effects of applying extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) for different durations (24, 48, and 72 h) and different field intensities (0.1-1.0 mT) on micronucleus (MN) formation and induction of apoptosis were examined in a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCL II) and in a human amniotic fluid cell line (AFC). A statistically significant increase of MN frequency and of induction of apoptosis in SCL II cells after 48-h and 72-h continuous exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) (0.8 and 1.0 mT) was found. However, exposure of AFC cells to EMF of different intensities and for different exposure times showed no statistically significant differences when compared with controls. These results demonstrate that different human cell types respond differently to EMF. Dose-dependent induction of apoptosis and genotoxic effects, resulting in increased micronucleus formation, could be demonstrated in the transformed cell line, whereas the nontransformed cell line did not show statistically significant effects. These findings suggest that EMF could be a promotor but not an initiator of carcinogenic effects.