Effect of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELFMF) on Mutations in pTN 89 Plasmids

Abstract

We examined the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMFs) and/or X-rays on mutations using pTN89 plasmids. The plasmids were subjected to sham exposure or exposed to an ELFMF (5 mT), with or without X-ray irradiation (10 Gy). Increased mutation frequency was not detected following exposure to a magnetic field alone, or after sham exposure. Sequence analysis of the supF mutant plasmids revealed that base substitutions were dominant on exposure to X-rays alone and X-rays plus an ELFMF. Deletions were detected in only the combined treatments with X-rays and an ELFMF, but not with X-rays alone. From these results, we could not detect direct effects of ELFMFs on DNA, but exposure to ELFMFs immediately before or after X-ray irradiation may enhance the mutation frequency. [J Radiat Res 44:418 (2003)]