Induction of chromosomal aberrations in human primary fibroblasts and immortalized cancer cells exposed to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields

ABSTRACT

Rapidly increasing possibilities of exposure to environmental extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields [ELF-EMF] have become a topic of worldwide investigation. Epidemiological and laboratory studies suggest that exposure to ELF-EMF may increase cancer risk therefore assessment of chromosomal damage in various cell lines might be of predictive value for future risk estimation. Primary cultures of fibroblasts from human skin biopsy were exposed to continuous extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields [3, 50 and 60 Hz, sinusoidal, 3h, and 4 mT]. Also immortalized cell lines, SW480, MCF-7 and 1321N1 were exposed to continuous ELF-EMF [50 Hz, sinusoidal, 3 h, 4 mT]. Metaphase plates were prepared according to standard methods and stained in 5% Giemsa solution. Chromosomal aberrations of both chromosome and chromatid types were scored to evaluate the effects of ELF-EMF on primary or established cell lines. Results indicate that by increasing the frequency of ELF-EMF, chromosomal aberrations were increased up to 7-fold above background levels in primary human fibroblast cells. In addition, continuous exposure to a 50 Hz electromagnetic field led to a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations in SW480, MCF-7 and 1321N1 cell lines compared to sham control. Results obtained indicate that ELF-EMF has the potential for induction of chromosomal aberrations in all cell types