50 HZ AC SINUSOIDAL ELECTRIC-FIELDS DO NOT EXERT GENOTOXIC EFFECTS (MICRONUCLEUS FORMATION) IN HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES

Electromagnetic fields produce a variety of effects in several biological systems, including human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A great concern exists regarding possible carcinogenic effects in subjects exposed environmentally to such fields in the vicinity of power lines and electric domestic appliances. Using human lymphocytes from 33 healthy donors and a sensitive cytogenetic method, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, we have demonstrated that the exposure to 50-Hz AC sinusoidal electric fields over a wide range of intensities (0.5-10 kV/m in air) does not increase the spontaneous frequency of micronuclei. Moreover, these fields did not affect the mitomycin-C-induced micronucleus formation, suggesting that they did not exert any synergistic or antagonistic effect.