Effect of 50‐Hz‐Powerline‐Exposed Water on Hematological Parameters in Rats

Abstract

Double distilled water samples were exposed for 24 hr and 48 hr to 50 Hz‐powerline electromagnetic field (EMF) strength of 51.2 μT (36.2 RMS). This EMF exposed water was made available to experimental adult Charles‐Foster male rats for drinking ad libitum for 90 days. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (base line), 30, 60, and 90. Hematological parameters (e.g., total leukocyte counts [TLC], differential leukocyte counts [DLC], and platelet counts) were analyzed statistically. There was significant increase in TLC platelet counts on day 30, whereas significant reduction was observed on day 60. On day 90, significant increase in TLC and significant decrease in platelet counts was observed. For DLC, neutrophils exhibited nonsignificant alteration on day 90, whereas, although lymphocytes and monocytes showed significant increase throughout the experiment though on day 90, there was a slight tendency to decline in monocytes. The present study clearly demonstrates a strong influence of EMF exposed water on day 30 (leukocytosis and thrombocytosis) and day 60 (leukopenia and thrombopenia) with differential results on day 90. This study provides further evidence for EMF bioeffects connected to EMF‐exposed water.

• Magnetic fields
• Powerline
• Thrombocytopenia
• Leucocytosis