Biological Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

Abstract

Bacterial growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus was inhibited by pulsed magnetic fields of 40 gauss, 26 Hz. Exposure of male Drosophila for 70 hours to 16-Hz pulsed magnetic fields of 35 gauss produced a significant sex-linked recessive lethal mutation. This irreversible process which persisted for many generations, was transmitted by the females which carried but did not suffer the consequences of the lethal agent. The unitary discharge of the crayfish stretch receptor was influenced by application of pulsed magnetic fields. Teratogenic effects were produced by exposing developing chick embryos to pulsed magnetic fields with intensities as low as 0.01 gauss. Pulse shape and time of development were critical for the observed effects. The mitotic index was also influenced. In monkeys, central nervous system excitability was influenced by applying fields focussed on the cerebellum.