Investigation of genotoxicity induced by intermediate frequency magnetic field combined with ionizing radiation: In vitro study on human fibroblast cells

• Published in: Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis 2024-10, Vol.899, p.503817, Article 503817
• Main Authors: Szilágyi, Zsófia, Pintér, Bertalan, Szabó, Erika, Kubinyi, Györgyi, Le Drean, Yves, Thuróczy, György
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptive response; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; DNA Damage - radiation effects; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Fibroblasts - radiation effects; Genotoxicity; Humans; In vitro; Intermediate frequency; Life Sciences; Magnetic Fields - adverse effects; Micronucleus Tests; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - radiation effects; Radiation, Ionizing; Skin
• ISSN: 1383-5718; 1879-3592
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2024.503817

These days, exposure to electromagnetic fields has become omnipresent in modern society. Not only the extremely-low frequency and radiofrequency, but also intermediate frequency (IF) magnetic field (MF) might be absorbed in the human body resulting in an ever-growing concern about their possible health effects. Devices, such as induction cooktops, chargers, compact fluorescent lamps, touchscreens and electric vehicles emit a wide range of intermediate frequency fields. We investigated the effects of 22 kHz or 250 kHz intermediate frequency magnetic field exposure on the human skin cells. We also examined the adaptive response phenomenon; whether IF MF exposure could possibly reduce the harmful genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation. To get answers to these questions, in vitro studies were carried out on fibroblast cells to investigate the effects on oxidative stress, DNA damage and micronucleus formation. We found a decreased micronucleus formation due to the 22 kHz IF MF exposure and significantly increased oxidative stress in fibroblast cells, which were exposed only to 250 kHz IF MF. We were unable to detect the protective or co-genotoxic effects of intermediate frequency magnetic field exposure combined with ionizing radiation, thus we found no evidence for the adaptive response phenomena. [Display omitted] •In vitro experiments to study the effects of IF MF exposure with ionizing radiation.•Exposure to 22 kHz IF does not cause any changes.•Exposure to 250 kHz IF induced significantly increased oxidative stress level.•No evidence for the adaptive response phenomena was found.