Radiological workers sensitivity to 50 Hz pulsed magnetic fields: preliminary results

In the present study the effect of extremely low frequency pulsed magnetic fields (PMF) was evaluated in lymphocyte cultures from 12 subjects occupationally exposed to low doses of ionising radiations. The PMF signal characteristics were repetition frequency 50 Hz, triangular shape, rise time about 1.2 ms and peak intensity 2.5 mT. The cytokinesis-block technique was employed to evaluate genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in terms of micronucleus frequency and cell proliferation, respectively. When PMF-exposed cultures were compared with their respective controls, a slight but statistically significant increase was detected in both the biological parameters investigated (p<0.05). The results obtained suggest a possible role of specific employments involving exposure to ionising radiation, in the risk associated with electromagnetic field exposure.