BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS FOR IN-VITRO STUDIES WITH ELF MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC-FIELDS - A PRIMER

This paper presents material which is intended to assist researchers i n identifying and controlling a range of biological, electrical, and o ther physical parameters that can affect the outcome of in vitro studi es with extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic and electric fields. Br ief descriptions of power line magnetic and electric fields are provid ed and methods for the generation of 60 Hz as well as other ELF fields in the laboratory are surveyed. Methods for calculating and measuring exposure parameters in culture medium are also described. Relating in vitro and internal in vivo exposure conditions across different anima l species is discussed to aid researchers in selecting levels of field exposure. The text is purposely elementary, and sometimes brief, with references provided to aid the interested reader in obtaining a fulle r understanding of the many topics. Because the range of experimental parameters that can influence the outcome of in vitro studies with ELF fields is so broad, a multidisciplinary approach is normally required to carry out the research. C 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.