EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL HEALTH-EFFECTS OF 10 KHZ MAGNETIC-FIELDS - A RODENT REPRODUCTIVE STUDY

New technology involving the use of high-frequency inductive power dis tribution (HID) has recently been developed for use in materials handl ing and personnel transfer. Sinusoidal magnetic fields at a frequency of 10 kHz with field intensities of approximately 0.2 mT are generated directly between the current-carrying coils of this equipment. Effect s of 10 kHz magnetic fields on cell division, migration, and different iation have never been previously investigated. To evaluate potential effects on these parameters, a rodent reproductive study was undertake n using Wistar rats. Exposures were at 0.095, 0.24, and 0.95 mT with a background exposure of 5-10 mu T. Three sets of parental rats were ex posed continuously for 20-23.5 h/day to the fields: maternal rats duri ng gestation, paternal rats for at least 45 days prior to mating and m aternal rats 1 month prior to mating. Exposure phases thus covered spe rmatogenesis, maturation of the ovum and ovulation, fertilization, imp lantation, embryogenesis, organogenesis, and maturation of the fetus i mmediately prior to parturition. In all experiments pregnancy outcome was assessed. These studies failed to demonstrate any reproductive tox icity resulting from maternal or fetal exposure during gestation or fo llowing paternal or maternal exposure for several weeks prior to matin g. No quantitative or qualitative effects on spermatogenesis occurred after exposure, and no effects on the estrous cycle or ovulation could be demonstrably linked to the 10 kHz magnetic field exposure at 0.095 , 0.25, or 0.95 mT. Where possible, parental clinical chemistry and he matology were also examined. As in mouse toxicology studies previously reported, minor differences were observed between control and treated groups. These were regarded as statistically, but not biologically, s ignificant and could not categorically be attributed to magnetic field exposure. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.