Mutagenic Potential of Alternating Current Electric Fields.
Abstract
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) such as those produced by power lines have become a growing source of concern to the general public. Many epidemiological studies have linked EMF to carcinogenesis implying an underlying genetic phenomenon mediated by EMF. EMF can be subdivided into either electric fields (E-field) or magnetic fields (B-field). Our research used a reverse mutagenesis bacteriophage T4D model to quantitatively study the effects of E-fields on a molecular genetic level. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that there was no significant difference (p=> 0.05) in the mutagenic rate of phages grown in the presence of A/C E-fields compared to the controls except at a field-strength of 1053 V/M (p=O.04). This result is not consistent with the other values tested and at this time we are at a loss to explain what appears to be a decrease in background spontaneous reversion rate in the phage T4 mutant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA329378
Entities
People
- Brandon Horne
- Brian Kelchner
- John Obringer
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy