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. 2020 Jun 9;15(6):e0230038.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230038. eCollection 2020.

Biological and health-related effects of weak static magnetic fields (≤ 1 mT) in humans and vertebrates: A systematic review

Sarah Driessen  1 , Lambert Bodewein  1 , Dagmar Dechent  1 , David Graefrath  1 , Kristina Schmiedchen  1 , Dominik Stunder  1 , Thomas Kraus  1 , Anne-Kathrin Petri  1
Affiliations

Biological and health-related effects of weak static magnetic fields (≤ 1 mT) in humans and vertebrates: A systematic review

Sarah Driessen et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: There is a rapid development in technologies that generate weak static magnetic fields (SMF) including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines, systems operating with batteries, such as electric cars, and devices using permanent magnets. However, few reviews on the effects of such fields on biological systems have been prepared and none of these evaluations have had a particular focus on weak SMF (≤ 1 mT). The aim of this review was to systematically analyze and evaluate possible effects of weak SMF (≤ 1 mT) on biological functioning and to provide an update on the current state of research.

Methods: This review was prepared in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. Methodological limitations in individual studies were assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Risk-of-Bias Rating Tool.

Results: Eleven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. All included studies were experimental animal studies as no human studies were among the eligible articles. Eight of the eleven studies reported responses of rat, rabbits and quails to weak SMF exposure that were expressed as altered melatonin biosynthesis, reduced locomotor activity, altered vasomotion and blood pressure, transient changes in blood pressure-related biochemical parameters, or in the level of neurotransmitters and increases in enzyme activities. It remained largely unclear from the interpretation of the results whether the reported effects in the evaluated studies were beneficial or detrimental for health.

Conclusion: The available evidence from the literature reviewed is not sufficient to draw a conclusion for biological and health-related effects of exposure to weak SMF. There was a lack of homogeneity regarding the exposed biological systems and the examined endpoints as well as a lack of scientific rigor in most reviewed studies which lowered credibility in the reported results. We therefore encourage further and more systematic research in this area. Any new studies should particularly address effects of exposure to SMF on biological functioning in humans to evaluate whether SMF pose a risk to human health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests existed during the conduct of the study. However, during the revision of the document, DS has become an employee of Amprion GmbH, a German grid operator.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow diagram of literature search, eligibility and inclusion process.
Adapted from Moher 2009 [32].
Fig 2
Fig 2. Risk of bias in individual studies and across studies.
Black frames highlight key risk-of-bias criteria.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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