Development of chick embryos in 1 Hz to 100 kHz magnetic fields

Summary Chick embryos were exposed during their 48 first hours of development to sinusoidally oscillating magnetic fields. The frequencies 1 Hz, 10 Hz, 16.7 Hz, 30 Hz, 50 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz and 100 kHz, and the field strengths 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 A/m were used. Each exposure group consisted of 20 eggs. After the exposure, the embryos were examined for abnormalities and classified by the developmental stage. The percentage of abnormal embryos (%AE) was significantly increased at frequencies from 16.7 Hz to 100 kHz. Above a threshold field strength of about 0.1 to 1 A/m, %AE was rather independent of the field strength, varying from 16% to 56% in different exposure groups. 13% of the sham-exposed control embryos (n = 150) were abnormal. Only the 0.1 A/m exposure group differed significantly from the controls at 1 Hz, and no significant effect was found at 10 Hz. The developmental stage was in general not affected by the magnetic fields, but some abnormal embryos showed retarded development.     

Cytogenetic study of persons occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide

Ten persons occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide (EO), used in the sterilization of medical instruments, were studied at a hospital. The estimated concentration to which they were exposed was 60–69 ppm, TWA. Peripheral blood samples from 10 workers and 10 controls of the same age and sex were taken to determine the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (CA). The mean frequencies of SCE/cell (X = S) were 13.27 for the exposed workers and 6.05 for controls. Chromosome aberration frequencies in exposed individuals were significantly increased compared with controls. A significant relationship between the frequencies of SCE and CA and EO exposure was demonstrated. Blood chemistry parameters such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic and pyruvic transaminases, luteinizing gonadotropin and follicle stimulating gonadotropin and thyrotropin were also measured and found to be within the normal range.     

Cytogenetic study of persons occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide.

Ten persons occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide (EO), used in the sterilization of medical instruments, were studied at a hospital. The estimated concentration to which they were exposed was 60-69 ppm, TWA. Peripheral blood samples from 10 workers and 10 controls of the same age and sex were taken to determine the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosomal aberrations (CA). The mean frequencies of SCE/cell (X = S) were 13.27 for the exposed workers and 6.05 for controls. Chromosome aberration frequencies in exposed individuals were significantly increased compared with controls. A significant relationship between the frequencies of SCE and CA and EO exposure was demonstrated. Blood chemistry parameters such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic and pyruvic transaminases, luteinizing gonadotropin and follicle stimulating gonadotropin and thyrotropin were also measured and found to be within the normal range.     

Structural and thermal characterization of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide dispersions by spin labels.

Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) dispersions obtained by simply mixing the amphiphile in water, and by bath-sonication, were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) of stearic acids and their methyl ester derivatives, labeled at the 5th and 16th carbons of the acyl chain. The ESR spectra indicate that the non-sonicated dispersions are formed mainly by one population of DODAB vesicles, either in the gel (TT(m)) state. Around T(m) there is a co-existence of the two phases, with a thermal hysteresis of about 3.2 degrees C. In sonicated DODAB dispersions, spin labels indicate two different environments even for temperatures far below T(m): one similar to that obtained with non-sonicated samples, a gel phase, and another one in the liquid-crystalline state. The fluid phase domain present below T(m) could correspond to either the periphery of bilayer fragments, reported to be present in sonicated DODAB dispersions, or to high curvature vesicles.     

Resonant frequencies of arms and legs identify different walking patterns

The present study is aimed at investigating changes in the coordination of arm and leg movements in young healthy subjects. It was hypothesized that with changes in walking velocity there is a change in frequency and phase coupling between the arms and the legs. In addition, it was hypothesized that the preferred frequencies of the different coordination patterns can be predicted on the basis of the resonant frequencies of arms and legs with a simple pendulum model. The kinematics of arms and legs during treadmill walking in seven healthy subjects were recorded with accelerometers in the sagittal plane at a wide range of different velocities (i.e., 0.3-1. 3m/s). Power spectral analyses revealed a statistically significant change in the frequency relation between arms and legs, i.e., within the velocity range 0.3-0.7m/s arm movement frequencies were dominantly synchronized with the step frequency, whereas from 0.8m/s onwards arm frequencies were locked onto stride frequency. Significant effects of walking speed on mean relative phase between leg and arm movements were found. All limb pairs showed a significantly more stable coordination pattern from 0.8 to 1.0m/s onwards. Results from the pendulum modelling demonstrated that for most subjects at low-velocity preferred movement frequencies of the arms are predicted by the resonant frequencies of individual arms (about 0.98Hz), whereas at higher velocities these are predicted on the basis of the resonant frequencies of the individual legs (about 0.85Hz). The results support the above-mentioned hypotheses, and suggest that different patterns of coordination, as shown by changes in frequency coupling and phase relations, can exist within the human walking mode.     

Influence of 400, 900, and 1900 MHz electromagnetic fields on Lemna minor growth and peroxidase activity

Increased use of radio and microwave frequencies requires investigations of their effects on living organisms. Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) has been commonly used as a model plant for environmental monitoring. In the present study, duckweed growth and peroxidase activity was evaluated after exposure in a Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell to electric fields of frequencies 400, 900, and 1900 MHz. The growth of plants exposed for 2 h to the 23 V/m electric field of 900 MHz significantly decreased in comparison with the control, while an electric field of the same strength but at 400 MHz did not have such effect. A modulated field at 900 MHz strongly inhibited the growth, while at 400 MHz modulation did not influence the growth significantly. At both frequencies a longer exposure mostly decreased the growth and the highest electric field (390 V/m) strongly inhibited the growth. Exposure of plants to lower field strength (10 V/m) for 14 h caused significant decrease at 400 and 1900 MHz while 900 MHz did not influence the growth. Peroxidase activity in exposed plants varied, depending on the exposure characteristics. Observed changes were mostly small, except in plants exposed for 2 h to 41 V/m at 900 MHz where a significant increase (41%) was found. Our results suggest that investigated electromagnetic fields (EMFs) might influence plant growth and, to some extent, peroxidase activity. However, the effects of EMFs strongly depended on the characteristics of the field exposure.     

The membrane potential of characean cells exposed to amplitude-modulated, low-power 147-MHz radiation

The membrane potential of isolated cells of Chara braunii or Nitella flexilis was monitored while the cells were exposed, at nominal power densities from 2 to 1,000 W/m2, to 147-MHz radiation amplitude modulated at frequencies from 4 to 64 Hz. Phase-sensitive detection was used to seek radiation-correlated changes in the membrane potential, and none were apparent under any of the conditions used in this investigation.     

Genotoxic effects of volatile organic compounds in a chemical factory as evaluated by the Tradescantia micronucleus assay and by chemical analysis

The clastogenic effects of volatile organic compounds in the workplace air of a chemical factory were studied by means of the Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MCN) assay and chemical analysis. Sampling was performed at a chemical factory producing PVC film in Cheong-ju, South Korea. Inflorescences of Tradescantia BNL 4430 were placed for 2, 6, and 9 h at the height of 1.40 m at two locations in the workplace and one outdoor of the chemical industry. Air samplings were conducted in the same places and the collected tube samples were analyzed by automatic thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ATD/GC/MS). The frequencies of micronuclei in specimens exposed for 2 h in sites 1-3 were 6.13 +/- 0.47, 5.40 +/- 1.60, and 2.93 +/- 0.43 MCN per 100 tetrads, respectively. GC/MS analysis proved the presence of various volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene, toluene, ethyl benzene, (m, p, o)-xylene, styrene, 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene, and 1,2,4-trimethyl benzene. Mean values of toluene measured by 2 h sampling in sites 1-3 were 1946.6, 1368.3, and 340.1 microg/m3, respectively. The toluene concentrations in sites 1 and 2 were at least four to six times higher than that in site 3. The micronucleus frequencies increased with exposure time. In addition, there was a correlation between the micronucleus frequencies and toluene concentration in the air (R2 = 0.96). The results of this in situ monitoring proved the applicability of the Trad-MCN assay combined with chemical analysis for monitoring genotoxic chemicals in the work environment.     

In situ monitoring with the Tradescantia bioassays on the genotoxicity of gaseous emissions from a closed landfill site and an incinerator

A dual monitoring system composed of the Tradescantia-Micronucleus (Trad-MCN) and Tradescantia-Stamen-Hair-Mutation (Trad-SHM) bioassays was utilized to monitor directly the genotoxicity of the gaseous emission at a closed landfill site and around an incinerator. Four of the commonly emitted gaseous agents from the landfill flare pipes, i.e. toluene, ethylbenzene, trichloroethylene and ethyltoluene were also evaluated for their genotoxicity in the laboratory. The in situ monitoring trips (360 km one way) were carried out by transporting the plant cuttings in a clean air box or in an air-tight plastic bag to the site and exposing these test cuttings for 5–7 h. The exposed plant samples were examined for micronuclei frequencies or the pink mutation rate after the appropriate recovery periods (24 h for MCN, 7–11 days for SHM). A total of 20 monitoring trips were made to the landfill, and 8 to the nearby surroundings (100–500 m from the chimney) of the incinerator site in a two year period. The major findings of the Trad-MCN test on the clastogenicity of the gaseous emission from the flare pipe of the landfill site showed positive responses or toxic effects in 6 out of 20 trips, and that from the incinerator showed positive responses in 5 out of the 8 trips. These positive responses were closely associated with the weather, i.e. low wind velocity, high temperature and relative humidity, and especially the distance from the chimney of the incinerator. The MCN frequencies and mutation rates of the Elementary School site (E. Sch) which is about 200 m from the fence of the landfill site were mostly negative, except the test results of three trips. Trad-SHM tests on the mutagenicity of gaseous emissions from the flare pipe of the landfill showed 12 positive responses out of 20 trials and 2 positives out of 4 trials from the incinerator gaseous emissions. The average mutation rate from 20 Trad-SHM monitoring trips is positive when the ANOVA and Dunnett's t-statistic were applied to the consolidated data. There is a significant (0.01) difference between the lab control and the gas exposed groups, and between the field control and gas exposed groups. Results of the Trad-SHM test at the E. Sch. site were mostly negative except for one trip. In general, micronuclei frequencies and mutation rates of the field control groups were relatively higher than those of the lab controls. The Trad-MCN test on pure gases showed positive responses in all 3 repeated tests on toluene (50–892 ppm). The test results of ethylbenzene yielded positive responses at 172 ppm/min and 1549 ppm/min dosages and exhibited toxicity at higher concentrations. Trad-MCN tests on trichloroethylene and ethyltoluene yielded positive responses at around 100–200 ppm/min level. Three repeated Trad-SHM tests on toluene yielded no positive response at low concentrations (4.3–12.9 ppm).     

Neutron-induced 63Ni in copper samples from Hiroshima and Nagasaki: a comprehensive presentation of results obtained at the Munich Maier-Leibnitz Laboratory

Those inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who were affected by the A-bomb explosions, were exposed to a mixed neutron and gamma radiation field. Few years later about 120,000 survivors of both cities were selected, and since then radiation-induced late effects such as leukemia and solid tumors are being investigated in this cohort. When the present study was initiated, the fast neutron fluences that caused the neutron doses of these survivors had never been determined experimentally. In principle, this would have been possible if radioisotopes produced by fast neutrons from the A-bomb explosions had been detected in samples from Hiroshima and Nagasaki at distances where the inhabitants survived. However, no suitable radioisotope had so far been identified. As a contribution to a large international effort to re-evaluate the A-bomb dosimetry, the concentration of the radionuclide (63)Ni (half-life 100.1 years) has been measured in copper samples from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These measurements were mainly performed at the Maier-Leibnitz-Laboratory in Munich, Germany, by means of accelerator mass spectrometry. Because the (63)Ni had been produced in these samples by fast A-bomb neutrons via the reaction (63)Cu(n,p)(63)Ni, these measurements allow direct experimental validation of calculated neutron doses to the members of the LSS cohort, for the first time. The results of these efforts have already been published in a compact form. A more detailed discussion of the methodical aspects of these measurements and their results are given in the present paper. Eight copper samples that had been significantly exposed to fast neutrons from the Hiroshima A-bomb explosion were investigated. In general, measured (63)Ni concentrations decreased in these samples with increasing distance to the hypocenter, from 4 x 10(6 ) (63)Ni nuclei per gram copper at 391 m, to about 1 x 10(5 ) (63)Ni nuclei per gram copper at about 1,400 m. Additional measurements performed on three large-distant copper samples from Hiroshima (distance to the hypocenter 1,880-7,500 m) and on three large-distant copper samples from Nagasaki (distance to the hypocenter 3,931-4,428 m) that were not exposed significantly to A-bomb neutrons, suggest a typical background concentration of about 8 x 10(4 ) (63)Ni nuclei per gram copper. If the observed background is accounted for, the results are consistent with state-of-the-art neutron transport calculations for Hiroshima, in particular for those distances where the victims survived and were included in the life span study cohort.     

Ozone exposure generates free radicals in the blood samples in vitro. Detection by the ESR spin-trapping technique

Generation of free radicals in the reaction of ozone with blood samples and related salt solutions was investigated in vitro by using ESR spin-trapping technique with DMPO. In the reactions of low levels of ozone, a carbon-centered radical was spin-trapped with DMPO, giving rise to the 6-line ESR signal in both whole blood and blood plasma. In the blood plasma, DMPO-spin adduct of hydroxyl radical (DMPO-OH) was detected together with the spin adduct of carbon-centered radical. The present spin-trapping study demonstrates that, when exposed to ozone, 0.9% NaCl solution in the presence of DMPO gives rise to the formation of DMPO-OH. The addition effects of ethanol, which is a ^·OH scavenger, into the NaCl solution reveal that DMPO-OH is produced by the reaction of DMPO with both ^·OH and unidentified oxidants originated from the reaction of Cl^- and ozone. Based on these observations, we consider that ^·OH is generated similarly in the blood plasma exposed to ozone. The ESR study of DMPO-spin adducts in the ozone-exposed aqueous solution of NaOCl indicates that Cl^- reacts with ozone to give ClO^-. Presumably, further oxidation of ClO^- by ozone leads to the formation of ^·OH and the unidentified oxidants.     

流速对红鳍银鲫幼鱼游泳状态的影响

在28℃水温下,采用特制的鱼类游泳行为测定装置,研究体重(125.94±13.87)g的红鳍银鲫(Barbodes schwanenfeldi)幼鱼在0.0m/s(对照组)和0.1m/s、0.3m/s、0.5m/s3种流速下的游泳行为。结果表明,从0.0～0.3m/s,红鳍银鲫幼鱼平均趋流率和摆尾频率均随着流速的增加而增大,而0.5m/s组在90min内随时间延长而下降。红鳍银鲫游泳状态明显受到所处流速的影响,在静水对照组以"逆流前进"和"顺流而下"为主,两者共占总观察时间的98%以上;各流速组均以逆流静止为主,且随着流速的增大,逆流静止所占时间比例从45.8%增加至81.3%,而逆流前进所占时间比例由24.1%减至5%以下;逆流后退所占时间比例以0.1m/s组最大,为16.4%;顺流而下的比例随着流速增大先减小后增大,3个流速组依次为13.7%、2.1%和10.9%。红鳍银鲫幼鱼的游泳速度(V)和摆尾频率(TBF)在逆流前进及逆流静止两种游泳状态下呈线性正相关,而在逆流后退和顺流而下两种状态下两者没有显著相关。     

Ultraviolet mutagenesis of normal and xeroderma pigmentosum variant human fibroblasts

The mutabilities of normal and xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XP4BE) human fibroblasts by ultraviolet light (UV) were compared under conditions of maximum expression of the 6-thioguanine resistance (TGr) phenotype. Selection was with 20 micrograms TG/ml on populations reseeded at various times after irradiation. Approx. 6--12 days (4--8 population doublings), depending on the UV dose, were necessary for complete expression. The induced mutation frequencies were linear functions of the UV dose but the slope of the line for normal cells extrapolated to zero induced mutants at 3 J/m2. The postreplication repair-defective XP4BE cells showed a higher frequency of TGr colonies than normal fibroblasts when compared at equal UV doses or at equitoxic treatments. The induced frequency of TGr colonies was not a linear function of the logarithm of survival for either cell type. Instead, the initial slope decreased to a constant slope for survivals less than about 50%. The UV doses and induced mutation frequencies corresponding to 37% survival of cloning abilities were 6.7 J/m2 and 6.2 X 10(-5), respectively, for normal cells and 3.75 J/m2 and 17.3 X 10(-5) for the XP4BE cells. The lack of an observable increase in the mutant frequency for normal fibroblasts exposed to slightly lethal UV doses suggests that normal postreplication repair of UV-induced lesions is error-free (or nearly so) until a threshold dose is exceeded.     

The Hiroshima thermal-neutron discrepancy for 36Cl at large distances. Part II: Natural in situ production as a source

For Hiroshima, a large discrepancy between calculated and measured thermal-neutron fluences had been reported in the past, for distances to the epicenter larger than about 1,000 m. To be more specific, measured (36)Cl concentrations in environmental samples from Hiroshima were too large at these distances, and the ratio of measured to calculated values reached about 70, at a distance of 1,800 m. In an attempt to identify other sources that might also produce (36)Cl in Hiroshima samples, the role of cosmic rays and of neutrons from natural terrestrial sources was investigated. Four reaction mechanisms were taken into account: spallation reactions of the nucleonic (hadronic) component of the cosmic rays on potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) in the sample material, particle emission after nuclear capture of negative muons by K and Ca, reactions of fast-muon induced electromagnetic, and hadronic showers with K and Ca, and neutron capture reactions with (35)Cl in the sample where the neutrons originate from the above three reaction mechanisms and from uranium and thorium decay. These mechanisms are physically described and mathematically quantified. It is shown that among those parameters important for the production of (36)Cl in granite, the chemical composition of the sample, the depth in the quarry where the sample had initially been taken, and the erosion rate at the site of the quarry are most important. Based on these physical, chemical, and geological parameters, (36)Cl concentrations were calculated for different types of granite that are typical for the Hiroshima area. In samples that were of these granite types and that had not been exposed to atomic bomb(A-bomb) neutrons, the (36)Cl concentration was also determined experimentally by means of accelerator mass spectrometry, and good agreement was found with the calculated values. The (36)Cl signal due to natural in situ production was also calculated in granite samples that had been exposed to A-bomb neutrons at distances up to 1,500 m from the hypocenter. It is demonstrated that, for granite samples from Hiroshima exposed to A-bomb neutrons beyond distances of about 1,300 m from the hypocenter, the (36)Cl signal is dominated by natural in situ production.     

Chromosome damage and micronucleus formation in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (847.74 MHz, CDMA)

Peripheral blood samples collected from four healthy nonsmoking human volunteers were diluted with tissue culture medium and exposed in vitro for 24 h to 847.74 MHz radiofrequency (RF) radiation (continuous wave), a frequency employed for cellular telephone communications. A code division multiple access (CDMA) technology was used with a nominal net forward power of 75 W and a nominal power density of 950 W/m(2) (95 mW/cm(2)). The mean specific absorption rate (SAR) was 4.9 or 5.5 W/kg. Blood aliquots that were sham-exposed or exposed in vitro to an acute dose of 1.5 Gy of gamma radiation were included in the study as controls. The temperatures of the medium during RF-radiation and sham exposures in the Radial Transmission Line facility were controlled at 37 +/- 0.3 degrees C. Immediately after the exposures, lymphocytes were cultured at 37 +/- 1 degrees C for 48 or 72 h. The extent of genetic damage was assessed from the incidence of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei. The kinetics of cell proliferation was determined from the mitotic indices in 48-h cultures and from the incidence of binucleate cells in 72-h cultures. The data indicated no significant differences between RF-radiation-exposed and sham-exposed lymphocytes with respect to mitotic indices, frequencies of exchange aberrations, excess fragments, binucleate cells, and micronuclei. The response of gamma-irradiated lymphocytes was significantly different from that of both RF-radiation-exposed and sham-exposed cells for all of these indices. Thus there was no evidence for induction of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro for 24 h to 847.74 MHz RF radiation (CDMA) at SARs of 4.9 or 5.5 W/kg.     

Spin label study of the structure and conformational properties of fibers from cotton grown from gamma-irradiated seeds]

According to ESR spectra of the radical - probe I it has been shown that there are two regions in cotton cellulose: ordered and disordered ones, pointing to inhibition and free rotation of the radical. 40 spin-labeled samples of cotton filaments and their mutants by the radicals II-IX chemically bound by the cellulose hydroxyl group were obtained. From ESR spectra strong inhibition of iminoxyl radical was established which was the evidenced of high rigidity of disordered regions of cellulose. Conformational changes of cotton cellulose grown from seeds exposed to different doses of gamma-irradiation.     

Cyclic AMP response in cells exposed to electric fields of different frequencies and intensities

The action on intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) of therapeutically used 4000-Hz electric fields was investigated and compared with 50-Hz data. Cultured mouse fibroblasts were exposed for 5 minutes to 4000-Hz sine wave internal electric fields between 3 mV/m and 30 V/m applied within culture medium. A statistically significant decrease in cellular cAMP concentration relative to unexposed cells was observed for fields higher than 10 mV/m. The drop in cAMP was most pronounced at lower field strengths (71 % of controls at 30 mV/m) and tended to disappear at higher field strengths. An increase of cAMP content was observed with 50-Hz electric fields, as was also the case when 4000-Hz fields were modulated with certain low frequencies.     

Benthic foraminifera associated with a hydrocarbon seep in the Rockall Trough (NE Atlantic)

Recent benthic foraminiferal assemblages in surface sediments of the Rockall Trough (NE Atlantic) have been qualitatively and quantitatively studied in order to investigate the effects of hydrocarbon seepage on benthic foraminiferal populations. Species diversity and abundance data have been examined in samples of similar lithology collected from hydrocarbon seep and non-seep (control) areas at a water depth of about 1000 m. Three species groups with different environmental preferences can be recognized. Group 1 dominates seep samples, and includes species tolerant to hydrocarbon emission, especially Angulogerina bradyana. In contrast, the less tolerant Group 2 species are weakly represented at seeps but dominate control samples. Group 3 species occur in low frequencies in both seep and non-seep samples. Furthermore, the measurement of species diversity (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices) demonstrates a difference in foraminiferal occurrence and frequencies between the seep and non-seep sites. Thus, the benthic foraminiferal distribution pattern is guided by different sensitivities of the species to hydrocarbons, reduced bottom-water oxygen usually associated with seepage and/or to a relatively elevated organic matter content in the sediment.     

Effect of high-density extremely low frequency magnetic field on sister chromatid exchanges in mouse m5S cells

The induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was evaluated in the cultured mouse m5S cells after exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF; 5, 50 and 400 mT). Exposure to 5 mT and 50 mT ELFMF led to a very small increase in the frequency of SCEs, but no significant difference was observed between exposed and unexposed control cells. The cells exposed to 400 mT ELFMF exhibited a significant elevation of the SCE frequencies. There was no significant difference between data from treatments with mitomycin-C (MMC) alone and from combined treatments of MMC plus ELFMF (400 mT) at any MMC concentrations from 4 to 40 nM. These results suggest that exposure to highest-density ELFMF of 400 mT may induce DNA damage, resulting in an elevation of the SCE frequencies. We suppose that there may be a threshold for the elevation of the SCE frequencies, that is at least over the magnetic density of 50 mT.     

Effect of high-density extremely low frequency magnetic field on sister chromatid exchanges in mouse m5S cells

The induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was evaluated in the cultured mouse m5S cells after exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF; 5, 50 and 400 mT). Exposure to 5 mT and 50 mT ELFMF led to a very small increase in the frequency of SCEs, but no significant difference was observed between exposed and unexposed control cells. The cells exposed to 400 mT ELFMF exhibited a significant elevation of the SCE frequencies. There was no significant difference between data from treatments with mitomycin-C (MMC) alone and from combined treatments of MMC plus ELFMF (400 mT) at any MMC concentrations from 4 to 40 nM. These results suggest that exposure to highest-density ELFMF of 400 mT may induce DNA damage, resulting in an elevation of the SCE frequencies. We suppose that there may be a threshold for the elevation of the SCE frequencies, that is at least over the magnetic density of 50 mT.