A system for simultaneous exposure of small animals to 60-Hz electric and magnetic fields |
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Authors: | J W Baum A V Kuehner R D Benz A L Carsten |
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Institution: | Department of Nuclear Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000. |
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Abstract: | Equipment designed for simultaneous exposure of rodents to 60-Hz electric and magnetic fields is described. Three identical systems were constructed, each capable of continuous exposure of 256 rats or 640 mice to a nominal electric field at less than 50 kV/m, and to horizontal and vertical magnetic fields at less than 1 mT. Design features, construction details, and results of various tests of the systems are described. Tests were made: of phase relations between electric and magnetic fields; of uniformity of electric and magnetic fields; of changes across time in electric-field intensity as a result of animals' soiling of cages and various washing routines; of resistance of bedding material during humid and dry conditions; and of acoustic noise due to background, to field-generation equipment, and to air conditioning equipment. The results demonstrated that fields were effectively generated but that significant and troublesome changes in electric-field intensity occurred because of cage-soiling. However, when cages were frequently cleaned, field intensities were consistent from one exposure to another. |
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Keywords: | 60-Hz electric magnetic exposure apparatus rodents |
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