The standardization of experimental investigations of biological effects of low frequency electric and magnetic fields

Many investigations show that electric and magnetic fields of low frequency may cause biological effects. However, the results of experiments differ considerably. In this paper, possible reasons for the limited reproducibility are pointed out, i.e., problems of generation, detection and definition of artificial fields. In particular, it is shown mathematically that the usual statements of electric field intensity are strongly misleading. The actual intensity is proportional to the ratio of the object height and the electrode distance as well as to the thinness of the object. Recommendations for the standardization of future investigations are given.