BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS OF EXTREMELY-LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC-FIELDS

A description is given of the fundamental physical properties of extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields, and the mechanisms through which these fields interact with the human body at a macroscopic level. Evidence is presented that cell membranes play an important role in transducing ELF signals. Both experimental evidence and theoretical models are described that relate pericellular currents and electrochemical events at the outer membrane surface to transmembrane signaling pathways and cytoplasmic responses. Biological responses to ELF fields at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels are summarized, including new evidence that ELF field exposure produces alterations in messenger RNA synthesis, gene expression and the cytoplasmic concentrations of specific proteins.