1979 - persinger - studies (1973-1978) on the biological effects of low and extremely low frequency...

7/30/2019 1979 - Persinger - Studies (1973-1978) on the Biological Effects of Low and Extremely Low Frequency Electromag

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F ~ f S ' t J ~ + ~ L I 7 _ V ( ) ( ~ I~ Lv ,Tw-.-.(u ~ (Eel" ). 1C,?i t J ~ y ~

Studies (1973-1978) on the Biological Effectsof Low and Extremely Low FrequenCyElectromagnetic Fields

M.A. Persinger, LlIurentUJn University, ClIna"

\\'hen presented with an apparently insoluble and complex methodological problem, a normal and predictable human behaviour is an allor-nothing response: to reject the phenomenon totally or to acceptit without question. Various fonns emotional behaviors, typicallydisplayed in the midst of these phenomena, reduce even further thescientist's ability to discriminate the essential stimulus operationsand to evaluate objective changes. Such counterproductive behaviors,antagonized by recent political, popular and psychological factors,have complicated essential research of extremely low frequency (ELF)electromagnetic (EM) field effects. Any review of work generatedduring 1973-1978 must be evaluated carefully according to precisemethodology and absolute changes rather than general conclusionssuch as 'effect or no f f e c t ' .The ELF label has been used to designate e l e c t r o m a g n e ~ i c fieldwaves of 10 Hz 1 kHz (0.01 Hz-I0 kHz) or pulses within tnis rangefrom higher frequency waves (Persinger, Ludwig and Ossenkopp, 1973).Traditionally, general biometeorological interest in these particular EM. phenomena reflected their: (1) occurrence during various geophysicalmeteorological conditions, (2) unusual penetrability and propagationproperties, and (3) similarity to EM patterns generated by living systemsincluding man.Biometeorological-relevant ELF research before 1973 (Persinger,1974) displayed a rich variety of experimental frequencies, intensities(1 nT-lOOmT and 1 mV/m-l00V/m) and wave forms. Unfortunately,'Editor, ~ o t e : A summary of the major studies on biological effects of EM fieldsdurinllhe period 1965-1970 was given by Reiter. In Progress in Humlln Biomet6-oro/og)' Pan IA. (ed. S.W. Tromp) Swetl Ie Zeitlinger Publ. Co., Am.terdam/Lille.1974,52-35 and 529-554.


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BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LOW FREQUENCY EM FIELDSwithin the rich variety, there is little reliable substance. Most of theexperiments (i) did not specify elementary (and essential) methodological details, (ii) utilized gross or multiconfounded measurements and(iii) generally appear as fragments of singular hypothesis testing ratherthan a systematic approach. The field is still kaleidoscopic.

In the last six years, the texture of ELF research has been influencednotably by three m ~ i n factors: First social concerns, specifically the USNavy's Project Sanguine (Seafarer) and ELF-EM generating 10000 km1grid system, and p'otential deleterious consequences of high voltageHz power l i n ~ s ; second, the use of operant behavioral methodsof measurement; and third, a rene\ved interest in 'electromagneticmedicine' for treatment of specific human disorders. Several episodesof media-induced paranoia associated with alleged untoward effectsfrom ELF pulses of MHz signals generated by other countries wereevoked in the USA and Canada by individuals not conversant withthe scientific literature.Ten reviews or general articles concerned primarily with pulsedELF signals or high power sources have been published during thisperiod (e.g. Bridges, 1978; ~ f a r i n o and Becker, 1977; Milroy, O'Gradyand Prince, 1974). The most negative summary of ELF-EM effectswas the Report of the Committee of 'Biosphere Effects of Extremely.Low-Frequency Radiation', published by the National Academy ofSciences (1977) pursuant to a contract with the US Navy. Allegedlya critical summary of the present status of ELF work, the documentcontains an extraordinary bias: if a single study did not fmd anyELF effect, then there is no effect; if a single 'study did report anELF effect, then there is no effect.Three general data patterns have emerged from the ELF literature.The effects of near-natural intensities (nT-pT) or supranCltural intensities (pT-I0 mT) upon normal adult animals are (i) very "small, ifpresent, (ii) can be masked easily by many routine experimental procedures, and (ii.i) comparable in magnitude to a multitude of background stimuli. For example, research in this laboratory indicatedclearly that 5-day exposures of 40 adult male rats to 0;5 Hz magneticfields between 10 nT and IpT variation did not influence significantly:(i) any of 20 different blood measures determined automatically by

c o ~ p u t e r (Persinger et al., 1978a), and (ii) circulating blood T3 andthyroxine levels or thyroid follicle and mast cell numbers (Lafreniereand Persinger, 1978). Similarly, 48 adult female rats exposed for 10days to 0.5 Hz variations between O.lIlT and 1 mT displayed no dis-cernible changes in thyroid morphology or other tissue wet weights(Persinger, Lafreniere and Carrey. 1978b). Significant i n t e ~ c t i o n sbetween pre-exposure housing conditions and ELF-EM field intensitieswere evident for serum glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase activityand for thyroid and spleen weights in these studies.


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M.A. PERSINGERA continuation of this pattern has been noted in human and non

human beha"ioral measurements recorded during acute (short.term)ELF exposures. In fact, the earlier reports by Konig (1971) and byHamer (1968), who reported significant changes in reaction time (RT)during 2-12 Hz, 1-4 VIm field presentations, have not been replicateddearly by other experimenters. Persinger Lafreniere and ~ f a i n p r i z e(1975) exposed 70 male and female human subjects during -lOminsessions to successive 10 min presentations of either 3 Hz or 10 Hztlectric fields of 3.0 VIm, 0.3 VIm or sham conditions. No statisticallysignificant d i f C e r e n c e ~ in mean RT were associated with any of thefidd conditions; in fact, 99% of the variance in mean RTs could beexplained by: (i) duration within the experimental paradigm, (ii)indi,"idual differences, (iii) sex differences and (iv) RT stimulus (a light)presentation pattern. The last three factors plus field condition didcontribute to the standard deviation of RTs in a small but significant

m a n n e ~ ".-\s aptly stated by de Lorge many times, the more controlled thebeha\;oral paradigm, the less likely any ELF-associated efCects areobsened. There is a dear difference between the earlier anecdotalexperiments used to prove personal hYPQtheses and systematic research,as de Lorge's research d ~ m o n s t r a t e s . In a series of \vell designed andexecuted experiments involving monkeys, rats and pigeons exposedCor periods of hours up to days to a variety of ELF frequencies(7- i5 Hz) and intensities (0.1-10 mT ; 1-30 VIm), de Lorge and hiscolleagues (de Lorge and Grissett, 1977) have found no reliable changein the se\'eral operant measures employed.Although nonnal adult mammals have not responded systctnaticallyto experimental E L F - E ~ 1 fields, some aquatic or avian species havedisplayed reliable effects. The motility o r protozoa (Friend, Finchand Schwan, 1915). and the mitosis of Inicroplasmodia from slimemold (Goodman, Greenbaum and ~ f a r r o n , ~ 9 7 6 ) have s h o \ ~ ' n alterations during applications of EL F fields around 1VIm and ' O . l mT.Se,"era! experiments by Southern (1975) and Larkin and Keeton (1976)strongly indicate that ELFEM fields affect bird orienting responses.\\Ohether these changes reflect real species differences or methodologicalapproaches has no t been e\'aluated.

The second general pattern of ELF data originates Crom experimentsin\'oh'cd \\;th field parameters far exceeding typical meteorgenic ELF\"alucs or forms, specifically: (i) 50 or 60 Hz fields comparable toenergy ,"alues of several kV1m, and (ii) energetic miCrOW3\'C or radiofrequencies pulsed within ELF ranges. The majority of ,,


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BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LOW FR1.QUENCY E:\l FIELl)Salterations in body weight and several blood measures characteristicof general 'stressors'.

The microwave-pulsing approach is typified by the experiments ofAdey and colleagues (Bawin, G a v a l a s ~ l e d i c i and Adey, 1973) whofound that 147 MHz, 1.0 m\V/cm 1 fields,' amplitude modulated at0.5-30 Hz (ELF pulses) elicited obvious post-exposurc electroencephalographic changes in cats. Although both lines of research offer excitingchallenges to the general problems of electromagnetic noise in thetwenty-first century, and, especially the unspecified complications ofmicrowave power applied in ELF pulses to the nervous system, theyare secondary to the scope of classical biometeorology. SynergisnlSbetween man-made EM noise and geophysical-nlcteorological ELFfields are a theoretical necessity; their practical demonstration is anenlpirical nightmare.

A renewed interest in 'electromagnetic medicine" a concept thathas been entertained and discarded several times within western culture,comprises the third data pattern. The implicit assumptions of mostlnagnetotherapies is that fields normalize or reduce symptoms oflow-level heterostasis, typical of those paired to weather changes.G.cneral discussions of this concept have been published by Ludwig(1977) and Von \Varnke (1978).Space does not permit proper evaluation of the many laboratoriesin Europe, Asia and North America invoJved \\ith some form ofweather-related ELF magnetotherapies. One of the more serious seriesof experiments has been conducted by Ludwig and his colleagues.Displaying a rare in tegration of theoretical conception, technicaldevelopment and experimental testing, Ludwig has: (i) used specialelectromagnetic screening to evaluate the contribution of ambientatmospherics to arthritic complaints (Lud\vig, 1973), (ii) developedportable, pocket-size$1 ELF generators to allow greater mobility ofexperimental subjects, and (iii) tested the therapeutic value of weatherlike ELF pulses (Ehrmann et al 1976). Although Ludwig and hisInedical colleagues appear conversant with placebo problems andutilized blind controls in their procedures, the extraordinary sensith'ityof the sYlnptoms most influenced by magnetotherapy of a multitudeof non-verbal cues must temper generalization at this time. Replicationof these effects in several different laboratories, preferably by experimenters negative to ELF magnetotherapy is essential.The introduction of one final major concept - pharmacologicalenhancement - could change the probationary 'status of ELF fieldsas biometeorologically relevant stimuli. This operation assumes thatsome optimal drug treatment to living systems before or during thepresentation of elsewise ineffective ELF fields. \vill enhance negligibleorganismic alterations to large and replicable mab'llitudes. Until this

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M.A. PERSINGERphenomenon is demonstrated, however, ELF effects in biometeorology must remain within the vast heterogenous pool of lo\\levelb a c k g r o ~ n d stimuli that occasionally emerge from the normal \'ari.ability of biobehavioral measurements.

REFERENCESBawin, S . ~ I . . Gavalu-Medici, R J. and Adey, W.R. (1973) Effects of modulated

"cry high frequency fields on specific brain rhythms in cats. Brain Res. 58, 365-~ 8 4 .BridlCl. J.E. (1978) Environmental consideration concerning the biological effectsof power frequency (50 or 60 Hz) electric field . IEEE Trans. Pown Apparatuslind Systems 27. 19-52.

(I t Lalle, J.O. and Grissett, J.D. (1977) Behavioral effects in monkeys exposed toextrelDcl)'low frequency electromagnetic field Int. ). Biometeor. 21,357-365.EhrmannJ.; W Leitner, H., Ludwig. W., Persinger, M.A., Sodtke, W. and Thomas, R.Theopie mit ELF-Magnetfeldem. Z. Plays. Med. 5.161-170.

friend, A.W., Finch. .0. and Schwan, H.P. (1975) Low frequency electric fieldindaced change. in the shape and motility of amoebas. Science 187,357-359.Goodman, E.M., Greenbaum, B. and Marron, M.T. (1976) Effects of extremely lowfrequeDC)' electromagnetic fields on P h y ~ a r u m polycephalum. Radiat. Res. 66,5S1-54O.Hamer, J.R. (1968) Effects of low level, low frequency electric fields on humanreaction time. CO,",""rI. BelatllJ. Bioi. 2,217-222.

Ko0ia. H.L. (1971) Biological effects of extremely low frequency electrical phenomena in the atmosphere.}. Intndisc;pl. Cycle Res. 2.317-323.Lafrmiere. G.F. and Persinler, M.A. (1979) Thyroid morphology and activity doesnot respond to ELF electromagnet ic field exposures. Experie7ltia 35,561-562.Larkin, T.S. and Keeton, W.T. (1976) Bar magnets mask the effect of normal magnetic diSiurbances on pigeon orientation. J. Comp. Physioi. 110, 227 -251.Ludwil . H.\\'. (197S) Wirkunl einer nachtlichen Abschirmung der elektrischen

feldstuke bei Rheumatikcm. Arcla. Met. Geoph. BioJdim. Sere B. 21, 505-511.Ludwil. H.W. (l977) Biologische Vertraglichkeit elektromagnetischer Felder. BulLSd.&i:erisclan Elel'; 'otechn. Verein 18.941-946.~ b . r i n o , A . .and Becker, R.O. (1977) Biological effects of extremely low fr;equencyelectric and mapetic fields: a review. Physiol. Chem. Physics 9, 131-1'7.

~ I a r i n o t A.A Beraer. TJ. , Austin. B.P., Becker. R.O. and Hart, F.X. (1977) In vivobioelectrochemical changes associated with exposure to extremely Jow frequencyelectric fields. Physiol. Chem. Physics 9, 453-441.~ l i l r o y . W.C O'Grady. T.C. and Prince, E.T. (1974) Electromagnetic pulse radiation: a potential biological hazard? }. Microwave Power 9, 213-218,Pefsinser, M.A. (1974) ELF Electric and magnetic field effects: the patterns andproblems. In ELF 4nd VLF Electromagnetic Field Effects. (ed. M.A.

Pcoinler) Plenum Press, New York, pp. 275-510.PCTSinacr. M.A., Ludwig. H.W. and Olsenkopp, K-P (1973) Psychophysiologicaleffects of extremely low frequency ciectrolDalnetic fields: a review. Pt'rcept. 10'. Sicills 36. 1151-1159.PcrsinIU. ~ I . A Lafreniere, G.F. and Mainprize, D.N. (1975) Human reaction timevariability chanles from low inten.ity S-Hz and 10-Hz electric fields: interactionswith IUlDulu. pattern. sex and field intensity. Int. }. Biometeor. 19.56-64.

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BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LOW FREQUENCY EM FIELDSPeninger, M.A., Carrey, N.C., Lafreniere, G.F. and Mazzuchin, A. (1978a) Thirtyeight blood. tislue and consumptive ' measures from rats exposed perinatally and

al adulU to 0.5 Hz magnetic fields. Int. J. Biometeor. 22, 21S-226.Persinger, M.A.. Lafreniere, G.F. and Carrey, NJ. (1978b) Thyroid morphologyand wet organ weight changes in rata exposed to different low intenlity 0.5 Hzmagnetic fields and pre-experimental caging conditions. Int. J. Biometeor. 2267-75.Southern. W.E. (1975) Orientation of gull chicks exposed to Project Sanguine'selectromagnetic field. Science 18:J 143-145.Von Warnke, U. (1978) Aspekte" zur magnetischen Kraftwirkung auf biologischeSysteme. Die Heil Kunst 91 1-12.

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1979 - persinger - studies (1973-1978) on the biological effects of low and extremely low frequency...

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