skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Immunological and biochemical effects of 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields in humans

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7189397· OSTI ID:7189397

Demand for electric energy increased at an annual average rate of 7.5% between 1912 and 1971. In order to meet this demand, utility companies have increased the number and size of their generating units and the operating voltages employed in overhead transmission lines. Recently public concern has been expressed about possible risks to human health, function, and well-being arising from exposure to the electric and magnetic fields associated with overhead transmission line voltage. The Department of Energy funded the present project to investigate the effects of 60-Hz electric and magnetic fields on critically important immunological, biochemical, and hematological variables. Inclusion of such variables will be of great value in assessing the effects of 60-Hz fields on human health and welfare, and will provide results comparable to ongoing animal studies. The scope of this project includes six major goals: development of systems for incorporating biochemistry, hematology, and immunology data collection into the procedures already developed for the performance and physiology study funded by the New York State Overhead Power Lines Project; development of sample tracking and quality assurance procedures for project data; methods development and setting up of all procedures for performing assays; collecting data; carrying out assays according to the procedures defined; and statistically evaluating and interpreting the effects of 60-Hz exposure on hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters. 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/CE
DOE Contract Number:
FC01-84CE76246
OSTI ID:
7189397
Report Number(s):
DOE/CE/76246-T6; ON: DE90012547
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English