No influence of short-term exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields on cognitive performance function in human.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether 50-Hz magnetic fields acutely influence cognitive performance function in humans.


METHODS
The exposure experiment was conducted in a wooden room with three-axis coils. Twenty young subjects were exposed to circularly polarized 50-Hz/20-mu T magnetic fields for 55 min, during which they were requested to perform four cognitive performance tests for evaluation of simple reaction time, time and accuracy of choice reaction, time perception, and figure perception.


RESULTS
No subject detected the existence of the field. Statistical analysis revealed no significant influence of the exposure on the results of the tests.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the occupational environment are unlikely to interfere with human brain function so much as to lower working efficiency or accuracy.
Kurokawa
Yoshika
Y
NAtional Institute for Environmnetal Studies, Ibaraki, Japan. kurokawa@nies.go.jp
Nitta
Hiroshi
H
Imai
Hideki
H
Kabuto
Michinori
M
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000528:radiation effects