title: Effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields on teenagers and adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As use of electrical devices has increased, social concerns about the possible effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic fields on human health have increased. Accordingly, the number of people who complain of various symptoms such as headache and insomnia has risen. Many previous studies of the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure on children have focused on the occurrence of childhood leukaemia and central nervous system cancers. However, very few provocation studies have examined the health effects of ELF magnetic fields on teenagers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind study, we simultaneously investigated physiological changes (heart rate, respiration rate, and heart rate variability), subjective symptoms, and magnetic field perception to determine the reliable effects of 60 Hz 12.5 μT magnetic fields on teenagers. Two volunteer groups of 30 adults and 30 teenagers were tested with exposure to sham and real magnetic fields for 32 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ELF magnetic field exposure did not have any effects on the physiological parameters or eight subjective symptoms in either group. Neither group correctly perceived the magnetic fields.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physiological data were analysed, subjective symptoms surveyed, and the percentages of those who believed they were being exposed were measured. No effects were observed in adults or teenagers resulting from 32 min of 60 Hz 12.5 μT magnetic field exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Kean
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Lim
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Min Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Joon Yul
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Deok Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D056910:Republic of Korea; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055815:Young Adult