A study in the journal Applied Sciences describes a low-cost, computer-controlled generator built to expose cells to 50 Hz extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields. Researchers at two Turkish universities exposed bone-cancer cells and healthy bronchial cells to magnetic flux densities of 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 millitesla, then measured cell viability a day later.
In the cancer cells, viability fell significantly at the two highest intensities, but in the healthy cells only the strongest field produced a significant drop. The authors read this as a sign that the fields reduced the growth of the cancer cells more than the healthy cells, and suggest magnetic fields might become a way to slow this type of cancer cell. The intensities used are far above everyday environmental exposure.
Quotes
"This study aimed to develop a low-cost, computer-controlled, extremely low-frequency 50 Hz electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) generator and to investigate the effects of EMF exposure at intensities of 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 mT (millitesla) on human osteosarcoma (U2OS) and healthy bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cell lines."
"A significant decrease in cell viability was observed in U2OS cells exposed to 5 and 10 mT EMFs (p< 0.05), whereas no significant difference was detected at 0.1 and 1 mT exposures (p> 0.05)."
"In BEAS-2B cells, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed only following exposure to 10 mT EMFs (p< 0.05), with no significant differences at 0.1, 1, or 5 mT exposures."
"These findings suggest that 50 Hz EMFs may affect cellular processes and inhibit the proliferation of U2OS cancer cells more than that of BEAS-2B cells."
"EMFs with specific frequencies and intensities may represent a novel approach for controlling the growth of U2OS cancer cells."
Location
📍 Turkey
Design and Realization of an ELF-EMF Generator and Effects of Different Magnetic Flux Densities on Cancerous and Healthy Cell Viability
Avci F, Agrali E, Alkis ME, Yaman O, Çavas M (2026) Applied Sciences Journal Level 1ⓘ
