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Comparison Between Two Models for Interactions Between Electric and Magnetic Fields and Proteins in Cell Membranes

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Author

Summary, in English

Investigations on exposure to electromagnetic have generated conflicting results both in epidemiological and laboratory studies, leaving their possible health consequences largely inconclusive. One of the well-reported reasons for the discrepancies is that there is no generally accepted theory to describe the interactions between the very weak electromagnetic fields and the living cells. This work presents a critical evaluation of three theories that describes the effects of weak electromagnetic fields on channel proteins in the cell membrane. The forced ion vibration model appears to explain the opening of ion channel proteins for exposures to low-frequency magnetic fields in the mili-Tesla range. No resonance frequencies or amplitude window effects are predicted in this method. We identify inconsistencies in the forced vibration model and show that the environmental magnetic fields that would be required to elicit opening of channel proteins are much stronger than predicted by the proposers of this model. The Ion Parametric Resonance model predicts a biological response at well-defined resonance frequencies for magnetic fields exceeding about 10 micro-Tesla. The oscillating magnetic field is assumed to act on proteins together with the earth's static magnetic field. This model predicts amplitude windows. We explain how a purely magnetic interaction, where in a two-stage ion magnetic resonance model, the conformation of a protein is changed under the influence of ions attached to its surface, which in turn, changes the function of the protein, can overcome the inherent signal-to-noise problem caused by electric thermal noise. The hydrogen nuclear polarization model predicts a biological response for oscillating magnetic field strengths above 0.1 micro-Tesla. The presence of a static magnetic field is required, and biological effects can be expected for frequencies below a few hundred hertz. All models except the forced vibration model can be applied for amplitude modulated microwaves.

Publishing year

2009

Language

English

Pages

1473-1480

Publication/Series

Environmental Engineering Science

Volume

26

Issue

10

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Topic

  • Neurology
  • Radiology and Medical Imaging
  • Surgery

Keywords

  • High Voltage Power Lines
  • Base Stations
  • electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure
  • Mobile Phones
  • Interaction Models
  • Biological Effects

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1092-8758