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

• 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.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

High Voltage Power Lines

Base Stations

electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure

Mobile Phones

Interaction Models

Biological Effects

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