Survey of Extra-Low Frequency and Very-Low Frequency Magnetic Fields in Cell Culture Incubators

TL;DR

This survey investigates the magnetic field levels inside and outside 46 cell culture incubators, revealing significant variability and generally high magnetic fields that could impact biomedical experiments, especially those involving cancer cells.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive measurement of magnetic fields in a large sample of cell culture incubators, highlighting the variability and potential biological impact.

Findings

Most incubators had magnetic fields >0.2 microT.

85% of incubators had fields >1 microT.

Magnetic field levels varied widely among units.

Abstract

A typical cell culture CO2 incubator was probed in detail to document the pattern of 60-Hz magnetic fields (MFs) inside the unit, as well as the ability of the incubator to attenuate environmental MFs. Subsequently, a survey of 46 cell culture incubators was performed. The survey measured MFs outside and inside the incubators, the frequency spectrum between 5 and 2000 Hz, and variations over time of the 60-Hz MF. Our measurements show an uneven spatial distribution, reflecting electronic and electrical components hidden within the walls. Attenuation of environmental MFs varied between 18 % and 33 %, signalling easy penetration into the units. MF levels, frequency spectra and variations over time were very different from one unit to the next. All 46 incubators surveyed had an average field greater than 0.2 microT; among them, 39 (85 %) had an average field greater than 1 microT. There is substantial work to be done in improving control over the MF environment of in vitro experiments in bio-medicine, particularly if they involve cancer cells.