26. Evaluation of Electrochemical Information Transfer System I. Effect of Electric Fields on Living Organisms. A.A. Marino, T.J. Berger, B.P. Austin, & R.O. Becker. J. Electrochem. Soc. 123: 1199-1200, 1976.

The concepts of electrochemical information transfer occurring at membrane interfaces in biological systems (1,2) imply that exposure of living organisms or cells to electromagnetic fields will produce nonthermal effects. In view of the widespread alteration of the electrical environment produced by electrical power transmission facilities, the question of a resultant biological effect becomes significant. A preliminary study involving chronic exposure of rats to 60 Hz, 150 V/cm, electric fields is reported herein. Our object was to determine whether such exposure would; (i) act as a body stressor, i.e. , direct grandular (cell) effect, (ii) affect the blood proteins, i.e., the cells which produce them, (iii) affect the growth rate of immature animals. To these ends we measured the concentration of serum corticoids, the relative distribution of serum proteins, and body weight.