27. Biophysics of Animal Response to an Electrostatic Field. F.X. Hart and A.A. Marino. J. Biol. Phys. 4: 123-143, 1976.

Numerous reports have described biological effects in animals exposed to electrostatic fields. Present equilibrium theory does not envision such effects because the bulk conductivity of biological tissue is generally held to prevent penetration of the applied electric field. Employing a two-layer mathematical model of an animal exposed to an electrostatic field we show that if the transient response of the animal is considered, the electric fields of significant strength and periodicity can occur inside the animal. We show also that the total energy available to an animal in an electrostatic field is extraordinarily small, and therefore that the biological effects associated with such exposure are not energetically driven by the applied field.