Chronic 60-Hz electric field exposure-induced subtle bioeffects on hematology

The effects of 120 days of high-intensity (80-kV/m) 60-Hz electric field exposure on hematologic constituents were investigated using a three-generation design including 135 field-exposed and 135 sham-exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats. Statistical tests performed included the multivariate analysis of variance, the univariate analysis of variance, and tests of simple effects. Total white cell count, lymphocyte count, and eosinophil count were significantly lower in field-exposed subjects; however, none of the red cell parameters differed significantly. The observed hematologic variations related to the exposure of a high-intensity electric field are consistent with those observed in animals responding to a mild stressor.