Regularly scheduled, day-time, slow-onset 60 Hz electric and magnetic field exposure does not depress serum melatonin concentration in nonhuman primates

Experiments conducted with laboratory rodents indicate that exposure to 60 Hz electric fields or magnetic fields can suppress nocturnal melatonin concentrations in pineal gland and blood. In three experiments employing three field‐exposed and three sham‐exposed nonhuman primates, each implanted with an indwelling venous cannula to allow repeated blood sampling, we studied the effects of either 6 kV/m and 50 μT (0.5 G) or 30 kV/m and 100 μT (1.0 G) on serum melatonin patterns. The fields were ramped on and off slowly, so that no transients occurred. Extensive quality control for the melatonin assay, computerized control and monitoring of field intensities, and consistent exposure protocols were used. No changes in nocturnal serum melatonin concentration resulted from 6 weeks of day‐time exposure with slow field onset/offset and a highly regular exposure protocol. These results indicate that, under the conditions tested, day‐time exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields in combination does not result in melatonin suppression in primates. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.