The effects of air ions on brain levels of serotonin in mice

Krueger, A. P.; Kotaka, S.

doi:10.1007/bf02329576

Cited by 39 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…This is part of the electro-chemical process by which nerves can communicate with adjacent cells and other tissues. A number of early studies suggested that exposure to positive air ions decreased the levels of serotonin in brain, while negative ions increased serotonin levels (Krueger and Kotaka, 1969;Gilbert, 1973;Diamond et al, 1980). These effects were reported to occur at exposure levels ranging fiom 3000 ions/cm3 for 100 days to 500,000 ions/cm3 for periods ranging fiom 12 hours to 20 days.…”

Section: Serotonin Metabolismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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HVDC power transmission environmental issues review

Bailey¹,

Weil²,

Stewart³

1997

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Thii report has been reproduced directly from the best available copy. Available to the public from the National Technical Information Servii, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22 16 1.This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nof any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal l i b i l i i or responsibili for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disdosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. DISCLAIMER IntroductionEnvironmental issues are addressed in the permitting process of every transmission line project, whether it be a new line or an upgrade of an existing line. In recent years, the most controversial issue associated with alternating current lines is the potential effects of electromagnetic fields on human health. However, environmental effects on animals, plant life and other electrical and communication systems also must be assessed in every case. Although different from ac lines, high voltage direct current (HVDC) lines also produce environmental effects that warrant review and assessment in every project. This report strives to define the various environmental effects associated with HVDC lines, discusses the current knowledge of their potential effects on biological and non-biological systems, and compares these effects associated with ac lines where appropriate. The Environment Near an Electric Power LineThe electrical environment of a high voltage transmission line can be characterized by three electrical parameters: 1) the electric field, 2) the air ion and charged aerosol concentration, and 3) the magnetic field. The electric field arises from both the electric charge on the conductors and for an HVDC transmission l i e , charges on air ions and aerosols surrounding the conductor.In addition, corona may also produce low levels of ozone, audible noise, electric field and radio interference. A magnetic field is produced by current flowing through the conductors. Summary of Key FindingsIons. Neither the animal nor human studies provide any reliable evidence for the proposition that air ions produce any harmful effects. In fact, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether there are any biological responses to air ions. At the levels produced by HVDC transmission lines, the possibility of risk to human health appears remote, if not vanishingly small. There are no published guidelines for maximum ex...

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Section: Serotonin Metabolismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ultimately, Krueger himself admitted that environmental factors other than air ions were probably involved (Krueger and Kotaka, 1969).…”

Section: Serotonin Metabolismmentioning

confidence: 99%

HVDC power transmission environmental issues review

Bailey¹,

Weil²,

Stewart³

1997

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“…Our study is most directly comparable to that of Krueger and Kotaka [1969] who examined the effects of acute exposure to either positive or negative air ions in concentrations ranging from 3 x 104 to 5 x 105 ions/ cm3. They reported a 7-11% reduction in 5HT levels in mouse brains at 12 and 72 hours after exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Acute exposure of rats to air ions: Effects on the regional concentration and utilization of serotonin in brain

Bailey¹,

Charry²

1987

Bioelectromagnetics

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Exposure to electrically charged gas molecules (air ions) has been reported to influence physiological and behavioral functions in animals and humans although there is controversy as to whether these findings are valid. A popular hypothesis concerning the reported effects of air ions is that alterations in serotonin (5HT) metabolism, particularly in the brain, are involved. We measured the concentration and turnover of 5HT in rats exposed to 5.0 X 10(5) ions/cm3 for up to 66 hours. Contrary to previous reports of other investigators, we were unable to demonstrate any effect of exposure to air ions or associated DC electric fields on the concentration or turnover of 5HT in rats under carefully controlled and characterized exposure conditions.

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“…Work at the University of California on short timescale influences on brain levels of serotonin in mice exposed, in perspex chambers, to artificial air ions (Krueger and Kotaka 1969) has been widely reported but could not be verified by Bailey and Charry (1987) using animal exposure chambers of grounded stainless steel ). These authors used a single sampling time in all their experiments (Bailey and Charry 1987;Charry and Bailey 1985), sampling 3 h after the end of the dark period.…”

Section: Air Ion Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This long-day treatment may be relevant to the magnitude of the reported effects, with a 20% reduction in brain serotonin and 45% reduction in body weight increase. The other studies considered here used 11-12 h daylengths, with both Krueger and Kotaka (1969) and Diamond et al (1980) using clear plastic animal housings. Only Charry and Bailey (1985) and Charry (1986, 1987) were unable to detect any significant effects resulting from exposure of rats to electrically altered environments, within grounded stainless steel exposure chambers.As noted by Charry (1984, p. 352), however, air ions will be attracted to grounded components of experimental apparatus.…”

Section: Air Ion Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and social impacts of electricity utilization: broadening the debate

Sidaway

2008

Environmentalist

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Exposure of small laboratory animals to powerfrequency high-voltage electric fields was reported to have endocrinological effects, including changes in pineal melatonin levels. It has been assumed that these results are directly attributable to electric-field effects, but this article suggests that air ionization, produced by corona activity at the animals' body surfaces, may have been biologically active and could be relevant to the interpretation of some epidemiological and other studies. Although presently a matter of dispute, there is evidence that atmospheric ionization may be biologically active and could provide an alternative explanation for at least some apparent electromagnetic field interactions with biological subjects. Consideration of the electricity utilization environment as a whole, rather than one selected component, could allow the introduction of lower-cost, precautionary and putative hazard remediation measures.

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The effects of air ions on brain levels of serotonin in mice

Cited by 39 publications

References 20 publications

HVDC power transmission environmental issues review

HVDC power transmission environmental issues review

Acute exposure of rats to air ions: Effects on the regional concentration and utilization of serotonin in brain

Environmental and social impacts of electricity utilization: broadening the debate

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