Action potentials were recorded at four positions from frog sciatic nerves exposed to a constant magnetic field of 11.6 kilo-oersted. External electrodes arranged in pairs on segments of nerve oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the field permitted conduction velocity measurements to be expressed as a function of field orientation. An increase in conduction velocity was observed to be orientation dependent as was a latent period in its appearance. An aftereffect was noted that persisted to the end of the experiments. Possible mechanisms of action of the field are discussed in terms of current theories of impulse propagation. (Author).

The editors are pleased to present these Proceedings of the V Course of the "International School of Radiation Damage and Pro tection" of the "E. Majorana Centre", held in Erice (Italy) in No vember 1983. The lectures and discussions among leading scientists in various disciplines of physics, engineering, biophysics, cellular biology, physiology and medicine from 11 countries are included in this compilation. In this volume we have attempted to explore all aspects of the interaction of static and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF: 0-300 Hz) electric and magnetic fields with biological tissue, systems and whole organisms; we considered dosimetry and what is known or pre sumed concerning basic interactions, responses from the cellular and molecular level to the whole organism. Discussions of medical appli cations as well as epidemiologic investigations related to high volt age transmission were held with critiques of methodologies used and recommendations for future approaches. Consideration was also given to the necessity and principles of setting protection standards for man and the environment. We believe this is the first attempt to put all this informa tion together into one volume to provide perspective for understand ing the influence of static and ELF electric and magnetic fields on biological systems. We hope our attempts were successful. Martino Grandolfo Sol M. Michaelson Alessandro Rindi v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This is the Fifth Course of the International School of Radia tion Damage and Protection of the "Ettore Majorana" Centre for Sci entific Culture directed by Professor A. Zichichi.

Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? This volume assesses the data and draws conclusions about the consequences of human exposure to EMF. The committee examines what is known about three kinds of health effects associated with EMF: cancer, primarily childhood leukemia; reproduction and development; and neurobiological effects. This book provides a detailed discussion of hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization for each. Possible Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields also discusses the tools available to measure exposure, common types of exposures, and what is known about the effects of exposure. The committee looks at correlations between EMF exposure and carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, neurobehavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, effects on melatonin and other neurochemicals, and effects on bone healing and stimulated cell growth.