Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The Effect of Chronic Exposure to 835.62 MHz FDMA or 847.74 MHz CDMA Radiofrequency Radiation on the Incidence of Spontaneous Tumors in Rats med./bio.

Published in: Radiat Res 2003; 160 (2): 143-151

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To determine whether chronic exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cellular phones increased the incidence of spontaneous tumors in rats.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 835.62 MHz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 4 h/day, 5 days/week, over two years
  • power: 1.5 W average over time (± 0.25 W)
  • SAR: 1.3 W/kg average over time (brain) (± 0.5 W/kg)
Exposure 2: 847.74 MHz
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 4 h/day, 5 days/week, over two years
  • power: 1.5 W average over time (± 0.25 W)
  • SAR: 1.3 W/kg average over time (brain) (± 0.5 W/kg)

General information

Rats were randomly placed into three groups: Sham, FDMA exposure and CDMA exposure.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 835.62 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 4 h/day, 5 days/week, over two years
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

FMCW, FDMA

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber The design of the exposure equipment has been described in [Moros et al., 1998]. Four chamberettes designed for the exposure of 40 rats each were equipped with four carousels (pseudo-random placement) and four central (standard telecom) antennas providing the EMF signal.
Setup A rat was placed in a clear acrylic restraint cylinder (four different sizes) and a retainer piece was secured to the back of the device. Ten restraint devices were then arranged symmetrically around the antenna on a carousel in the same (initially randomised) sequence every day. Any partially filled trays (due to died or killed rats) were completed with equivalent phantoms.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 1.5 W average over time measured - ± 0.25 W
SAR 1.3 W/kg average over time measured brain ± 0.5 W/kg

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 847.74 MHz
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 4 h/day, 5 days/week, over two years
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

O-QPSK modulated, centered around 847.74 MHz, and spread over 1.288 MHz, CDMA

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 1.5 W average over time measured - ± 0.25 W
SAR 1.3 W/kg average over time measured brain ± 0.5 W/kg

Reference articles

  • Moros EG et al. (1999): Compact shielded exposure system for the simultaneous long-term UHF irradiation of forty small mammals. II. Dosimetry
  • Moros EG et al. (1998): A compact shielded exposure system for the simultaneous long-term UHF irradiation of forty small mammals: I. Electromagnetic and environmental design

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

There were no significant differences among final survival days or body weights for either males or females in any group. No significant differences were found between treated and sham-exposed rats for any tumor in any organ. The authors conclude that chronic exposure to FDMA or CDMA radiofrequency radiation had no significant effect on the incidence of spontaneous tumors in rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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