Study type:
Medical/biological study
(experimental study)
Exposure to radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz, GSM signal) does not affect micronucleus frequency and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: an interlaboratory study
med./bio.
By:
Scarfi MR, Fresegna AM, Villani P, Pinto R, Marino C, Sarti M, Altavista P, Sannino A, Lovisolo GA
Genotoxic effects were evaluated in lymphocytecultures from 10 healthydonors. Positive controls were provided by using mitomycin C (0.033 µg/ml). Two research groups were involved in the study: one at ENEA, Rome, and the other at CNR-IREA, Naples. Each laboratory tested five donors, and the resulting slides were scored by both laboratories.
The exposure system consisted of four WPCs, each fed by a different power level in a blinded procedure. Two WPCs shielded by metal grid boxes were placed in each of two incubators (5% CO2 and 95% air). Each WPC or at least each incubator had a dummy culturePetri dish for temperature measurement.
Setup
The WPC [Laval et al., 2000] consisted of two parallel plates (15 x 15 x 2.9 cm³), short-circuited at the edges by four posts. The outer conductor of the RF supply coaxial cable was connected to the top plate, and the inner conductor was connected to the ground plane. The temperature of the exposed samples was maintained at 36.9 ± 0.5°C by spiral coils with circulating water positioned on each plate. Four 35-mm Petri dishes containing 3 ml of diluted blood were placed inside the cell where the E-field distribution was quite uniform.
Six conditions were tested in duplicate: RFexposure at peak SARs of 0 (sham), 1, 5 and 10 W/kg, a positive (MMC-treated) control, and a negative (unexposed and untreated) control. Positive and negative controls were kept for 24 h in a third CO2incubator at 37°C.
The data revealed no genotoxic or cytotoxic effects in the range of SAR values investigated. These findings were confirmed by two reserach groups and when the same slides were scored by two operators.
Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, USA
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