Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effect of exposure duration on the biological activity of mobile telephony radiation med./bio.

By: Panagopoulos DJ, Margaritis LH

Published in: Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2010; 699 (1-2): 17-22

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of different durations of a single, daily exposure (ranging from 1 min. up to 21 min.) to the two established digital mobile phone systems (GSM 900 MHz and DCS 1800 MHz), on the reproductive capacity of the insect Drosophila melanogaster.

Background/further details

Each exposure/sham exposure group consisted of ten female and ten male newly emerged flies kept in separate vials for the first 48 h. After the 48 h, when both males and females of each group were sexually mature, they were put together (10 pairs) in another glass vial and they were allowed to mate and lay eggs for the next 72 h.

Endpoint

effects on the reproductive system: reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster

Exposure

- TDMA
- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 1 min., 6 min., 11 min., 16 min. or 21 min./day on 5 days	magnetic flux density: 0.01 µT average over time (+/- 0.002 µT at a distance of 30 cm) power density: 10 µW/cm² average over time (+/- 2 µW/cm²) SAR: 0.795 W/kg average over time electric field strength: 0.6 V/m average over time (+/- 0.1 V/m at a distance of 30 cm)
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 1 min., 6 min., 11 min., 16 min. or 21 min./day on 5 days	SAR: 0.795 W/kg average over time magnetic flux density: 0.01 µT average over time (+/- 0.002 µT at a distance of 20 cm) electric field strength: 0.65 V/m average over time (+/- 0.12 V/m at a distance of 20 cm) power density: 11 µW/cm² average over time (+/- 3 µW/cm²)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 min., 6 min., 11 min., 16 min. or 21 min./day on 5 days

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	mobile phone in speaking mode (modulated)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	30 cm
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	0.01 µT	average over time	measured	-	+/- 0.002 µT at a distance of 30 cm
power density	10 µW/cm²	average over time	measured	-	+/- 2 µW/cm²
SAR	0.795 W/kg	average over time	measured	-	-
electric field strength	0.6 V/m	average over time	measured	-	+/- 0.1 V/m at a distance of 30 cm

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 min., 6 min., 11 min., 16 min. or 21 min./day on 5 days

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	mobile phone in speaking mode (modulated)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	20 cm
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.795 W/kg	average over time	measured	-	-
magnetic flux density	0.01 µT	average over time	measured	-	+/- 0.002 µT at a distance of 20 cm
electric field strength	0.65 V/m	average over time	measured	-	+/- 0.12 V/m at a distance of 20 cm
power density	11 µW/cm²	average over time	measured	-	+/- 3 µW/cm²

Reference articles

Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2010): The identification of an intensity 'window' on the bioeffects of mobile telephony radiation
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2010): Bioeffects of mobile telephony radiation in relation to its intensity or distance from the antenna
Macca I et al. (2008): Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in physiotherapy departments
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2007): Cell death induced by GSM 900-MHz and DCS 1800-MHz mobile telephony radiation
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2007): Comparison of bioactivity between GSM 900 MHz and DCS 1800 MHz mobile telephony radiation
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2004): Effect of GSM 900 MHz mobile phone radiation on the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster

Exposed system:

invertebrate
Drosophila melanogaster/Oregon-R

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the reproductive system: reproductive capacity (number of F1 pupae (corresponding to the number of laid eggs))

Investigated system:

pupae/laid eggs; ovarioles (parts of ovaries of insects)

Investigated organ system:

reproductive system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that the reproductive capacity decreased almost linearly with increasing exposure durations to both GSM 900 MHz and DCS 1800 MHz irradiation, suggesting that short-term exposures to these irradiations have cumulative effects on living organisms. Additionally, these results showed that GSM 900 MHz was slightly more bioactive than DCS 1800 MHz, at the same exposure durations and under equal irradiation intensities, as shown in previous experiments of the authors (see "related articels").

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Margaritis LH et al. (2014): Drosophila oogenesis as a bio-marker responding to EMF sources
Geronikolou S et al. (2014): Diverse radiofrequency sensitivity and radiofrequency effects of mobile or cordless phone near fields exposure in Drosophila melanogaster
Todorovic D et al. (2012): Effect of magnetic fields on antioxidative defense and fitness-related traits of Baculum extradentatum (insecta, phasmatodea)
Panagopoulos DJ (2012): Effect of microwave exposure on the ovarian development of Drosophila melanogaster
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2010): The identification of an intensity 'window' on the bioeffects of mobile telephony radiation
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2010): Bioeffects of mobile telephony radiation in relation to its intensity or distance from the antenna
Chavdoula ED et al. (2010): Comparison of biological effects between continuous and intermittent exposure to GSM-900-MHz mobile phone radiation: Detection of apoptotic cell-death features
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2009): Biological and Health Effects of Mobile Telephone Radiations
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2007): Cell death induced by GSM 900-MHz and DCS 1800-MHz mobile telephony radiation
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2007): Comparison of bioactivity between GSM 900 MHz and DCS 1800 MHz mobile telephony radiation
Atli E et al. (2006): The effects of microwave frequency electromagnetic fields on the development of Drosophila melanogaster
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2004): Effect of GSM 900 MHz mobile phone radiation on the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster
Weisbrot D et al. (2003): Effects of mobile phone radiation on reproduction and development in Drosophila melanogaster
Panagopoulos DJ et al. (2003): Effects of electromagnetic fields on the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster

The effect of exposure duration on the biological activity of mobile telephony radiation med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

Related articles