Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Radiofrequency radiation at 1950 MHz (UMTS) does not affect key cellular endpoints in neuron-like PC12 cells med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2012; 33 (6): 497-507

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) were exposed, as a model of neuron-like cells, to 1950 MHz radiofrequency UMTS irradiation to assess possible adverse effects associated with carcinogenesis and other diseases of the central nervous system.

Background/further details

Cells were investigated immediately and 24 h after exposure. Positive controls were performed with ethanol (cell viability), etoposide (apoptosis) and methyl methanesulfonate (DNA damage). Additionally, negative controls were included. All experiments and measurements were replicated several times.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Additional info UMTS uplink frequency
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

WCDMA

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber two exposure chambers of rectangular waveguides (WR 430, 350 mm) housed (together with sham waveguide) in commercial incubator; waveguides fed by amplified signal of a signal generator
Setup samples placed on four-layer plexiglass stand with 35 mm Petri dishes on each layer; center of samples located 0.56 λ from short circuit (λ = waveguide wavelength); circulating water jacket maintained the temperature constant at 36.8°C
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 10 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -

Reference articles

  • Brescia F et al. (2009): Reactive oxygen species formation is not enhanced by exposure to UMTS 1950 MHz radiation and co-exposure to ferrous ions in Jurkat cells
  • Sannino A et al. (2006): Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects in Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Following Exposure to 1950-MHz Modulated Signal
  • Calabrese M et al. (2006): A high-efficiency waveguide applicator for in vitro exposure of mammalian cells at 1.95 GHz

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The 24 h of radiofrequency UMTS exposure was not able to elicit any effect in the selected cellular endpoints in undifferentiated PC12 cells.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles