Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Influence of GSM Signals on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes: Study of Genotoxicity med./bio.

Published in: Radiat Res 2013; 179 (2): 243-253

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate possible genotoxic effects of an exposure to 1.8 GHz-electromagnetic fields on isolated peripheral human lymphocytes.

Background/further details

20 blood samples of two age groups (10 volunteers 16-20 years old, 10 volunteers 50-65 years old) were stimulated with PHA, exposed to three different specific absorption rates and investigated.
Positive controls were performed for every blood sample and each test. The study was a collaboration of six independent institutes. Genotoxic tests were conducted by one institute and evaluated by three different institutes. Three institutes were responsible for blood collection and exposure, exposure design, and statistical analysis.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) for 28 hours
  • SAR: 0.2 W/kg
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) for 28 hours
Exposure 3: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) for 28 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) for 28 hours
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup eight waveguides arranged in four separately controlled exposure units (containing 72 culture dishes of 35 mm in diameter); in each waveguide, one dish holder with 9 cell culture dishes; each exposure unit consisted of a power splitter connecting two single-mode cavities for 1.8 GHz that are based on R18 waveguides; the system was capable of driving four different power levels in parallel that are randomly assigned to the four exposure units; two waveguides (18 dishes) per SAR; eight waveguides mounted on an aluminium rack; system placed in an incubator with constant environmental conditions
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.2 W/kg - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) for 28 hours
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg - - - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent (5 min on, 10 min off) for 28 hours
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 10 W/kg - - - -

Reference articles

  • Schuderer J et al. (2004): High Peak SAR Exposure Unit With Tight Exposure and Environmental Control for In Vitro Experiments at 1800 MHz

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Between the laboratories, strong differences occurred, but only results with a significant result found by at least two institutes were ascertained to indicate an exposure effect. Therefore, none of the examined endpoints showed a significant and reproducible exposure effect.
In general, the results showed no evidence of a genotoxic effect of exposure to 1.8 GHz-electromagnetic fields in isolated peripheral human lymphocytes.

Study character:

Study funded by

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