Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of Early-Onset Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure (GSM 900 MHz) on Behavior and Memory in Rats med./bio.

Published in: Radiat Res 2014; 182 (4): 435-447

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate possible long-term effects of electromagnetic fields (GSM 900 MHz) on the developing rat brain.

Background/further details

120 female rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=24 per group): 1.) cage control, 2.) sham exposure, 3.) SAR of 0.7 W/kg, 4.) SAR of 2.5 W/kg, and 5.) SAR of 10 W/kg. Exposure started at the age of 14 days until the age of 19 months.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: 5 to 120 min/day, 5 days/week from the age of 14 days to 19 months (5 min at the beginning and stepwise increase to 120 min within the next 7 days)
Exposure 2: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: 5 to 120 min/day, 5 days/week from the age of 14 days to 19 months (5 min at the beginning and stepwise increase to 120 min within the next 7 days)
Exposure 3: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: 5 to 120 min/day, 5 days/week from the age of 14 days to 19 months (5 min at the beginning and stepwise increase to 120 min within the next 7 days)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 5 to 120 min/day, 5 days/week from the age of 14 days to 19 months (5 min at the beginning and stepwise increase to 120 min within the next 7 days)
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

GSM typical generic signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber rats were fixed in restraining tubes of diffent sizes according to their increasing body weight
Setup eight identical exposure devices, with six animals each, were used with two devices assigned to the same SAR level; each exposure device consisted of six individual upright standing rectangular waveguides arranged in the shape of a hexagon with exchangeable adapters for different restrainer sizes; ramps with a 5° downward slope to drain off urine were installed onto a table; for ventilation, a central opening formed by the six waveguides was created; a signal generator for the 900 MHz carrier, a modulator for a GSM-typical generic signal, and a power amplifier were used as single source and powered the exposure devices by a distribution network with decoupled outputs; field was transformed by means of an internal cone antenna and a shortcut at the waveguide's upper end
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.7 W/kg mean calculated brain -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 5 to 120 min/day, 5 days/week from the age of 14 days to 19 months (5 min at the beginning and stepwise increase to 120 min within the next 7 days)
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

GSM typical generic signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2.5 W/kg mean calculated brain -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 5 to 120 min/day, 5 days/week from the age of 14 days to 19 months (5 min at the beginning and stepwise increase to 120 min within the next 7 days)
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

GSM typical generic signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 10 W/kg mean calculated brain -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No consistent significant differences were observed between the exposed rats and the sham exposed rats.
The authors conclude that no indication was found that long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields (GSM 900 MHz) has a deleterious effect on the developing rat brain.

Study character:

Study funded by

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