Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to 3G mobile phone signals does not affect the biological features of brain tumor cells med./bio.

Published in: BMC Public Health 2015; 15: 764

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of human glioblastoma cell lines to a 1950 MHz electromagnetic field on cellular parameters and tumorigenesis should be investigated.

Background/further details

Cells of each cell line (U251, U87, T98 and A127) were divided into the following groups: exposure for 1) 12 hours, 2) 24 hours, 3) 48 hours and 4) control group (remark EMF-Portal: partially also referred to as sham exposure, no details given on procedure).
After exposure, U251 and U87 cells from all groups were injected subcutaneously into nude mice (n=3 mice per group). After 28 days, mice were sacrificed and developed tumors were quantified and investigated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 12 hours
  • SAR: 5 W/kg average over mass (10 g) (max value)
  • power: 250 mW maximum (nominal maximum power fed to the antenna)
Exposure 2: 1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 hours
  • SAR: 5 W/kg average over mass (10 g) (max value)
  • power: 250 mW maximum (nominal maximum power fed to the antenna)
Exposure 3: 1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 48 hours
  • SAR: 5 W/kg average over mass (10 g) (max value)
  • power: 250 mW maximum (nominal maximum power fed to the antenna)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 12 hours
Additional info 1950 MHz is the median value of TD-SCDMA mobile phones of Band A (2010-2025 MHz) and Band F (1880-1920 MHz)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 10 mm
Chamber 25 cm cell culture bottles (or 25 mm plates? contradictory statements)
Setup antenna was placed under up to four bottles simultaneously in an incubator; temperature of the cell plates was maintained at 37°C
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 W/kg average over mass calculated 10 g max value
power 250 mW maximum measured - nominal maximum power fed to the antenna

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 hours
Additional info 1950 MHz is the median value of TD-SCDMA mobile phones of Band A (2010-2025 MHz) and Band F (1880-1920 MHz)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 10 mm
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 W/kg average over mass calculated 10 g max value
power 250 mW maximum measured - nominal maximum power fed to the antenna

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 48 hours
Additional info 1950 MHz is the median value of TD-SCDMA mobile phones of Band A (2010-2025 MHz) and Band F (1880-1920 MHz)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 10 mm
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 W/kg average over mass calculated 10 g max value
power 250 mW maximum measured - nominal maximum power fed to the antenna

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were observed between the exposure groups (groups 1-3) and the control group (group 4).
The authors conclude that exposure of human glioblastoma cell lines to a 1950 MHz electromagnetic field has no effect on cellular parameters and tumorigenesis.

Study character:

Study funded by

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