Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Microwave radiation induces a heat-shock response and enhances growth in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans med./bio.

Published in: IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech 2000; 48 (11): 2076-2081

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

To study the effects of prolonged exposure to continuous microwave fields (as used in analog mobile phones) on heat-shock protein responses and growth in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 750 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 18 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 750 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration continuous for 18 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Incubator temperatures of 24.0, 24.5, 25.0 and 25.5 °C were tested using 12 replicates for each condition. Controls (6 replicates) were also run at 22, 26, 27 and 28 °C.
Setup Worms were exposed in shallow aqueous K medium or plated on agar in 6- or 12-well multiwell dishes placed in the center of the TEM cell.
Additional info Control worms were shielded by wrapped foil and placed outside the TEM cell in the same incubator. Baseline controls were maintained at 15°C.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 0.5 W - - - -
electric field strength 45 V/m - - - at the center of the TEM cell
power density 10 W/m² - - - at the center of the TEM cell
electric field strength 1.3 V/m - estimated - in the medium
SAR 0.001 W/kg - estimated - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

It is concluded that both growth and heat-shock responses are induced by microwave exposure. Significant induction of the heat-shock response is demonstrated. There is also a modest stimulation of growth. Since there is no measurable increase in medium or worm temperature during exposure, both effects appear to be mediated by nonthermal mechanisms.

Study character:

Study funded by

Replication studies

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