Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Chromosome damage and micronucleus formation in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (847.74 MHz, CDMA) med./bio.

By: Vijayalaxmi, Bisht KS, Pickard WF, Meltz ML, Roti Roti JL, Moros EG

Published in: Radiat Res 2001; 156 (4): 430-433

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of possible genetic damage caused by radiofrequency irradiation (847.74 MHz CDMA) on human blood lymphocytes in vitro.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: formation of micronuclei and chromosomal aberration

Exposure

- CDMA
- mobile communications

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 847.74 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h	power: 75 W (net forward power) power density: 950 W/m² SAR: 4.9 W/kg mean SAR: 5.5 W/kg mean

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	847.74 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 24 h

Modulation

Modulation type	CW
Additional info	CDMA

Exposure setup

Exposure source	radial waveguide
Setup	The experimental setup using a radial transmission line facility and the method used for SAR determination have been described in the reference article.
Additional info	For each blood sample three sterile T-75 culture flasks were used, each containing 4 ml of blood diluted with 36 ml of culture medium. Two flasks were used for RF and sham exposures, and a third flask was exposed to 1.5 Gy γ radiation as positive control.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	75 W	-	-	-	net forward power
power density	950 W/m²	-	-	-	-
SAR	4.9 W/kg	mean	-	-	-
SAR	5.5 W/kg	mean	-	-	-

Reference articles

Vijayalaxmi et al. (2001): Cytogenetic studies in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (835.62 MHz, FDMA)

Exposed system:

human blood samples

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: formation of micronuclei; chromosomal aberration
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: mitotic index

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The overall cytogenetic responses of the lymphocytes were similar although the absolute values were slightly different. The mitotic indices, the indices of abnormal cells showing chromosomal damage, and the numbers of exchange aberrations were not significantly different between radiofrequency irradiation and sham-exposed cells. Similarly, the percentages of binucleated cells, the incidence of binucleated cells with one, two or three micronuclei, and the total numbers of micronuclei were not significantly different.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), USA

Waldmann P et al. (2013): Influence of GSM Signals on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes: Study of Genotoxicity
Cam ST et al. (2012): Single-strand DNA breaks in human hair root cells exposed to mobile phone radiation
Sekeroglu V et al. (2012): Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1800MHz) on immature and mature rats
Bourthoumieu S et al. (2010): Cytogenetic Studies in Human Cells Exposed In Vitro to GSM-900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation Using R-Banded Karyotyping
Hansteen IL et al. (2009): Cytogenetic effects of 18.0 and 16.5 GHz microwave radiation on human lymphocytes in vitro
Tiwari R et al. (2008): Combinative Exposure Effect of Radio Frequency Signals from CDMA Mobile Phones and Aphidicolin on DNA Integrity
Baohong W et al. (2007): Evaluating the combinative effects on human lymphocyte DNA damage induced by ultraviolet ray C plus 1.8 GHz microwaves using comet assay in vitro
Juutilainen J et al. (2007): Micronucleus frequency in erythrocytes of mice after long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation
Maes A et al. (2006): Cytogenetic investigation of subjects professionally exposed to radiofrequency radiation
Scarfi MR et al. (2006): Exposure to radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz, GSM signal) does not affect micronucleus frequency and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: an interlaboratory study
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2001): Cytogenetic studies in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (835.62 MHz, FDMA)