Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Interactions of radiofrequency radiation on 2-methoxyethanol teratogenicity in rats med./bio.

By: Nelson BK, Conover DL, Shaw PB, Snyder DL, Edwards RM
Published in: J Appl Toxicol 1997; 17 (1): 31-39
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The authors previously demonstrated that combined exposure to radiofrequency irradiation and the industrial solvent 2-methoxyethanol produces enhanced teratogenicity in rats (see publication 3519). A subsequent study (see publication 3522) replicated and extended that research by investigating the interactive dose-related teratogenicity of radiofrequency irradiation and 2-methoxyethanol on gestation days 9 or 13.
The purpose of the present study is to determine the effects of radiofrequency irradiation (sufficient to maintain colonic temperatures at 42.0°C for 10 min) on a range of doses of 2-methoxyethanol (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg/kg) administered on gestation day 13 and to determine the lowest interactive effect level. Dams were sacrified on day 20.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 10 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: ca. 30 min to raise the animal`s colonic temperature from 38°C to 42°C, then additional 10 min exposure to maintain the temperature at 42°C
  • SAR: 6.6 mW/g unspecified (set initially)
  • SAR: 800 µW/g minimum (6.6 W/kg max value to maintain the temperture at 40°C)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 10 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
Exposure duration ca. 30 min to raise the animal`s colonic temperature from 38°C to 42°C, then additional 10 min exposure to maintain the temperature at 42°C
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Chamber near field synthesizers enclosed within copper wire chambers housed in Forma 7010 or 74668 environmental chambers.
Setup rats placed in cylinderical plexiglass holders with 12 mm holes
Additional info Each rat was oriented in its long axis for induced electric field to be parallel. Rats irradiated in one of the two RF-near field synthesizer facilities designed by NIOSH.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 6.6 mW/g unspecified - - set initially
SAR 800 µW/g minimum - - 6.6 W/kg max value to maintain the temperture at 40°C
Additional parameter details

Rats were gavaged with a specific does 2ME (2-methoxyethanol) or distilled water prior to exposure or sham exposure.

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The findings are consistent with previous observations. Dose-related developmental toxicity was revealed for 2-methoxyethanol both in the presence and absence of radiofrequency irradiation. However, concurrent radiofrequency exposure changed the shape of the dose-effect curve of 2-methoxyethanol. These results indicate that combined exposure effects should be considered when developing exposure guidelines.

Study character:

Study funded by

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