Medical/biological study (experimental study)

954 MHz microwaves enhance the mutagenic properties of mitomycin C med./bio.

By: Maes A, Collier M, Slaets D, Verschaeve L

Published in: Environ Mol Mutagen 1996; 28 (1): 26-30

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 954 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h	power: 15 W electric field strength: 49 V/m (46-51 V/m) SAR: 1.5 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	954 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	GSM signal

Exposure setup

Exposure source	base transceiver station GSM antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	5 cm
Setup	Blood samples of 5 ml in test tubes were placed in a cooled box and exposed at 5 cm to a field from a GSM base station emitted by an indoor antenna having the same characteristics as the outdoor antenna to which it was connected.
Additional info	Six combinations of in vitro exposure of cells were studied: no exposure (control), exposure to MW before cultivation, exposure to two concentrations of mitomycin C (MMC) during cultivation, exposure to MW followed by cultivation in the presence of two concentrations of MMC.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	15 W	-	-	-	-
electric field strength	49 V/m	-	measured	-	46-51 V/m
SAR	1.5 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-

Measurement and calculation details

Although fields are unstable in these experimental conditions, the electric field was approximated with a field meter and antenna.

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: frequency of sister chromatid exchange (metaphase analysis; fluorescence puls Giemsa (FPG) staining)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: proliferation indices (1 X M1 (first) + 2 X M2 (second) + 3 X M3 (or subsequent cell division stage)/100)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure of the cells to the microwaves alone does not increase the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges compared to the mean value in the nonexposed controls. Exposure to MMC alone results in a dose-dependent increase in sister chromatid exchange frequency. The response of the lymphocytes to the MMC is statistically higher when the cells were previously exposed to the microwaves (a highly reproducible synergistic effect was observed).
The cell kinetics were significantly changed (lower proliferation) by addition of the mutagen. The cell kinetics were not influenced by previous radiation to the microwaves. The cell kinetics were not changed by the microwaves alone.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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Maes A et al. (1997): Cytogenetic effects of 935.2-MHz (GSM) microwaves alone and in combination with mitomycin C