EMF-Portal | DNA damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field

DNA damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To evaluate whether an acute (2 h) exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field, similar in waveform envelope to the output of time-division-multiple-access (TDMA) cellular phones, could elicit primary DNA damage and/or induce micronucleus formation in cultured human leukocytes.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage and formation of miconuclei

Exposure

TDMA
mobile communications

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1.9 GHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h	SAR: 0.1 W/kg mean SAR: 0.26 W/kg mean SAR: 0.92 W/kg mean SAR: 2.4 W/kg mean SAR: 10 W/kg mean

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1.9 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Polarization	circular
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	6.7 ms
Duty cycle	33.5 %
Repetition frequency	50 Hz
Pulse type	rectangular

Exposure setup

Exposure source	circular waveguide
Chamber	The exposure system consisted of six identical cylindrical waveguide applicators operating in T₁₁ mode as described previously [McNamee et al., 2002].
Setup	10-ml aliquots of cell cultures were transferred to eight 60-mm Petri dishes, six of which were RF or sham exposed.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Two of the Petri dishes were kept in a tissue culture incubator, one for negative and one for positive control which was irradiated with 1.5 Gy ¹³⁷Cs γ rays.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.1 W/kg	mean	-	-	-
SAR	0.26 W/kg	mean	-	-	-
SAR	0.92 W/kg	mean	-	-	-
SAR	2.4 W/kg	mean	-	-	-
SAR	10 W/kg	mean	-	-	-

Reference articles

McNamee JP et al. (2002): DNA damage and micronucleus induction in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz continuous-wave radiofrequency field

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

DNA/RNA
intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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

McNamee JP et al. (2003): No evidence for genotoxic effects from 24 h exposure of human leukocytes to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency fields

McNamee JP et al. (2002): DNA damage and micronucleus induction in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz continuous-wave radiofrequency field