Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Non-thermal DNA breakage by mobile-phone radiation (1800 MHz) in human fibroblasts and in transformed GFSH-R17 rat granulosa cells in vitro med./bio.

Published in: Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2005; 583 (2): 178-183

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To confirm or disprove the genotoxic potential of radiofrequency electromagnetic field by investigating possible DNA-damaging effects in different cell types by using a newly developed sophisticated exposure system (publication 7926).

Background/further details

The work is part of the REFLEX project (Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards From Low Energy Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods), funded by the European Union.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 4, 16 and 24 h
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: intermittent, 5 min on/10 min off, for 4, 16 and 24 h
Exposure 3: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: intermittent, 5 min on/10 min off, for 4, 16 and 24 h
Exposure 4: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 4, 16 and 24 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration continuous for 4, 16 and 24 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Two waveguides were placed inside a commercial incubator at 37°C, 5% CO2, and 95% humidity. A computer randomly determined which of the two waveguides was used for exposure (blind design).
Setup Six Petri dishes were exposed simultaneously in the waveguide and placed in the H-field maxima.
Additional info Each exposure level was tested in duplicate.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration intermittent, 5 min on/10 min off, for 4, 16 and 24 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration intermittent, 5 min on/10 min off, for 4, 16 and 24 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 576 µs
Duty cycle 12.5 %
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Pulse type rectangular
Additional info

GSM basic signal having a frame length of 4.61 ms. Since every 26th frame was idle, an 8 Hz modulation component was integrated into the signal.

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration continuous for 4, 16 and 24 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 576 µs
Duty cycle 12.5 %
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Pulse type rectangular
Additional info

GSM talk signal alternating between GSM basic (97 s) and DTX mode (50 s) simulating a conversation.

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.2 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Electromagnetic field exposure (SAR 1.2 or 2 W/kg; different modulations; during 4, 16 and 24 h; intermittent or continuous wave) induced DNA single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks. The evaluation became significant after 16 h of exposure. Effects occurred (after 16 h irradiation) in both cell types and after different modulations. The intermittent exposure showed a stronger effect than continuous exposure.
The authors conclude that the induced DNA damage cannot be based on thermal effects.

Study character:

Study funded by

Replication studies

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