Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Acute low-intensity microwave exposure increases DNA single-strand breaks in rat brain cells med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1995; 16 (3): 207-210

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effect of acute exposure to low-intensity microwaves on DNA damage in brain cells of the rat.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2,450 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
  • power density: 1 mW/cm² spatial average
  • SAR: 0.6 W/kg average over mass (whole body) ([Chou et al., 1984])
  • power density: 2 mW/cm² spatial average
  • SAR: 1.2 W/kg average over mass (whole body) ([Chou et al., 1984])
Exposure 2: 2,450 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
  • power density: 2 mW/cm² spatial average
  • SAR: 1.2 W/kg average over mass (whole body) ([Chou et al., 1984])

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2,450 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Polarization
  • circular
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 2 µs
Repetition frequency 500 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The cylindrical waveguide system [Guy et al., 1979] consisted of eight individual exposure tubes made of galvanised wire screen and containing a plastic chamber to house a rat.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 1 mW/cm² spatial average unspecified - -
SAR 0.6 W/kg average over mass cf. remarks whole body [Chou et al., 1984]
power density 2 mW/cm² spatial average unspecified - -
SAR 1.2 W/kg average over mass cf. remarks whole body [Chou et al., 1984]

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 2,450 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Polarization
  • circular
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 2 mW/cm² spatial average unspecified - -
SAR 1.2 W/kg average over mass cf. remarks whole body [Chou et al., 1984]

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Immediately after 2 h of exposure to pulsed microwaves, no significant effect was observed, whereas a dose rate-dependent increase in DNA single-strand breaks was found after 4h of exposure. In rats exposed for 2 h to continuous-wave microwaves, increases in DNA single-strand breaks were observed immediately as well as at 4 h postexposure.

Study character:

Study funded by

Replication studies

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