Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of in vitro exposure to GSM900 electromagnetic field on human erythrocytes med./bio.

By: Kouzmanova M, Atanasova G, Atanasov N, Tasheva S
Published in: Environmentalist 2007; 27 (4): 423-428
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vitro study was performed to evaluate the effects of GSM 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on the membrane stability of human erythrocytes, their dependence on the suspension water content and on the time elapsed after irradiation.

Background/further details

Erythrocyte suspensions with two different concentrations (hematocrit 20% and 40 %) were investigated. They were exposed in two different positions, position 1 in the centre of the mobile phone irradiation and position 2 in a region of minimal irradiation. The experiments were carried out at room temperature and the temperature of the erythrocyte suspension was not controlled.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 902 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 902 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 20 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 577 µs
Additional info

standard GSM frame of 4.615 ms duration with discontinuous transmission mode (DTX) deactivated
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 1 m
Setup cell suspension was either placed in the center of the major lobe of the antenna pattern (maximum irradiation) or between the major and the back lobe (minimum irradiation)
Additional info to measure the radiation pattern of the mobile phone it was placed on a rotating turntable and a dipole antenna placed level to it at a distance of 5 m; the turntable was rotated 360° and the response between antennas measured as a function of angle; measurements were performed in a free-space environment
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W peak value - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The amount of the released hemoglobin increased with the time elapsed after the exposure to electromagnetic fields both in the control and exposed erythrocytes. Exposed erythrocytes showed decreased hemolysis. The hemolysis decrease was more pronounced in position 1. Effects of electromagnetic fields appeared 10 minutes after exposure and differences retained 30 minutes in erythrocyte suspension with a hematocrit of 20%. The exposure of erythrocyte suspensions with hematocrit 40% caused statistically significant decrease of the hemolysis in all investigated time intervals.
These results indicate that the exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field probably stabilize the erythrocyte membrane reflected by decreased hemolysis.

Study character:

Study funded by

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