Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cytogenetic effects of 18.0 and 16.5 GHz microwave radiation on human lymphocytes in vitro med./bio.

By: Hansteen IL, Lageide L, Clausen KO, Haugan V, Svendsen M, Eriksen JG, Skiaker R, Hauger E, Vistnes AI, Kure EH

Published in: Anticancer Res 2009; 29 (8): 2885-2892

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the cytogenetic effects of microwave irradiation alone or in combination with mitomycin C (co-exposure) in human lymphocytes.

Background/further details

Lymphocytes from two smoking and four non-smoking donors were exposed for 53 hours to continuous wave irradiation at 18.0 GHz or to pulsed wave at 16.5 GHz, alone or in combination with mitomycin C. In some cell cultures DNA synthesis (hydroxyurea) and DNA repair (caffeine) were inhibited.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome aberrations

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 18 GHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 53 hr	electric field strength: 19 V/m effective value power density: 1 W/m² average over time
Exposure 2: 16.5 GHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 53 hr	power density: 10 W/m² average over time

General information

cells were treated i) with RF exposure only ii) with RF exposure and mitomycin C after 30 hr of exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	18 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	far field
Exposure duration	continuous for 53 hr

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber
Setup	5 m x 4 m x 4 m anechoic chamber with constant temperature and the horn antenna placed under the samples

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	19 V/m	effective value	measured	-	-
power density	1 W/m²	average over time	measured	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	16.5 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	far field
Exposure duration	continuous for 53 hr

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Duty cycle	50 %
Repetition frequency	1 kHz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna anechoic chamber
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	1.2 m
Setup	two rectangular horn antennas placed under the 5 m x 4 m x 4 m anechoic chamber with constant temperature

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	10 W/m²	average over time	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome aberrations (Giemsa stain)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
chromosomes

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No synergistic effect was observed in cells co-exposed to microwave irradiation and mitomycin C, or to cells pre-exposed in vivo to tobacco smoke. For the 16.5 GHz pulsed microwave exposure, a non-significant trend consisting of an increase in chromosome aberration frequencies with microwave irradiation was shown for the DNA synthesis and DNA repair inhibited cultures both with and without mitomycin C.
The authors conclude, that neither 18.0 GHz continuous wave nor 16.5 GHz pulsed wave exposure of human lymphocytes induced statistically significant increases in chromosome aberration frequencies. 16.5 GHz pulsed wave exposure requires further studies before a true negative conclusion can be drawn.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study
blind study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Sannino A et al. (2014): Adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields: resistance to ionizing radiation-induced damage
Waldmann P et al. (2013): Influence of GSM Signals on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes: Study of Genotoxicity
Zeni O et al. (2012): Induction of an adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to radiofrequency fields: Influence of the universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) signal and the specific absorption rate
Sannino A et al. (2011): Induction of adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields: Influence of cell cycle
Zhijian C et al. (2010): Impact of 1.8-GHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on DNA damage and repair induced by doxorubicin in human B-cell lymphoblastoid cells
Sannino A et al. (2009): Human fibroblasts and 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation: evaluation of DNA damage after exposure and co-exposure to 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5h)-furanone (MX)
Hansteen IL et al. (2009): Cytogenetic effects of exposure to 2.3 GHz radiofrequency radiation on human lymphocytes in vitro
Zhijian C et al. (2009): Influence of 1.8-GHz (GSM) radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on DNA damage and repair induced by X-rays in human leukocytes in vitro
Sannino A et al. (2009): Induction of adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to radiofrequency radiation
Shckorbatov YG et al. (2009): The influence of differently polarised microwave radiation on chromatin in human cells
Korenstein-Ilan A et al. (2008): Terahertz radiation increases genomic instability in human lymphocytes
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2008): Genetic damage in mammalian somatic cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation: a meta-analysis of data from 63 publications (1990-2005)
Sakuma N et al. (2006): DNA strand breaks are not induced in human cells exposed to 2.1425 GHz band CW and W-CDMA modulated radiofrequency fields allocated to mobile radio base stations
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2005): Controversial cytogenetic observations in mammalian somatic cells exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation: a review and future research recommendations
Mason PA et al. (2001): Lack of effect of 94 GHz radio frequency radiation exposure in an animal model of skin carcinogenesis
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2001): Chromosome damage and micronucleus formation in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (847.74 MHz, CDMA)
Vijayalaxmi et al. (2001): Cytogenetic studies in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (835.62 MHz, FDMA)

Cytogenetic effects of 18.0 and 16.5 GHz microwave radiation on human lymphocytes in vitro med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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