To study stress conditions in duckweed plants, possibly resulting from exposure to radiofrequency irradiation, generated by radio transmitter antennas in a residential area.
Etiolated plants were grown in continuous darkness for five months and 1 g fresh weight of duckweed cultures was used for experiments. Each experiment was repeated six to eight times.
Exposure | Parameters |
---|---|
Exposure 1:
1.287 MHz
Exposure duration:
continuous for 24 h
|
|
Frequency | 1.287 MHz |
---|---|
Type | |
Exposure duration | continuous for 24 h |
Exposure source | |
---|---|
Distance between exposed object and exposure source | 150 m |
Setup | plants kept in continuous darkness; measurements made inside a residential home |
Sham exposure | A sham exposure was conducted. |
Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
electric field strength | 7.8 V/m | - | measured | - | ±0.2 V/m five antennas measured 2005 |
electric field strength | 1.8 V/m | - | measured | - | ±0.3 V/m one antenna measured 2006-2007 |
electric field strength | 3.3 V/m | - | measured | - | ±0.2 V/m one antenna measured 2009 |
The exposure of duckweed to radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated by amplitude modulated broadcast antennas, resulted in alanine accumulation in the plant cells (a universal stress signal). The magnitude of the effect correlated to the level of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure. In the presence of vitamin C, alanine accumulation is completely suppressed, suggesting the involvement of free radicals in the process. A unique biological connection has thus been made between the radiofrequency exposure and cellular stress, in the vicinity of radiofrequency transmitting antennas. This simple test, which lasts only 24 h, could serve as a useful bioassay for the quick detection of biological cell stress caused in the vicinity of radiofrequency transmitting antennas.
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