Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Studies on possible genetic effects of microwaves in procaryotic and eucaryotic cells med./bio.

By: Dardalhon M, Averbeck D, Berteaud AJ
Published in: Radiat Environ Biophys 1981; 20 (1): 37-51
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To determine the possible genetic activity of microwaves on microorganisms.

Background/further details

Low and moderate power levels were used in order to detect possible specific non-thermal effects of microwaves.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 9.4 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 30, 60 or 120 min
Exposure 2: 17 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 30, 60, 120 min or up to 24 h or 48 h
Exposure 3: 70–75 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 30, 60,120 min or 48 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 9.4 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30, 60 or 120 min
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.005 m
Chamber colls on Millipore filter discs (0.45 µm, 2.6 cm diameter) placed on solid agar in 5.5 cm Petri dishes
Additional info 5mm or 3 cm
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 28 mW/g - estimated - -
power density 500 W/m² maximum measured - at outlet of waveguide

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 17 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30, 60, 120 min or up to 24 h or 48 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.005 m
Chamber colls on Millipore filter discs (0.45 µm, 2.6 cm diameter) placed on solid agar in 5.5 cm Petri dishes
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 23 mW/g - estimated - -
power density 600 W/m² maximum calculated - at outlet of waveguide

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 70–75 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30, 60,120 min or 48 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.002 m
Chamber colls on Millipore filter discs (0.45 µm, 2.6 cm diameter) placed on solid agar in 5.5 cm Petri dishes
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 9 mW/g - estimated - -
power density 600 W/m² maximum measured - at outlet of waveguide

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results indicate that microwaves at the frequencies and power densities used do not exhibit appreciable effects on cell survival of the wild type and DNA repair deficient mutants and mutation induction in E. coli and S. cerevisiae suggesting the absence of significant effects on DNA. In diploid yeast the efficiency of sporulation and segregation of genes in meiosis does not appear to be significantly altered by radiation.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles