Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field and mobile phone exposure on nasal mucosa and nose skin med./bio.

Published in: Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip 2011; 25 (1): 2273-2278

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of exposure to a radiofrequency electromagnetic field and to an extremely low frequency magnetic field on the nasal mucosa and nose skin of rats.

Background/further details

Two experiments were performed. In the first experiment, Wistar rats were exposed (n=14) to a radiofrequency electromagnetic field similar to that emitted from GSM mobile phones or sham exposed (n=7). In the second experiment, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to an extremely low frequency magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of 100 µT (n=10) or 500 µT (n=10) or sham exposed (n=10).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 months
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 months

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 months
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • GSM simulator
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.6 cm
Setup rats placed so in a plexiglas carousel that the heads pointed towards the antenna; antenna positioned in the center of the carousel
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Polarization
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 months
Additional info oriented vertically
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup pair of Helmholtz coils with a diameter of 25 cm and 225 turns of 1.0 mm diameter insulated soft copper wire, placed horizontally facing each other; rats kept in a methacrylate cage between the coils; animals could move freely inside the cage
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 100 µT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 500 µT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In both experiments, no differences were observed between the exposed and the sham exposed rats.
The authors conclude that exposure to a radiofrequency electromagnetic field or to an extremely low frequency magnetic field has no influence on the morphology of the nasal mucosa and nose skin of rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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