Study type: Medical/biological study (observational study)

Assessment of nuclear abnormalities in exfoliated cells from the oral epithelium of mobile phone users med./bio.

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2014; 33 (2): 98-102

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of a chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on exfoliated oral epithelial cells should be measured.

Background/further details

45 individuals were divided into three groups according to the amount of time in hours per week that they spend using their mobile phones: a) more than 5 hours, b) 1 - 5 hours, c) less than 1 hour per week.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 850–1,900 MHz
Exposure duration: > 5 hours mobile phone use per week
  • SAR: 1.38 W/kg maximum (of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer)
  • SAR: 0.344 W/kg minimum (of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer)
Exposure 2: 850–1,900 MHz
Exposure duration: 1-5 hours mobile phone use per week
  • SAR: 1.38 W/kg maximum (of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer)
  • SAR: 0.452 W/kg minimum (of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer)
Exposure 3: 850–1,900 MHz
Exposure duration: ≤ 1 hour mobile phone use per week

General information

no exposure took place as part of the experimental setup (observational study)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 850–1,900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration > 5 hours mobile phone use per week
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.38 W/kg maximum - - of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer
SAR 0.344 W/kg minimum - - of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 850–1,900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 1-5 hours mobile phone use per week
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.38 W/kg maximum - - of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer
SAR 0.452 W/kg minimum - - of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 850–1,900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration ≤ 1 hour mobile phone use per week
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.22 W/kg maximum - - of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer
SAR 0.36 W/kg minimum - - of the mobile phones used - according to manufacturer

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Neither the occurrence of micronuclei nor the amount of apoptotic and necrotic cells was significantly different between the groups. Only the amount of broken egg structures was significantly higher in group a) compared to groups b) and c). However, the causes and the biological significance of these structures have not been clarified to date.
The authors conclude that their results give no indications of genotoxic or cytotoxic effects by the usage of mobile phones on oral epithelial cells.

Study character:

Study funded by

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