Medical/biological study (experimental study)

No influence of acute RF exposure (GSM-900, GSM-1800, and UMTS) on mouse retinal ganglion cell responses under constant temperature conditions med./bio.

By: Ahlers MT, Ammermüller J

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2014; 35 (1): 16-29

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine possible non-thermal effects of an exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on retinal ganglion cells of mice.

Background/further details

Retinae, isolated from mouse eyes, were exposed to GSM-900, GSM-1800, and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) signals with different specific absorption rates of 0 (sham exposure), 0.02, 0.2, 2, and 20 W/kg. Before, during and after (up to 35 minutes) the exposure, the responses of retinal ganglion cells to light stimuli (different intensities) were recorded.
Apart from being particularly exposed during mobile phone use, the retina can also serve as a model for neuronal tissue in general.

Endpoint

cell function: responses to light stimuli

Exposure

- 900–1,966 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM
- UMTS

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: 30 minutes (three blocks of 10 minutes, respectively) GSM-900	SAR: 0.02 W/kg SAR: 0.2 W/kg SAR: 2 W/kg SAR: 20 W/kg
Exposure 2: 1,750 MHz Exposure duration: 30 minutes (three blocks of 10 minutes, respectively) GSM-1800	SAR: 0.02 W/kg SAR: 0.2 W/kg SAR: 2 W/kg SAR: 20 W/kg
Exposure 3: 1,966 MHz Exposure duration: 30 minutes (three blocks of 10 minutes, respectively) UMTS	SAR: 0.02 W/kg SAR: 0.2 W/kg SAR: 2 W/kg SAR: 20 W/kg

General information

i) GSM 900 (0.02 W/kg, 0.2 W/kg, 2 W/kg, 20 W/kg) ii) GSM-1800 (0.02 W/kg, 0.2 W/kg, 2 W/kg, 20 W/kg) iii) UMTS (0.02 W/kg, 0.2 W/kg, 2 W/kg, 20 W/kg)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	30 minutes (three blocks of 10 minutes, respectively)
Additional info	GSM-900

Exposure setup

Exposure source	waveguide
Chamber	retina was placed into a preperation chamber and then mounted into the radiofrequency resonator, retina was continuously superfused with Ringer's solution, temperature was 35 °C (± 0.5-1 °C for GSM-900 and ± 0.5 °C for GSM-1800 and UMTS)
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.02 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	0.2 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	2 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	20 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,750 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	30 minutes (three blocks of 10 minutes, respectively)
Additional info	GSM-1800

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.02 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	0.2 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	2 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	20 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,966 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	30 minutes (three blocks of 10 minutes, respectively)
Additional info	UMTS

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.02 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	0.2 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	2 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	20 W/kg	-	measured and calculated	-	-

Reference articles

Ahlers MT et al. (2009): Temperature-controlled exposure systems for investigating possible changes of retinal ganglion cell activity in response to high-frequency electromagnetic fields
Schuderer J et al. (2004): High Peak SAR Exposure Unit With Tight Exposure and Environmental Control for In Vitro Experiments at 1800 MHz
Schuderer J et al. (2004): In Vitro Exposure Systems for RF Exposures at 900 MHz
Ndoumbe Mbonjo Mbonjo H et al. (2004): Generic UMTS test signal for RF bioelectromagnetic studies

Exposed system:

retinal ganglion cells

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell function: responses to light stimuli of different intensities (rate and latency of spikes of action potentials, microelectrode)

Investigated system:

retinal ganglion cells

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant changes between the responses to light stimuli in the sham exposed and in the exposed groups were observed.
The data indicate that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at GSM-900, GSM-1800 and UMTS-signals has no non-thermal effect on retinal ganglion cell responses of mice.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS; Federal Office for Radiation Protection), Salzgitter, Germany

Moretti D et al. (2013): In-vitro exposure of neuronal networks to the GSM-1800 signal
Partsvania B et al. (2011): Acute effect of exposure of mollusk single neuron to 900-MHz mobile phone radiation
Marchionni I et al. (2006): Comparison between low-level 50 Hz and 900 MHz electromagnetic stimulation on single channel ionic currents and on firing frequency in dorsal root ganglion isolated neurons
Xu S et al. (2006): Chronic exposure to GSM 1800-MHz microwaves reduces excitatory synaptic activity in cultured hippocampal neurons
Pakhomov AG et al. (1993): Effect of high-peak power pulses on isolated nerve function
Wang Z et al. (1991): No evidence for effects of mild microwave irradiation on electrophysiological and morphological properties of cultured embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion cells
Chou CK et al. (1978): Effects of electromagnetic fields on isolated nerve and muscle preparations

No influence of acute RF exposure (GSM-900, GSM-1800, and UMTS) on mouse retinal ganglion cell responses under constant temperature conditions med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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