Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of mobile phone radiation on UV-induced skin tumourigenesis in ornithine decarboxylase transgenic and non-transgenic mice med./bio.

By: Heikkinen P, Kosma VM, Alhonen L, Huuskonen H, Komulainen H, Kumlin T, Laitinen JT, Lang S, Puranen L, Juutilainen J

Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2003; 79 (4): 221-233

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Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 849 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 1.5 h/day, 5 days/week for 52 weeks	SAR: 0.5 W/kg average over time (whole body) SAR: 1.5 W/kg peak value (whole body) (during the pulses)
Exposure 2: 902.4 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 1.5 h/day, 5 days/week for 52 weeks	SAR: 0.5 W/kg average over time (whole body) SAR: 4 W/kg peak value (whole body) (during the pulses)

General information

The transgenic and non-transgenic mice were randomized separately to four treatment groups: D-AMPS, GSM or sham exposed and cage-control.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	849 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure for 1.5 h/day, 5 days/week for 52 weeks

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	6.67 ms
Repetition frequency	50 Hz
Additional info	Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone waveguide
Chamber	Three identical rectangular waveguide chambers made of aluminium were used for the D-AMPS, GSM or sham exposures. The exposure system has been described in more detail in the reference article. Computer-controlled mobile phones were used as a signal source and their signals were amplified. Speech was simulated by modulating the carriers with a random sequence of bytes. The output power was absorbed by a coaxial 10 W termination. The sham-exposed group was kept in an unenergised waveguide chamber.
Setup	The mice were restrained in small acrylic cylinders (32 mm i.d., length adjustable) preventing them from aligning their longitudinal axis parallel to the electric field. The restrainers were kept by a Styrofoam holder at the centre of the cross-section of the waveguide with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the electric field and to the direction of propagation. Simultaneous exposure of 25 mice was possible in a chamber. The order of animals in the Styrofoam holder was randomized for each exposure session to ensure identical long-term average exposure.
Additional info	All but the cage-control groups were exposed to UV radiation three times a week preceding or after the RF exposure. The animals were exposed to UV radiation using lamps simulating the solar spectrum. The dose of the UV radiation was 1.2 human minimum erythemal dose (MED), i.e. a dose of 240 J/m², calculated according to the CIE wavelength erythemal weighting function (spatial variation within ± 10%, uncertainty of the measured values within ± 10%). The distance of the lamp from the animals was adjusted to reach the intended dose in 35 min. During the UV irradiations, the mice were kept in Macrolon III cages with a shallow wire lid preventing them from piling upon each other.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.5 W/kg	average over time	calculated	whole body	-
SAR	1.5 W/kg	peak value	calculated	whole body	during the pulses

Additional parameter details

Background ELF MF in the cages was below 0.05 µT, geomagnetic MF varied between 50 and 55 µT (60 to 80°). During UV exposures ELF MF was between 0.6 µT and 1.4 µT. The average ELF MF associated with shaving the fur of the animals by electric clipper was 5 µT.

Measurement and calculation details

Power meters were used for measuring the input, reflected and output powers. The average SAR was calculated from the measured powers and the mass of the mice. The SAR was controlled daily by adjusting the input power. The dosimetric assessment performed at 902 MHz has been described in the reference article. The maximum deviation of the SAR of the individual mice was estimated similarly at 849 MHz using 37-g phantoms instead of mice and was found to be ± 30% for an adult mouse also at 849 MHz. The maximum time-averaged local SAR in the skin (3.1 W/kg for a small mouse, 2.2 W/kg for an adult mouse) determined with FDTD calculations at 902 MHz may also be applied at 849 MHz. In the skin area where the UV-induced skin changes typically developed (an area of about 2 x 1 cm along the midline of the dorsum), the estimated average SAR values were about 0.3-0.4 W/kg.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	902.4 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure for 1.5 h/day, 5 days/week for 52 weeks

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	0.577 ms
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	GSM

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone waveguide

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.5 W/kg	average over time	calculated	whole body	-
SAR	4 W/kg	peak value	calculated	whole body	during the pulses

Reference articles

Heikkinen P et al. (2001): Effects of mobile phone radiation on X-ray-induced tumorigenesis in mice

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/transgenic of the line K2 (over-expressing the human ODC gene) and non-transgenic littermate
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity (skin samples for polyamine analysis (HPLC))
cancer: skin tumours
morphol./histopathol. changes: skin lesions (haematoxylin-eosin stain)
endocrine changes: determination of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulphate (6-OHMS) and creatinine
body weight; survival; consumption of food and water; organ weights

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
tissue slices
isolated organ
urine samples
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

skin

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

UV exposure resulted in development of macroscopic skin tumours in 11.5 and 36.8% of non-transgenic and transgenic mice, respectively. The radiofrequency exposures did not give a statistically significant effect on the development of skin tumours in either transgenic or non-transgenic mice, or in combined analysis, but tumour development appeared slightly accelerated especially in non-transgenic mice. No effects of radiofrequency exposures were found on excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulphate into urine or on polyamine levels in dorsal skin.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Benefon, Finland
Elisa Communications Corporation, Finland
Nokia
Sonera, Finland
Tekes (National Technology Agency), Finland

Comments on this article

Lin JC (2009): Cell-Phone Radiation and Cancer Studies in Normal Mice

Paulraj R et al. (2011): Effects of low level microwave radiation on carcinogenesis in Swiss Albino mice
Saran A et al. (2007): Effects of exposure of newborn patched1 heterozygous mice to GSM, 900 MHz
Smith P et al. (2007): GSM and DCS Wireless Communication Signals: Combined Chronic Toxicity/Carcinogenicity Study in the Wistar Rat
Oberto G et al. (2007): Carcinogenicity Study of 217 Hz Pulsed 900 MHz Electromagnetic Fields in Pim1 Transgenic Mice
Juutilainen J et al. (2007): Micronucleus frequency in erythrocytes of mice after long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation
Sommer AM et al. (2007): Lymphoma Development in Mice Chronically Exposed to UMTS-Modulated Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields
Shirai T et al. (2007): Lack of promoting effects of chronic exposure to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals for IMT-2000 cellular system on development of N-ethylnitrosourea-induced central nervous system tumors in F344 rats
Tillmann T et al. (2007): Carcinogenicity study of GSM and DCS wireless communication signals in B6C3F1 mice
Masuda H et al. (2006): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. I: 2-hour acute exposures
Sanchez S et al. (2006): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. II: 12-week chronic exposures
Heikkinen P et al. (2006): No effects of radiofrequency radiation on 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone-induced tumorigenesis in female Wistar rats
Shirai T et al. (2005): Chronic exposure to a 1.439 GHz electromagnetic field used for cellular phones does not promote N-ethylnitrosourea induced central nervous system tumors in F344 rats
Huang TQ et al. (2005): Effect of radiofrequency radiation exposure on mouse skin tumorigenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethybenz[alpha]anthracene
Sommer AM et al. (2004): No effects of GSM-modulated 900 MHz electromagnetic fields on survival rate and spontaneous development of lymphoma in female AKR/J mice
LaRegina MC et al. (2003): The Effect of Chronic Exposure to 835.62 MHz FDMA or 847.74 MHz CDMA Radiofrequency Radiation on the Incidence of Spontaneous Tumors in Rats
Bartsch H et al. (2002): Chronic exposure to a GSM-like signal (mobile phone) does not stimulate the development of DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats: results of three consecutive studies
Heikkinen P et al. (2001): Effects of mobile phone radiation on X-ray-induced tumorigenesis in mice
Imaida K et al. (2001): Lack of promotion of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin carcinogenesis by 1.5 GHz electromagnetic near fields
Zook BC et al. (2001): The effects of 860 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the induction or promotion of brain tumors and other neoplasms in rats
Adey WR et al. (2000): Spontaneous and nitrosourea-induced primary tumors of the central nervous system in Fischer 344 rats exposed to frequency-modulated microwave fields
Adey WR et al. (1999): Spontaneous and nitrosourea-induced primary tumors of the central nervous system in Fischer 344 rats chronically exposed to 836 MHz modulated microwaves
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Repacholi MH et al. (1997): Lymphomas in Eµ-Pim1 transgenic mice exposed to pulsed 900 MHz electromagnetic fields
Salford L et al. (1997): Brain tumour development in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless cellular communication
Toler JC et al. (1997): Long-term, low-level exposure of mice prone to mammary tumors to 435 MHz radiofrequency radiation
Wu RY et al. (1994): Effects of 2.45-GHz microwave radiation and phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in mice

Effects of mobile phone radiation on UV-induced skin tumourigenesis in ornithine decarboxylase transgenic and non-transgenic mice med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Additional parameter details

Measurement and calculation details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

Comments on this article

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