The repair of gamma-ray-induced chromosomal damage in human lymphocytes after exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.
G(0) human blood lymphocytes were irradiated with 2.0 Gy gamma-rays and cultured to metaphase whilst held in a 50-Hz power frequency magnetic field of 0.23, 0.47 or 0.7 mT. No differences were found in the frequencies of gamma-induced chromosome aberrations observed in cells held in the EM fields compared with replicates held in a sham coil. Similar field conditions have been reported to increase the frequency of gamma-induced HPRT mutations, leading to a suggestion that the EM fields alter the fidelity of repair of genomic lesions. This was not confirmed by the chromosome aberration assay described here.
Lloyd
D
D
National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, UK. david.lloyd@nrpb.org
Hone
P
P
Edwards
A
A
Cox
R
R
Halls
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000528:radiation effects