No effects of GSM-modulated 900 MHz electromagnetic fields on survival rate and spontaneous development of lymphoma in female AKR/J mice.
BACKGROUND
Several reports indicated that non-thermal electromagnetic radiation such as from mobile phones and base stations may promote cancer. Therefore, it was investigated experimentally, whether 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure influences lymphoma development in a mouse strain that is genetically predisposed to this disease. The AKR/J mice genome carries the AK-virus, which leads within one year to spontaneous development of thymic lymphoblastic lymphoma.


METHODS
320 unrestrained female mice were sham-exposed or exposed (each n = 160 animals) to GSM like 900 MHz electromagnetic fields for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, at an average whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) value of 0.4 W/kg. Animals were visually checked daily and were weighed and palpated weekly. Starting with an age of 6 months, blood samples were taken monthly from the tail. Animals with signs of disease or with an age of about 46 weeks were sacrificed and a gross necropsy was performed.


RESULTS
Electromagnetic field exposure had a significant effect on body weight gain, with higher values in exposed than in sham-exposed animals. However, survival rate and lymphoma incidence did not differ between exposed and sham-exposed mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These data do not support the hypothesis that exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields is a significant risk factor for developing lymphoma in a genetically predisposed species, even at a relatively high exposure level.
Sommer
Angela M
AM
School of Engineering and Science, International University Bremen, Research II, Campus Ring 6, D-28759 Bremen, Germany. a.sommer@iu-bremen.de <a.sommer@iu-bremen.de>
Streckert
Joachim
J
Bitz
Andreas K
AK
Hansen
Volkert W
VW
Lerchl
Alexander
A
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D040421:Cell Phone; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000209:etiology*; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*