Non-thermal DNA breakage by mobile-phone radiation (1800 MHz) in human fibroblasts and in transformed GFSH-R17 rat granulosa cells in vitro.
Cultured human diploid fibroblasts and cultured rat granulosa cells were exposed to intermittent and continuous radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) used in mobile phones, with different specific absorption rates (SAR) and different mobile-phone modulations. DNA strand breaks were determined by means of the alkaline and neutral comet assay. RF-EMF exposure (1800 MHz; SAR 1.2 or 2 W/kg; different modulations; during 4, 16 and 24h; intermittent 5 min on/10 min off or continuous wave) induced DNA single- and double-strand breaks. Effects occurred after 16 h exposure in both cell types and after different mobile-phone modulations. The intermittent exposure showed a stronger effect in the comet assay than continuous exposure. Therefore we conclude that the induced DNA damage cannot be based on thermal effects.
Diem
Elisabeth
E
Division of Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna 1090, Austria.
Schwarz
Claudia
C
Adlkofer
Franz
F
Jahn
Oswald
O
Rüdiger
Hugo
H
D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D040421:Cell Phone; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors