title: Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic fields exposure on cochlear cells' functionality in rats: evaluation of distortion product otoacoustic emissions.
abstract: In recent years, the widespread use of mobile phones has been accompanied by public debate about possible adverse consequences on human health. The auditory system is a major target of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by cellular telephones; the aim of this study was the evaluation of possible effects of cellular phone-like emissions on the functionality of rat's cochlea. Distortion Products OtoAcoustic Emission (DPOAE) amplitude was selected as cochlea's outer hair cells (OHC) status indicator. A number of protocols, including different frequencies (the lower ones in rat's cochlea sensitivity spectrum), intensities and periods of exposure, were used; tests were carried out before, during and after the period of treatment. No significant variation due to exposure to microwaves has been evidenced.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences Unit, Enea Casaccia, Rome, Italy. paolo.galloni@casaccia.enea.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galloni
authors.forename: Giorgio Alfonso
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lovisolo
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parazzini
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piscitelli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravazzani
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D040421:Cell Phone; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors