Micronucleus frequency in erythrocytes of mice after long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate genotoxicity of long-term exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields by measuring micronuclei in erythrocytes. The blood samples were collected in two animal studies evaluating possible cocarcinogenic effects of RF fields.


METHODS
In study A, female CBA/S mice were exposed for 78 weeks (1.5 h/d, 5 d/week) to either a continuous 902.5 MHz signal similar to that emitted by analog NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone) phones at a whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.5 W/kg, or to a pulsed 902.4 MHz signal similar to that of digital GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) phones at 0.35 W/kg. A third group was sham-exposed, and a fourth group served as cage controls. All but the cage control animals were exposed to 4 Gy of x-rays during three first weeks of the experiment. In study B, female transgenic mice (line K2) and their nontransgenic littermates were exposed for 52 weeks (1.5 h/d, 5 d/week). Two digital mobile phone signals, GSM and DAMPS (Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System), were used at 0.5 W/kg. All but the cage-control animals were exposed 3 times per week to an ultraviolet radiation dose of 1.2 MED (minimum erythema dose).


CONCLUSIONS
The results did not show any effects of RF fields on micronucleus frequency in polychromatic or normochromatic erythrocytes. The results were consistent in two mouse strains (and in a transgenic variant of the second strain), after 52 or 78 weeks of exposure, at three SAR levels relevant to human exposure from mobile phones, and for three different mobile signals.
Juutilainen
Jukka
J
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. jukka.juutilainen@uku.fi
Heikkinen
Päivi
P
Soikkeli
Harri
H
Mäki-Paakkanen
Jorma
J
D000818:Animals; D001822:Body Burden; D040421:Cell Phone; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008872:Microwaves; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011846:Radio Waves; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation