title: Single-strand DNA breaks in human hair root cells exposed to mobile phone radiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the short-term effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure on genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of human hair root cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hair samples were collected from eight healthy human subjects immediately before and after using a 900-MHz GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phone for 15 and 30 min. Single-strand DNA breaks of hair root cells from the samples were determined using the 'comet assay'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data showed that talking on a mobile phone for 15 or 30 min significantly increased (p < 0.05) single-strand DNA breaks in cells of hair roots close to the phone. Comparing the 15-min and 30-min data using the paired t-test also showed that significantly more damages resulted after 30 min than after 15 min of phone use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A short-term exposure (15 and 30 min) to RFR (900-MHz) from a mobile phone caused a significant increase in DNA single-strand breaks in human hair root cells located around the ear which is used for the phone calls.
authors.affiliation: Seyhan Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Biophysics Department, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. stepe06@gmail.com
authors.forename: Semra Tepe
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Çam
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seyhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D020552:Comet Assay; D053904:DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged