Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation (900 MHz, GSM signal) does not Affect Micronucleus Frequency and Cell Proliferation in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes: An Interlaboratory Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate whether 24 h exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields similar to those emitted by mobile phones induces genotoxic effects and/or effects on cell cycle kinetics in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The effect of 900 MHz exposure (GSM signal) was evaluated at four specific absorption rates (SARs, 0, 1, 5 and 10 W/kg peak values). The exposures were carried out in wire patch cells under strictly controlled conditions of both temperature and dosimetry, and the induction of genotoxic effects was evaluated in lymphocyte cultures from 10 healthy donors by applying the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Positive controls were provided by using mitomycin C. Two research groups were involved in the study, one at ENEA, Rome, and the other at CNR-IREA, Naples. Each laboratory tested five donors, and the resulting slides were scored by both laboratories. Following this experimental scheme, it was also possible to compare the results obtained by cross-scoring of slides. The results obtained provided no evidence for the existence of genotoxic or cytotoxic effects in the range of SARs investigated. These findings were confirmed in the two groups of five donors examined in the two laboratories and when the same slides were scored by two operators.

The genotoxic effect of radiofrequency waves on mouse brain

“…However, case-control studies, cell culture studies and animal studies regarding the effect of cell phone systems have caused public concern. There are also many results supporting their hazardous effects as well as negative findings in the literature [9][10][11][12]. Studies about the health effects of RF can be grouped as experimental cell culture studies, animal studies and studies of observations of the effects of RF in life by a number of methods, such as geographical correlation studies, studies in individuals from different occupations exposed to RF energy and studies of mobile phone users [2].…”

SAR and efficiency evaluation of a 900 MHz waveguide chamber for cell exposure

“…In addition, we show that the ML/E p exposure condition offers high efficiency and uniformity in the entire sample as well, thus providing a useful exposure configuration also for in vitro experiments with cells in suspension as that described in Schonbörn et al [2000] and Scarfì et al [2006]. …”

Experimental Requirements for in vitro Studies Aimed to Evaluate the Biological Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation

“…Moreover, evaluations of the average SAR are also performed by measuring the S parameters of the applicator when loaded with the sample. Examples of experimental dosimetry have been reported in previous papers [29,30].…”

“…WPC also allows simultaneous exposure of several biological samples to the same energy level, thus enhancing the statistical power of biological studies. Figure 6 shows the WPC that our research group employed as RF applicator in the four-channel exposure setup, realized in the replication study performed in the framework of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [30]. An important feature of an RF exposure setup is the stability of electromagnetic exposure, which depends on a number of details, not always strictly controllable, e.g., location of the flasks with respect to the exposure unit, amount of cell culture medium, changes of the dielectric properties of the medium, amplifier and frequency drift, and others.…”