No Increased DNA Damage Observed in the Brain, Liver, and Lung of Fetal Mice Treated With Ethylnitrosourea and Exposed to UMTS Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

Abstract

The widespread use of mobile phones and Wi-Fi-based communication devices makes exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) unavoidable. Previous experiments have revealed the tumor-promoting effects of non-ionizing RF-EMF in adult carcinogen-treated mice in utero. To extend these investigations, we tested whether these effects are due to the co-carcinogenicity of RF-EMF which would manifest as elevated DNA damage. Similar to previous experiments, pregnant mice were exposed to RF-EMF (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System [UMTS] standard, approximately 1,960 MHz) from day 7 post-conception (p.c.) at 0 (sham), 0.04, and 0.4 W/kg SAR. At day 14 p.c., the mice were injected with the carcinogen ethylnitrosourea (ENU, 40 mg/kg). At three time-points specifically 24, 36, and 72 h later, the pregnant females were sacrificed and the fetuses (n = 24-57) were removed. A dye (cy3) specific for adenyl adducts was used to detect DNA damage by fluorescence microscopy in the brain, liver, and lung of each fetus. Compared to control (0 W/kg SAR), exposure to RF-EMF had no effect on the formation of DNA adducts in the inspected tissues. We conclude that increased adenyl formation of DNA by RF-EMF exposure is not a valid explanation for the previously reported tumor-promoting effects of RF-RMF. Our findings may help to gain a deeper insight into the biological effects of RF-EMF exposure in the context of malignancy. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:611-616.

The Protective Effects of EMF-LTE against DNA Double-Strand Break Damage In Vitro and In Vivo

“…In particular, radiofrequency (RF), which has an EMF with a bandwidth of 3 kHz to 300 GHz, is widely used in everyday life [ 3 ]. Therefore, there is increasing concern over the potential carcinogenic effects of RF exposure [ 32 ]. Previous studies purporting the carcinogenic effects of RF-EMF have suggested two hypotheses.…”

“…However, Chagnaud et al did not observe such an effect in rats after irradiation with 900 MHz microwaves 55 or 200 μW/cm 2 (75 and 270 mW/kg average whole-body SAR(Specific Absorption Rate), 2 h daily for 2 weeks) [ 37 ]. Moreover, an in vivo study confirmed that RF-EMF exposure to fetal mice did not increase ethylnitrosourea-induced DNA damages in the brain, liver, or lung [ 32 ]. These findings demonstrate that further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of RF-EMF on DNA damage.…”