Cytogenetic changes induced by low-intensity microwaves in the species Triticum aestivum
Pavel A, Ungureanu CE, Bara II, Gassner P, Creanga DE · 1998
View Original AbstractLow-intensity microwaves at 9.75 GHz caused multiple types of DNA damage in wheat seeds, demonstrating genetic effects below heating thresholds.
Plain English Summary
Romanian researchers exposed wheat seeds to low-intensity 9.75 GHz microwaves and examined the genetic material under microscopes. They found multiple types of DNA damage including chromosome fragments, delayed chromosomes, and other cellular abnormalities that didn't appear in unexposed control seeds. This demonstrates that even low-intensity microwave radiation can cause measurable genetic damage in living organisms.
Why This Matters
This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that microwave radiation can damage DNA and chromosomes, even at low intensities. While conducted on wheat seeds rather than human cells, the findings are significant because DNA damage mechanisms are remarkably similar across species. The 9.75 GHz frequency used falls within the X-band microwave range commonly used in radar systems and some industrial applications. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that it demonstrates clear chromosomal aberrations at low power levels, challenging industry claims that only high-intensity exposures pose biological risks. The reality is that genetic damage doesn't require heating effects to occur, and this study provides direct visual evidence of microwave-induced chromosomal abnormalities.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 9.75 GHz
Study Details
To study the cytogenetic changes induced by low-intensity microwaves in the species Triticum aestivum
Seeds of Triticum aestivum having an uniform genophond have been exposed to a microwave flow, with a...
Our results show that as compared to the controls different types of chromosomal aberrations appeare...
Show BibTeX
@article{a_1998_cytogenetic_changes_induced_by_2517,
author = {Pavel A and Ungureanu CE and Bara II and Gassner P and Creanga DE},
title = {Cytogenetic changes induced by low-intensity microwaves in the species Triticum aestivum},
year = {1998},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10756851/},
}