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DNA & Genetic Damage

Assessment of DNA sensitivity in peripheral blood leukocytes after occupational exposure to microwave radiation: the alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay

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Authors not listed · 2008

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Occupational microwave exposure was associated with increased DNA damage and nearly threefold higher bleomycin-induced chromatid breaks in radar workers.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated DNA sensitivity in peripheral blood leukocytes of radar-facility workers daily exposed to microwave radiation and unexposed controls. The study used alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay to evaluate DNA damage and sensitivity. Exposed workers showed increased DNA damage by comet assay and almost three times more bleomycin-induced chromatid breaks than controls. The difference in break per cell values between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant in the exposed group. Regression analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between the two assay results, with the best correlation between tail moment and number of chromatid breaks.

Why This Matters

The workers were exposed to a microwave field of 10 muW/cm(2)-20 mW/cm(2) with frequency range of 1,250-1,350 MHz. After short-term bleomycin exposure, lymphocytes from exposed workers showed high numbers of chromatid breaks. The number of metaphases with breaks predicted comet assay parameters better than the break-per-cell ratio. The authors concluded that microwave radiation represents a potential DNA-damaging hazard and that the assays are sensitive biomarkers of individual cancer susceptibility.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1,250-1,350 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1,250-1,350 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2008). Assessment of DNA sensitivity in peripheral blood leukocytes after occupational exposure to microwave radiation: the alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay.
Show BibTeX
@article{assessment_of_dna_sensitivity_in_peripheral_blood_leukocytes_after_occupational_exposure_to_microwave_radiation_the_alkaline_comet_assay_and_chromatid_breakage_assay_ce951,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Assessment of DNA sensitivity in peripheral blood leukocytes after occupational exposure to microwave radiation: the alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1007/s10565-008-9060-3},
  
}
DOI: 10.1007/s10565-008-9060-3PubMed: 18214694

Quick Questions About This Study

Workers were exposed to a microwave field of 10 muW/cm(2)-20 mW/cm(2) with frequency range of 1,250-1,350 MHz.
The alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay (bleomycin-sensitivity assay) were used.
Exposed workers had increased DNA damage measured by the alkaline comet assay compared to controls. They also showed almost three times more bleomycin-induced chromatid breaks than controls.
The difference in break per cell values between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant in the exposed group.
Regression analyses showed a significant positive correlation between the two assay results, with the strongest correlation between tail moment and number of chromatid breaks.