Exposure to 915 MHz radiation induces micronuclei in Vicia faba root tips
Authors not listed · 2016
Exposure to 915 MHz radiation significantly increased micronucleus frequency in Vicia faba root tips, ranging from a 2.3-fold to a 7-fold increase above sham values.
Plain English Summary
Researchers studied the mutagenic effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure using the micronucleus test in secondary roots of Vicia faba seedlings. Roots were exposed for 72 hours using a continuous wave of 915 MHz radiation at three power density levels, with specific absorption rate values falling in the range of 0.4 to 1.5 W/kg. Three independent experiments showed a significant increase in micronucleus frequency, from a 2.3-fold increase at the lowest SAR level up to a 7-fold increase at the highest SAR.
Why This Matters
The study aimed to determine whether plant systems might show less ambiguous responses to radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure than mammalian systems. The researchers noted that conflicting results are reported by the great majority of in vivo and in vitro studies on the capability of RF-EMF exposure to induce DNA damage and mutations in mammalian systems. Exposures were conducted inside a transverse electromagnetic cell, described as controlled conditions. The researchers concluded that their findings clearly show the capability of radiofrequency exposure to induce DNA damage in this eukaryotic cell system. The authors noted their findings are in agreement with the limited number of data on cytogenetic effects detected in other plant systems exposed to mobile phone RF-EMF frequencies.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{exposure_to_915_mhz_radiation_induces_micronuclei_in_vicia_faba_root_tips_ce2803,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Exposure to 915 MHz radiation induces micronuclei in Vicia faba root tips},
year = {2016},
doi = {10.1093/mutage/gev071},
}