6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
DNA & Genetic Damage503 citations

Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation

Bioeffects Seen

Lai H, Singh NP · 1996

View Original Abstract
Share:

Acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation increased both single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Rats received acute 2-hour exposure to pulsed or continuous-wave 2450-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, producing a whole-body average-specific absorption rate of 1.2 W/kg. An increase in both types of DNA strand breaks was observed after exposure to either the pulsed or continuous-wave radiation, with no significant difference between the two forms.

Why This Matters

DNA strand breaks in individual brain cells were measured at 4 hours post-exposure using a microgel electrophoresis assay. The researchers speculated that the effects could result from a direct effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic energy on DNA molecules and/or impairment of DNA-damage repair mechanisms in brain cells. The authors noted that their data further support earlier in vitro and in vivo studies showing effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.2 W/kg
Power Density
2 mW/cm²
Source/Device
2450-MHz continuous wave
Exposure Duration
2h

Exposure Context

This study used 2 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

This study used 1.2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 2 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 2 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To investigate single-and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

We investigated the effects of acute (2-h) exposure to pulsed (2 - mus pulse width, 500 pulses s- 1)...

An increase in both types of DNA strand breaks was observed after exposure to either the pulsed or c...

Our data further support the results of earlier in vitro and in vivo studies showing effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA.

Cite This Study
Lai H, Singh NP (1996). Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation Int J Radiat Biol 69(4):513-521, 1996.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_1996_single_and_doublestrand_dna_52,
  author = {Lai H and Singh NP},
  title = {Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation},
  year = {1996},
  doi = {10.1080/095530096145814},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/095530096145814},
}
DOI: 10.1080/095530096145814

Cited By (503 papers)

View all 503 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

The study investigated single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
The exposure produced a whole-body average-specific absorption rate of 1.2 W/kg.
No significant difference was observed between the effects of the two forms of radiation.
Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in individual brain cells were measured at 4 hours post-exposure using a microgel electrophoresis assay.
Researchers speculated that the effects could result from a direct effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic energy on DNA molecules and/or impairment of DNA-damage repair mechanisms in brain cells.