Comparison of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from people occupationally exposed to ionizing and radiofrequency radiation.
Lalic H, Lekic A, Radosevic-Stasic B. · 2001
View Original AbstractWorkers exposed to radiofrequency radiation showed DNA damage levels comparable to those exposed to cancer-causing ionizing radiation.
Plain English Summary
Researchers examined blood cells from 45 workers exposed to radiofrequency radiation (radio-relay stations) and ionizing radiation (hospitals) to look for DNA damage. They found that both groups had significantly more chromosome breaks and abnormalities compared to unexposed people - about 4 times higher for certain types of damage. The study suggests that prolonged occupational RF exposure can damage DNA at the cellular level, similar to the well-established effects of ionizing radiation.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation can cause measurable genetic damage in human cells. The researchers found that workers at radio-relay stations showed chromosome aberrations at levels comparable to those seen in medical workers exposed to ionizing radiation - a form of radiation we know definitively causes DNA damage. What makes this particularly significant is that the RF-exposed workers showed damage patterns that were dose-dependent, meaning more cumulative exposure correlated with more genetic damage. The reality is that while these were occupational exposures likely higher than typical consumer levels, this research demonstrates that RF radiation can indeed break chromosomes and damage DNA in living human cells. The authors' recommendation for mandatory genetic monitoring of RF-exposed workers underscores the seriousness of these findings and challenges the narrative that non-ionizing radiation is inherently safe.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation were investigated in 25 physicians and nurses working in hospitals and in 20 individuals working at radio-relay stations
Examination was conducted by chromosome aberration analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes.
The data showed that total number of chromosome aberrations in people exposed to ionizing and radio-...
The data emphasized the dangerous effects of prolonged exposure to both types of radiation and indicated that chromosomal aberration analysis should be obligatory for individuals working at radio-relay stations.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_2001_comparison_of_chromosome_aberrations_2332,
author = {Lalic H and Lekic A and Radosevic-Stasic B.},
title = {Comparison of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from people occupationally exposed to ionizing and radiofrequency radiation.},
year = {2001},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11332198/},
}