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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

DNA & Genetic Damage

DNA Damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

No Effects Found

McNamee JP, Bellier PV, Gajda GB, Lavallee BF, Lemay EP, Marro L, Thansandote A. · 2002

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The study found no evidence of increased DNA damage in human leukocytes after acute exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF field.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Blood cultures from human volunteers were exposed to an acute 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency (RF) field for 2 h using a series of six circularly polarized, cylindrical waveguides. Mean specific absorption rates (SARs) ranged from 0 to 10 W/kg and the temperature within the cultures during the exposure was maintained at 37.0 ± 0.5°C. DNA damage was quantified in leukocytes by the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. No evidence of increased primary DNA damage was detected by the comet assay and no significant differences in micronucleus frequency were found at any SAR tested.

Why This Matters

The aim of the study is to observe DNA Damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field. The authors concluded that the results do not support the hypothesis that acute, nonthermalizing 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF-field exposure causes DNA damage in cultured human leukocytes.

Exposure Details

SAR
0 - 10 W/kg
Source/Device
1.9 GHz
Exposure Duration
2 h

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kg
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.90 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.90 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of the study is to observe DNA Damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

Blood cultures from human volunteers were exposed to an acute 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency...

When compared to the sham-treated controls, no evidence of increased primary DNA damage was detected...

These results do not support the hypothesis that acute, nonthermalizing 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF-field exposure causes DNA damage in cultured human leukocytes.

Cite This Study
McNamee JP, Bellier PV, Gajda GB, Lavallee BF, Lemay EP, Marro L, Thansandote A. (2002). DNA Damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field. Radiat Res 158(4):534-537, 2002.
Show BibTeX
@article{jp_2002_dna_damage_in_human_2923,
  author = {McNamee JP and Bellier PV and Gajda GB and Lavallee BF and Lemay EP and Marro L and Thansandote A.},
  title = {DNA Damage in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.},
  year = {2002},
  
  url = {https://meridian.allenpress.com/radiation-research/article-abstract/158/4/534/331903/DNA-Damage-in-Human-Leukocytes-after-Acute-In},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Blood cultures from human volunteers were exposed to an acute 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency (RF) field for 2 h using a series of six circularly polarized, cylindrical waveguides. Mean specific absorption rates (SARs) ranged from 0 to 10 W/kg and the temperature was maintained at 37.0 ± 0.5°C.
DNA damage was quantified using the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay.
No evidence of increased primary DNA damage was detected in any RF-field-exposed culture compared to sham controls.
No significant differences in binucleated cell frequency, micronucleated binucleated cell incidence, or total micronuclei incidence were detected at any SAR tested.
The results do not support the hypothesis that acute, nonthermalizing 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF-field exposure causes DNA damage in cultured human leukocytes.