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DNA & Genetic Damage

935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.

No Effects Found

Stronati L, Testa A, Moquet J, Edwards A, Cordelli E, Villani P, Marino C, Fresegna AM, Appolloni M, Lloyd D. · 2006

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Continuous 24-hour exposure to a 935 MHz GSM signal at 1 or 2 W/kg showed no genotoxic effect in human lymphocytes and did not modify any measured effects of the x-radiation.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

The study used alkaline comet assay, metaphase analysis, micronucleus test, and nuclear division index to assess DNA strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, micronuclei, and cell cycling speed. It comprehensively examined whether 24-hour continuous exposure to a 935 MHz GSM signal at 1 or 2 W/kg is genotoxic per se or can influence x-ray genotoxicity. Within the experimental parameters, no effect from the RFR signal was observed in any instance. The SAR values chosen were near the upper limit of energy absorption in localized tissue during cellular telephone use.

Why This Matters

The purpose of the combined exposures was to examine whether RFR might act epigenetically by reducing the fidelity of repair of DNA damage caused by a well-characterized and established mutagen. Blood samples from 14 donors were exposed for 24 hours to the GSM signal at two SAR levels, either alone or with x-rays given before or after. The results showed no effect of the radiofrequency radiation alone on any assay endpoint and no modification of x-ray effects.

Exposure Details

SAR
1 and 2 W/kg
Source/Device
935 MHz
Exposure Duration
24 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 1 and 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: 1 and 2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 935 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 935 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of the combined exposures was to examine whether RFR might act epigenetically by reducing the fidelity of repair of DNA damage caused by a well-characterized and established mutagen.

Blood specimens from 14 donors were exposed continuously for 24 h to a Global System for Mobile Comm...

By comparison with appropriate sham-exposed and control samples, no effect of RFR alone could be fou...

This study has used several standard in vitro tests for chromosomal and DNA damage in Go human lymphocytes exposed in vitro to a combination of x-rays and RFR. It has comprehensively examined whether a 24-h continuous exposure to a 935 MHz GSM basic signal delivering SAR of 1 or 2 W/Kg is genotoxic per se or whether, it can influence the genotoxicity of the well-established clastogenic agent; x-radiation. Within the experimental parameters of the study in all instances no effect from the RFR signal was observed.

Cite This Study
Stronati L, Testa A, Moquet J, Edwards A, Cordelli E, Villani P, Marino C, Fresegna AM, Appolloni M, Lloyd D. (2006). 935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes. Int J Radiat Biol. 82(5):339-346, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2006_935_mhz_cellular_phone_2930,
  author = {Stronati L and Testa A and Moquet J and Edwards A and Cordelli E and Villani P and Marino C and Fresegna AM and Appolloni M and Lloyd D.},
  title = {935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16782651/},
}
PubMed: 16782651

Cited By (70 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Blood specimens from 14 donors were exposed continuously for 24 hours to a 935 MHz GSM signal at 1 or 2 W/kg, alone or combined with 1.0 Gy x-rays.
The assays employed were the alkaline comet technique to detect DNA strand breakage, metaphase analyses to detect unstable chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges, micronuclei in cytokinesis-blocked binucleate lymphocytes, and the nuclear division index to detect alterations in cell cycling speed.
No effect of RFR alone could be found for any of the assay endpoints compared to sham-exposed and control samples.
RFR did not modify any measured effects of the x-radiation.
The purpose of the combined exposures was to examine whether RFR might act epigenetically by reducing the fidelity of repair of DNA damage caused by a well-characterized and established mutagen.