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Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain

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Alkis ME, Bilgin HM, Akpolat V, Dasdag S, Yegin K, Yavas MC, Akdag MZ · 2019

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Rats exposed to 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation for 6 months showed higher DNA damage and oxidative stress indicators than sham-control rats.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed male Sprague Dawley rats to radiofrequency radiation at 900, 1800, or 2100 MHz for 2 hours per day for 6 months to study DNA damage and oxidative stress in blood and brain tissue. DNA damage and oxidative stress indicators were found higher in the radiofrequency radiation exposure groups than in the sham-control group. The researchers concluded that 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation may cause oxidative damage, induce an increase in lipid peroxidation, and increase oxidative DNA damage in the frontal lobe of rat brain tissues, and that 2100-MHz radiation may cause formation of DNA single-strand breaks.

Why This Matters

The study used four groups of seven male Sprague Dawley rats each: one sham-control group and three groups exposed to different frequencies. The sham-control rats were kept under the same experimental conditions, but the generator was turned off. Specific absorption rates at the brain were calculated as 0.0845 W/kg at 900 MHz, 0.04563 W/kg at 1800 MHz, and 0.03957 W/kg at 2100 MHz. Researchers measured malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, total antioxidant status, and total oxidant status in brain tissue samples. The researchers noted that 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation may cause formation of DNA single-strand breaks, a finding not stated for the lower frequencies.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.0845 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day for 6 months

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0845 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Severe Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 19 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to explore whether long-term RFR exposure at different frequencies affects DNA damage and oxidant-antioxidant parameters in the blood and brain tissue of rats.

28 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (n = 7). They were identifi...

Results of the study showed that DNA damage and oxidative stress indicators were found higher in the...

In conclusion, 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz RFR emitted from mobile phones may cause oxidative damage, induce increase in lipid peroxidation, and increase oxidative DNA damage formation in the frontal lobe of the rat brain tissues. Furthermore, 2100-MHz RFR may cause formation of DNA single-strand breaks.

Cite This Study
Alkis ME, Bilgin HM, Akpolat V, Dasdag S, Yegin K, Yavas MC, Akdag MZ (2019). Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain Electromagn Biol Med. 38(1):32-47, 2019.
Show BibTeX
@article{me_2019_effect_of_900_1800_506,
  author = {Alkis ME and Bilgin HM and Akpolat V and Dasdag S and Yegin K and Yavas MC and Akdag MZ},
  title = {Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1080/15368378.2019.1567526},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15368378.2019.1567526},
}
DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2019.1567526

Cited By (97 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

The study tested rats exposed to radiofrequency radiation at 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz, plus a sham-control group.
The rats were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 2 hours per day for 6 months.
DNA damage indicators were found higher in the radiofrequency radiation exposure groups than in the sham-control group. The researchers also suggested that 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation may cause formation of DNA single-strand breaks.
Researchers measured malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, total antioxidant status, and total oxidant status in brain tissue samples.
The researchers reported oxidative DNA damage formation in the frontal lobe of the rat brain tissues.