6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
DNA & Genetic Damage162 citations

Effect of low power microwave on the mouse genome: a direct DNA analysis.

Bioeffects Seen

Sarkar S, Ali S, Behari J · 1994

View Original Abstract
Share:

Animals exposed to microwave at a power density of 1 mW/cm2 for 2 h/day at a frequency of 2.45 GHz over a period of 120, 150 and 200 days showed distinctly altered band patterns in the range of 7-8 kb.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Animals were exposed to microwave at a power density of 1 mW/cm2 for 2 h/day at a frequency of 2.45 GHz over a period of 120, 150 and 200 days. HinfI digested DNA samples from testis and brain of control and exposed animals were hybridized with a synthetic oligo probe (OAT 36) comprising nine repeats of 5'-GACA-3'. As compared to control animals, band patterns in exposed animals were found to be distinctly altered in the range of 7-8 kb which was also substantiated by densitometric analysis.

Why This Matters

Though the mechanism of this rearrangement is not yet clear, the results obtained at the present dose are of significance. This dose, which has been set as the safe limit for general public exposure by the Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee of the International Radiation Protection Association, may imply a need for (re)evaluation of the mutagenic potential of microwaves at the prescribed safe limit for the personnel and people who are being exposed.

Exposure Details

Power Density
1 mW/cm²
Source/Device
2.45 GHz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day for 120, 150 and 200 days.

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

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 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 1 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

The potential mutagenic effect of low power microwave at the DNA sequence level in the mouse genome was evaluated by direct DNA analysis.

Animals were exposed to microwave at a power density of 1 mW/cm2 for 2 h/day at a frequency of 2.45 ...

As compared to control animals, band patterns in exposed animals were found to be distinctly altered...

Cite This Study
Sarkar S, Ali S, Behari J (1994). Effect of low power microwave on the mouse genome: a direct DNA analysis. Mutat Res 320(1-2):141-147, 1994.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_1994_effect_of_low_power_1310,
  author = {Sarkar S and Ali S and Behari J},
  title = {Effect of low power microwave on the mouse genome: a direct DNA analysis.},
  year = {1994},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7506381/},
}
PubMed: 7506381

Cited By (162 papers)

View all 162 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Animals were exposed to microwave at a power density of 1 mW/cm2 for 2 h/day at a frequency of 2.45 GHz over a period of 120, 150 and 200 days.
As compared to control animals, band patterns in exposed animals were found to be distinctly altered in the range of 7-8 kb which was also substantiated by densitometric analysis.
HinfI digested DNA samples from testis and brain of control and exposed animals were hybridized with a synthetic oligo probe (OAT 36) comprising nine repeats of 5'-GACA-3'.
This dose, which has been set as the safe limit for general public exposure by the Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee of the International Radiation Protection Association, may imply a need for (re)evaluation of the mutagenic potential of microwaves at the prescribed safe limit for the personnel and people who are being exposed.