Analysis of the Genotoxic Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation using Buccal Micronucleus Assay: A Comparative Evaluation.
Banerjee S, Singh NN, Sreedhar G, Mukherjee S. · 2016
View Original AbstractHeavy mobile phone users showed significantly more DNA damage in mouth cells than light users, even at 'safe' radiation levels.
Plain English Summary
Researchers examined cells from inside the mouths of mobile phone users to look for micronuclei, which are tiny fragments that indicate DNA damage and are linked to cancer risk. They found that heavy phone users (more than 5 years of use, over 10 hours weekly) had significantly more DNA damage in their mouth cells compared to light users, with the worst damage occurring in people who reported feeling warmth around their ear during calls. The study suggests that even radiation levels considered 'safe' by current standards can cause genetic damage when exposure occurs over long periods.
Why This Matters
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones can cause measurable biological damage at exposure levels regulators currently consider safe. The micronucleus assay is a well-established method for detecting DNA damage, and the fact that researchers found a clear dose-response relationship between phone use and genetic damage is particularly concerning. What makes this research especially relevant is that it examined the exact tissue where phones are held during calls, providing direct evidence of localized damage. The finding that users who experienced ear warmth showed the most DNA damage suggests that thermal effects may be involved, contradicting industry claims that non-thermal effects are harmless. The researchers' recommendation to use headphones aligns with precautionary advice from health experts worldwide, offering a simple way to reduce exposure while maintaining phone functionality.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To explore the effects of mobile phone radiation on the MN frequency in oral mucosal cells.
The subjects were divided into two major groups: low mobile phone users and high mobile phone users....
The number of micronucleated cells/ 1000 exfoliated buccal mucosal cells was found to be significant...
Mobile phone radiation even in the permissible range when used for longer duration causes significant genotoxicity. The genotoxicity can be avoided to some extent by the regular use of headphones.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2016_analysis_of_the_genotoxic_1875,
author = {Banerjee S and Singh NN and Sreedhar G and Mukherjee S.},
title = {Analysis of the Genotoxic Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation using Buccal Micronucleus Assay: A Comparative Evaluation.},
year = {2016},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4843394/},
}