The effect of microwave radiation on the cell genome
Garaj-Vrhovac V, Horvat D, Koren Z · 1990
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation at 7.7 GHz was associated with a higher frequency of specific chromosome lesions in cultured hamster cells compared with control samples.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells to continuous microwave radiation at 7.7 GHz and a power density of 30 mW/cm2 for 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The study measured the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and the frequency of chromosome aberrations. Inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation occurred through complete prevention of DNA from entering into the S phase, and the normal rate of incorporation recovered within one generation cycle of V79 cells. Compared with control samples, irradiated cells showed a higher frequency of specific chromosome lesions.
Why This Matters
The researchers used two methods to study DNA effects: the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and autoradiography. The thymidine incorporation finding indicated that DNA was being blocked from entering the S phase. Although DNA synthesis recovered after one generation cycle, the researchers noted that even DNA macromolecules were involved in the process. The results led the researchers to suggest that microwave radiation causes changes in both the synthesis and the structure of DNA molecules.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 30 mW/cm²
- Source/Device
- 7.7 GHz continuous radiation
- Exposure Duration
- 15, 30 and 60 min
Exposure Context
This study used 30 mW/cm² for radio frequency:
- 3,000Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 50Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
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 Details
To investigate the effect of microwave radiation on the cell genome.
Cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells were exposed to continuous radiation, frequency 7.7 GHz, power de...
Data obtained by 2 methods (the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and autoradiography) showed ...
Results discussed in this study suggest that microwave radiation causes changes in the synthesis as well as in the structure of DNA molecules.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_1990_the_effect_of_microwave_57,
author = {Garaj-Vrhovac V and Horvat D and Koren Z},
title = {The effect of microwave radiation on the cell genome},
year = {1990},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016579929090028I},
}