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Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment.

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Garaj-Vrhovac V, Gajski G, Pažanin S, Sarolić A, Domijan AM, Flajs D, Peraica M. · 2011

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Marine radar workers showed significant DNA damage and oxidative stress from microwave exposure at frequencies similar to modern wireless devices.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Croatian researchers studied marine radar operators exposed to microwave radiation and found significant DNA damage and cellular stress compared to unexposed workers. The exposed group showed doubled genetic damage markers and clear oxidative stress, providing evidence that occupational microwave exposure causes measurable harm to human cells.

Why This Matters

This research adds important evidence to the growing body of science showing that microwave radiation can damage human DNA and trigger oxidative stress. What makes this study particularly significant is that it examined real-world occupational exposure rather than laboratory conditions, measuring actual biological effects in workers routinely exposed to radar frequencies. The frequencies studied (3-9.4 GHz) overlap with those used in modern wireless technologies, including some 5G applications and WiFi systems. The researchers found clear dose-response relationships between exposure and genetic damage, with multiple biomarkers all pointing in the same direction. The evidence shows that even without obvious symptoms, microwave radiation can trigger measurable cellular damage that may accumulate over time.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 3 GHz, 5.5 GHz and 9.4 GHz

Study Details

Study was aimed at workers occupationally exposed to pulsed microwave radiation, originating from marine radars.

Electromagnetic field strength was measured at assigned marine radar frequencies (3 GHz, 5.5 GHz and...

Differences between mean tail intensity (0.67 vs. 1.22) and moment (0.08 vs. 0.16) as comet assay pa...

Results suggests that pulsed microwaves from working environment can be the cause of genetic and cell alterations and that oxidative stress can be one of the possible mechanisms of DNA and cell damage.

Cite This Study
Garaj-Vrhovac V, Gajski G, Pažanin S, Sarolić A, Domijan AM, Flajs D, Peraica M. (2011). Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 4(1):59-65, 2011.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_2011_assessment_of_cytogenetic_damage_1636,
  author = {Garaj-Vrhovac V and Gajski G and Pažanin S and Sarolić A and Domijan AM and Flajs D and Peraica M.},
  title = {Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment.},
  year = {2011},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1438463910001069},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Croatian researchers studied marine radar operators exposed to microwave radiation and found significant DNA damage and cellular stress compared to unexposed workers. The exposed group showed doubled genetic damage markers and clear oxidative stress, providing evidence that occupational microwave exposure causes measurable harm to human cells.