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DNA & Genetic Damage

Investigation of co-genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in vivo.

No Effects Found

Verschaeve L, Heikkinen P, Verheyen G, Van Gorp U, Boonen F, Vander Plaetse F, Maes A, Kumlin T, Maki-Paakkanen J, Puranen L, Juutilainen J. · 2006

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Co-exposure to radiofrequency fields and MX did not significantly increase DNA damage in rat blood, liver, or brain compared to MX alone.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated combined genotoxic effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency fields and the drinking water mutagen MX in female rats over two years. MX induced DNA damage in rat brain but not in blood or liver cells. Co-exposure to RF fields and MX did not significantly increase DNA damage in blood, liver, or brain compared to MX alone. The study used alkaline comet assay and micronucleus tests on samples taken at multiple time points.

Why This Matters

The two-year study found no evidence that RF radiation enhanced genotoxicity in rats. MX was administered in drinking water at 19 micrograms per milliliter.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.3 or 0.9 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz, amplitude modulated at 217 Hz
Exposure Duration
2 years for 2 h per day, 5 days per week

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.3 or 0.9 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 5 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 217 Hz - 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 217 Hz - 900 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

We investigated the possible combined genotoxic effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (900 MHz, amplitude modulated at 217 Hz, mobile phone signal) with the drinking water mutagen and carcinogen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX).

Female rats were exposed to RF fields for a period of 2 years for 2 h per day, 5 days per week at av...

We did not find significant genotoxic activity of MX in blood and liver cells. However, MX induced D...

In conclusion, this 2-year animal study involving long-term exposures to RF radiation and MX did not provide any evidence for enhanced genotoxicity in rats exposed to RF radiation.

Cite This Study
Verschaeve L, Heikkinen P, Verheyen G, Van Gorp U, Boonen F, Vander Plaetse F, Maes A, Kumlin T, Maki-Paakkanen J, Puranen L, Juutilainen J. (2006). Investigation of co-genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in vivo. Radiat Res 165:598-607, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2006_investigation_of_cogenotoxic_effects_2932,
  author = {Verschaeve L and Heikkinen P and Verheyen G and Van Gorp U and Boonen F and Vander Plaetse F and Maes A and Kumlin T and Maki-Paakkanen J and Puranen L and Juutilainen J.},
  title = {Investigation of co-genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in vivo.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://meridian.allenpress.com/radiation-research/article-abstract/165/5/598/42389/Investigation-of-Co-genotoxic-Effects-of},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study investigated combined genotoxic effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency fields and the drinking water mutagen MX in female rats over two years.
Female rats were exposed to RF fields for two hours per day, five days per week, at whole-body absorption rates of 0.3 or 0.9 W/kg for two years, while MX was given in drinking water at 19 μg/ml.
MX induced DNA damage in rat brain but did not show significant genotoxic activity in blood or liver cells.
Co-exposure to RF fields and MX did not significantly increase DNA damage in blood, liver, or brain compared to MX alone.
DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline comet assay, and micronuclei were determined in erythrocytes from blood samples taken at 3, 6, and 24 months and brain and liver samples at 24 months.