A cross-sectional case control study on genetic damage in individuals residing in the vicinity of a mobile phone base station

Abstract

Mobile phone base stations facilitate good communication, but the continuously emitting radiations from these stations have raised health concerns. Hence in this study, genetic damage using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was assessed in peripheral blood leukocytes of individuals residing in the vicinity of a mobile phone base station and comparing it to that in healthy controls. The power density in the area within 300 m from the base station exceeded the permissive limits and was significantly (p = 0.000) higher compared to the area from where control samples were collected. The study participants comprised 63 persons with residences near a mobile phone tower, and 28 healthy controls matched for gender, age, alcohol drinking and occupational sub-groups. Genetic damage parameters of DNA migration length, damage frequency (DF) and damage index were significantly (p = 0.000) elevated in the sample group compared to respective values in healthy controls. The female residents (n = 25) of the sample group had significantly (p = 0.004) elevated DF than the male residents (n = 38). The linear regression analysis further revealed daily mobile phone usage, location of residence and power density as significant predictors of genetic damage. The genetic damage evident in the participants of this study needs to be addressed against future disease-risk, which in addition to neurodegenerative disorders, may lead to cancer.

Single-strand DNA breaks and oxidative changes in rat testes exposed to radiofrequency radiation emitted from cellular phones

“…Since electromagnetic energy is directly proportional to the frequency of the wave, higher frequencies mean higher energies [39]. The statistically significant increase in the damage to testicular tissues subjected to RFR was in accordance with the findings of various other studies [44,45]. The significant increase in DNA fragmentation seen in testicular tissue indicates that men should be more careful when using or keeping cellular phones for long periods of times near their testicles because DNA strand breaks have been associated with necrosis, aging and cancer [46].…”

Environmental radiofrequency radiation at the Järntorget Square in Stockholm Old Town, Sweden in May, 2018 compared with results on brain and heart tumour risks in rats exposed to 1.8 GHz base station environmental emissions

“…Genetic damage using comet assay in blood leucocytes was used in 63 persons residing within 300 m from a base station and 28 healthy controls (30). DNA migration length, genetic damage frequency and damage index were statistically significantly elevated in the sample group compared to the controls.…”

Estudio de las regulaciones colombianas para instalar infraestructuras de telecomunicaciones inalámbricas

“…It was initially planned to have a study based on some scientific papers, related to the effects of electromagnetic fields on living organisms [3][4][5][6], using databases such as Scopus, IEEE Xplore digital library, Science Direct, Electro Magnetic Field website (EMF) [12]; consultations were also undertaken with international bodies issuing recommendations in this regard: ITU, The International Commission on NonIonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Thereafter, a study on Colombian current regulations was carried out, against the limitation and mitigation of adverse effects caused by the infrastructure of wireless telecommunications, i.e., the rules at different levels (constitution, law, decree, resolution).…”

“…Furthermore, Gandhi identified the genetic adverse effects, finding that the population exposed to higher levels of power density, showed damage in the DNA fragments' length [6].…”

“…After the date by which Colombia introduced the regulations in force, new recommendations have been proposed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and new scientific articles have been published [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10], confirming the need to proper control over the deployment of wireless telecommunications infrastructure. For this reason and by studying success cases regulations applied in other countries such as Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Italy and Salvador, the regulations update is needed in Colombia.…”