Genetic damage in mobile phone users: some preliminary findings

Abstract

BACKGROUND :The impact of microwave (MW)/radio frequency radiation (RFR) on important biological parameters is probably more than a simply thermal one. Exposure to radio frequency (RF) signals generated by the use of cellular telephones have increased dramatically and reported to affect physiological, neurological, cognitive and behavioural changes and to induce, initiate and promote carcinogenesis. Genotoxicity of RFR has also been reported in various test systems after in vitro and/or in vivo exposure but none in mobile phone users. AIMS : In the present study, DNA and chromosomal damage investigations were carried out on the peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals using mobile phones, being exposed to MW frequency ranging from 800 to 2000 MHz. METHODS : DNA damage was assessed using the single cell gel electrophoresis assay and aneugenic and clastogenic damage by the in vivo capillary blood micronucleus test (MNT) in a total of 24 mobile phone users. RESULTS : Mean comet tail length (26.76 ± 0.054 µm; 39.75% of cells damaged) in mobile phone users was highly significant from that in the control group. The in vivo capillary blood MNT also revealed highly significant (0.25) frequency of micronucleated (MNd) cells. CONCLUSIONS : These results highlight a correlation between mobile phone use (exposure to RFR) and genetic damage and require interim public health actions in the wake of widespread use of mobile telephony.Key words: DNA damage; micronuclei; microwaves; Genetic damage in mobile phone users: some preliminary findingsGursatej Gandhi, AnitaDepartment of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143 005.The continued spread of mobile telephony is of serious concerns since a relationship between electromagnetic fields radio frequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiation and adverse health effects at low intensity exposures exists. The cell (mobile) phone is an appliance [3] and decreased fertility in mice. [4] Cancer risks and genotoxicity from exposure to RF fields in vivo and in vitro have rather been points of cynosure since equivocal evidences exist. [5][6][7][8] Results Peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals (n = 24)using mobile phones were processed in order to assess whether mobile phone usage induces chromosomal and DNA damage. All those evaluated for the MN test (n = 20) were also investigated for DNA damage and so are included among those (n = 24) for which the SCGE assay was performed [ Table 1]. Samples from age-, sex-and socioeconomic status-matched controls (n = 11) were also processed for DNA damage (n = 10) and the MN test (n = 8). There were only three females among mobile phone users; very few smokers (n = 2) and those taking alcohol (n = 2). None of the subjects had any family history of any genetic anomaly or major illness nor had they undergone irradiation examination or been exposed to organic solvents and for the last 6 months none have been on medication or on drugs and no one did any regular exercise. The reproductive performance of married individuals (n = 7) ...

DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of physically active individuals as measured by the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay

“…In the present study, DNA migration length values in control males (18.9 6 1.79 lm) and in control females (23.4 6 3.94 lm) were lower than the values reported for other Indian studies [Jaiswal et al, 1994;Desai et al, 1998;Bajpayee et al, 2002]. The differences reported in literature in control individuals (pooled data) may be because of differences in gender [Bajpayee et al, 2002;Lam et al, 2002], age of the individual [Piperakis et al, 1998] or from confounding factors like differences in diet [Dhawan et al, 2001] and life styles e.g., mobile phone usage; [Gandhi and Anita, 2005]. Furthermore, the alkali unwinding time and time of electrophoretic run can also affect the extent of DNA migration [Singh et al, 1994;Faust et al, 2004].…”

“…Age-dependent increase in levels of DNA damage in normal males [Piperakis et al, 1998], higher levels of DNA damage in non-vegetarians as compared with vegetarians [Dhawan et al, 2001] and a significant association between alcohol consumption and DNA damage have been reported. Levels of DNA damage in mobile phone users have also been studied [Gandhi and Anita, 2005]. In Table XIII, the data for DNA migration length and the ranges observed are presented.…”

The toxic effects of mobile phone radiofrequency (940 MHz) on the structure of calf thymus DNA

“…For instance, Lai and Singh demonstrated increases in DNA strand breaks in rats brain cells exposed to a 2450 MHz RF for 2 h (SAR between 0.6 and 1.2 W/kg) Singh, 1997, 2005). In addition, it has been revealed increases in DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes obtained from cell phone consumers (Gandhi and Anita, 2005). Franzellitti et al suggested RF radiation via modulation scheme and a carrier frequency typical of the GSM signal might have an effect on DNA structure (Franzellitti et al, 2010).…”

8-oxoG DNA Glycosylase-1 Inhibition Sensitizes Neuro-2a Cells to Oxidative DNA Base Damage Induced by 900 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation

“…Previous studies observed significant increases in dicentric chromosomes (among smoker-alcoholic mobile users), sister chromatid exchanges (synergistic action with mitomycin C) [6], micro-nucleation and DNA strand breaks [7] in blood lymphocytes obtained from mobile phone users. A significant increase in erythrocyte micronuclei frequency was observed in newborn pups of mother rats maintained under 834 MHz EMF exposure at a SAR of 1.23 W/kg for 8.5 h per day throughout the gestation period [8].…”