Investigations on DNA damage and frequency of micronuclei in occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from video display terminals (VDTs)

Abstract

The potential effect of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from video display terminals (VDTs) to elicit biological response is a major concern for the public. The software professionals are subjected to cumulative EMFs in their occupational environments. This study was undertaken to evaluate DNA damage and incidences of micronuclei in such professionals. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first attempt to carry out cytogenetic investigations on assessing bioeffects in personal computer users. The study subjects (n = 138) included software professionals using VDTs for more than 2 years with age, gender, socioeconomic status matched controls (n = 151). DNA damage and frequency of micronuclei were evaluated using alkaline comet assay and cytochalasin blocked micronucleus assay respectively. Overall DNA damage and incidence of micronuclei showed no significant differences between the exposed and control subjects. With exposure characteristics, such as total duration (years) and frequency of use (minutes/day) sub-groups were assessed for such parameters. Although cumulative frequency of use showed no significant changes in the DNA integrity of the classified sub-groups, the long-term users (> 10 years) showed higher induction of DNA damage and increased frequency of micronuclei and micro nucleated cells.

Protecting Effect of Vitamin E against Chromosomal Damage Induced by an Extremely Low-frequency Electromagnetic Field in Murine Bone Marrow Erythrocytes

“…Data of the present study revealed the genotoxic effect of the electromagnetic field in bone marrow polychromatic cells. Increase in the frequency of micronucleus in lymphocytes of the workers exposed to the electromagnetic field is an indication for its clastogenic effect [23]. Exposure of the pregnant rats to electromagnetic field led to tissue and DNA damage in testis of male newborn rats [24].…”

Structure of Relations Between the Frequency of Micronuclei in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes and Age, Gender, Smoking Habits and Socio-Demographic Factors in South-East Region of Serbia

“…Regarding the relation between occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and incidence of micronuclei, Lakshmi et al (2010) point out that overall DNA damage and incidence of micronuclei showed no significant differences between the subjects with occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted from video display terminals and control group. Only long-term users of video display terminals (more than 10 years) showed higher induction of DNA damage and increased frequency of micronuclei and micro nucleated cells [21].…”