No effects of UMTS exposure on the function of rat outer hair cells

Abstract

UMTS communication devices are becoming common in everyday use. This could raise public concern about their possible detrimental effects on human health. The aim of this study, in the framework of the EMF nEAR Project, was to evaluate possible influence of UMTS electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure on cochlear outer hair cells' (OHCs) functionality in laboratory animals. Fortyeight male Sprague-Dawley rats were locally exposed (right ear) or sham-exposed to a controlled UMTS EMF, frequency of 1946 MHz, at SAR level of 10 W/kg, 2 h a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. A group of 12 rats treated with kanamycin (KM) was also included as positive control. Rats were tested by recording Distortion Product Otaoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs), a non-invasive test capable of assessing the status of the OHCs in the inner ear. DPOAEs were performed before, during (one or three times a week) and after (1-week) exposure to the EMF. The analysis of the data shows that no statistically significant differences were found between the audiological signals recorded from the different experimental groups. The ototoxic effect of KM has been confirmed.

Radiofrequency radiation at 1950 MHz (UMTS) does not affect key cellular endpoints in neuron‐like PC12 cells

“…The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is the most widespread digital technology of third generation (3G) mobile phone systems in Europe, allowing multimedia services, such as video calls, movies, and TV programs. Despite that, most of the investigations on biological effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields refer to signals of second generation (2G) cellular systems, and just a few in vivo [Sommer et al, 2007, 2009; Galloni et al, 2009; Parazzini et al, 2009, 2010; Tillmann et al, 2010; Jin et al, 2011] and in vitro studies [Franke et al, 2005; Sannino et al, 2006; Zeni et al, 2008; Belyaev et al, 2009; Brescia et al, 2009] have aimed to investigate the effects of UMTS technology. Overall, the results obtained seem to indicate no adverse effects of RF exposure, although carcinogenic effects of chronic exposure were detected in mice descendants pretreated with ethylnitrosourea [Tillmann et al, 2010].…”

Effects of the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System on Hearing in Rats

“…Parazzini et al [6] evaluated the acute effects of UMTS waves on 134 volunteers after exposure to 69 mWatt/ kg UMTS waves for 20 min; post-exposure audiological tests detected no significant differences. Galloni et al [7] detected no significant hearing differences in rats exposed to 10 Watt/kg UMTS, at the end of 4 weeks. This study was the most similar to ours and had similar results.…”

“…Panda et al [20] emphasized that long-term exposure to mobile phones may have a tendency to cause audiological disturbances, but no statistical differences were identified in their study. A few studies have examined the effects of UMTS waves on hearing [6,7]. Parazzini et al [6] evaluated the acute effects of UMTS waves on 134 volunteers after exposure to 69 mWatt/ kg UMTS waves for 20 min; post-exposure audiological tests detected no significant differences.…”

“…Most evaluations of electromagnetic field effects have examined second-generation mobile communication technologies and do not reflect the effects of the universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), with the common name third-generation (3G) technology [3][4][5]. The few studies on the association between UMTS waves and human health have considered only short-term effects [6,7]. Aminoglycoide antibiotics have been used for more than 50 years.…”

Mobile phones and hearing - A review

“…Galloni et al [8] evaluated possible influence of UMTS electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure on cochlear outer hair cells' (OHCs) functionality in laboratory animals. Fortyeight male Sprague-Dawley rats were locally exposed (right ear) or sham-exposed to a controlled UMTSEMF, frequency of 1946 MHz, at SAR level of 10 W/kg, 2 h a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks.…”