Evaluation of oxidative stress and genetic instability among residents near mobile phone base stations
Abstract
Evaluation of oxidative stress and genetic instability among residents near mobile phone base stations in Germany Gulati S, Mosgoeller W, Moldan D, Kosik P, Durdik M, Jakl L, Skorvaga M, Markova E, Kochanova D, Vigasova K, Belyaev I. Evaluation of oxidative stress and genetic instability among residents near mobile phone base stations in Germany. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 279, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116486. Highlights • Residents exposed to RF-EMR from base stations were tested for genetic instability. • The years long exposure had no measurable effect on specific cancer related genes. • We found high level of lipid peroxidation and DNA-lesions but not significant. • Chromosomal aberrations were significantly more pronounced in highly exposed group. Abstract Human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is restricted to prevent thermal effects in the tissue. However, at very low intensity exposure "non-thermal" biological effects, like oxidative stress, DNA or chromosomal aberrations, etc. collectively termed genomic-instability can occur after few hours. Little is known about chronic (years long) exposure with non-thermal RF-EMF. We identified two neighboring housing estates in a rural region with residents exposed to either relatively low (control-group) or relatively high (exposed-group) RF-EMF emitted from nearby mobile phone base stations (MPBS). 24 healthy adults that lived in their homes at least for 5 years volunteered. The homes were surveyed for common types of EMF, blood samples were tested for oxidative status, transient DNA alterations, permanent chromosomal damage, and specific cancer related genetic markers, like MLL gene rearrangements. We documented possible confounders, like age, sex, nutrition, life-exposure to ionizing radiation (X-rays), occupational exposures, etc. The groups matched well, age, sex, lifestyle and occupational risk factors were similar. The years long exposure had no measurable effect on MLL gene rearrangements and c-Abl-gene transcription modification. Associated with higher exposure, we found higher levels of lipid oxidation and oxidative DNA-lesions, though not statistically significant. DNA double strand breaks, micronuclei, ring chromosomes, and acentric chromosomes were not significantly different between the groups. Chromosomal aberrations like dicentric chromosomes (p=0.007), chromatid gaps (p=0.019), chromosomal fragments (p<0.001) and the total of chromosomal aberrations (p<0.001) were significantly higher in the exposed group. No potential confounder interfered with these findings. Increased rates of chromosomal aberrations as linked to excess exposure with ionizing radiation may also occur with non-ionizing radiation exposure. Biological endpoints can be informative for designing exposure limitation strategies. Further research is warranted to investigate the dose- effect-relationship between both, exposure intensity and exposure time, to account for endpoint accumulations after years of exposure. As established for ionizing radiation, chromosomal aberrations could contribute to the definition of protection thresholds, as their rate reflects exposure intensity and exposure time. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
In 24 adults with at least 5 years of residence, higher RF-EMF exposure from nearby mobile phone base stations was associated with significantly higher chromosomal aberrations (including dicentric chromosomes, chromatid gaps, chromosomal fragments, and total aberrations) compared with a lower-exposure control group. The study reports no measurable effect on MLL gene rearrangements or c-Abl gene transcription modification, and higher lipid oxidation and oxidative DNA lesions that were not statistically significant; several other DNA damage endpoints were not significantly different between groups.
Outcomes measured
- Oxidative status (lipid oxidation/lipid peroxidation)
- Oxidative DNA lesions
- DNA double strand breaks
- Micronuclei
- Ring chromosomes
- Acentric chromosomes
- Chromosomal aberrations (dicentric chromosomes, chromatid gaps, chromosomal fragments, total chromosomal aberrations)
- Cancer-related genetic markers (MLL gene rearrangements, c-Abl gene transcription modification)
Limitations
- Small sample size (24 volunteers)
- Exposure characterization reported as relatively low vs relatively high without specific frequency or dosimetric metrics in the abstract
- Observational comparison between two housing estates (non-randomized)
- Many endpoints reported; potential for multiple comparisons is not addressed in the abstract
Suggested hubs
-
who-icnirp
(0.55) Discusses non-thermal effects and implications for exposure limitation strategies relevant to guideline-setting context.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2024,
"study_type": "cohort",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "base station",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "Chronic (at least 5 years) residential exposure; compared relatively low vs relatively high exposure groups"
},
"population": "Healthy adult residents living near mobile phone base stations in two neighboring housing estates in a rural region in Germany",
"sample_size": 24,
"outcomes": [
"Oxidative status (lipid oxidation/lipid peroxidation)",
"Oxidative DNA lesions",
"DNA double strand breaks",
"Micronuclei",
"Ring chromosomes",
"Acentric chromosomes",
"Chromosomal aberrations (dicentric chromosomes, chromatid gaps, chromosomal fragments, total chromosomal aberrations)",
"Cancer-related genetic markers (MLL gene rearrangements, c-Abl gene transcription modification)"
],
"main_findings": "In 24 adults with at least 5 years of residence, higher RF-EMF exposure from nearby mobile phone base stations was associated with significantly higher chromosomal aberrations (including dicentric chromosomes, chromatid gaps, chromosomal fragments, and total aberrations) compared with a lower-exposure control group. The study reports no measurable effect on MLL gene rearrangements or c-Abl gene transcription modification, and higher lipid oxidation and oxidative DNA lesions that were not statistically significant; several other DNA damage endpoints were not significantly different between groups.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Small sample size (24 volunteers)",
"Exposure characterization reported as relatively low vs relatively high without specific frequency or dosimetric metrics in the abstract",
"Observational comparison between two housing estates (non-randomized)",
"Many endpoints reported; potential for multiple comparisons is not addressed in the abstract"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"summary": "This observational study compared 24 healthy adults living for at least 5 years in two neighboring German housing estates with relatively low versus relatively high RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations. The authors report significantly higher chromosomal aberrations in the higher-exposure group, while several other DNA damage endpoints and specific cancer-related genetic markers showed no measurable or no significant differences. Oxidative stress markers were higher with higher exposure but not statistically significant. The authors call for further research on dose–effect relationships over years of exposure.",
"key_points": [
"Residents were grouped by relatively low versus relatively high RF-EMF exposure from nearby mobile phone base stations.",
"Blood samples were analyzed for oxidative status, transient DNA alterations, permanent chromosomal damage, and selected cancer-related genetic markers.",
"MLL gene rearrangements and c-Abl gene transcription modification showed no measurable effect with years-long exposure.",
"Lipid oxidation and oxidative DNA lesions were higher in the higher-exposure group but not statistically significant.",
"DNA double strand breaks, micronuclei, ring chromosomes, and acentric chromosomes were not significantly different between groups.",
"Chromosomal aberrations (including dicentrics, chromatid gaps, fragments, and total aberrations) were significantly higher in the higher-exposure group.",
"The authors report that measured confounders (age, sex, lifestyle, occupational risks, prior X-rays) did not explain the chromosomal aberration findings.",
"The paper suggests chromosomal aberrations may be informative for exposure limitation strategies and calls for more research on exposure intensity and duration."
],
"categories": [
"RF-EMF",
"Base Stations",
"Genotoxicity",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Epidemiology"
],
"tags": [
"Base Stations",
"RF-EMF",
"Chronic Exposure",
"Residential Exposure",
"Chromosomal Aberrations",
"Dicentric Chromosomes",
"Micronuclei",
"DNA Double Strand Breaks",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Lipid Peroxidation",
"Oxidative DNA Lesions",
"MLL Gene Rearrangements",
"c-Abl Transcription"
],
"keywords": [
"radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
"RF-EMF",
"mobile phone base stations",
"chronic exposure",
"oxidative stress",
"genomic instability",
"chromosomal aberrations",
"dicentric chromosomes",
"chromatid gaps",
"chromosomal fragments",
"DNA lesions",
"MLL gene rearrangements"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "who-icnirp",
"weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
"reason": "Discusses non-thermal effects and implications for exposure limitation strategies relevant to guideline-setting context."
}
],
"social": {
"tweet": "Study of 24 German residents living ≥5 years near mobile phone base stations found significantly higher chromosomal aberrations in the higher-exposure group, while several other DNA damage endpoints and cancer-related markers showed no measurable or no significant differences. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116486",
"facebook": "A small observational study (24 adults) compared residents with relatively low vs relatively high long-term RF-EMF exposure from nearby mobile phone base stations. The authors report significantly higher chromosomal aberrations in the higher-exposure group, while multiple other DNA damage endpoints and specific cancer-related genetic markers showed no measurable or no significant differences. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116486",
"linkedin": "Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (2024): An observational comparison of 24 adults with ≥5 years residence in two neighboring housing estates reported significantly higher chromosomal aberrations in the higher RF-EMF exposure group near mobile phone base stations, with several other endpoints showing no measurable or no significant differences. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116486"
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
Comments
Log in to comment.
No comments yet.