Exposure to hexavalent chromium and 1800 MHz electromagnetic radiation can synergistically induce intracellular DNA damage in mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Abstract

Category: Toxicology Tags: RF-EMF, DNA damage, hexavalent chromium, genotoxicity, co-carcinogen, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, electromagnetic radiation DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.153360 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) are common in modern environments and have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). However, the potential of RF-EMF to act as a co-carcinogen remains uncertain. This study investigated whether exposure to 1800 MHz RF-EMF could influence chemically induced DNA damage in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). Methodology - MEF cells were exposed to RF-EMF alone, or together with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO), cadmium (Cd2+), or hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. - Exposure was conducted under standardized, non-thermal conditions using a waveguide system. - The alkaline comet assay was used to assess DNA damage. Findings - RF-EMF exposure alone did not induce detectable DNA damage. - RF-EMF did not significantly increase DNA damage caused by H2O2, 4NQO, or Cd2+. - However, combined exposure to RF-EMF and Cr(VI) led to a significant synergistic increase in DNA damage in MEF cells. Conclusion These results indicate that RF-EMF can selectively intensify the genotoxic effects of Cr(VI), emphasizing the necessity for further research into the co-toxic mechanisms between electromagnetic fields and chemical agents. This demonstrates a concrete link between EMF exposure and increased DNA damage risk under certain chemical conditions, supporting concerns about EMF-related health risks.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Under standardized non-thermal conditions, 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure alone did not induce detectable DNA damage in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. RF-EMF did not significantly enhance DNA damage caused by H2O2, 4NQO, or Cd2+, but co-exposure with hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] produced a significant synergistic increase in DNA damage.

Outcomes measured

• Intracellular DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)

Limitations

• In vitro model (mouse embryonic fibroblasts); generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
• Exposure metrics such as SAR and exposure duration not reported in abstract
• Mechanistic basis for the reported synergy not established in abstract
• Sample size/replication details not provided in abstract

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.25)
  Abstract references IARC Group 2B classification and carcinogenicity context for RF-EMF.

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    "main_findings": "Under standardized non-thermal conditions, 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure alone did not induce detectable DNA damage in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. RF-EMF did not significantly enhance DNA damage caused by H2O2, 4NQO, or Cd2+, but co-exposure with hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] produced a significant synergistic increase in DNA damage.",
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        "Exposure metrics such as SAR and exposure duration not reported in abstract",
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