Evaluation of the cytogenotoxic damage in immature and mature rats exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

Abstract

PURPOSE: One of the most important issues regarding radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is their effect on genetic material. Therefore, we investigated the cytogenotoxic effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and the effect of a recovery period after exposure to RF-EMF on bone marrow cells of immature and mature rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immature and mature rats in treatment groups were exposed to RF-EMF for 2 h/day for 45 days. Average electrical field values for immature and mature rats were 28.1 ± 4.8 V/m and 20.0 ± 3.2 V/m, respectively. Whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) values for immature and mature rats were in the range of 0.38-0.78 W/kg, and 0.31-0.52 W/kg during the 45 days, respectively. Two recovery groups were kept for 15 days after RF-EMF exposure. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) frequency, mitotic index (MI) and ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) in all treatment and recovery groups. The cytogenotoxic damage in immature rats was statistically higher than the mature rats. The recovery period did not reduce the damage to the same extent as the corresponding control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The exposure of RF-EMF leads to cytotoxic and genotoxic damage in immature and mature rats. More sensitive studies are required to elucidate the possible carcinogenic risk of EMF exposure in humans, especially children.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Rats exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF showed statistically significant differences in CA, MN frequency, MI, and PCE ratio in all treatment and recovery groups. Cytogenotoxic damage was higher in immature rats than in mature rats, and a 15-day recovery period did not reduce damage to the level of corresponding controls.

Outcomes measured

• Chromosome aberrations (CA)
• Micronucleus (MN) frequency
• Mitotic index (MI)
• Ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE)
• Cytotoxic damage
• Genotoxic damage

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Exposure source/setup not specified beyond field strength and whole-body SAR ranges
• Only bone marrow cytogenotoxic endpoints reported; no direct cancer outcomes

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0)

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 45 days; recovery period 15 days post-exposure (recovery groups)"
    },
    "population": "Immature and mature rats (bone marrow cells assessed)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Chromosome aberrations (CA)",
        "Micronucleus (MN) frequency",
        "Mitotic index (MI)",
        "Ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE)",
        "Cytotoxic damage",
        "Genotoxic damage"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF showed statistically significant differences in CA, MN frequency, MI, and PCE ratio in all treatment and recovery groups. Cytogenotoxic damage was higher in immature rats than in mature rats, and a 15-day recovery period did not reduce damage to the level of corresponding controls.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure source/setup not specified beyond field strength and whole-body SAR ranges",
        "Only bone marrow cytogenotoxic endpoints reported; no direct cancer outcomes"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "900 MHz",
        "RF-EMF",
        "rats",
        "immature",
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        "bone marrow",
        "chromosome aberrations",
        "micronucleus",
        "mitotic index",
        "SAR",
        "genotoxicity",
        "cytotoxicity",
        "recovery period"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
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}

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