Genotoxic Potential of 1.6 GHz Wireless Communication Signal: In vivo Two-Year Bioassay

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 2003 · Radiation Research

OSTI ID:15006474

Vijayalaxmi, Vijay ^[1]; Sasser, Lyle B ^[2]; Morris, J E ^[3]; Wilson, Bary W ^[4]; Anderson, Larry E ^[2]

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1. University of Texas at San Antonio
2. SELF-EMPLOYED CONSULTANTS
3. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
4. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)

Timed-pregnant Fischer 344 rats (from nineteenth day of gestation) and their nursing offspring (until weaning) were exposed to a far-field 1.6 GHz Iridium wireless communication signal for 2 h/day, 5 days/week. Far-field whole-body exposures were conducted with a field intensity of 0.43 mW/cm 2 and whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.036 to 0.077 W/kg (0.10 to 0.22 W/kg in the brain). This was followed by chronic, head-only exposures of male and female offspring to a near-field 1.6 GHz signal for 2 h/day, 5 days/week, over 2 years. Near-field exposures were conducted at an SAR of 0.16 or 1.6 W/kg in the brain. Concurrent sham-exposed and cage control rats were also included in the study. At the end of 2 years, all rats were necropsied. Bone marrow smears were examined for the extent of genotoxicity, assessed from the presence of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes. The results indicated that the incidence of micronuclei/ 2000 polychromatic erythrocytes were not significantly different between 1.6 GHz-exposed, sham-exposed and cage control rats. The group mean frequencies were 5.6 6 1.8 (130 rats exposed to 1.6 GHz at 0.16 W/kg SAR), 5.4 6 1.5 (135 rats exposed to 1.6 GHz at 1.6 W/kg SAR), 5.6 6 1.7 (119 sham-exposed rats), and 5.8 6 1.8 (100 cage control rats). In contrast, positive control rats treated with mitomycin C exhibited significantly elevated incidence of micronuclei/2000 polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow cells; the mean frequency was 38.2 6 7.0 (five rats). Thus there was no evidence for excess genotoxicity in rats that were chronically exposed to 1.6 GHz compared to sham-exposed and cage controls.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 15006474
• Report Number(s): PNWD-SA-5908
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 159; ISSN 0033-7587; ISSN RAREAE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
BIOASSAY
BONE MARROW CELLS
BRAIN
CANCER
CELL-PHONE
COMMUNICATIONS
ERYTHROCYTES
FEMALES
GENOTOXICITY
GHZ RANGE 01-100
IN VIVO
MALES
MITOMYCIN
PROGENY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOFREQUENCY
RATS