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U.S. Department of Energy
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Genetic effects of microwave exposure on mammalian cells in vitro. Volume 1. Annual report February 1980-June 1981

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6300317

The effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on the DNA repair process in MRC-5 normal human fibroblast cells grown in vitro have been investigated. The power levels chosen, 1 and 10 mW/sq cm, did not result in measurable temperature above the 37 C incubation temperature at either 350 MHz or 1.2 GHz (continuous or pulse-wave modes). DNA repair was induced by exposure of the cells to ultraviolet light (UV). Repair synthesis was measured by means of a repair replication protocol; i.e., a repair labeling incubation with 3H-thymidine and nonradioactive 5-bromodeoxyuridine (or 3H-BrUdR in early experiments), followed by DNA isolation and two sequential alkali cesium chloride-cesium sulfate density gradient centrifugations. In summary, 1.2-GHz continuous wave (CW) and 350 pulse-wave and continuous-wave RFR, at power levels of 1 and 10 mW/sq cm, did not appear to perturb UV light-induced DNA repair synthesis. A possible stimulation by 350-MHz CW radiation of repair label incorporation during the first hour after UV exposure, at 1 mW/sq cm (but not at 10 mW/sq cm), remains to be confirmed. No evidence exists of RFR induction, by itself, of DNA damage and repair at 1.2 GHz and 350-MHz (CW) at a power level of 10 mW/sq cm.

Research Organization:
Texas Univ., San Antonio (USA). Health Science Center
OSTI ID:
6300317
Report Number(s):
AD-A-145946/0/XAD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English