Cytogenetic effects of exposure to 2.3 GHz radiofrequency radiation on human lymphocytes in vitro.

BACKGROUND: No previous in vitro studies have tested radio frequency radiation for at least one full cell cycle in culture. The aim was to test if exposure used in mobile phones and wireless network technologies would induce DNA damage in cultured human lymphocytes with and without a known clastogen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes from six donors were exposed to 2.3 GHz, 10 W/m(2) continuous waves, or 2.3 GHz, 10 W/m(2) pulsed waves (200 Hz pulse frequency, 50% duty cycle). Mitomycin C was added to half of the cultures. DNA synthesis and repair were inhibited in one experiment.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between control and exposed cultures. A weak trend for more chromosomal damage with the interaction of pulsed fields with mitomycin C compared to a constant field was observed.

CONCLUSION: Exposure during the whole cell cycle in inhibited cultures did not resulted in significant differences in chromosomal aberrations as compared to controls.