Measurement of DNA damage in mammalian cells exposed in vitro to radiofrequency fields at SARs of 3-5 W/kg

Radiat Res. 2001 Sep;156(3):328-32. doi: 10.1667/0033-7587(2001)156[0328:moddim]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

In the present study, we determined whether exposure of mammalian cells to 3.2-5.1 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) radiofrequency fields could induce DNA damage in murine C3H 10T(1/2) fibroblasts. Cell cultures were exposed to 847.74 MHz code-division multiple access (CDMA) and 835.62 frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) modulated radiations in radial transmission line (RTL) irradiators in which the temperature was regulated to 37.0 +/- 0.3 degrees C. Using the alkaline comet assay to measure DNA damage, we found no statistically significant differences in either comet moment or comet length between sham-exposed cells and those exposed for 2, 4 or 24 h to CDMA or FDMA radiations in either exponentially growing or plateau-phase cells. Further, a 4-h incubation after the 2-h exposure resulted in no significant changes in comet moment or comet length. Our results show that exposure of cultured C3H 10T(1/2) cells at 37 degrees C CDMA or FDMA at SAR values of up to 5.1 W/kg did not induce measurable DNA damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Comet Assay
  • DNA / radiation effects*
  • DNA Damage*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Radio Waves*

Substances

  • DNA