RF Safe

Effect of 2G and 3G Cell Phone Radiation on Developing Liver of Chick Embryo - Comparative Study

2017 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2347

Compared with sham and control groups, embryos exposed to 2G and 3G mobile phone radiation showed liver structural changes (including dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, increased cytoplasmic vacuolations), increased nuclear diameter and karyorrhexis,…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effect of 2G and 3G Cell Phone Radiation on Developing Liver of Chick Embryo - Comparative Study D'Silva MH, Swer RT, Anbalagan J, Rajesh B. Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted from 2G and 3G Cell Phone on Developing Liver of Chick Embryo - A Comparative Study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Jul;11(7):AC05-AC09. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/26360.10275. Abstract INTRODUCTION: The increasing scientific evidence of various health hazards on exposure of Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR) emitted from both the cell phones and base stations have caused significant media attention and public discussion in recent years. The mechanism of interaction of RF fields with developing tissues of children and fetuses may be different from that of adults due to their smaller physical size and variation in tissue electromagnetic properties. The present study may provide an insight into the basic mechanisms by which RF fields interact with developing tissues in an embryo. AIM: To evaluate the possible tissue and DNA damage in developing liver of chick embryo following chronic exposure to Ultra-High Frequency/Radiofrequency Radiation (UHF/RFR) emitted from 2G and 3G cell phone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fertilized chick embryos were incubated in four groups. Group A-experimental group exposed to 2G radiation (60 eggs), Group B- experimental group exposed to 3G radiation (60 eggs), Group C- sham exposed control group (60 eggs) and Group D- control group (48 eggs). On completion of scheduled duration, the embryos were collected and processed for routine histological studies to check structural changes in liver. The nuclear diameter and karyorrhexis changes of hepatocytes were analysed using oculometer and square reticule respectively. The liver procured from one batch of eggs from all the four groups was subjected to alkaline comet assay technique to assess DNA damage. The results were compared using one-way ANOVA test. RESULTS: In our study, the exposure of developing chick embryos to 2G and 3G cell phone radiations caused structural changes in liver in the form of dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, increased vacuolations in cytoplasm, increased nuclear diameter and karyorrhexis and significantly increased DNA damage. CONCLUSION: The chronic exposure of chick embryo liver to RFR emitted from 2G and 3G cell phone resulted in various structural changes and DNA damage. The changes were more pronounced in 3G experimental group. Based on these findings it is necessary to create awareness among public about the possible ill effects of RFR exposure from cell phone. Open Access: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts The first four batches (48 eggs) were grouped as control (Group-D) and they were incubated without any external factors interfering with their developmental process. Next five batches (60 eggs) were treated as sham exposed group (Group-C). They were incubated along with a popular brand cell phone with the SAR of 0.310 watts/kilogram hung from above with 5 cm distance separating the egg and kept in null status (switched off).... The experimental group, Group-A (exposed to 2G cell phone radiation) and Group-B (exposed to 3G cell phone radiation), were also incubated (60+60 eggs) in a similar manner with the cell phone kept in silent operative mode with head phone plugged in (switched on). This arrangement ensured that the cell phone got activated automatically each time it received a call and the intensity of radio frequency waves were measured using radiofrequency meter (RF meter, Less EMF Inc, USA) [Table/Fig-1]. A popular brand cell phone hand set and a service provider were used for network connection for both 2G and 3G exposure. For exposure activation, the cell phone was rung from another cell phone for duration of three minutes each, every half an hour, with the first exposure given at 12th hour of incubation (4.30 am-4.30 pm). The total exposure for a 12 hour period was 75 minutes followed by 12 hour of exposure-free period. This was repeated daily up to 12th day of incubation. From our experimental outcome, we conclude that the chronic exposure of chick embryo liver to RFR emitted from 2G and 3G cell phone resulted in various structural changes and DNA damage. The changes were more pronounced in 3G experimental group. Many researchers now opine that cell phones may turn out to be the cigarettes of 21st century as their effects or interactions with biological tissues on long term exposure are yet to be explored especially in foetuses and children. Hence, children and pregnant women should use the cell phone with caution. Introduction of new generation phones, 4G and 5G, open a vast potential for future research and whether these changes observed due to RFR exposure are reversible or not on withdrawing the exposure is another arena which warrants further research.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionharm
PopulationFertilized chick embryos (developing liver)
Sample size228
ExposureRF · 0.31 W/kg · 3 minutes every half hour (total 75 minutes per 12-hour period), followed by 12 hours exposure-free; repeated daily up to day 12 of incubation (starting at 12th hour of incubation)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham and control groups, embryos exposed to 2G and 3G mobile phone radiation showed liver structural changes (including dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, increased cytoplasmic vacuolations), increased nuclear diameter and karyorrhexis, and significantly increased DNA damage. Effects were reported as more pronounced in the 3G group.

Outcomes measured

  • Liver histological/structural changes (dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, cytoplasmic vacuolations)
  • Hepatocyte nuclear diameter
  • Hepatocyte karyorrhexis
  • DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)

Limitations

  • Exact RF frequencies for 2G and 3G exposures not stated in the abstract/excerpts provided
  • Exposure characterization limited (e.g., field strength values not reported in the provided text; phone model/network details not specified)
  • DNA damage assessment described as performed on liver from one batch of eggs (extent/number of samples for comet assay not fully specified in provided text)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 0.31,
    "duration": "3 minutes every half hour (total 75 minutes per 12-hour period), followed by 12 hours exposure-free; repeated daily up to day 12 of incubation (starting at 12th hour of incubation)"
  },
  "population": "Fertilized chick embryos (developing liver)",
  "sample_size": 228,
  "outcomes": [
    "Liver histological/structural changes (dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, cytoplasmic vacuolations)",
    "Hepatocyte nuclear diameter",
    "Hepatocyte karyorrhexis",
    "DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with sham and control groups, embryos exposed to 2G and 3G mobile phone radiation showed liver structural changes (including dilated sinusoidal spaces with haemorrhage, increased cytoplasmic vacuolations), increased nuclear diameter and karyorrhexis, and significantly increased DNA damage. Effects were reported as more pronounced in the 3G group.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exact RF frequencies for 2G and 3G exposures not stated in the abstract/excerpts provided",
    "Exposure characterization limited (e.g., field strength values not reported in the provided text; phone model/network details not specified)",
    "DNA damage assessment described as performed on liver from one batch of eggs (extent/number of samples for comet assay not fully specified in provided text)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2G",
    "3G",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "mobile phone",
    "chick embryo",
    "liver",
    "histology",
    "DNA damage",
    "comet assay",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure source is 2G/3G cell phone radiation."
    },
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "Experimental study in chick embryos."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2017/26360.10275
PubMed: Not supplied

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