Genotoxicity evaluation of electromagnetic fields generated by 835-MHz mobile phone frequency band.

European journal of cancer prevention : the official journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP) · 2005 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5195

Study snapshot

PublicationEuropean journal of cancer prevention : the official journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP) · 2005

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

It is still unclear whether the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by mobile phone radiation is directly linked to cancer. We examined the biological effects of an EMF at 835 MHz, the most widely used communication frequency band in Korean CDMA mobile phone networks, on bacterial reverse mutation (Ames assay) and DNA stability (in vitro DNA degradation). In the Ames assay, tester strains alone or combined with positive mutagen were applied in an artificial mobile phone frequency EMF generator with continuous waveform at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg for 48 h. In the presence of the 835-MHz EMF radiation, incubation with positive mutagen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and cumene hydroxide further increased the mutation rate in Escherichia coli WP2 and TA102, respectively, while the contrary results in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA1535 treated with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide, respectively, were shown as antimutagenic. However, these mutagenic or co-mutagenic effects of 835-MHz radiation were not significantly repeated in other relevant strains with same mutation type. In the DNA degradation test, the exposure to 835-MHz EMF did not change the rate of degradation observed using plasmid pBluescript SK(+) as an indicator. Thus, we suggest that 835-MHz EMF under the conditions of our study neither affected the reverse mutation frequency nor accelerated DNA degradation in vitro.

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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 typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 835 MHz · 4 W/kg · 48 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an Ames assay with continuous-wave 835-MHz EMF exposure (SAR 4 W/kg for 48 h), some strain/mutagen combinations showed increased mutation rates while others showed antimutagenic effects, but these effects were not significantly reproducible across other relevant strains with the same mutation type. In an in vitro DNA degradation test using plasmid pBluescript SK(+) as an indicator, 835-MHz EMF exposure did not change the degradation rate.

Outcomes measured

Bacterial reverse mutation (Ames assay)
DNA stability / in vitro DNA degradation (plasmid pBluescript SK(+))

Limitations

Inconsistent findings across bacterial strains and lack of significant reproducibility of observed mutagenic/co-mutagenic effects in other relevant strains
In vitro assays (bacterial reverse mutation and plasmid DNA degradation) may not reflect in vivo carcinogenic processes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 835,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "48 h"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Bacterial reverse mutation (Ames assay)",
    "DNA stability / in vitro DNA degradation (plasmid pBluescript SK(+))"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an Ames assay with continuous-wave 835-MHz EMF exposure (SAR 4 W/kg for 48 h), some strain/mutagen combinations showed increased mutation rates while others showed antimutagenic effects, but these effects were not significantly reproducible across other relevant strains with the same mutation type. In an in vitro DNA degradation test using plasmid pBluescript SK(+) as an indicator, 835-MHz EMF exposure did not change the degradation rate.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Inconsistent findings across bacterial strains and lack of significant reproducibility of observed mutagenic/co-mutagenic effects in other relevant strains",
    "In vitro assays (bacterial reverse mutation and plasmid DNA degradation) may not reflect in vivo carcinogenic processes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "835 MHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone radiation",
    "CDMA",
    "Ames assay",
    "bacterial reverse mutation",
    "genotoxicity",
    "DNA degradation",
    "SAR 4 W/kg",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1097/00008469-200504000-00014
PubMed: 15785322

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