Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment.

International journal of hygiene and environmental health · 2011 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6504

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of hygiene and environmental health · 2011

Study typecohort

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Due to increased usage of microwave radiation, there are concerns of its adverse effect in today's society. Keeping this in view, study was aimed at workers occupationally exposed to pulsed microwave radiation, originating from marine radars. Electromagnetic field strength was measured at assigned marine radar frequencies (3 GHz, 5.5 GHz and 9.4 GHz) and corresponding specific absorption rate values were determined. Parameters of the comet assay and micronucleus test were studied both in the exposed workers and in corresponding unexposed subjects. Differences between mean tail intensity (0.67 vs. 1.22) and moment (0.08 vs. 0.16) as comet assay parameters and micronucleus test parameters (micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds) were statistically significant between the two examined groups, suggesting that cytogenetic alterations occurred after microwave exposure. Concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde were measured spectrophotometrically and using high performance liquid chromatography. The glutathione concentration in exposed group was significantly lower than in controls (1.24 vs. 0.53) whereas the concentration of malondialdehyde was significantly higher (1.74 vs. 3.17), indicating oxidative stress. Results suggests that pulsed microwaves from working environment can be the cause of genetic and cell alterations and that oxidative stress can be one of the possible mechanisms of DNA and cell damage.

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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 typecohort

Effect directionharm

PopulationWorkers occupationally exposed to pulsed microwave radiation from marine radars, with corresponding unexposed subjects as controls.

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Electromagnetic field strength was measured at marine radar frequencies (3 GHz, 5.5 GHz, 9.4 GHz) and corresponding SAR values were determined. Exposed workers differed significantly from unexposed controls on comet assay parameters (tail intensity and tail moment) and micronucleus test parameters (micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds), consistent with cytogenetic alterations. Glutathione was significantly lower and malondialdehyde significantly higher in the exposed group, indicating oxidative stress.

Outcomes measured

Cytogenetic damage (comet assay parameters: tail intensity, tail moment)
Cytogenetic damage (micronucleus test: micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds)
Oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione, malondialdehyde)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the abstract.
Exposure duration and detailed exposure metrics (e.g., measured field strengths, SAR values) are not provided in the abstract.
Study design details (e.g., matching, adjustment for confounders) are not described in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "occupational (marine radar equipment)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Workers occupationally exposed to pulsed microwave radiation from marine radars, with corresponding unexposed subjects as controls.",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cytogenetic damage (comet assay parameters: tail intensity, tail moment)",
    "Cytogenetic damage (micronucleus test: micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds)",
    "Oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione, malondialdehyde)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Electromagnetic field strength was measured at marine radar frequencies (3 GHz, 5.5 GHz, 9.4 GHz) and corresponding SAR values were determined. Exposed workers differed significantly from unexposed controls on comet assay parameters (tail intensity and tail moment) and micronucleus test parameters (micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds), consistent with cytogenetic alterations. Glutathione was significantly lower and malondialdehyde significantly higher in the exposed group, indicating oxidative stress.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract.",
    "Exposure duration and detailed exposure metrics (e.g., measured field strengths, SAR values) are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Study design details (e.g., matching, adjustment for confounders) are not described in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed microwave radiation",
    "marine radar",
    "occupational exposure",
    "comet assay",
    "micronucleus test",
    "cytogenetic damage",
    "oxidative stress",
    "glutathione",
    "malondialdehyde"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Study of workers occupationally exposed to pulsed microwave radiation from marine radar equipment."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.08.003
PubMed: 20833106

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