PROBABLE EFFECT OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES ON NEARBY AREAS RESIDENTS DNA INTEGRITY

Iraqi Journal of Market Research and Consumer Protection · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6780

Serum 8-OHdG was higher in participants living near communication towers (3.9) compared with the control group living far from towers (0.46).

Study snapshot

PublicationIraqi Journal of Market Research and Consumer Protection · 2025

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Due to the frequent use of the Internet all over the world, therefore, researchers efforts must be focused on understanding the basic biological changes that can be caused by electromagnetic radiation emitted from the communication towers, to identify its most important risks and try to develop prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies for the diseases that may be caused by their effect. One hundred people participated in this study, 70 of them were selected from the residents of the areas near the communication towers. The study extended from September 2022 to February 2023. In addition, 30 people participated as a control group who live far from the areas of construction of these towers. The ages of the participants in this study ranged from 20 to 60 years. All participants in the study were given a questionnaire about the age, gender of the participant, the diseases they suffers from, and the hours they use the Internet. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants to assess serum level of 8-OHdG using ELISA technology. The level of DNA damage was evaluated with respect to 8-OHdG and the results showed a higher level in subjects (3.9) while in the control group it was 0.46.

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 typecross_sectional

Effect directionharm

PopulationAdults aged 20–60 years living near communication towers vs living far from towers

Sample size100

ExposureResidence near towers; study period September 2022 to February 2023

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

Serum 8-OHdG was higher in participants living near communication towers (3.9) compared with the control group living far from towers (0.46).

Outcomes measured

Serum 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) level as a marker of DNA damage/oxidative DNA damage

Limitations

Exposure characterization is not described (no measured EMF levels, distance, frequency, or duration of exposure reported).
Cross-sectional comparison; causality cannot be established from the described design.
Potential confounding factors are not reported/controlled (questionnaire collected age, gender, diseases, and internet use hours, but adjustment is not described).
Units and variability/statistical testing for 8-OHdG are not reported in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "communication towers (base stations)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Residence near towers; study period September 2022 to February 2023"
  },
  "population": "Adults aged 20–60 years living near communication towers vs living far from towers",
  "sample_size": 100,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) level as a marker of DNA damage/oxidative DNA damage"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Serum 8-OHdG was higher in participants living near communication towers (3.9) compared with the control group living far from towers (0.46).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure characterization is not described (no measured EMF levels, distance, frequency, or duration of exposure reported).",
    "Cross-sectional comparison; causality cannot be established from the described design.",
    "Potential confounding factors are not reported/controlled (questionnaire collected age, gender, diseases, and internet use hours, but adjustment is not described).",
    "Units and variability/statistical testing for 8-OHdG are not reported in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "communication towers",
    "base stations",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "DNA integrity",
    "DNA damage",
    "8-OHdG",
    "ELISA",
    "oxidative stress"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.28936/jmracpc17.1.2025.(13
PubMed: Not supplied

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