Detection of Low Level Microwave Radiation Induced Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Vis-à-vis Genotoxicity in Brain of Fischer Rats.

BACKGROUND

Non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation has been increasingly used in industry, commerce, medicine and especially in mobile phone technology and has become a matter of serious concern in present time.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to investigate the possible deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damaging effects of low-level microwave radiation in brain of Fischer rats.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Experiments were performed on male Fischer rats exposed to microwave radiation for 30 days at three different frequencies: 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Group I (Sham exposed): Animals not exposed to microwave radiation but kept under same conditions as that of other groups, Group II: Animals exposed to microwave radiation at frequency 900 MHz at specific absorption rate (SAR) 5.953 × 10(-4) W/kg, Group III: Animals exposed to 1800 MHz at SAR 5.835 × 10(-4) W/kg and Group IV: Animals exposed to 2450 MHz at SAR 6.672 × 10(-4) W/kg. At the end of the exposure period animals were sacrificed immediately and DNA damage in brain tissue was assessed using alkaline comet assay.

RESULTS

In the present study, we demonstrated DNA damaging effects of low level microwave radiation in brain.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that low SAR microwave radiation exposure at these frequencies may induce DNA strand breaks in brain tissue.