Human lymphocyte micronucleus assay as biological indicator of cytogenetic damage by microwave radiation

Zotti Martelli L, Peccatori M, Migliore L,

Publication unknown - probably 1998

Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Uomo e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pisa, Italy; and Sezione Igiene delle Radiazioni, CISAM, S. Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy

Microwave radiation is known as a physical agent which can cause changes at the level of DNA synthesis and its structure. The micronucleus assay is widely used as a method for the evaluation of cytogenetic damage in both in vivo and in vitro environmental mutagenesis. Therefore our aim was to investigate the genotoxic effects of microwave radiation by micronucleus test in human lymphocytes experimentally exposed to particular intensities of microwave radiation.

Human whole-blood samples were exposed to continuous microwave radiation with frequencies 2.45 GHz and 7.7 GHz. In both cases, the power density was 10, 20 and 30 mW/cm² for 15, 30 and 60 min. of exposition. The results, analyzed by using Fisher's exact test, showed for both frequencies of radiation an induction of micronuclei in the exposed samples higher than in the control at power density of 30 mW/cm² and after 30 and 60 min. of exposition.

Our study indicates that induced cytogenetic damage in human lymphocytes may be either power density- and/or time exposition-related.