Impact of Mobile Phone Specific Electromagnetic Fields on DNA Damage Caused by Occupationally Relevant Exposures: Results of ex vivo Experiments with Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Different Demographic Groups

Abstract

Overview

The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of human age and body mass on the DNA-damaging effects of high-frequency mobile phone-specific electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF, 1950 MHz UMTS signal). The study also investigated if this radiation affects the genotoxic impacts of chemicals involved in occupational exposures.

Methodology

The research involved ex vivo experiments using pooled peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from three distinct demographic groups: young normal weight, young obese, and older age normal weight individuals. These cells were exposed to various HF-EMF doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 W/kg specific absorption rate - SAR) and to different DNA-damaging chemicals (CrO3, NiCl2, benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide - BPDE, and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide - 4NQO).

Findings

• No significant difference in background DNA damage levels among the groups
• A significant increase in DNA damage (81% without serum and 36% with serum) was observed in cells from older participants post 16 hours of radiation exposure at 1.0 W/kg SAR.
• While the HF-EMF did not generally impact the DNA damage induced by chemicals, a moderate decrease in DNA damage was noted during simultaneous exposure to BPDE and 1.0 W/kg SAR in the young obese group (an 18% decline).

Conclusion

Overall analysis suggests that HF-EMF can cause DNA damage in PBMC from older subjects (average age 69.1 years). Moreover, the study highlights that the radiation does not exacerbate the induction of DNA damage by occupationally relevant chemicals, though it can mildly reduce damage with specific simultaneous exposures in certain demographic groups.