Evaluation of the Genotoxic Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation Using Buccal Micronucleus Assay

Abstract

Overview

Concerns about the potential genotoxic effects of mobile phone radiation have increased as mobile usage has become more widespread globally. This study focuses on the potential carcinogenic effects of cell phone radiation on the oral mucosa by employing the buccal micronucleus (MN) assay, which is a reliable marker for genotoxic damage.

Purpose

The primary objective of this research was to assess the impact of mobile phone radiation on the frequency of MN in cells of the oral mucosa.

Materials and Methods

• A total of 50 mobile phone users aged 20-38 years were enrolled in this descriptive-analytical study.
• 100 cell samples were collected from the buccal mucosa of the subjects.
• Participants provided details on their cell phone use and personal information.
• The Feulgen and Papanicolaou staining methods were used to analyze the samples.

Findings

The research recorded MN frequency using both Feulgen and Papanicolaou staining methods, observing that:

• The differences in MN frequency between exposed and non-exposed mucosa were not statistically significant under DNA-specific staining conditions.
• MN frequency was significantly higher with non-specific DNA staining, indicating a potential increase in observed MN.

Conclusion

The study concluded that mobile phone usage does not have a statistically significant genotoxic effect on buccal mucosa in the oral cavity. However, the use of non-specific DNA staining methods can artificially elevate the frequency of micronuclei, pointing towards a method-sensitive aspect of detecting genotoxic effects.