Impact of high (1950 MHz) and extremely low (50 Hz) frequency electromagnetic fields on DNA damage caused by occupationally relevant exposures in human derived cell lines

Authors: Worel N, Mi��k M, Kundi M, Ferk F, Hutter HP, Nersesyan A, Wultsch G, Krupitza G, Knasmueller S

Year: 2024 Jul 16

Category: Toxicology, Occupational Health

Journal: Toxicology In Vitro

DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2024.105902

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887233324001322

Abstract

Overview

✅ Epidemiological studies indicate that electromagnetic fields are associated with cancer in humans.

Exposure to mobile phone specific high frequency fields (HF-EMF) may lead to increased glioma risks, while low frequency radiation (LF-EMF) is associated with childhood leukemia.

  • We studied the impact of HF-EMF (1950 MHz, UMTS signal) on DNA stability in an astrocytoma cell line (1321N1).
  • We assessed the effect of LF-EMF (50 Hz) in human derived lymphoma (Jurkat) cells.

Methods

  • Co-exposure experiments: Cells were exposed to HF-EMF or LF-EMF and treated with mutagens (chemically-induced DNA damage).
  • The compounds used included: 4NQO (pyrimidine dimers/UV-light), BPDE (bulky base adducts), NiCl2 and CrO3 (crosslinks, oxidative damage).
  • DNA damage was measured using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assays.

Findings

  • We found a moderate reduction of basal and 4NQO-induced DNA damage in the astrocytoma line after EMF exposure.
  • No significant alterations in chemically induced DNA migration by the HF and LF fields were observed in the other experiments.

Conclusion

📌 The biological consequences of the moderate reduction observed in one cell line remain unclear. Overall, these results indicate that acute mobile phone and power line specific EMF exposures do not enhance genotoxic effects caused by occupationally relevant chemical exposures, but the established link to cancer risk and DNA damage warrants further investigation and caution regarding EMF exposure, especially in occupational settings.

EMF DNA damage occupational exposure mobile phones high frequency low frequency human cell lines
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