Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) is continuously increasing worldwide. Yet, conflicting results of a possible genotoxic effect of RF EMF continue to be discussed. In the present study, a possible genotoxic effect of RF EMF (GSM, 1,800 MHz) in human lymphocytes was investigated by a collaboration of six independent institutes (institutes a, b, c, d, e, h). Peripheral blood of 20 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers of two age groups (10 volunteers 16–20 years old and 10 volunteers 50–65 years old) was taken, stimulated and intermittently exposed to three specific absorption rates (SARs) of RF EMF (0.2 W/kg, 2 W/kg, 10 W/kg) and sham for 28 h (institute a). The exposures were performed in a setup with strictly controlled conditions of temperature and dose, and randomly and automatically determined waveguide SARs, which were designed and periodically maintained by ITIS (institute h). Four genotoxicity tests with different end points were conducted (institute a): chromosome aberration test (five types of structural aberrations), micronucleus test, sister chromatid exchange test and the alkaline comet assay (Olive tail moment and % DNA). To demonstrate the validity of the study, positive controls were implemented. The genotoxicity end points were evaluated independently by three laboratories blind to SAR information (institute c = laboratory 1; institute d = laboratory 2; institute e = laboratory 3). Statistical analysis was carried out by institute b. Methods of primary statistical analysis and rules to adjust for multiple testing were specified in a statistical analysis plan based on a data review before unblinding. A linear trend test based on a linear mixed model was used for outcomes of comet assay and exact permutation test for linear trend for all other outcomes. It was ascertained that only outcomes with a significant SAR trend found by at least two of three analyzing laboratories indicated a substantiated suspicion of an exposure effect. On the basis of these specifications, none of the nine end points tested for SAR trend showed a significant and reproducible exposure effect. Highly significant differences between sham exposures and positive controls were detected by each analyzing laboratory, thus validating the study. In conclusion, the results show no evidence of a genotoxic effect induced by RF EMF (GSM, 1,800 MHz).
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1 February 2013
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January 14 2013
Influence of GSM Signals on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes: Study of Genotoxicity Available to Purchase
Petra Waldmann;
Petra Waldmann
1
aIncos Boté GmbH, D-55232 Alzey, Friedhofstrasse 6, Germany
1Address for correspondence: Incos Boté GmbH, D-55323Alzey, Friedhofstrasse 6, Germany; e-mail: [email protected].
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Susanne Bohnenberger;
Susanne Bohnenberger
eHarlan Cytotest Cell Research GmbH Roßdorf, In den Leppsteinwiesen 19, D-64380 Rossdorf, Germany
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Rüdiger Greinert;
Rüdiger Greinert
dDermatology Center, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Elbeklinikum Buxtehude, Am Krankenhaus 1, D-21614 Buxtehude, Germany
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Beate Hermann-Then;
Beate Hermann-Then
eHarlan Cytotest Cell Research GmbH Roßdorf, In den Leppsteinwiesen 19, D-64380 Rossdorf, Germany
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Anja Heselich;
Anja Heselich
cUniversity of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Hochschulstrasse 2, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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Stefanie J. Klug;
Stefanie J. Klug
bInstitute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, (IMBEI) University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 69, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
fCancer Epidemiology, University Cancer Center Dresden, University Hospital, Technical University Dresden, D-01069 Dresden, Germany
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Jochem Koenig;
Jochem Koenig
bInstitute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, (IMBEI) University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 69, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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Kathrin Kuhr;
Kathrin Kuhr
gInstitut für Medizinische Statistik, Informatik und Epidemiologie – IMSIE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, D-50923 Koeln, Germany
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Niels Kuster;
Niels Kuster
hITIS Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society, ch-8004 Zürich, Switzerland
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Mandy Merker;
Mandy Merker
eHarlan Cytotest Cell Research GmbH Roßdorf, In den Leppsteinwiesen 19, D-64380 Rossdorf, Germany
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Manuel Murbach;
Manuel Murbach
hITIS Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society, ch-8004 Zürich, Switzerland
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Dieter Pollet;
Dieter Pollet
cUniversity of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Hochschulstrasse 2, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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Walter Schadenboeck;
Walter Schadenboeck
aIncos Boté GmbH, D-55232 Alzey, Friedhofstrasse 6, Germany
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Ulrike Scheidemann-Wesp;
Ulrike Scheidemann-Wesp
bInstitute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, (IMBEI) University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 69, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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Britt Schwab;
Britt Schwab
cUniversity of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Hochschulstrasse 2, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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Beate Volkmer;
Beate Volkmer
dDermatology Center, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Elbeklinikum Buxtehude, Am Krankenhaus 1, D-21614 Buxtehude, Germany
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Veronika Weyer;
Veronika Weyer
bInstitute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, (IMBEI) University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 69, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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Maria Blettner
Maria Blettner
bInstitute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, (IMBEI) University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 69, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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Radiat Res (2013) 179 (2): 243–253.
Article history
Received:
December 21 2011
Accepted:
November 05 2012
Citation
Petra Waldmann, Susanne Bohnenberger, Rüdiger Greinert, Beate Hermann-Then, Anja Heselich, Stefanie J. Klug, Jochem Koenig, Kathrin Kuhr, Niels Kuster, Mandy Merker, Manuel Murbach, Dieter Pollet, Walter Schadenboeck, Ulrike Scheidemann-Wesp, Britt Schwab, Beate Volkmer, Veronika Weyer, Maria Blettner; Influence of GSM Signals on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes: Study of Genotoxicity. Radiat Res 1 February 2013; 179 (2): 243–253. doi: https://doi.org/10.1667/RR2914.1
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