In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity of radiofrequency fields

• Published in: Mutation research Vol. 705; no. 3; pp. 252 - 268
• Main Authors: Verschaeve, L., Juutilainen, J., Lagroye, I., Miyakoshi, J., Saunders, R., de Seze, R., Tenforde, T., van Rongen, E., Veyret, B., Xu, Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-12-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Phone; Combined effects; Comet Assay; Cytogenetics; Cytogenetics - methods; DNA; DNA - genetics; DNA - radiation effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Histones - genetics; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; Mobile phone; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Mutagenesis. Repair; Mutagens; Neoplasms - etiology; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - genetics; Phosphorylation; Plants - genetics; Radio Waves; Radiofrequency radiation; Rats; Cytogenetics; Mobile phone; Combined effects; DNA; Radiofrequency radiation; Comet assay; Toxicity; Mutagenicity testing; Genotoxicity; Radiofrequency; In vitro; In vivo; Irradiation
• ISSN: 1383-5742; 0027-5107; 1388-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2010.10.001

There has been growing concern about the possibility of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to radiofrequency radiations (RFR), such as those emitted by wireless communication devices. Since the introduction of mobile phones many studies have been conducted regarding alleged health effects but there is still some uncertainty and no definitive conclusions have been reached so far. Although thermal effects are well understood they are not of great concern as they are unlikely to result from the typical low-level RFR exposures. Concern rests essentially with the possibility that RFR-exposure may induce non-thermal and/or long-term health effects such as an increased cancer risk. Consequently, possible genetic effects have often been studied but with mixed results. In this paper we review the data on alleged RFR-induced genetic effects from
in vitro and
in vivo investigations as well as from human cytogenetic biomonitoring surveys. Attention is also paid to combined exposures of RFR with chemical or physical agents. Again, however, no entirely consistent picture emerges. Many of the positive studies may well be due to thermal exposures, but a few studies suggest that biological effects can be seen at low levels of exposure. Overall, however, the evidence for low-level genotoxic effects is very weak.