ID Number		977
Study Type		In Vitro
Model		830 MHz, 100 GHz (0.1 THz) (CW) exposure to primary human lymphocytes and analysis of chromosome aberrations
Details		Primary human lymphocytes were exposed to 830 MHz (CW) RF for 24 or 72 hours at average SARs from 1.6 to 8.8 W/kg. The authors report a linear increase with exposure level and aneuploidy of chromosome 17 as detected by using alpha-satellite probes and in situ hybridization (in the earlier BEMS presentation, the authors reported data using probes for chromosome 17 genes p53 and EGFR / HER2-neu). The threshold for these effects was reported at 2.9 +/- 0.35 W/kg. The authors also reported dose dependent asynchronous replication with increased exposure. The authors suggest non-thermal epigenic alterations are involved in SAR dependent genetic toxicity. In follow-on studies, the authors again exposed primary lymphocytes from healthy donors (n = 10) to 800 MHz RF for 72 hours at either 2.9 or 4.1 W/kg and followed chromosome aberrations using centromeric markers for chromosomes 11, 17, 1, and 10. The authors report no effects of temperature alone between 33.5 to 40 degrees. RF exposure increased chromosomal 11 and 17 aberrations at 2.9 W/kg but not at 4.1 W/kg, and increased chromosome 1 multisomy at 4.1 W/kg. Chromosome 10 was unaffected. In subsequent studies, human lymphocytes were exposed to 100 GHz (0.1 THz) for period of 1 to 24 hours at 2.4 W/kg. The authors report exposures resulted in significant aneuploidy, with chromosomes 11 and 17 being more vulnerable than chromosomes 1 and 10.
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Tel-Aviv University, Israel
Funding Agency		Private/Instit.
Country		ISRAEL
References		Korenstein-Ilan, A et al. Radiation Research, (2008) 170:224-234 Mazor, R et al. Radiation Research, (2008) 169:28-37 Mashevich, M et al. Bioelectromagnetics, (2003) 24:82-90
Comments		At the highest average SAR, numerical simulation computations showed peak SAR estimated in the range of 22.46 W/kg. Exposure resulted in temperatures of 34.5 - 37.5 degrees C, and at the highest exposure level the incubator temperature had to be set at 33.5 degrees to insure the exposed culture temperature did not exceed 38 degrees C. At the highest exposure level (8.8 W/kg) the incubator temperature had to be set at 33.5 degrees to insure the exposed culture temperature did not exceed 38 degrees C - there were likely significant thermal gradients and hot spots within the culture flasks during exposure. Although non-RF temperature controls from 34.5 - 38.5 were reported to not cause the same alterations, the possible effects of high regional heating from exposure were not addressed. In the 2008 follow-on study, the authors again report significant range of peak SAR within the tubes designed to hold the cell culture during exposure (from 0.25 W/kg to 11.6 W/kg). There was also up to 30% discrepancy with numerical modeled values, leaving the inter- and intro-tube SAR (and temperature) profile an open question. Further, multisomy on chromosome 11 was highest in sham exposed lymphocytes than in either 2.9 or 4.1 W/kg exposed samples.