EFFECT OF LOW-POWER MICROWAVE ON THE MOUSE GENOME - A DIRECT DNA ANALYSIS

The potential mutagenic effect of low power microwave at the DNA seque nce level in the mouse genome was evaluated by direct DNA analysis. An imals were exposed to microwave at a power density of 1 mW/cm(2) for 2 h/day at a frequency of 2.45 GHz over a period of 120, 150 and 200 da ys. Hinfl digested DNA samples from testis and brain of control and ex posed animals were hybridized with a synthetic oligo probe (OAT 36) co mprising nine repeats of 5'-GACA-3'. As compared to control animals, b and patterns in exposed animals were found to be distinctly altered in the range of 7-8 kb which was also substantiated by densitometric ana lysis. Though the mechanism of this rearrangement is not yet clear, th e results obtained at the present dose are of significance. This dose, which has been set as the safe limit for general public exposure by t he Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee of the International Radiation Pro tection Association, may imply a need for (re)evaluation of the mutage nic potential of microwaves at the prescribed safe limit for the perso nnel and people who are being exposed.