Induction of micronuclei in human lymphocytes exposed in vitro to microwave radiation

Increasing applications of electromagnetic fields are of great concern with regard to public health. Several in vitro studies have been conducted to d etect effects of microwave exposure on the genetic material leading to nega tive or questionable results. The micronucleus (MN) assay which is proved t o be a useful tool for the detection of radiation exposure-induced cytogene tic damage was used in the present study to investigate the genotoxic effec t of microwaves in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro exposed in G (o) to electromagnetic fields with different frequencies (2.45 and 7.7 GHz) and power density (10, 20 and 30 mW/cm(2)) for three times (15, 30 and 60 min). The results showed for both radiation frequencies an induction of mic ronuclei as compared to the control cultures at a power density of 30 mW/cm (2) and after an exposure of 30 and 60 min. Our study would indicate that m icrowaves are able to cause cytogenetic damage in human lymphocytes mainly for both high power density and long exposure time. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.