A cross-sectional case control study on genetic damage in individuals residing in the vicinity of a mobile phone base station

Mobile phone base stations facilitate good communication, but the continuously emitting radiations from these stations have raised health concerns. Hence in this study, genetic damage using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was assessed in peripheral blood leukocytes of individuals r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Electromagnetic biology and medicine 2015-10, Vol.34 (4), p.344-354
Main Authors: Gandhi, Gursatej, Kaur, Gurpreet, Nisar, Uzma
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Alcohol Drinking
Case-Control Studies
Cell Phone
Comet Assay
Cross-Sectional Studies
DNA - radiation effects
DNA Damage
Environmental Exposure
Female
Humans
Leukocytes - cytology
Leukocytes - radiation effects
Male
peripheral blood leukocytes
Radiation Injuries - etiology
Radio Waves - adverse effects
radiofrequency radiations
Regression Analysis
Young Adult
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Summary:Mobile phone base stations facilitate good communication, but the continuously emitting radiations from these stations have raised health concerns. Hence in this study, genetic damage using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was assessed in peripheral blood leukocytes of individuals residing in the vicinity of a mobile phone base station and comparing it to that in healthy controls. The power density in the area within 300 m from the base station exceeded the permissive limits and was significantly (p = 0.000) higher compared to the area from where control samples were collected. The study participants comprised 63 persons with residences near a mobile phone tower, and 28 healthy controls matched for gender, age, alcohol drinking and occupational sub-groups. Genetic damage parameters of DNA migration length, damage frequency (DF) and damage index were significantly (p = 0.000) elevated in the sample group compared to respective values in healthy controls. The female residents (n = 25) of the sample group had significantly (p = 0.004) elevated DF than the male residents (n = 38). The linear regression analysis further revealed daily mobile phone usage, location of residence and power density as significant predictors of genetic damage. The genetic damage evident in the participants of this study needs to be addressed against future disease-risk, which in addition to neurodegenerative disorders, may lead to cancer.
ISSN:1536-8378
1536-8386
DOI:10.3109/15368378.2014.933349