In vitro assessment of cellular genetics damage possibly linked with exposure to cell phone radiation

Abstract

In the 21st century it is impossible to assume that modern generation does not use cell phone with internet and because of that people are living under stream of EMF waves. India is the second largest cell phone user country in the world, so people who are living near the cell phone tower are suffering from different health problems. Mobile Phone usage has been increased globally and to provide proper coverage (signal strength), numbers of cell phone towers are also increasing worldwide generating a public concern as to whether frequent utilization of such devices is unsafe. Mobile phones are now an integral part of modern telecommunications. In many countries, over half the population use mobile phones and the market is growing rapidly. In 2014, there is an estimated 6.9 billion subscriptions globally. Currently there are 86 crore cell phone users and nearly 7.4 lakh cell towers in India to meet the communication demand. In 2011, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of WHO designates cell phones as "possibly carcinogenic” [Class 2B]. Cell phone radiation is a non-ionizing radiation having low penetration power, thus they cannot break down chemical bonds but can affect H- bonds. A field trip was conducted for the study of radiation level near cell phone towers. This study was conducted by measuring the radiation level at various locations in Ahmedabad city by Detex 189, Spectrum Analyzer and RF-Generator. The Detex 189 detects the radiation level by giving an indication through LED light where Red light indicated severe concern, Yellow light indicated moderate concern and Green light indicated slight concern, While spectrum analyzer is an instrument which shows peaks for various frequencies in the particular area. Tissue level assessment was carried out using RF generator and spectrum analyzer to check if penetration of RF inside the oral cavity takes place. In vitro radiation exposed human lymphocyte culture(OECD 473 guideline, S (2) R) was performed. The results were analyzed based on extent of chromosomal breakage i.e. structural aberrations mainly chromatid and chromosomal gaps and breaks. It can be interpreted that chromosomal aberration study show increased genomic damage with longer duration of exposure to radiation. The cellular damage in oral cavity was checked by buccal mucosa cytome assay and different types of biomarkers like binucleated cell, micronuclei, Karyorrhectic cells, etc were observed. It can be interpreted that Buccal mucosa cytome assay show a high frequency of aberration in users as compared to non-exposed individuals. COMET assay which is also called as single-cell gel electrophoresis, is a simple method for the measurement of DNA strand breaks in eukaryotic cells. COMET assay showed significant increase in DNA damage with increase in time interval for each of the %DNA in tail, and tail Moment; while decreasing in DNA damage with increase in time interval was observed for %DNA in head. Hence it can be interpreted that with the increase of exposure of cell phone radiation there is significant increase in DNA damage.