Genotoxicity evaluation of human populations exposed to radio frequency radiation

In the modern day life, mobile telephones have become an integral part for mutual communication. Virtually most people are exposed to radio frequency radiation. In the current study a group of 55 subjects with regular cell phone usage and an equal number of well-matched control individuals were studied. The possible genetic changes in lymphocytes of cellular telephone users were assessed with the comet assay, micronucleus test and chromosomal aberrations analysis. In addition micronucleus test on buccal epithelial cells was also carried out in the same subjects. The results suggested that in the mobile phone users there was a statistically significant increase in mean DNA damage when compared to controls. Similar result was observed with micronucleus test and chromosomal aberrations analysis also (P<0.05). Age, smoking and alcohol consumption did not have any significant effect on genetic damage when analyzed by comet assay. However, no association of gender, age, smoking and alcohol consumption on micronucleus frequency was observed. Smoking and alcohol consumption had significant effect by the chromosomal aberration test (P<0.05). The results of this study indicated that the genetic damage of peripheral lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells in the mobile telephone users increased significantly, as compared with controls.