Detection of Low Level Microwave Radiation Induced Deoxyribonucleic Acid Damage Vis-à-vis Genotoxicity in Brain of Fischer Rats

BACKGROUND: Non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation has been increasingly used in industry, commerce, medicine and especially in mobile phone technology and has become a matter of serious concern in present time. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the possible deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damaging effects of low-level microwave radiation in brain of Fischer rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were performed on male Fischer rats exposed to microwave radiation for 30 days at three different frequencies: 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Group I (Sham exposed): Animals not exposed to microwave radiation but kept under same conditions as that of other groups, Group II: Animals exposed to microwave radiation at frequency 900 MHz at specific absorption rate (SAR) 5.953 × 10(−4) W/kg, Group III: Animals exposed to 1800 MHz at SAR 5.835 × 10(−4) W/kg and Group IV: Animals exposed to 2450 MHz at SAR 6.672 × 10(−4) W/kg. At the end of the exposure period animals were sacrificed immediately and DNA damage in brain tissue was assessed using alkaline comet assay. RESULTS: In the present study, we demonstrated DNA damaging effects of low level microwave radiation in brain. CONCLUSION: We concluded that low SAR microwave radiation exposure at these frequencies may induce DNA strand breaks in brain tissue.