Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in Onion Root Tip Cells and Mouse Polychromatic Erythrocytes

Mobile phone users and base stations have increased exponentially in recent decades. These expansions have extended worries about the potential risk of long-lasting Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) exposure on human health and environmental quality. The current study was designed to explore the cytogenetic consequences of subjecting two biological systems to RF-EMF at a frequency of 1800MHz and a specific absorption rate of 0.27 W/kg.
Chromosome aberration test (onion meristematic cells) and micronucleus assay (mouse erythrocytes) were used to evaluate the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the in vivo exposure to RF-EMF at a frequency of 1800 MHz. The two living systems were subjected to RF-EMF for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours daily for seven successive days. We recorded the percent aberrant cells (%Abc), the percentage of micronuclei formation in erythrocytes (%MN), and the percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (%MNPCE).
It was demonstrated that the short- and intermediate-term exposure to RF-EMF may cause a gradual time-dependent boost in root growth. However, significant growth inhibition was observed following 4-hour exposure. Exposure to RF-EMF did not change mitotic indices of onion meristematic cells. Significant increases in Abc, MN, and MNPCE percentages were recorded.
The outcome of this study proposes that unlimited exposure of living organisms to RF-EMF may lead to adverse effects. Therefore, unnecessary use of mobile phones should be avoided.