Evaluation of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in human peripheral blood leukocytes following exposure to 1950-MHz modulated signal

Human peripheral blood leukocytes from six volunteers were exposed to a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) signal (frequency carrier of 1950 MHz) for 24 h. The exposures were carried out in a waveguide system at specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0.5 and 2.0 W/kg, and for each blood donor, sham-exposed samples were also set up. The alkaline comet assay was used to quantify DNA damage, while cytotoxicity was determined by the Trypan blue exclusion method. The results obtained indicate the absence of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects at both SAR levels investigated, as assessed by comparing sham-exposed and exposed samples. Therefore, the findings indicate that, in the experimental conditions adopted, 24-h in vitro exposure to 1950-MHz radio-frequency radiation (UMTS signal) does not induce DNA damage in human leukocytes.