engleski

A four year follow up study of chromosome aberrations in a population occupationally exposed to microwave radiation

The aim of this study was to analyse the results of 4 year long cytogenetic monitoring of a population occupationally exposed to microwave radiation. In order to evaluate possible cytogenetic damage the analyses of structural chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes cultivated in vitro for 48 hours have benn used. The study included a group of radar station personnel who were daily occupationally exposed to microwave radiation and a group of control subjects from the general population. Microwave power density at different work places was measured with Raham model 4A (General Microwave Corporation, Farmingdale, NY). Results of electromagnetic fields power density distribution measurements at different working places show that during an ordinary working day (12 hours) the examinees stay in zones lower than 5 mW/cm and every second day they are exposed to a microwave field of 10 uW/cm2-20 mW/cm2 with frequency range of 1250-1350 MHz. The average duration of employment of the subjects was 16 years. Mean values of chromosome aberrations in the first year were 2.36%, in the second 1.43%, in the third 2.88%, and in the fourth year of the study 2.60%. Compared to the control population (mean value 1.30%) in exposed subjects dicentric and ring chromosomes were detected. Mutagenic cganges in the somatic cells detected in exposed subjects pointed to the fact that these cellular damages can be related to continously occupational exposure to microwave radiation. The results of this 4-year follow up study connected with further research of biological effects of microwave radiation should elucidate numerous problems caused by occupational exposure.

microwave radiation; occupational exposure; chromosome aberrations

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