General Exposure to Radiofrequent Microwave Radiation

The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (2002-2006)

Principal investigator:
Ivančica Trošić
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb

SUMMARY
General exposure to radiofrequent microwave radiation threats fromelectroenergetic, radar and RTV systems, telecommunication, medical and household devices. Nonionizing radiation mechanism of influence on biological system is not known.

Integral insight into the biological effects of radiation might be reached by means of animal models, otherwise, action mechanism requires cell culture research. Recently obtained results revealed  that microwaves (RF/MW) in rats cause decrease in peripheral lymphocyte, increase in erythrocytes count, inhibition of bone marrow lymhocytopoiesis, stimulation of mucociliary clearance, and time-dose related appearance of multinucleated phagocytes in the lungs.

Investigation will be continued by research of cellular and intracellular responds related to applied dose-time exposure of particular physical agents including animal model and cell culture treatment. Search for biomarkers of nonthermal effects of nonionizing radiation will proceed followed by genesis and function related parameters at the cell level including several biological systems: bone marrow, peripheral blood and free cells from lungs and peritoneum.

The proliferation, differentiation and cell maturation in the bone marrow, and their possible reflection on body cell circulation will be followed. Supposing that RF/MW affects the synthesis of melatonin, a regulator of hematopoiesis and immunological response, the melatonin metabolite will be determined in the rat nocturnal urine. The erythrocyte hemolysis time, and possible chromosomeand/or spindle apparatus damage will be explored. Possible intracellular events will be evaluated by means of cytoskeleton staining. Biological effects of nonionizing radiation in vivo, elucidation of their mechanisms in vitro will be achieved by relevant statistical approach.