Cytogenetic studies in mammalian somatic cells exposed to electromagnetic fields: A meta-analysis

Several researchers have examined the extent of genetic damage in mammalian somatic cells exposed in vitro and/or in vivo exposure of extremely low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. A meta-analysis of all data reported for chromosomal aberrations in human and animal cells during the last several years (1990–2007 for ELF and 1990–2005 for RF) was conducted to obtain a ‘quantitative’ estimate (with 95% confidence interval) of chromosomal aberrations in ELF/RF-exposed cells and compared with that in control cells. The influence of three specific variables was considered in the meta-analysis: (i) frequency, (ii) flux density (for ELF) and specific absorption rate (for RF), and (iii) exposures as continuous wave, pulsed wave and occupationally-exposed individuals. The overall data indicated that (a) the difference between ELF/RF-exposed and control cells was very small, (b) multiple regression and heterogeneity tests indicated that the factors which were not considered in this meta-analysis had an influence on the difference between ELF/RF-exposed and control cells and (c) the mean indices for chromosomal aberrations in all cells were within the spontaneous levels reported in a historical database.