Radio frequency electromagnetic field (900 MHz) induces oxidative damage to DNA and biomembrane in tobacco shoot cells (Nicotiana tabacum)

There is accumulating evidence that exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from mobile telephones or their base station could have detrimental biological effects. Therefore, the possible cyto-and genotoxic effects after 4 hour exposure of tobacco shoots to 900 MHz EMF were studied. The levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidation of proteins as well as damage to DNA increased in response to EMF comparing to control values. These results suggest that short-term exposure to 900 MHz EMF has genotoxic effect but harshly interrupts plasma biomembrane integrity as well. Plant model system proved to be sensitive biomarkers of RF-EMF exposure.