Acute low-intensity microwave exposure increases DNA single-strand breaks in rat brain cells.

Levels of DNA single‐strand break were assayed in brain cells from rats acutely exposed to low‐intensity 2450 MHz microwaves using an alkaline microgel electrophoresis method. Immediately after 2 h of exposure to pulsed (2 μs width, 500 pulses/s) microwaves, no significant effect was observed, whereas a dose rate‐dependent [0.6 and 1.2 W/kg whole body specific absorption rate (SAR)] increase in DNA single‐strand breaks was found in brain cells of rats at 4 h postexposure. Furthermore, in rats exposed for 2 h to continuous‐wave 2450 MHz microwaves (SAR 1.2 W/kg), increases in brain cell DNA single‐strand breaks were observed immediately as well as at 4 h postexposure. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.