Long-Term Effect of 900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure on Cochlear Functions

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of900 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the cochlear function. Fourteen Wistar albino adult male rats were equally divided into two groups: sham control and exposure groups. Rat heads in the carousel were exposed to 900 MHz microwave radiation (power output: 2 W) emitted from generator. The rats in the study group were exposed to the radiofrequency radiation 3 h per day (7 days a week) for 6 months. For the sham group, the same procedure was applied to the rats (3 h per day, 7 days a week for 6 months), except that the generator was turned off. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) values of rats were measured at the beginning of the study (baseline), 3rd and 6thmonth of the exposure. There were no significant DPOAE changes either in the exposure or sham control groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, according to the results for the DPOAE values obtained in this study we can state that long-term exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation, which is 3 h a day (during 6 months), did not affect the cochlear function of rats. However, the DPOAE values obtained in this study do not constitute an example for subjects who talk on the mobile phone for a long time.