Abstract
Terahertz electromagnetic fields are non-ionizing electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 0.1 to 10 THz. Potential applications of these electromagnetic fields include the whole body scanners, which currently apply millimeter waves just below the terahertz range, but future scanners will use higher frequencies in the terahertz range. These and other applications will bring along human exposure to these fields. Up to now, only a limited number of investigations on biological effects of terahertz electromagnetic fields have been performed. Therefore, research is strongly needed to enable reliable risk assessment.Cells were exposed for 2 h, 8 h, and 24 h with different power intensities ranging from 0.04 mW/cm2 to 2 mW/cm2, representing levels below, at, and above current safety limits. Genomic damage on the chromosomal level was measured as micronucleus formation. DNA strand breaks and alkali-labile sites were quantified with the comet assay. No DNA strand breaks or alkali-labile sites were observed as a consequence of exposure to terahertz electromagnetic fields in the comet assay. The fields did not cause chromosomal damage in the form of micronucleus induction.
Highlights
Terahertz electromagnetic fields are non-ionizing electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 0.1 THz to 10 THz
One application, which is often associated with terahertz electromagnetic fields, is the body scanner which is employed at security checkpoints, e. g. at airports
Cells were treated with 150 mM methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) for 4 h
Summary
Terahertz electromagnetic fields are non-ionizing electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 0.1 THz to 10 THz. In contrast to other frequency regions in the electromagnetic spectrum, terahertz electromagnetic fields have not been used extensively for applications in the past due to a lack of suitable generators and detectors This ‘‘terahertz gap’’ was overcome during the last decade and technical applications are being developed. Like data transmission or medical imaging, are being developed for the terahertz frequency region and are thought to be applied within the decade. All of these applications involve exposure of the general public and require toxicological risk assessment [1,2,3]
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