Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic fields exposure on cochlear cells' functionality in rats: Evaluation of distortion product otoacoustic emissions

✍ Scribed by Paolo Galloni; Giorgio Alfonso Lovisolo; Sergio Mancini; Marta Parazzini; Rosanna Pinto; Marta Piscitelli; Paolo Ravazzani; Carmela Marino

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 249 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0197-8462
• DOI: 10.1002/bem.20127

✦ Synopsis

In recent years, the widespread use of mobile phones has been accompanied by public debate about possible adverse consequences on human health. The auditory system is a major target of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by cellular telephones; the aim of this study was the evaluation of possible effects of cellular phone-like emissions on the functionality of rat's cochlea. Distortion Products OtoAcoustic Emission (DPOAE) amplitude was selected as cochlea's outer hair cells (OHC) status indicator. A number of protocols, including different frequencies (the lower ones in rat's cochlea sensitivity spectrum), intensities and periods of exposure, were used; tests were carried out before, during and after the period of treatment. No significant variation due to exposure to microwaves has been evidenced.