Stimulation of Haemopoetic Activity in Bone Marrow and Deformation of Red Blood Cells in Albino Mice, Mus musculus Exposed to Radiations from GSM Base Stations

The levels of radiofrequency radiations around two global systems for mobile communication (GSM) base stations located around a residential quarter and workplace complex were measured. The effects of the radiofrequency radiations on albino mice placed in exposure cages and located around the base stations over a six months period were investigated. The levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiations around the base stations were found to range between 383 mV/m to 730 mV/m compared to 59 mV/m in control stations. In the exposed mice, a pattern of pancytosis was observed and significant increases were observed in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Cell Count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT) and Red Cell Count (RCC) throughout the period of exposure in both stations when compared with control values. No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in these values when both stations were compared. After 90 days of exposure, marginal increases occurred in the mean cell volume of exposed mice at station 1 and 2 (53.1±3.6fl Vs 55.9±1.8fl and 57.9±0.25fl respectively), with the mean cell haemoglobin concentration showing significant reduction after 180 days of exposure at station 2 (27.9±2.4g/dl Vs 25.7±0.29g/dl; p<0.05). Marked anisopoikilocytosis and striking polychromasia were seen on peripheral films of exposed mice, with bone marrow showing increased cellularity. Exposure of the mice to radiofrequency radiations therefore resulted in cellular proliferation with subsequent stimulation of haemopoetic activity and probable increase in the utilisation of folate and iron resulting in increased mean cell volume (MCV) and reduction in mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The fears of a possible biological effect of chronic human exposure to radiofrequency radiations may therefore be reasonable enough to justify the clamour for the reduction in the proliferation of GSM base stations across the country.