Effect of Cell Phone Radiations on Morphological and Biochemical Parameters of Moth Bean (Vigna aconitifolia) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum) - GSM vs CDMA

Abstract

Over the years, there is an enormous escalation in wireless equipments including mobile phones making our lives easy. We are constantly immersed in the sea of Electro Magnetic Radiations (EMR) which can affect our lives markedly; alongside there are various reports of possible adverse effects on living things. Cell phones have SAR (Specific Absorption Rating) with safety limit of 3-4W/kg that means a person should not use cell phones for more than 18-24 min/day. This information is not known to many, people use cell phones injudiciously. It has increased the risk of tissue level damage for all living organisms including plant and animal kingdom. This can be tested on germination of seeds like moth bean and wheat as cell phone EMR found to inhibit their root growth by inducing ROS generated oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to observe biochemical and morphological changes induced by cell phone EMR coming from GSM and CDMA on moth bean and wheat seedlings. Study groups of Vigna aconitifolia and Triticum aestivum was divided into group A and group B. Group A was treated with GSM (900 MHz band) and group B treated with CDMA cell phones for 3 days and a control group under similar conditions except that not receiving treatment. Oxidative stress marker, melondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated by Nadiger et al method. Anti-oxidant vitamin C by DNPH method and anti-oxidant enzyme catalase activity were estimated by colorimetric method. Morphologic parameters like germination percentage, length, fresh weight and Relative Water Content (RWC) were also noted. The results showed that there was highly significant reduction in growth, fresh weight and RWC. MDA content and catalase activity were increased and vit.C levels were reduced in the stressed seedlings (GSM>CDMA) compared to unstressed seedlings. It was concluded that the radiations emitted by mobile phones can induce oxidative stress which may have many harmful effects on health.