Effects of 2.45 GHz Microwave Radiation on Hematological Changes of Sprague-Dawley Rats With Red Palm Oil Consumption

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) exist around us where every electronic equipment produces EMF at home, workplaces etc. Excessive exposure to microwave (MW) EMF radiation can possibly effects on Hematological changes. The vitamin E rich natural antioxidants such as red palm oil (RPO) is believe to prevent the effects of MW exposure. This study aimed to determine the effects of red palm oil consumption on Hematological changes of irradiated and non-irradiated rats exposoed with electric field strength of 61 V/m (volt per meter) and power density of 0.987 mW/ cm² (milliwatt per centimetre square) 5 days a week, 7 hours per day for 8 weeks. Only G2 and G4 consumed the 0.5 ml RPO daily. After 8 weeks exposure blood samples were collected from all the groups, blood analysis carried out by using hematological analyser and statistical analysis by using ANOVA test. From ANOVA test, MW exposure resulted 43.8 % increase in total leukocyte count of irradiated rats without RPO. The irradiated-RPO consumed rats (G4) show a decrease in the total leukocyte count by 27.2 % as compared with irradiated-without RPO rats (G3). Morphology of leukocyte for G3 show a degradation in cytoplasm of neurotrophil with significant changes as compared with well form cytoplasm for G1. However, lymphocyte and monocyte remained undamaged in both irradiated and non-irradiated rats. There is significant differences on total erythrocyte count with p-value (p=0.003) and MCHC with p-value (p=0.001). The exposure to MW radiation show a significant increase in p-value (p=0.018) as compared to control group G1. RPO consumption for exposed rats also show significant increase in total erythrocyte count with p=0.003 compared to control group. Irradiated rats and irradiated rats with RPO show significant decrease of MCHC with p=0.014 and p=0.013. There are no significant differences on MCV and MCH. From the study, it can be concluded that MW radiation has deleterious effects on blood and can be reduce by the consumption of RPO to cure oxidative damage prior to MW exposure. (author)