Effect of environmental temperature on the interactive developmental toxicity of radiofrequency radiation and 2-methoxyethanol in rats

Objective: This research was conducted to determine if altered environmental temperatures would affect the interactive developmental toxicity of radiofrequency (RF) radiation and the industrial solvent, 2-methoxyethanol (2ME). This is important because RF radiation is used in a variety of workplaces that have poorly controlled environmental temperatures, and many workers are concurrently exposed to various chemicals. Furthermore, we have previously demonstrated that combined exposure to RF radiation (10 MHz) and 2ME produces enhanced teratogenicity in rats. Methods: RF radiation sufficient to maintain colonic temperatures at the control value (38 degrees), 39.0 degrees or 40.0 degrees C for 2 or 4 h combined with either 0 or 100 mg/kg 2ME at environmental temperatures of 18 degrees, 24 degrees and 30 degrees C (65 degrees, 75 degrees, and 85 degrees F) were given on gestation day 13 to Sprague-Dawley rats. Dams were killed on gestation day 20, and the fetuses were examined for external malformations. Results and conclusions: Environmental temperature does affect the specific absorption rate (SAR) necessary to maintain a specific colonic temperature but does not affect the interactive developmental toxicity of RF radiation and 2ME in rats. These results, consistent with the literature, add to the evidence that the developmental toxicity of RF radiation (combined or alone) is associated with colonic temperature, not with SAR.