Absence of mutagenic response to radiation from a video display terminal

The standard Ames Salmonella test (TA 100) was used to detect the mutagenicity of radiation from a video display terminal. The Ames test is a sensitive assay that detects the ability of a chemical to damage deoxyribonucleic acid. It has also been employed to detect the mutagenicity of electromagnetic radiation. An extremely short distance (62 mm) from a video display terminal and an extremely high electrostatic field strength (250 kv/m) was employed. No mutagenic response was found in this test system.