Kitchen EMF Research

Proliferation and cytogenetic studies in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation.

Vijayalaxmi, Mohan, N, Meltz, ML, Wittler, MA, · 1997

Proliferation and cytogenetic studies in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation

Vijayalaxmi, Mohan N, Meltz ML, Wittler MA · 1997

Researchers exposed human blood cells to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation (microwave oven frequency) for 90 minutes and found no genetic damage or changes in cell division. The study tested both continuous and intermittent exposure patterns at power levels similar to some industrial microwave applications.

Effects of exposure to microwaves on cellular immunity and placental steroids in pregnant rats.

Nakamura H, Seto T, Nagase H, Yoshida M, Dan S, Ogino K. · 1997

Pregnant rats exposed to microwaves showed a significant reduction in splenic natural killer cell activity, while no such reduction was seen in exposed virgin rats. Corticosterone and ACTH increased, and oestradiol decreased, in both exposed virgin and pregnant rats, while beta-endorphin and progesterone increased significantly only in pregnant rats.

The lack of effects of nonthermal RF electromagnetic fields on the development of rat embryos grown in culture.

Klug S, Hetscher M, Giles S, Kohlsmann S, Kramer K, · 1997

Researchers exposed 9.5-day-old rat embryos for up to 36 hours to radiofrequency electric and magnetic fields with modulation frequencies of 16, 60, and 120 Hz. The exposure included electric field strengths of 60 and 600 V/m, magnetic inductions of 0.2 and 2.0 microtesla, and specific absorption rates of 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 W/kg. Neither the electric nor the magnetic fields interfered significantly with normal embryo growth and differentiation when assessed on day 11.5 using a scoring system, photographs, histology, and protein content.

Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells

Lai H, Carino MA, Singh NP · 1997

Researchers exposed rats to 2450 MHz pulsed radiofrequency radiation at a power density of 2 mW/cm2 for 2 hours and then measured DNA double strand breaks in brain cells. The RFR exposure significantly increased DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells, and the effect was partially blocked by naltrexone treatment. The researchers concluded that endogenous opioids play a mediating role in RFR-induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.

Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells.

Lai, H, Carino, MA, Singh, NP, · 1997

Researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwave ovens) for 2 hours and found it caused DNA double strand breaks in brain cells. When they gave the rats naltrexone, a drug that blocks the body's natural opioids, it partially prevented this DNA damage. This suggests the body's own opioid system plays a role in how microwave radiation damages DNA in brain cells.

Risks of leukaemia among residents close to high voltage transmission electric lines

Unknown authors · 1997

Researchers reviewed studies on leukaemia risk among people living near high voltage transmission lines of 49 kV and above. They calculated combined risks for distances of 50 meters and 25 meters and for magnetic field exposures at 2, 3, 4, and 10 milligauss. The combined analysis showed an odds ratio of 1.3 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.0 to 1.7 for exposures of 2 milligauss or higher. Odds ratios increased at higher exposures of 3, 4, and 10 milligauss, and risks were also elevated at distances of 50 and 25 meters from the lines.

Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells.

Lai, H, Carino, MA, Singh, NP · 1997

Researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (similar to WiFi frequencies) for 2 hours and found significant DNA damage in brain cells. When they gave the rats naltrexone, a drug that blocks the body's natural opioids, the DNA damage was partially prevented. This suggests that microwave radiation triggers the release of natural opioids in the brain, which then contributes to genetic damage.

Effects of exposure to microwaves on cellular immunity and placental steroids in pregnant rats.

Nakamura et al. · 1997

Scientists exposed pregnant and non-pregnant rats to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz for 90 minutes. Pregnant rats showed weakened immune systems and hormonal changes that didn't occur in non-pregnant rats, suggesting pregnancy increases vulnerability to wireless radiation from everyday devices.

Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation

Lai H, Singh NP · 1996

Researchers investigated single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Rats received acute 2-hour exposure to pulsed or continuous-wave 2450-MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, producing a whole-body average-specific absorption rate of 1.2 W/kg. An increase in both types of DNA strand breaks was observed after exposure to either the pulsed or continuous-wave radiation, with no significant difference between the two forms.

Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

Lai H, Singh NP · 1996

Researchers exposed rats to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation for two hours and found significant DNA damage in brain cells four hours later. The study suggests RF radiation at these levels can break genetic material in brain cells, potentially affecting cellular repair mechanisms.

Spatial learning deficit in the rat after exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field

Unknown authors · 1996

Rats were trained in ten daily sessions on a 12-arm radial maze to assess spatial memory. Exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field at 0.75 mT for 45 minutes before each session significantly retarded learning.

Spatial learning deficit in the rat after exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field

Unknown authors · 1996

Researchers at the University of Washington exposed rats to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 45 minutes before each training session in a maze test. The magnetic field exposure significantly impaired the rats' ability to learn spatial navigation tasks. When researchers gave the rats a drug that boosts brain chemicals called cholinergics, it reversed the learning problems caused by the magnetic field.

Spatial learning deficit in the rat after exposure to a 60 Hz magnetic field

Unknown authors · 1996

Researchers exposed rats to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electricity) for 45 minutes before training sessions in a spatial memory test. The magnetic field exposure significantly impaired the rats' ability to learn and navigate a maze. When researchers gave the rats a drug that boosts brain chemicals called cholinergic systems, it reversed the learning problems caused by the magnetic field.

Increase in hypoxanthine- guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene mutations by exposure to high-density 50-Hz magnetic fields

Unknown authors · 1996

Researchers exposed human melanoma MeWo cells to a 50-Hz, 400-mT extremely low frequency magnetic field and measured mutations in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene. The mutant frequency increased with longer exposure periods and higher induced current intensities. Mutations induced by X-rays were enhanced by the magnetic field exposure. No significant increase in mutant frequency occurred when DNA replication was inhibited during exposure.

Extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields disrupt rhythmic slow activity in rat hippocampal slices

Bawin SM, Satmary WM, Jones RA, Adey WR, Zimmerman G. · 1996

Researchers used rat hippocampal slices to study how extremely-low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields affect rhythmic slow activity (RSA), a brain rhythm associated with memory functions. Slices were exposed for 10-minute epochs to 1 or 60 Hz magnetic fields at intensities of 5.6, 56, or 560 μT, or were sham exposed. 1 Hz fields at 56 and 560 μT, but not at 5.6 μT, triggered irreversible destabilization of RSA intervals, while 60 Hz fields showed similar but not statistically significant trends. The field effects on RSA did not occur when nitric oxide (NO) synthesis was pharmacologically inhibited.

Effect of isothermal radiofrequency radiation on cytolytic T lymphocytes.

Cleary, SF, Du, Z, Cao, G, Liu, LM, McCrady, C · 1996

Researchers investigated the effects of RF radiation exposure on interleukin 2 (IL-2) -dependent proliferation of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLL-2). At specific absorption rates greater than 25 W/kg, exposure produced a consistent, statistically significant reduction in CTLL-2 proliferation, especially at low IL-2 concentrations. At lower SARs, 2450 MHz exposure increased CTLL-2 proliferation immediately after exposure but reduced 24 h postexposure proliferation. The researchers found significant qualitative and quantitative differences between the effects of temperature elevation and RF radiation.

Regulation of c-fos is affected by electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 1996

Researchers transfected HeLa cells with plasmids containing c-fos upstream regulating regions up to -700 base pairs linked to a CAT reporter gene. The cells were exposed to a 60 Hz electromagnetic field at 60 mGrms. CAT expression increased above control levels after 5 minutes of exposure, peaked at 20 minutes, and returned to basal levels after 40 minutes. Deletion analysis identified a responsive region of 138 base pairs from -363 to -225 containing SRE/AP-1 sites.

Exposure to magnetic field (5 mT at 60 Hz) does not affect cell growth and c-myc gene expression

Unknown authors · 1996

The study examined the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on cell growth and c-myc mRNA expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The study tested a 5 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field. The exposure system consisted of a CO2 incubator with built-in Helmholtz coils (250 mm inner diameter, 160 mm distance, 128 turns), a slide regulator, and a thermocontroller. No significant difference was found in growth rate or c-myc expression between cells exposed to the magnetic field, sham-exposed cells, and cells in a conventional incubator.

Qualitative enzyme histochemistry and microanalysis reveals changes in ultrastructural distribution of calcium and calcium-activated ATPases after microwave irradiation of the medial habenula.

Kittel A, Siklos L, Thuroczy G, Somosy Z · 1996

Rodent cell transformation and immediate early gene expression following 60-Hz magnetic field exposure

Unknown authors · 1996

The researchers investigated whether 60-Hz magnetic fields act at the cellular level to produce gene expression changes that can result in neoplastic transformation. Twenty-four hour exposure to 200 microT continuous magnetic fields produced negative results in Syrian hamster embryo cells and C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts, with or without a chemical promoter. Extensive coded and uncoded analyses found no magnetic field effect on gene expression in human HL60 cells. No MF-induced changes in ornithine decarboxylase expression were observed in C3H/10T1/2 cells under the same exposure conditions.

Effects of 60-Hz fields, estradiol and xenoestrogens on human breast cancer cells

Unknown authors · 1996

Exposure of breast cancer cells to 12 mG, 1 G, or 9 G 60-Hz electromagnetic fields failed to stimulate Cdk2 or cyclin B1-cdc2 activity or cyclin D1 synthesis. Simultaneous co-exposure to 60-Hz fields and chemical promoters did not enhance Cdk2 activation beyond the effect of the chemical promoter alone. Estrogen and xenoestrogens stimulated estrogen receptor binding to the estrogen receptor element, but EMF did not.

Effects of 60-Hz fields, estradiol and xenoestrogens on human breast cancer cells

Unknown authors · 1996

Researchers tested whether 60 Hz electromagnetic fields (like those from power lines) could stimulate breast cancer cell growth or cause DNA damage in laboratory conditions. The study found that while estrogen and chemical estrogens promoted cancer cell division, electromagnetic field exposure at multiple intensities showed no effect on cell growth, gene activity, or DNA damage.

Experimental study of the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on animals with soft tissue wounds.

Detlavs I et al. · 1996

Researchers exposed Wistar rats with full-thickness dermal wounds to RF EMF for 30 min daily during the first 5 days using 53.53 GHz without modulation, 42.19 GHz without modulation, and 42.19 GHz with a 200-MHz frequency modulation band. RF EMF without frequency modulation decreased glycoprotein macromolecules and reduced inflammatory exudation and total collagen accumulation. RF EMF with frequency modulation significantly elevated hexoses and sialic acid concentrations, indicating intensified exudative phenomena, and increased collagenous protein accumulation. The authors concluded that non-thermal EMF affects reparative-proliferative processes in soft tissue wounds.

Effect of 50 Hz sinusoidal electric and/or magnetic fields on the rate of repair of DNA single strand breaks in cultured mammalian cells exposed to three different carcinogens: methylmethane sulphonate, chromate and 254 nm U.V. radiation

Unknown authors · 1996

Researchers treated cultured mammalian cells with three carcinogens that produce DNA single-strand breaks. The repair rate of these lesions was unchanged by 50 Hz electric, magnetic, or combined fields across a range of intensities.