3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

No Effects Found

Lerchl A, Krüger H, Niehaus M, Streckert JR, Bitz AK, Hansen V. · 2008

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone radiation at legal exposure limits caused measurable weight gain in hamsters, suggesting metabolic effects ignored by current safety standards.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

German researchers exposed hamsters to cell phone radiation 24 hours a day for 60 days at levels matching the maximum allowed for humans. While melatonin levels (the sleep hormone) remained unchanged, hamsters exposed to certain frequencies gained up to 6% more body weight than unexposed animals, suggesting the radiation may affect metabolism even at supposedly safe levels.

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

In three experiments, adult male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were exposed 24 hr/day for ...

In all experiments, pineal and serum melatonin levels as well as the weights of testes, brain, kidne...

The data are in accordance with the hypothesis that absorbed RF energy may result in metabolic changes which eventually cause body weight increases in exposed animals. The data support the notion that metabolic effects of RF-EMFs need to be investigated in more detail in future studies.

Cite This Study
Lerchl A, Krüger H, Niehaus M, Streckert JR, Bitz AK, Hansen V. (2008). Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). J Pineal Res. 44(3):267-272, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2008_effects_of_mobile_phone_3193,
  author = {Lerchl A and Krüger H and Niehaus M and Streckert JR and Bitz AK and Hansen V.},
  title = {Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).},
  year = {2008},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18339122/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

German researchers exposed hamsters to cell phone radiation 24 hours a day for 60 days at levels matching the maximum allowed for humans. While melatonin levels (the sleep hormone) remained unchanged, hamsters exposed to certain frequencies gained up to 6% more body weight than unexposed animals, suggesting the radiation may affect metabolism even at supposedly safe levels.