In vitro non-thermal oxidative stress response after 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation.
Marjanovic Cermak AM, Pavicic I, Tariba Lovakovic B, Pizent A, Trosic I · 2017
View Original AbstractCell phone-level RF radiation triggered oxidative stress in cells within 10 minutes, showing biological effects occur at everyday exposure levels.
Plain English Summary
Scientists exposed cells to 1800 MHz radiation from cell phones for 10-60 minutes at typical usage levels. Even brief exposures triggered oxidative stress, where harmful molecules called free radicals increased faster than cells could neutralize them, indicating cellular damage pathways activated by phone radiation.
Why This Matters
This Croatian study adds important evidence to the growing body of research showing that RF radiation causes oxidative stress at non-thermal levels. The 1.6 W/kg SAR used here is within the range of typical cell phone exposures during calls, making these findings directly relevant to everyday use. What's particularly significant is that cellular stress responses occurred after just 10 minutes of exposure, suggesting that even brief phone conversations may trigger biological effects. The researchers observed what they called a 'transient oxidation-reduction imbalance' - essentially, the cells' defense systems were working overtime to cope with the RF exposure. While the cells adapted and survived, this kind of repeated oxidative stress over time is associated with various health problems including accelerated aging, inflammation, and increased disease risk.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1.6 W/kg
- Electric Field
- 30 V/m
- Source/Device
- 1800 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 10, 30 and 60 minutes
Exposure Context
This study used 30 V/m for electric fields:
- 100x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
This study used 1.6 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 4x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
In this study possible connection between radiofrequency exposure (RF) and development of oxidative stress was investigated by measuring impairment in cellular oxidation-reduction balance immediately after RF exposure
Fibroblast cells V79 were exposed for 10, 30 and 60 minutes to 1800 MHz RF radiation. Electric field...
Viability of V79 cells remained within normal physiological values regardless of exposure time. Incr...
Short-term RF exposure revealed transient oxidation-reduction imbalance in fibroblast cells following adaptation to applied experimental conditions
Show BibTeX
@article{am_2017_in_vitro_nonthermal_oxidative_551,
author = {Marjanovic Cermak AM and Pavicic I and Tariba Lovakovic B and Pizent A and Trosic I},
title = {In vitro non-thermal oxidative stress response after 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28836500/},
}