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

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An examination of regenerating hepatic tissue subjected to radio-frequency irradiation

No Effects Found

Byron D. McLees, E. D. Finch, M. L. Albright · 1972

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1972 study found no liver cell damage from 13.12 MHz radiation, but modern devices operate at much higher frequencies.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed regenerating rat liver tissue to 13.12 MHz radio frequency radiation to study cellular damage and chromosomal effects. They found no evidence of cellular damage at either the microscopic or ultrastructural level. The study also established the power threshold needed to raise the animals' body temperature.

Why This Matters

This 1972 study represents early foundational research into RF radiation's biological effects, examining a specific frequency (13.12 MHz) that falls within the shortwave radio band. While the researchers found no cellular damage in regenerating liver tissue, this frequency is considerably lower than modern wireless technologies like cell phones (around 800-2100 MHz) and WiFi (2.4-5 GHz). The science demonstrates that frequency matters tremendously in EMF research. What this means for you is that findings at 13.12 MHz don't necessarily translate to the much higher frequencies we're exposed to daily from smartphones, tablets, and wireless networks. The reality is that this study, while methodologically sound for its time, examines exposures quite different from today's wireless environment.

Finding

No evidence for cellular damage at the histologic or ultrastructural level has been found.

In their words

“No evidence for cellular damage at the histologic or ultrastructural level has been found.”

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

chartPage 3 - AI-described figure: Figure 2 displays parallel resistance (Rp) values obtained with a Q-meter at 13.1 MHz as a function of animal weight in grams.
p. 3 of the original PDF
chartPage 4 - AI-described figure: Figure 4: Weight loss in animals exposed to 13.12 MHz continuous-wave radiation over different hours after partial hepatectomy.
p. 4 of the original PDF
chartPage 5 - AI-described figure: The chart illustrates mitotic indices in animals exposed to pulsed and cw radiation at different time points after partial hepatectomy.
p. 5 of the original PDF
chartPage 6 - AI-described figure: Figure 6. Mitotic indices in animals exposed to 13.12 MHz.
p. 6 of the original PDF
Cite This Study
Byron D. McLees, E. D. Finch, M. L. Albright (1972). An examination of regenerating hepatic tissue subjected to radio-frequency irradiation.
Show BibTeX
@article{an_examination_of_regenerating_hepatic_tissue_subjected_to_radio_frequency_irrad_g4275,
  author = {Byron D. McLees and E. D. Finch and M. L. Albright},
  title = {An examination of regenerating hepatic tissue subjected to radio-frequency irradiation},
  year = {1972},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers used 13.12 MHz radio frequency radiation, which falls in the shortwave radio band. This frequency is much lower than modern cell phones (800-2100 MHz) and WiFi networks (2.4-5 GHz).
No, researchers found no evidence of cellular damage at either the microscopic or ultrastructural level in regenerating rat liver tissue exposed to 13.12 MHz radiation.
Cell phone radiation operates at 800-2100 MHz, which is 60-160 times higher frequency than the 13.12 MHz tested in this liver study. Higher frequencies can have different biological effects.
The study determined the threshold power level needed to elevate rats' body temperature during 13.12 MHz exposure, though specific power values weren't detailed in the available abstract.
No, the researchers investigated chromosomal aberrations in regenerating rat liver tissue but found no evidence of chromosomal damage from 13.12 MHz radio frequency radiation exposure.