Mobile phone signal exposure triggers a hormesis-like effect in Atm+/+ and Atm-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts.
Sun C, Wei X, Fei Y, Su L, Zhao X, Chen G, Xu Z · 2016
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation initially breaks DNA but triggers repair systems so effective that damage drops below normal levels.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed mouse embryonic cells to 1,800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) at high power levels for 1-12 hours and found it initially caused DNA breaks. However, after prolonged exposure, the cells' DNA repair systems became so active that DNA damage dropped below normal background levels - a phenomenon called hormesis where low doses of a harmful substance trigger beneficial protective responses.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a fascinating paradox in EMF research that complicates our understanding of radiofrequency health effects. The researchers found that cell phone-frequency radiation at 4.0 W/kg - roughly 200 times higher than typical phone use but within regulatory limits for some devices - initially damages DNA but then triggers such robust repair mechanisms that cells end up with less DNA damage than unexposed controls. This hormesis-like effect suggests our cells may have evolved sophisticated defenses against electromagnetic stress, but it raises critical questions about chronic low-level exposures. While the protective response sounds reassuring, we must remember this occurred in isolated cells over short time periods. The reality is that real-world EMF exposure involves complex, long-term patterns that may exhaust these repair systems over time, and what appears protective in the lab may not translate to whole-organism health benefits.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 4 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1,800 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 1 h
Exposure Context
This study used 4 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 10x 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
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possible carcinogens to humans; however, this conclusion is based on limited epidemiological findings and lacks solid support from experimental studies. In particular, there are no consistent data regarding the genotoxicity of RF-EMFs. Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is recognised as a chief guardian of genomic stability. To address the debate on whether RF-EMFs are genotoxic, we compared the effects of 1,800 MHz RF-EMF exposure on genomic DNA in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with proficient (Atm+/+) or deficient (Atm−/−) ATM.
In Atm+/+ MEFs, RF-EMF exposure for 1 h at an average special absorption rate of 4.0 W/kg induced si...
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2016_mobile_phone_signal_exposure_1343,
author = {Sun C and Wei X and Fei Y and Su L and Zhao X and Chen G and Xu Z},
title = {Mobile phone signal exposure triggers a hormesis-like effect in Atm+/+ and Atm-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts.},
year = {2016},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/srep37423},
}