Effects of mobile phone type signals on calcium levels within human leukaemic T-cells (Jurkat cells).
Cranfield CG, Wood AW, Anderson V, Menezes KG. · 2001
View Original AbstractMobile phone radiation at safety limit levels showed no clear effects on calcium signaling in immune cells.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human immune cells to cell phone radiation at 915 MHz for 20 minutes total. They found virtually no changes in calcium levels inside the cells, with only one minor effect detected. This suggests typical mobile phone exposure doesn't disrupt normal immune cell function.
Why This Matters
This study adds to our understanding of how mobile phone radiation affects cellular calcium signaling, a critical process for immune cell function. The researchers used a 2 W/kg SAR level, which matches the current safety limit for mobile phones in many countries. While the study found largely negative results, it's worth noting that calcium regulation is fundamental to immune cell activation and response. The one significant change detected in activated cells exposed to pulsed signals deserves attention, even if the overall pattern suggests minimal impact. What this means for you is that this research doesn't raise immediate red flags about mobile phone effects on immune cell calcium handling, though it represents just one piece of a much larger scientific puzzle examining EMF effects on cellular function.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 915 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- Two 10 minutes periods
Exposure Context
This study used 2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 5x 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
To test whether exposure to simulated GSM mobile phone signals (915 MHz, 2 W x kg(-1)) influences the concentration of calcium or calcium signalling patterns in a human lymphocyte cell line.
The radiofrequency (RF) energy was delivered via a coaxial applicator to a perfused chamber where ce...
No significant changes were noted for the following: regression slope of calcium fluorescence; mean ...
There is no clear indication that RF emissions from mobile phones are associated with any changes in calcium levels or calcium signalling in lymphocytes.
Show BibTeX
@article{cg_2001_effects_of_mobile_phone_912,
author = {Cranfield CG and Wood AW and Anderson V and Menezes KG.},
title = {Effects of mobile phone type signals on calcium levels within human leukaemic T-cells (Jurkat cells).},
year = {2001},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11747545/},
}