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Effects of mobile phone type signals on calcium levels within human leukaemic T-cells (Jurkat cells).

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Cranfield CG, Wood AW, Anderson V, Menezes KG. · 2001

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Mobile phone radiation at safety limit levels showed no clear effects on calcium signaling in immune cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

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):

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 915 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 915 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic 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.

Cite This Study
Cranfield CG, Wood AW, Anderson V, Menezes KG. (2001). Effects of mobile phone type signals on calcium levels within human leukaemic T-cells (Jurkat cells). Int J Radiat Biol 77(12):1207-1217, 2001.
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/},
}
PubMed: 11747545

Cited By (30 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2001 study found that 915 MHz cell phone radiation had virtually no effect on calcium levels in human immune cells. After 20 minutes of exposure, researchers detected only one minor change, suggesting typical mobile phone use doesn't disrupt normal immune cell calcium signaling.
Research on human T-cells exposed to 915 MHz radiation for 20 minutes showed no significant damage. The study found no changes in calcium concentration, calcium spikes, or cellular signaling patterns, indicating short-term cell phone exposure doesn't harm these critical immune cells.
A controlled study found that 915 MHz radiation doesn't significantly alter calcium signaling in lymphocytes. Researchers measured calcium fluorescence, concentration levels, and spike patterns in human immune cells, finding virtually no changes after radiofrequency exposure.
Jurkat cells (human leukemic T-cells) showed minimal response to 915 MHz mobile phone radiation in laboratory testing. Only one minor alteration was detected among multiple calcium-related measurements, suggesting these immune cells remain largely unaffected by typical cell phone frequencies.
Immune cells maintain stable calcium levels during radiofrequency exposure at 915 MHz. A 2001 study measuring calcium fluorescence, concentration, and signaling spikes found no clear indication that RF emissions from mobile phones disrupt normal calcium function in lymphocytes.