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Cell Phone Generated Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on the Locomotor Behaviors of the Fishes Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio.

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Lee D, Lee J, Lee I. · 2015

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Cell phone radiation altered fish swimming behavior in just 3 minutes at SAR levels similar to phone use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed guppies and zebrafish to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 3 minutes and tracked their swimming behavior. They found that fed fish showed significant changes in their movement patterns and swimming speed when exposed to the RF EMF, while hungry fish showed no changes. The study ruled out temperature effects, confirming the behavioral changes were due to the electromagnetic field itself.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that RF EMF exposure can alter nervous system function in living organisms, even at relatively low exposure levels (SAR of 0.9 W/kg). What makes this research particularly significant is that the behavioral changes occurred only in fed fish, suggesting that metabolic state may influence EMF sensitivity. The exposure duration was brief (just 3 minutes), yet the effects were measurable and statistically significant. While fish studies don't directly translate to human health effects, they serve as important biological indicators since aquatic organisms are often more sensitive to environmental changes than terrestrial animals. The fact that cell phone radiation can disrupt normal locomotor behavior in these creatures adds to the growing body of evidence that RF EMF exposure affects nervous system function across species. This research underscores why we need more comprehensive studies on how everyday EMF exposure might be affecting biological systems, particularly given that our exposure levels and duration far exceed what these fish experienced.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.195, 0.088, 0.121, 0.045 and 0.053 mG
SAR
0.9 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
continuous for 3 minutes

Exposure Context

This study used 0.195, 0.088, 0.121, 0.045 and 0.053 mG for magnetic fields:

This study used 0.9 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: 0.195, 0.088, 0.121, 0.045 and 0.053 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 44,444x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The locomotor behavior of small fish was characterized under a cell phone-generated radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF).

The trajectory of movement of 10 pairs of guppy (Poecilia reticulate) and 15 pairs of Zebrafish (Dan...

We demonstrated that a cellular phone-induced temperature elevation was not relevant, and that our m...

The locomotion of the fed fish was affected in terms of changes in population and velocity distributions under the presence of the RF EMF emitted by the cell phone. There was, however, no significant difference in angular distribution.

Cite This Study
Lee D, Lee J, Lee I. (2015). Cell Phone Generated Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on the Locomotor Behaviors of the Fishes Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio. Int J Radiat Biol 2015; 91 (10): 843-850.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2015_cell_phone_generated_radio_119,
  author = {Lee D and Lee J and Lee I.},
  title = {Cell Phone Generated Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on the Locomotor Behaviors of the Fishes Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio.},
  year = {2015},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26073525/},
}
PubMed: 26073525

Cited By (7 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, cell phone radiation can affect fish behavior. A 2015 study found that guppies and zebrafish exposed to 1800 MHz radiation showed significant changes in swimming patterns and speed, but only when the fish were well-fed, not when hungry.
Phone radiation does impact animal movement in certain conditions. Research on fish exposed to cell phone frequencies showed altered locomotion patterns and swimming velocity in fed fish, while temperature effects were ruled out as the cause.
1800 MHz radiation appears to affect nervous system function in some animals. Fish studies show this frequency can alter movement behaviors, suggesting potential impacts on neural control systems, though effects varied based on the animals' feeding status.
Cell phone EMF affects swimming behavior by changing movement patterns and speed in fish. The 2015 study found significant alterations in population and velocity distributions during exposure, but only in well-fed fish, not starved ones.
Phone radiation can cause behavioral changes in animals, specifically altered movement patterns. Research shows fish exposed to cell phone frequencies experienced significant changes in swimming behavior, with effects depending on their nutritional state during exposure.