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The 2100MHz radiofrequency radiation of a 3G-mobile phone and the DNA oxidative damage in brain.

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Şahin D, Özgür E, Güler G, Tomruk A, Ünlü İ, Sepici-Dinçel A, Seyhan N. · 2016

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Brain cells show DNA damage from mobile phone radiation within 10 days, though protective mechanisms may develop with longer exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed female rats to 3G mobile phone radiation (2100 MHz) for either 10 or 40 days to study DNA damage in brain tissue. They found increased DNA damage after 10 days of exposure, but surprisingly, this damage decreased after 40 days, suggesting the brain may develop protective mechanisms over time. The study used radiation levels similar to what you'd experience during heavy mobile phone use.

Why This Matters

This research reveals a complex biological response to mobile phone radiation that challenges simple assumptions about EMF exposure. The finding that DNA damage initially increases but then decreases suggests our cells may activate repair mechanisms when exposed to chronic radiofrequency radiation. However, we shouldn't interpret this as proof that long-term exposure is safe. The 0.4 W/kg SAR level used in this study is within the range of typical mobile phone emissions, making these findings directly relevant to daily phone use. What this means for you is that even if your body adapts to chronic EMF exposure, the initial damage still occurs, and we don't yet understand the long-term consequences of this cellular stress response.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.4 W/kg
Electric Field
16 V/m
Source/Device
2100 MHz
Exposure Duration
Group I - 6 h/day, 5 consecutive days/wk for 2 weeks and Group IV- 6 h/day on 5 consecutive days/week for 8 weeks

Exposure Context

This study used 16 V/m for electric fields:

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 ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.4 W/kgExtreme Concern0.1 W/kgFCC Limit1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 4x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

We aimed to evaluate the effect of 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted by a generator, simulating a 3G-mobile phone on the brain of rats during 10 and 40 days of exposure

The female rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I; exposed to 3G modulated 2100 MHz RF...

Our main finding was the increased oxidative DNA damage to brain after 10 days of exposure with the ...

The measured decreased quantities of damage during the 40 days of exposure could be the means of adapted and increased DNA repair mechanisms.

Cite This Study
Şahin D, Özgür E, Güler G, Tomruk A, Ünlü İ, Sepici-Dinçel A, Seyhan N. (2016). The 2100MHz radiofrequency radiation of a 3G-mobile phone and the DNA oxidative damage in brain. J Chem Neuroanat. 2016 Jan 8. pii: S0891-0618(16)00004-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.01.002.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2016_the_2100mhz_radiofrequency_radiation_566,
  author = {Şahin D and Özgür E and Güler G and Tomruk A and Ünlü İ and Sepici-Dinçel A and Seyhan N.},
  title = {The 2100MHz radiofrequency radiation of a 3G-mobile phone and the DNA oxidative damage in brain.},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891061816000041},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed female rats to 3G mobile phone radiation (2100 MHz) for either 10 or 40 days to study DNA damage in brain tissue. They found increased DNA damage after 10 days of exposure, but surprisingly, this damage decreased after 40 days, suggesting the brain may develop protective mechanisms over time. The study used radiation levels similar to what you'd experience during heavy mobile phone use.