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[Stimulation of murine natural killer cells by weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range].

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Fesenko EE, Novoselova EG, Semiletova NV, Agafonova TA, Sadovnikov VB. · 1999

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Exposing mice to weak microwave radiation for 24 to 72 hours increased natural killer cell activity by 130 to 150%.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated how weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range affected the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in mice. Irradiation at 8.15 to 18 GHz at 1 microwatt per square centimeter increased the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells of rat spleen. In mice exposed for 24 to 72 hours, natural killer cell activity increased by 130 to 150%, and this elevated activity persisted for 24 hours after exposure ended. Microwave irradiation of animals in vivo for 3.5 and 5 hours, and a short exposure of splenic cells in vitro, did not affect natural killer cell activity.

Why This Matters

The longer in vivo exposures of 24 to 72 hours produced an increase in natural killer cell activity of 130 to 150%. The elevated activity persisted within 24 hours after the cessation of treatment. Microwave irradiation of animals in vivo for 3.5 and 5 hours, and a short exposure of splenic cells in vitro, did not affect natural killer cell activity.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.001 mW/cm²
Source/Device
8.15-18 GHz
Exposure Duration
24-72 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 0.001 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

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: 0.001 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1,000 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 18 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 18 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Stimulation of murine natural killer cells by weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range

Irradiation with electromagnetic waves (8.15-18 GHz, 1 Hz within, 1 microW/cm2) in vivo increases th...

Cite This Study
Fesenko EE, Novoselova EG, Semiletova NV, Agafonova TA, Sadovnikov VB. (1999). [Stimulation of murine natural killer cells by weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range]. Biofizika. 1999 Jul-Aug;44(4):737-41. Russian. PMID: 10544828.
Show BibTeX
@article{ee_1999_stimulation_of_murine_natural_1065,
  author = {Fesenko EE and Novoselova EG and Semiletova NV and Agafonova TA and Sadovnikov VB.},
  title = {[Stimulation of murine natural killer cells by weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range].},
  year = {1999},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10544828/},
}
PubMed: 10544828

Cited By (10 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used electromagnetic waves at 8.15 to 18 GHz and 1 microwatt per square centimeter.
Natural killer cell activity increased by 130 to 150% in mice exposed for 24 to 72 hours.
The increased level of activity persisted within 24 hours after the cessation of treatment.
Microwave irradiation of animals in vivo for 3.5 and 5 hours did not affect natural killer cell activity.
A short exposure of splenic cells in vitro did not affect natural killer cell activity.