Effect of centimeter microwaves and the combined magnetic field on the tumor necrosis factor production in cells of mice with experimental tumors
Novoselova EG, Ogai VB, Sorokina OV, Novikov VV, Fesenko EE · 2001
View Original AbstractExtremely low microwave exposure enhanced immune system tumor-fighting response in mice, demonstrating biological effects at power levels 1,000 times below cell phones.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed tumor-bearing mice to extremely low-level microwaves (1 microW/cm2) combined with weak magnetic fields for 1.5 hours daily over 7 days. They found that this dual exposure increased production of tumor necrosis factor, a protein that helps the immune system fight cancer cells. The results suggest that certain EMF exposures might actually enhance the body's natural tumor-fighting response.
Why This Matters
This 2001 Russian study presents an intriguing finding that challenges common assumptions about EMF effects on cancer. The researchers used extraordinarily low microwave power densities-1 microW/cm2 is roughly 1,000 times lower than what your cell phone produces during a call. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that it demonstrates biological effects at such minimal exposure levels, reinforcing the principle that intensity doesn't always correlate with biological impact. The enhanced tumor necrosis factor production suggests the EMF exposure may have triggered beneficial immune responses. However, this represents just one study with a specific exposure combination and duration. The broader question remains whether such effects occur consistently across different EMF frequencies and exposure patterns, and whether they translate to meaningful health outcomes in real-world scenarios.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.001 to 0.0001 mG
- Power Density
- 0.001 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 8.15-18 GHz EMF RFand 3-10 Hz Magnetic field
- Exposure Duration
- 1.5 h daily for 7 days
Exposure Context
This study used 0.001 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 100Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 1.7Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
This study used 0.001 to 0.0001 mG for magnetic fields:
- 50x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 10x above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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
The effect of fractionated exposure to low-intensity microwaves (8.15-18 GHz, 1 microW/cm2, 1.5 h daily for 7 days) and combined weak magnetic field (constant 65 1 microT; alternating--100 nT, 3-10 Hz) on the production of tumor necrosis factor in macrophages of mice with experimental solid tumors produced by transplantation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was studied.
It was found that exposure of mice to both microwaves and magnetic field enhanced the adaptive respo...
Show BibTeX
@article{eg_2001_effect_of_centimeter_microwaves_1235,
author = {Novoselova EG and Ogai VB and Sorokina OV and Novikov VV and Fesenko EE},
title = {Effect of centimeter microwaves and the combined magnetic field on the tumor necrosis factor production in cells of mice with experimental tumors},
year = {2001},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11236554/},
}