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The in vivo effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields on the motor activity of protozoa

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Sarapultseva EI, Igolkina JV, Tikhonov VN, Dubrova YE · 2014

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Exposure to 0.1 W/m2 of radiofrequency fields significantly reduced motility in ciliates, and the effect persisted in unexposed offspring across at least 10 to 15 generations.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed the ciliate Spirostomum ambiguum to 1 GHz and 10 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at power flux densities ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 W/m2 for periods from 0.05 to 10 hours. Exposure to 0.1 W/m2 of either 1 or 10 GHz radiofrequency fields resulted in a significant decrease in the motility of the ciliates. The motility of unexposed offspring of ciliates that had been irradiated with 0.1 W/m2 of 10 GHz radiofrequency fields remained significantly compromised across at least 10 to 15 generations.

Why This Matters

The study measured both direct effects on exposed ciliates and transgenerational effects in their non-exposed progeny. The dose capable of altering motility was inversely correlated with the power flux density of the radiofrequency field. The researchers stated that low-dose exposure to radiofrequency fields can significantly affect the motility of irradiated ciliates and their non-exposed offspring.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.005-0.05 mW/cm²
Source/Device
1 GHz and 10 GHz
Exposure Duration
0.05–10 h

Exposure Context

This study used 0.005-0.05 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: 0.005-0.05 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 200 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1 GHz - 10 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1 GHz - 10 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To analyze the direct and transgenerational effects of exposure to low-dose 1 GHz (mobile phone/wireless telecommunication range) and 10 GHz (radar/satellite communication range) radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the motility of ciliates Spirostomum ambiguum.

S. ambiguum were exposed to 1 GHz and 10 GHz RF-EMF with power flux densities (PD) ranging from 0.05...

Exposure to 0.1 W/m2 of either 1 or 10 GHz RF-EMF resulted in a significant decrease in the motility...

The results of our study show that low-dose exposure to RF-EMF can significantly affect the motility of irradiated ciliates and their non-exposed offspring, thus providing further insights into the unknown mechanisms underlying the in vivo effects of RF-EMF.

Cite This Study
Sarapultseva EI, Igolkina JV, Tikhonov VN, Dubrova YE (2014). The in vivo effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields on the motor activity of protozoa Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90 (3): 262-267.
Show BibTeX
@article{ei_2014_the_in_vivo_effects_177,
  author = {Sarapultseva EI and Igolkina JV and Tikhonov VN and Dubrova YE},
  title = {The in vivo effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields on the motor activity of protozoa},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3109/09553002.2014.868612},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09553002.2014.868612},
}
DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.868612

Cited By (10 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used the ciliate Spirostomum ambiguum.
Researchers tested 1 GHz and 10 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.
Exposure to 0.1 W/m2 of either 1 or 10 GHz fields resulted in a significant decrease in motility.
The non-exposed progeny of ciliates irradiated with 0.1 W/m2 of 10 GHz fields showed significantly compromised motility across at least 10 to 15 generations.
The dose capable of altering motility was inversely correlated with the power flux density of the radiofrequency field.