[Stimulation of production of tumor necrosis factor by murine macrophages when exposed in vio and in vitro to weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range].
Novoselova ET, Fesenko EE. · 1998
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation 1,000 times below safety limits significantly altered immune cell function in this study.
Plain English Summary
Russian researchers exposed mice to extremely weak microwave radiation (8.15-18 GHz at 1 microW/cm²) and found it significantly increased production of tumor necrosis factor in immune cells called macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor is a key protein that triggers inflammation and immune responses in the body. This suggests that even very low-power microwave radiation can alter immune system function.
Why This Matters
This 1998 study reveals something remarkable: microwave radiation at power levels 1,000 times weaker than current safety limits can measurably alter immune function. The exposure level of 1 microW/cm² is extraordinarily low - comparable to what you might receive from a distant cell tower. Yet it was enough to significantly boost tumor necrosis factor production, a critical inflammatory signaling molecule. What makes this particularly concerning is that the immune system changes occurred with both direct exposure to living mice and exposure to isolated immune cells in laboratory dishes. This suggests the effect is direct and reproducible. The science demonstrates that our immune systems can detect and respond to microwave radiation at levels regulators consider completely safe. While inflammation serves important protective functions, chronic elevation of inflammatory markers like tumor necrosis factor is linked to numerous health problems. This research adds to the growing body of evidence that our current safety standards, based solely on heating effects, miss important biological responses happening at much lower exposure levels.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 0.001 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 8.15–18 GHz (1 Hz within)
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
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 aim of this study is to investigate Stimulation of production of tumor necrosis factor by murine macrophages when exposed in vio and in vitro to weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range
Whole-body microwave sinusoidal irradiation of male NMRI mice, exposure of macrophages in vitro, and...
Show BibTeX
@article{et_1998_stimulation_of_production_of_1076,
author = {Novoselova ET and Fesenko EE.},
title = {[Stimulation of production of tumor necrosis factor by murine macrophages when exposed in vio and in vitro to weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range].},
year = {1998},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10079935/},
}