Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Use of wireless telephones and serum S100B levels: A descriptive cross-sectional study among healthy Swedish adults aged 18–65 years
Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L · 2009
View Original AbstractThis study found no link between wireless phone use and blood-brain barrier damage markers, but used limited testing methods.
Plain English Summary
Researchers measured blood levels of S100B protein (a marker of blood-brain barrier damage) in 314 Swedish adults to see if wireless phone use affected brain barrier function. They found no significant association between mobile or cordless phone use and elevated S100B levels, suggesting these devices don't appear to damage the protective barrier around the brain based on this marker.
Why This Matters
This study addresses a critical concern about wireless phones potentially compromising the blood-brain barrier, which protects our brain from toxins and maintains proper brain function. While the researchers found no evidence that phone use elevates S100B levels, the study has important limitations. The response rate was only 31.4%, potentially creating selection bias, and S100B may not be the most sensitive marker for subtle blood-brain barrier changes. The science demonstrates that EMF effects on brain barriers remain an active area of research, with other studies showing concerning changes in barrier permeability. What this means for you is that while this particular protein marker wasn't elevated, it doesn't rule out other potential EMF effects on brain function that might occur through different pathways.
Study Details
Using serum S100B as a putative marker of BBB dysfunction we performed a descriptive cross-sectional study to investigate whether protein levels were higher among frequent than non-frequent users of mobile and cordless desktop phones.
One thousand subjects, 500 of each sex aged 18–65 years, were randomly recruited using the populatio...
The response rate was 31.4%. The results from logistic and linear regression analyses were statistic...
This study failed to show that long- or short-term use of wireless telephones was associated with elevated levels of serum S100B as a marker of BBB integrity. The finding regarding latency of UMTS use may be interesting but it is based on small numbers. Generally, S100B levels were low and to determine whether this association – if causal – is clinically relevant, larger studies with sufficient follow-up are needed.
Show BibTeX
@article{f_2009_use_of_wireless_telephones_2807,
author = {Söderqvist F and Carlberg M and Hardell L},
title = {Use of wireless telephones and serum S100B levels: A descriptive cross-sectional study among healthy Swedish adults aged 18–65 years},
year = {2009},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969708010140},
}