Continuous exposure to 900MHz GSM-modulated EMF alters morphological maturation of neural cells
Del Vecchio G, Giuliani A, Fernandez M, Mesirca P, Bersani F, Pinto R, Ardoino L, Lovisolo GA, Giardino L, Calzà L · 2009
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation at legal limits disrupts neural development in brain cells, reducing critical connections needed for proper brain maturation.
Plain English Summary
Italian researchers exposed developing brain cells to cell phone radiation at the same power level your phone uses during calls (1 W/kg SAR). The radiation significantly reduced the number of neural branches that normally grow as brain cells mature, suggesting cell phone signals may interfere with normal brain development. This finding raises concerns about wireless exposure during critical periods of brain development in children and adolescents.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation can disrupt the fundamental process of neural development. The researchers used two different types of brain cells and found consistent results: exposure to 900 MHz GSM signals at 1 W/kg SAR reduced neurite formation, the critical process by which developing neurons extend branches to connect with other brain cells. What makes this particularly concerning is that 1 W/kg represents the maximum SAR level allowed for cell phones in many countries, meaning this disruption occurs at legally permitted exposure levels. The study also identified a specific molecular mechanism behind this effect, showing increased expression of β-thymosin, a protein that regulates cellular structure formation. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that wireless radiation may be particularly harmful during periods of rapid brain development, which continues well into the teenage years.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 900 MHz GSM
- Exposure Duration
- 1, 2 or 3 days for SN56 cell line and 1 to 6 days for cortical neurons
Exposure Context
This study used 1 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 2.5x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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 effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on neuronal phenotype maturation have been studied in two different in vitro models: murine SN56 cholinergic cell line and rat primary cortical neurons.
The samples were exposed at a dose of 1 W/kg at 900 MHz GSM modulated. The phenotype analysis was ca...
We found that RF-EMF exposure reduced the number of neurites generated by both cell systems, and thi...
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2009_continuous_exposure_to_900mhz_90,
author = {Del Vecchio G and Giuliani A and Fernandez M and Mesirca P and Bersani F and Pinto R and Ardoino L and Lovisolo GA and Giardino L and Calzà L},
title = {Continuous exposure to 900MHz GSM-modulated EMF alters morphological maturation of neural cells},
year = {2009},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394009003632},
}