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 disrupted brain cell development at exposure levels similar to typical phone use.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed developing brain cells to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM at 1 W/kg) for up to 6 days and found that the radiation significantly reduced the growth of neurites - the branch-like extensions that neurons use to connect with each other. This disruption occurred in both mouse and rat brain cells, suggesting that cell phone radiation may interfere with normal brain development at the cellular level.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a concerning pattern: radiofrequency radiation at levels commonly produced by cell phones can disrupt the fundamental process of how brain cells mature and form connections. The 1 W/kg exposure level used here falls within the range of typical cell phone emissions during calls, making these findings directly relevant to everyday exposure. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates effects on neurite development - the very process by which neurons establish the networks essential for brain function. The fact that researchers observed these changes in two different types of brain cells strengthens the evidence that RF-EMF can interfere with normal neurological development. This adds to a growing body of research suggesting that our assumptions about the safety of wireless radiation, particularly for developing brains, may need serious reconsideration.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 900 MHz GSM
- Exposure Duration
- 48 and 72 h (24 and 48 h of SN56 cell line differentiation) or at 24, 72, 120 h (2, 4 and 6 days in vitro 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 1W/kg at 900 MHz GSM modulated. The phenotype analysis was car...
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_933,
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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19429115/},
}