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Thermal effects of mobile phones on facial nerves and surrounding soft tissue.

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Acar GO, Yener HM, Savrun FK, Kalkan T, Bayrak I, Enver O. · 2009

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Cell phone radiation heated facial tissues and temporarily impaired nerve function in just 25 minutes of exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rabbits to cell phone radiation (1900 MHz) for 25 minutes and measured temperature changes and nerve function in facial tissues. They found that the radiation increased tissue temperature by 0.39°C and temporarily impaired facial nerve function, with both effects returning to normal 25 minutes after exposure ended.

Why This Matters

This study provides direct evidence that cell phone radiation can heat facial tissues and temporarily disrupt nerve function at the same time. What makes this particularly relevant is that the researchers used a 1900 MHz frequency commonly used by cell phones, with the device positioned exactly where you hold your phone during calls. The 0.39°C temperature increase may seem small, but it was enough to measurably impair facial nerve function. The science demonstrates that even brief exposures can cause detectable biological changes in nerve tissue. While the effects were temporary in this study, the research raises important questions about what happens with the chronic, repeated exposures that characterize real-world cell phone use. You don't have to avoid your phone entirely, but this study reinforces why using speaker mode or headsets makes biological sense.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.90 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.90 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1900 MHz Duration: 25 minutes

Study Details

To investigate the possible thermal effects of microwaves from mobile phones on facial nerves (FN) and surrounding soft tissue.

We studied FN conduction rate and compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) on 12 rabbits before expo...

The average temperature of the surrounding soft tissues was 0.39 K higher than the preexposure value...

The RFR emitted from a mobile phone can cause temporary FN dysfunction that can be due to temporary temperature increase in the soft tissue around the FN.

Cite This Study
Acar GO, Yener HM, Savrun FK, Kalkan T, Bayrak I, Enver O. (2009). Thermal effects of mobile phones on facial nerves and surrounding soft tissue. Laryngoscope. 119(3):559-562, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{go_2009_thermal_effects_of_mobile_1802,
  author = {Acar GO and Yener HM and Savrun FK and Kalkan T and Bayrak I and Enver O.},
  title = {Thermal effects of mobile phones on facial nerves and surrounding soft tissue.},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19160391/},
}
PubMed: 19160391

Cited By (22 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research shows cell phone radiation can temporarily impair facial nerve function. A 2009 study found 25 minutes of 1900 MHz exposure reduced nerve signal strength in rabbits, though function returned to normal within 25 minutes after exposure ended.
Yes, cell phone radiation does heat facial tissues. Scientists measured a 0.39°C temperature increase in soft tissues around facial nerves during phone use, with temperatures returning to normal 25 minutes after the call ended.
Cell phone radiation can temporarily affect facial nerve function. Research found 1900 MHz radiation reduced nerve signal strength during exposure, likely due to tissue heating, but nerve function recovered completely within 25 minutes after exposure stopped.
Phone radiation poses temporary nerve risks including reduced signal strength and function. A study found 25-minute exposures impaired facial nerve performance, but effects were reversible, with normal function returning 25 minutes after radiation exposure ended.
Cell phone radiation heats brain and facial tissues, raising temperatures by about 0.4°C during use. This heating can temporarily reduce nerve function, though research shows tissues cool and nerve performance returns to normal after exposure ends.