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Halgamuge MN et al, (February 2015) Reduced growth of soybean seedlings after exposure to weak microwave radiation from GSM 900 mobile phone and base station, Bioelectromagnetics. 2015 Feb;36(2):87-95. doi: 10.1002/BEM.21890

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Authors not listed · 2015

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Soybean seedlings showed reduced growth when exposed to 900 MHz cell phone radiation at multiple power levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed soybean seedlings to 900 MHz cell phone radiation at different power levels and found reduced plant growth in multiple experiments. Higher intensity radiation (like from phones during calls) reduced stem growth, while even extremely low levels (like from cell towers) affected both stems and roots after longer exposure periods.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that wireless radiation affects living organisms at levels well below current safety standards. The researchers tested radiation intensities ranging from extremely low (0.56 V/m, typical of cell tower exposure) to moderate (41 V/m, similar to phone calls), finding growth disruption across the spectrum. What makes this particularly relevant is that plants lack nervous systems, suggesting EMF effects operate through fundamental cellular mechanisms that apply across species. The fact that even 5-day exposure to cell tower-level radiation altered plant development should concern anyone living near wireless infrastructure. While industry dismisses such studies as irrelevant to human health, the reality is that biological systems share common cellular processes. When environmental radiation disrupts growth in soybeans at levels we encounter daily, it raises serious questions about long-term effects on all living systems.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2015). Halgamuge MN et al, (February 2015) Reduced growth of soybean seedlings after exposure to weak microwave radiation from GSM 900 mobile phone and base station, Bioelectromagnetics. 2015 Feb;36(2):87-95. doi: 10.1002/BEM.21890.
Show BibTeX
@article{halgamuge_mn_et_al_february_2015_reduced_growth_of_soybean_seedlings_after_exposure_to_weak_microwave_radiation_from_gsm_900_mobile_phone_and_base_station_bioelectromagnetics_2015_feb36287_95_doi_1010_ce1794,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Halgamuge MN et al, (February 2015) Reduced growth of soybean seedlings after exposure to weak microwave radiation from GSM 900 mobile phone and base station, Bioelectromagnetics. 2015 Feb;36(2):87-95. doi: 10.1002/BEM.21890},
  year = {2015},
  doi = {10.1002/BEM.21890},
  
}
DOI: 10.1002/BEM.21890PubMed: 25644316

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, researchers found that soybean seedlings exposed to 900 MHz GSM radiation showed reduced growth in stems and altered root development. The effects varied depending on radiation intensity and exposure duration, with even low-level exposures causing measurable changes.
The study found that extremely low radiation levels (0.56 V/m, typical of cell tower exposure) reduced stem growth in soybean seedlings after 5 days of exposure. This suggests that even ambient wireless radiation may affect plant biology.
Both pulsed GSM and continuous wave radiation at 900 MHz affected soybean growth, but in different ways. Higher amplitude GSM radiation reduced stem growth, while continuous wave radiation primarily affected root development, showing modulation matters.
Researchers tested three levels: 0.56 V/m (cell tower level), 5.7 V/m (moderate), and 41 V/m (phone call level). All levels except the lowest 5.7 V/m exposure showed some growth effects in different plant parts.
The study used two exposure protocols: 2-hour exposures to higher radiation levels, and 5-day continuous exposure to extremely low cell tower-level radiation. Both timeframes produced measurable effects on plant growth and development.