3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Blood-forming system in rats after whole-body microwave exposure; reference to the lymphocytes.

Bioeffects Seen

Trosic I, Busljeta I, Pavicic I. · 2004

View Original Abstract
Share:

Microwave radiation at cell phone levels reduced immune cell production in rats after just 15 days of exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Croatian researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by WiFi and microwave ovens) for 2 hours daily over periods up to 30 days. They found that longer exposures significantly reduced lymphoblasts, which are immature immune cells that develop into infection-fighting lymphocytes. The researchers interpreted this as a stress response in the blood-forming system, suggesting the body was adapting to the microwave exposure.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that microwave radiation affects immune system function, even at relatively low exposure levels. The SAR levels used (1-2 W/kg) are comparable to what you experience when holding a cell phone to your head during a call. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates measurable immune system changes with chronic, low-level exposure - the kind we increasingly face in our WiFi-saturated environment. The researchers' characterization of these changes as 'adaptation' rather than harm doesn't diminish the concern. The reality is that forcing your immune system to constantly adapt to artificial radiation represents an unnecessary biological burden that could compromise your body's ability to fight infections and other health challenges.

Exposure Details

SAR
1 to 2 W/kg
Power Density
5 to 10 µW/m²
Source/Device
2.45 GHz
Exposure Duration
2, 8, 15 or 30 days, for 2 h a day, 7 days a week.

Exposure Context

This study used 5 to 10 µW/m² for radio frequency:

This study used 1 to 2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

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 Exposure Level in ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 5 to 10 µW/m²Extreme Concern1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2,000,000x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

The influence of 2.45 GHz microwave (RF/MW) irradiation on blood-forming cells after whole-body irradiation of rats was investigated.

The exposures were conducted with a field power density of 5-10 mW/cm2, and whole-body average speci...

Significant decrease in lymphoblast count was obtained at 15 and 30th experimental day (P < 0.05), w...

The findings point out at stress response in blood-forming system in rats after selected microwave exposure, which could be considered rather as sign of adaptation than malfunction.

Cite This Study
Trosic I, Busljeta I, Pavicic I. (2004). Blood-forming system in rats after whole-body microwave exposure; reference to the lymphocytes. Toxicol Lett. 154(1-2):125-132, 2004.
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2004_bloodforming_system_in_rats_1379,
  author = {Trosic I and Busljeta I and Pavicic I.},
  title = {Blood-forming system in rats after whole-body microwave exposure; reference to the lymphocytes.},
  year = {2004},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15475186/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Croatian researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by WiFi and microwave ovens) for 2 hours daily over periods up to 30 days. They found that longer exposures significantly reduced lymphoblasts, which are immature immune cells that develop into infection-fighting lymphocytes. The researchers interpreted this as a stress response in the blood-forming system, suggesting the body was adapting to the microwave exposure.