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[The participation of thyroid hormones in modifying the mutagenic effect of microwaves].

Bioeffects Seen

Koveshnikova IV, Antipenko EN · 1991

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Normal thyroid function appears essential for protecting DNA from microwave radiation damage, potentially putting millions with thyroid disorders at higher risk.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Russian researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation for seven hours daily over thirty days and found genetic damage to chromosomes. The damage worsened when thyroid hormone levels were abnormal, suggesting healthy thyroid function helps protect against DNA damage from wireless radiation.

Why This Matters

This 1991 study reveals a troubling connection between microwave radiation and genetic damage that becomes amplified when thyroid function is disrupted. The researchers used power densities of 500 microW/cm2, which is actually lower than what you might encounter from a cell phone held close to your head (which can exceed 1,000 microW/cm2). What makes this particularly concerning is that thyroid disorders affect millions of people worldwide, and this research suggests these individuals may be at heightened risk for DNA damage from everyday wireless exposures. The finding that both low and high thyroid hormone levels increase susceptibility to microwave-induced genetic damage points to a delicate biological balance that wireless radiation appears to disrupt. This adds another layer to the growing body of evidence showing that EMF effects aren't uniform across populations, and that underlying health conditions may make some people more vulnerable to wireless radiation exposure.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.5 µW/m²
Source/Device
2,450 or 2,750 MHz
Exposure Duration
30 days, 7 h a day

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5 µW/m² for radio frequency:

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: 0.5 µW/m²Extreme Concern1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 20,000,000x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

The aim of this studies is to investigate The participation of thyroid hormones in modifying the mutagenic effect of microwaves

The mutagenic effect of microwaves (2,450 or 2,750 MHz, 500 microW/cm2, 30 days, 7 h a day) increase...

Cite This Study
Koveshnikova IV, Antipenko EN (1991). [The participation of thyroid hormones in modifying the mutagenic effect of microwaves]. Radiobiologiia 31(1):147-149, 1991.
Show BibTeX
@article{iv_1991_the_participation_of_thyroid_1108,
  author = {Koveshnikova IV and Antipenko EN},
  title = {[The participation of thyroid hormones in modifying the mutagenic effect of microwaves].},
  year = {1991},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2008517/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Russian researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation for seven hours daily over thirty days and found genetic damage to chromosomes. The damage worsened when thyroid hormone levels were abnormal, suggesting healthy thyroid function helps protect against DNA damage from wireless radiation.