Interaction of low level modulated RF radiation with Na+¯K+-ATPase.
Behari J, Kunjilwar KK, and Pyne S · 1998
View Original AbstractRF radiation significantly altered brain enzyme activity in developing animals, suggesting wireless devices may affect brain chemistry during critical development periods.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed developing rats to radiofrequency radiation similar to what cell phones emit and found it significantly increased activity of a critical brain enzyme called Na+-K+-ATPase by 15-20%. This enzyme is essential for nerve cell function and brain development. The findings suggest that RF radiation can alter fundamental brain chemistry in developing animals, raising concerns about potential effects on brain development in children.
Why This Matters
This study reveals something concerning: radiofrequency radiation at power levels similar to cell phone use can measurably alter brain chemistry in developing animals. The 15-20% increase in Na+-K+-ATPase activity isn't trivial - this enzyme is fundamental to how nerve cells function, controlling the electrical activity that enables brain communication. What makes this particularly relevant is that the researchers used developing rats, which may parallel concerns about children's exposure to cell phones and wireless devices. The exposure levels (SAR of 6.11-9.65 W/kg) are higher than current cell phone limits but within ranges that occur with close device contact. The science demonstrates that RF radiation isn't just heating tissue - it's actively changing brain biochemistry at the cellular level.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 9.65–6.11 W/kg
- Power Density
- 1.47 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 147 MHz, 73.5 and 36.75 MHz amplitude modulated at 16 and 76 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 30–35 days 3 h day
Exposure Context
This study used 1.47 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 147Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 2.5Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
This study used 9.65–6.11 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 15.3x 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 effect of low-level amplitude modulated radiofrequency radiation were studied on Na+–K+-ATPase activity in the brain of developing male Wistar rats of age 23 days (body weight 55–60 g).
They were exposed to carrier wave (CW) frequency 147 MHz and its sub-harmonic frequencies 73.5 and 3...
We observed a statistically significant increase in Na+–K+-ATPase activity in chronically exposed ra...
It is concluded that a low level effect of amplitude modulated radiation produces statistically significant effect on Na+–K+-ATPase activity but is insensitive to the carrier wave frequencies under investigation.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_1998_interaction_of_low_level_850,
author = {Behari J and Kunjilwar KK and and Pyne S},
title = {Interaction of low level modulated RF radiation with Na+¯K+-ATPase.},
year = {1998},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302459898001950},
}