Melatonin metabolite excretion among cellular telephone users.
Burch JB, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Ichinose T, Bachand AM, Koleber TL, Yost MG. · 2002
View Original AbstractDaily cell phone use over 25 minutes significantly reduces melatonin production, potentially disrupting sleep and natural cancer protection.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tracked cell phone use and melatonin levels in 226 electric utility workers over three workdays. They found that workers who used their phones for more than 25 minutes daily had significantly reduced melatonin production, as measured by a metabolite in their urine. This matters because melatonin regulates sleep cycles and has protective effects against cancer and other diseases.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone use disrupts one of our body's most fundamental regulatory systems. Melatonin isn't just about sleep - it's a powerful antioxidant and tumor suppressor that your pineal gland produces during darkness. The fact that just 25 minutes of daily cell phone use measurably reduced melatonin production should concern anyone who uses their phone regularly. What makes this research particularly significant is that it measured actual biological changes, not just laboratory effects. The researchers also found that combining cell phone use with occupational magnetic field exposure amplified the melatonin suppression, suggesting these EMF sources may work together to disrupt your body's natural rhythms. Given that the average American now spends over 7 hours daily on their phone, this 2002 study was remarkably prescient about a health impact we're only beginning to understand.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 60-Hz Duration: >25 min
Study Details
The relationship between cellular telephone use and excretion of the melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) was evaluated in two populations of male electric utility workers (Study 1, n=149; Study 2, n=77).
Participants collected urine samples and recorded cellular telephone use over 3 consecutive workdays...
No change in 6-OHMS excretion was observed among those with daily cellular telephone use >25 min in ...
Exposure-related reductions in 6-OHMS excretion were observed in Study 2, where daily cellular telephone use of >25 min was more prevalent. Prolonged use of cellular telephones may lead to reduced melatonin production, and elevated 60-Hz MF exposures may potentiate the effect.
Show BibTeX
@article{jb_2002_melatonin_metabolite_excretion_among_1934,
author = {Burch JB and Reif JS and Noonan CW and Ichinose T and Bachand AM and Koleber TL and Yost MG.},
title = {Melatonin metabolite excretion among cellular telephone users.},
year = {2002},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12456290/},
}