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Oxidative Stress

Evaluation of selected biochemical parameters in the saliva of young males using mobile phones

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Abu Khadra KM, Khalil AM, Abu Samak M, Aljaberi A. · 2014

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Cell phone radiation triggered measurable oxidative stress in human cells within 15 minutes at legal exposure levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers measured biochemical changes in saliva from 12 young men before and after using mobile phones for 15 and 30 minutes at typical exposure levels. They found that cell phone radiation significantly increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that fights cellular damage, suggesting the body was responding to oxidative stress. This provides direct evidence that even brief phone calls can trigger measurable biological responses in human cells.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation creates oxidative stress in human cells within minutes of exposure. The researchers found measurable changes in saliva after just 15 minutes of phone use at 1.09 W/kg SAR, which is well within the legal limit of 2.0 W/kg in most countries. What makes this particularly significant is that the body's antioxidant response increased, then decreased as exposure time extended to 30 minutes, suggesting the cellular defense system may become overwhelmed with longer exposures. This research adds to the growing body of evidence showing that current safety standards, which only consider heating effects, fail to account for the biological responses occurring at much lower exposure levels during everyday phone use.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.09 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
15 and 30 min

Exposure Context

This study used 1.09 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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.09 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to Evaluate selected biochemical parameters in the saliva of young males using mobile phones

The biochemical status in the saliva of 12 males before/after using mobile phone has been evaluated....

Cell phone radiation induced a significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD); there was a stati...

Results suggest that exposure to electromagnetic radiation may exert an oxidative stress on human cells as evidenced by the increase in the concentration of the superoxide radical anion released in the saliva of cell phone users.

Cite This Study
Abu Khadra KM, Khalil AM, Abu Samak M, Aljaberi A. (2014). Evaluation of selected biochemical parameters in the saliva of young males using mobile phones Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 34:1, 72-76, DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2014.881370.
Show BibTeX
@article{km_2014_evaluation_of_selected_biochemical_502,
  author = {Abu Khadra KM and Khalil AM and Abu Samak M and Aljaberi A.},
  title = {Evaluation of selected biochemical parameters in the saliva of young males using mobile phones},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3109/15368378.2014.881370},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15368378.2014.881370},
}
DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2014.881370

Cited By (18 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows cell phone radiation can trigger oxidative stress in human cells. A 2014 study found that just 15-30 minutes of phone use significantly increased superoxide dismutase levels in saliva, indicating the body was responding to cellular damage from electromagnetic radiation exposure.
Mobile phone use does affect cellular damage markers according to scientific research. A study measuring saliva from young men found that cell phone radiation significantly increased superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that fights cellular damage, after just 15 minutes of typical phone use.
Brief cell phone use can trigger measurable biological responses in cells. Research demonstrates that even 15-30 minutes of mobile phone use at normal levels causes significant increases in protective enzymes, suggesting cells are responding to oxidative stress from electromagnetic radiation.
Phone radiation causes measurable biological effects including increased oxidative stress markers. A 2014 study found cell phone use significantly elevated superoxide dismutase levels in saliva, indicating cellular defense systems activate in response to electromagnetic radiation exposure during typical phone calls.
Cell phone radiation significantly impacts antioxidant enzyme levels in the body. Research shows that 15-30 minutes of mobile phone use increases superoxide dismutase activity in saliva, demonstrating that electromagnetic radiation triggers cellular protective mechanisms against oxidative damage.