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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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Salivary superoxide dismutase rose significantly with mobile phone use, while albumin, cytochrome c, catalase, and uric acid showed no significant change.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers evaluated biochemical parameters in the saliva of 12 young males before and after using a mobile phone. The phone emitted radio frequency signals of 1800 MHz with a 1.09 w/kg specific absorption rate, and participants used it for 15 and 30 minutes. SOD levels followed a quadratic trend, rising after 15 minutes of talking but then dropping as talking time increased. The researchers suggested 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.

Why This Matters

The study measured several salivary markers in 12 males before and after mobile phone use, comparing values at 15 and 30 minutes of talking time. There was a statistically significant effect of talking time on SOD levels, with F(2, 33) = 8.084, p < 0.05. The trend analysis indicated a significant quadratic trend, meaning SOD did not rise in a straight line with more talking time. Salivary albumin, cytochrome c, catalase, and uric acid showed no statistically significant response to talking time. The authors framed the SOD finding as suggesting that electromagnetic radiation may exert an oxidative stress on human cells.

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 range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1 times 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

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a significant increase following mobile phone use.
SOD levels followed a quadratic trend, rising after 15 minutes of talking but dropping as talking time increased.
Salivary albumin, cytochrome c, catalase, and uric acid showed no statistically significant effect of talking time.
The study used radio frequency signals of 1800 MHz with a 1.09 w/kg SAR value for 15 and 30 minutes.
The researchers suggested that exposure to electromagnetic radiation may exert an oxidative stress on human cells, as evidenced by the increase in the superoxide radical anion in saliva.