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DNA & Genetic Damage

935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.

No Effects Found

Stronati L, Testa A, Moquet J, Edwards A, Cordelli E, Villani P, Marino C, Fresegna AM, Appolloni M, Lloyd D. · 2006

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This study found no DNA damage from 24-hour cell phone radiation exposure at levels near peak phone use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human blood cells to cell phone radiation at 935 MHz (similar to 2G networks) for 24 hours to test whether it damages DNA or makes cells more vulnerable to DNA damage from X-rays. Using multiple standard tests on blood samples from 14 donors, they found no evidence that the radiation caused genetic damage on its own or made X-ray damage worse. The study tested radiation levels of 1-2 watts per kilogram, which are near the upper limits of what brain tissue absorbs during some cell phone calls.

Why This Matters

This study represents a comprehensive examination of whether cell phone radiation can damage DNA directly or interfere with the body's ability to repair genetic damage. The researchers used multiple gold-standard tests and exposed cells for a full 24 hours at SAR levels of 1-2 W/kg, which are at the high end of what you might experience during heavy cell phone use. The negative findings add to a mixed body of research on RF radiation and genetic effects. While some studies have found DNA damage from RF exposure, others like this one show no effects. What this means for you is that the science remains unsettled. The reality is that we're still building our understanding of how chronic, low-level RF exposure affects our cells over time, and single studies like this one, while well-conducted, represent just one piece of a larger puzzle that's still being assembled.

Exposure Details

SAR
1 and 2 W/kg
Source/Device
935 MHz
Exposure Duration
24 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 1 and 2 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 and 2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 935 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 935 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of the combined exposures was to examine whether RFR might act epigenetically by reducing the fidelity of repair of DNA damage caused by a well-characterized and established mutagen.

Blood specimens from 14 donors were exposed continuously for 24 h to a Global System for Mobile Comm...

By comparison with appropriate sham-exposed and control samples, no effect of RFR alone could be fou...

This study has used several standard in vitro tests for chromosomal and DNA damage in Go human lymphocytes exposed in vitro to a combination of x-rays and RFR. It has comprehensively examined whether a 24-h continuous exposure to a 935 MHz GSM basic signal delivering SAR of 1 or 2 W/Kg is genotoxic per se or whether, it can influence the genotoxicity of the well-established clastogenic agent; x-radiation. Within the experimental parameters of the study in all instances no effect from the RFR signal was observed.

Cite This Study
Stronati L, Testa A, Moquet J, Edwards A, Cordelli E, Villani P, Marino C, Fresegna AM, Appolloni M, Lloyd D. (2006). 935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes. Int J Radiat Biol. 82(5):339-346, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2006_935_mhz_cellular_phone_2930,
  author = {Stronati L and Testa A and Moquet J and Edwards A and Cordelli E and Villani P and Marino C and Fresegna AM and Appolloni M and Lloyd D.},
  title = {935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16782651/},
}
PubMed: 16782651

Cited By (70 papers)

View all 70 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2006 study found no DNA damage in human lymphocytes exposed to 935 MHz GSM radiation for 24 hours. Researchers tested blood samples from 14 donors using multiple standard genetic tests and found no evidence of chromosomal damage at radiation levels of 1-2 watts per kilogram.
Research shows 935 MHz cell phone radiation does not increase DNA damage from X-rays. A controlled study exposed human blood cells to both GSM radiation and X-rays simultaneously, finding that the radiofrequency exposure did not enhance or worsen the genetic damage caused by X-radiation.
Continuous 24-hour exposure to 935 MHz GSM radiation showed no harmful effects on human lymphocytes. The 2006 study used multiple DNA damage tests and found no chromosomal abnormalities or genetic damage even with prolonged exposure at clinically relevant power levels.
The study tested 935 MHz radiation at 1-2 watts per kilogram, which represents the upper limits of brain tissue absorption during some cell phone calls. These specific absorption rates (SAR) are near maximum levels that occur when phones operate at full power during poor signal conditions.
Yes, researchers used several standard laboratory tests to comprehensively examine genetic damage from 935 MHz radiation. All test methods consistently showed no DNA damage or chromosomal abnormalities in human lymphocytes, providing robust evidence across multiple scientific measurement approaches for this specific frequency.