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DNA & Genetic Damage

RF-EMF exposure at 1800 MHz did not elicit DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in different neurogenic cells.

No Effects Found

Su L, Wei X, Xu Z, Chen G · 2017

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Brain cells showed no DNA damage from cell phone radiation at twice current safety limits in this lab study.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed three types of brain cells to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) at high power levels for up to 24 hours to see if it would damage DNA or disrupt normal cell behavior. They found no evidence of DNA breaks, changes in cell growth, or other harmful effects even at radiation levels twice as high as current safety limits. The study suggests that this frequency of radiofrequency radiation may not directly damage brain cells in laboratory conditions.

Exposure Information

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

The study examined exposure from: 1800 MHz Duration: 1, 6, or 24 h

Study Details

Despite many years of studies, the debate on genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) continues. To systematically evaluate genotoxicity of RF-EMF, this study examined effects of RF-EMF on DNA damage and cellular behavior in different neurogenic cells.

Neurogenic A172, U251, and SH-SY5Y cells were intermittently (5 min on/10 min off) exposed to 1800 M...

Results showed that exposure to RF-EMF at an SAR of 4.0 W/kg neither significantly induced γH2AX foc...

Our data suggest that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure at 4.0 W/kg is unlikely to elicit DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in neurogenic cells.

Cite This Study
Su L, Wei X, Xu Z, Chen G (2017). RF-EMF exposure at 1800 MHz did not elicit DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in different neurogenic cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 38(3):175-185, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2017_rfemf_exposure_at_1800_3428,
  author = {Su L and Wei X and Xu Z and Chen G},
  title = {RF-EMF exposure at 1800 MHz did not elicit DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in different neurogenic cells.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28026047/},
}
PubMed: 28026047

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2017 study found that 1800 MHz radiation at 4.0 W/kg (twice current safety limits) did not damage DNA or disrupt normal behavior in three types of brain cells. Even after 24-48 hours of exposure, researchers detected no harmful cellular effects.
Research using 4.0 W/kg SAR exposure (double current limits) found no DNA breaks in neurogenic cells. The study specifically tested for γH2AX foci formation, a marker of DNA damage, in A172, U251, and SH-SY5Y brain cell lines with negative results.
No, continuous 24-hour exposure to 1800 MHz radiation at high power levels did not affect cell cycle progression, proliferation, or viability in brain cells. The study monitored cellular behavior for up to 48 hours after exposure with no abnormal changes detected.
No, both A172 and U251 brain cell lines showed no vulnerability to 1800 MHz EMF at 4.0 W/kg. Along with SH-SY5Y cells, these neurogenic cell types maintained normal DNA integrity and cellular functions despite high-level radiofrequency exposure.
Brain cells showed no delayed effects 48 hours after 1800 MHz radiation exposure at 4.0 W/kg. Researchers found no changes in cell viability, growth patterns, or DNA damage markers during the extended observation period following radiofrequency exposure.