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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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Exposure to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at 4.0 W/kg did not significantly induce DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in neurogenic cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed neurogenic A172, U251, and SH-SY5Y cells to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at 4.0 W/kg intermittently for 1, 6, or 24 hours. DNA damage was measured by quantifying γH2AX foci, an early marker of DNA double-strand breaks. Cell cycle progression, proliferation, and viability were assessed using flow cytometry, hemocytometer, and cell counting kit-8 assay. Exposure did not significantly induce γH2AX foci formation or cause abnormal cell cycle progression, proliferation, or viability. Prolonged incubation up to 48 hours after exposure also did not significantly affect cellular behavior.

Why This Matters

The researchers concluded that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure at 4.0 W/kg is unlikely to elicit DNA damage in neurogenic cells. They also concluded that such exposure is unlikely to cause abnormal cellular behaviors in neurogenic cells.

Exposure Details

SAR
4 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
1, 6, or 24 h

Exposure Context

This study used 4 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: 4 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 3 times the FCC limit
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

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

The study used neurogenic A172, U251, and SH-SY5Y cells.
Cells were intermittently exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMF at 4.0 W/kg for 1, 6, or 24 hours with a 5 minutes on, 10 minutes off cycle.
DNA damage was evaluated by quantifying γH2AX foci, an early marker of DNA double-strand breaks.
Exposure did not significantly induce γH2AX foci formation or cause abnormal cell cycle progression, proliferation, or viability. Prolonged incubation up to 48 hours after exposure showed no significant effect on cellular behavior.
The researchers concluded that 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure at 4.0 W/kg is unlikely to elicit DNA damage or abnormal cellular behaviors in neurogenic cells.