8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Immune System

Effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz on growth, morphology and secretory characteristics of a mast cell analogue, RBL-2H3.

Bioeffects Seen

Donnellan M, McKenzie DR, French PW. · 1997

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone radiation altered immune cell behavior and growth patterns, with changes persisting for at least a week after exposure ended.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed immune cells called mast cells to cell phone radiation at 835 MHz for 20 minutes, three times daily for a week. They found that starting on day four, the cells began growing faster, changed shape, and became more reactive to chemical triggers. What's particularly concerning is that these changes persisted for at least a week after the radiation exposure ended, suggesting the effects may be long-lasting.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something important about how radiofrequency radiation affects our immune system at the cellular level. Mast cells play a crucial role in allergic reactions and immune responses, so changes in their behavior could have significant health implications. The power density used (8.1 mW/cm²) is within the range of what you might experience during a cell phone call held close to your head. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that the cellular changes persisted for at least a week after exposure ended, suggesting that brief daily exposures could create cumulative effects. The science demonstrates that RF radiation can trigger biological changes through cellular signaling pathways, not just through heating effects as industry often claims.

Exposure Details

Power Density
8.1 +/- 3 µW/m²
Source/Device
835 MHz
Exposure Duration
20 minutes, three times per day for 7 days

Exposure Context

This study used 8.1 +/- 3 µW/m² for radio frequency:

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: 8.1 +/- 3 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 3,333,333x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 835 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 835 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz on growth, morphology and secretory characteristics of a mast cell analogue, RBL-2H3.

A mast cell line, RBL-2H3, was exposed to 835 MHz for 20 minutes, three times per day for 7 days at ...

From day 4 onwards, it was observed that the rate of DNA synthesis and cell replication increased, t...

It is hypothesized that effects of exposure to an electromagnetic field at 835 MHz may be mediated via a signal transduction pathway.

Cite This Study
Donnellan M, McKenzie DR, French PW. (1997). Effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz on growth, morphology and secretory characteristics of a mast cell analogue, RBL-2H3. Cell Biol Int. 1997 Jul;21(7):427-39. doi: 10.1006/cbir.1997.0162. PMID: 9313343.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_1997_effects_of_exposure_to_1061,
  author = {Donnellan M and McKenzie DR and French PW.},
  title = {Effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz on growth, morphology and secretory characteristics of a mast cell analogue, RBL-2H3.},
  year = {1997},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9313343/},
}
PubMed: 9313343

Cited By (54 papers)

View all 54 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 1997 study found that exposing mast cells to 835 MHz radiation for 20 minutes three times daily caused them to grow faster starting on day four. The cells also changed shape and became more reactive to chemical triggers, with effects lasting at least a week after exposure ended.
Research suggests yes - mast cells exposed to 835 MHz radiation showed persistent changes that lasted at least seven days after exposure stopped. The cells maintained altered shapes and increased reactivity even when grown in fresh cultures without further radiation exposure.
According to a 1997 study, mast cells began showing effects after four days of exposure to 835 MHz radiation. The cells started growing faster, changed their internal structure, and became more responsive to chemical stimulation compared to unexposed cells.
Yes, mast cells exposed to 835 MHz electromagnetic fields released significantly more beta-hexosaminidase when triggered by calcium ionophore. This increased secretion indicates the cells became more reactive and potentially more prone to inflammatory responses after radiation exposure.
RBL-2H3 mast cells showed increased DNA synthesis, altered cell shape, and disrupted actin protein distribution after 835 MHz exposure. The cells also became more reactive to chemical triggers, suggesting the radiation affected their internal signaling pathways and structural organization.