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

Bioeffects Seen

Donnellan M, McKenzie DR, French PW · 1997

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Cellphone-level radiation caused lasting immune cell changes that persisted for a week after exposure ended.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed immune cells called mast cells to 835 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 20 minutes three times daily over a week. The exposed cells showed increased DNA synthesis, altered cell shape, and enhanced release of inflammatory substances compared to unexposed cells. These cellular changes persisted for at least a week after the radiation exposure ended, suggesting the effects may trigger lasting biological responses.

Why This Matters

This study reveals concerning evidence that radiofrequency radiation can trigger persistent changes in immune cells at power levels comparable to cell phone emissions. The 8.1 mW/cm² exposure used here falls within the range of what you might experience during a phone call held close to your head. What makes these findings particularly significant is that the cellular changes persisted for at least seven days after exposure ended, suggesting that brief RF exposures may have lasting biological consequences. The enhanced release of inflammatory substances from mast cells is especially noteworthy, as these cells play crucial roles in allergic reactions and immune responses throughout your body. While this is laboratory research on isolated cells rather than whole organisms, it adds to the growing body of evidence that RF radiation can trigger measurable biological effects at non-thermal exposure levels.

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

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 21:427-439, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_1997_effects_of_exposure_to_954,
  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},
  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 835 MHz radiation significantly affected mast cells after 20-minute exposures three times daily for a week. The cells showed increased DNA synthesis, altered shape, and enhanced release of inflammatory substances compared to unexposed cells.
Cellular changes from 835 MHz radiation exposure persisted for at least 7 days after the radiation stopped, according to research by Donnellan and colleagues. The morphological changes in mast cells continued even when cultured without further EMF exposure.
Yes, 835 MHz radiofrequency radiation increased DNA synthesis rates in mast cells starting from day 4 of exposure. The study showed enhanced cell replication compared to unexposed immune cells, suggesting accelerated cellular activity from the EMF exposure.
835 MHz radiation significantly enhanced the release of beta-hexosaminidase, a marker of inflammatory granule secretion, in exposed mast cells. This suggests the EMF exposure triggered increased inflammatory responses compared to unexposed cells in the laboratory study.
Exposure to 835 MHz radiation altered both actin distribution and overall cell morphology in mast cells. The structural changes were visible under microscopic examination and persisted for at least a week after the electromagnetic field exposure ended.