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Brain & Nervous System

Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz, cell-phone electromagnetic fields had no effect on operant-behavior performances of adult rats.

No Effects Found

Bornhausen M, Scheingraber H · 2000

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Prenatal exposure to low-level cell tower radiation showed no learning deficits in rats, though this doesn't address higher phone-level exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

German researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation throughout pregnancy to test whether prenatal EMF exposure affects brain development and learning ability. When the offspring reached adulthood, they showed no cognitive deficits or learning problems compared to unexposed rats. This suggests that low-level cell phone radiation during pregnancy may not impair brain development in rats.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 217 Hz - 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 217 Hz - 900 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz, 217 Hz pulse modulated

Study Details

To clarify potential health risks of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) used in cellular telephone technology to the developing brain, Wistar rats were continuously exposed during pregnancy to a low-level (0.1 mW/cm2) 900 MHz, 217 Hz pulse modulated EMF that approximated the highest legal exposure of normal populations to the radiation of base antennas of the GSM digital cell-phone technology.

Whole body average specific absorption rate (SAR) values for the freely roaming, pregnant animals we...

Analyses of performance scores and of IRI-patterns both showed that exposure in-utero to the GSM fie...

Cite This Study
Bornhausen M, Scheingraber H (2000). Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz, cell-phone electromagnetic fields had no effect on operant-behavior performances of adult rats. Bioelectromagnetics 21(8):566-574, 2000.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2000_prenatal_exposure_to_900_2957,
  author = {Bornhausen M and Scheingraber H},
  title = {Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz, cell-phone electromagnetic fields had no effect on operant-behavior performances of adult rats.},
  year = {2000},
  doi = {10.1002/1521-186X(200012)21:8%3C566::AID-BEM2%3E3.0.CO;2-G},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1521-186X(200012)21:8%3C566::AID-BEM2%3E3.0.CO;2-G},
}
DOI: 10.1002/1521-186X(200012)21:8%3C566::AID-BEM2%3E3.0.CO;2-G

Quick Questions About This Study

German researchers found that pregnant rats exposed to 900 MHz cell phone radiation throughout pregnancy produced offspring with normal learning abilities. The adult rats showed no cognitive deficits or performance problems compared to unexposed rats, suggesting prenatal EMF exposure may not impair brain development.
A 2000 study by Bornhausen and Scheingraber found that GSM radiation with 217 Hz pulse modulation did not cause measurable cognitive deficits in rats. Performance scores and behavioral patterns remained normal after in-utero exposure to this specific EMF frequency.
Research on pregnant rats exposed to 900 MHz cell tower frequencies throughout pregnancy showed no negative effects on their offspring's brain function. The adult rats demonstrated normal operant-behavior performances and learning capabilities when tested for cognitive abilities.
German research from 2000 found no evidence of brain damage from prenatal EMF exposure. Rats exposed to 900 MHz radiation during fetal development showed completely normal cognitive function and behavioral performance when tested as adults.
Based on this German study, 900 MHz EMF appears safe for developing rat brains during pregnancy. Researchers found no measurable cognitive deficits or learning impairments in adult rats that were exposed to this radiation while in the womb.