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DNA & Genetic Damage

Exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to electromagnetic fields associated with cellular phones leads to chromosomal instability.

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Mashevich M, Folkman D, Kesar A, Barbul A, Korenstein R, Jerby E, Avivi L · 2003

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Cell phone radiation caused chromosomal damage in human blood cells at exposure levels similar to what your head receives during phone calls.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Israeli researchers exposed human blood cells to cell phone radiation (830 MHz) for 72 hours and found that higher radiation levels caused increasing chromosomal damage, specifically abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy). This type of genetic damage is known to increase cancer risk. The researchers confirmed this wasn't due to heating effects, proving the radiation itself damages DNA through non-thermal mechanisms.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation causes direct genetic damage at the cellular level. The researchers found a linear relationship between radiation intensity and chromosomal abnormalities, meaning more radiation caused proportionally more damage. What makes this particularly concerning is that the SAR levels tested (1.6-8.8 W/kg) overlap with real-world cell phone exposures, which can reach 2 W/kg at your head during calls. The fact that this damage occurred through non-thermal pathways challenges the industry's long-standing position that only heating effects from EMF matter for human health. The science demonstrates that our cells can be harmed by radiation levels well below those that cause tissue heating. Aneuploidy, the type of chromosomal damage observed, is a recognized pathway to cancer development, making these findings particularly significant for long-term health risks.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.6-8.8 W/kg
Source/Device
830 MHz
Exposure Duration
72 hr

Exposure Context

This study used 1.6-8.8 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: 1.6-8.8 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 830 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 830 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

We have examined whether in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to continuous 830 MHz electromagnetic fields causes losses and gains of chromosomes (aneuploidy), a major "somatic mutation" leading to genomic instability and thereby to cancer.

PBL were irradiated at different average absorption rates (SAR) in the range of 1.6-8.8 W/kg for 72 ...

A linear increase in chromosome 17 aneuploidy was observed as a function of the SAR value, demonstra...

These findings indicate that the genotoxic effect of the electromagnetic radiation is elicited via a non-thermal pathway. Moreover, the fact that aneuploidy is a phenomenon known to increase the risk for cancer, should be taken into consideration in future evaluation of exposure guidelines.

Cite This Study
Mashevich M, Folkman D, Kesar A, Barbul A, Korenstein R, Jerby E, Avivi L (2003). Exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to electromagnetic fields associated with cellular phones leads to chromosomal instability. Bioelectromagnetics 24:82-90, 2003.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2003_exposure_of_human_peripheral_1186,
  author = {Mashevich M and Folkman D and Kesar A and Barbul A and Korenstein R and Jerby E and Avivi L},
  title = {Exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to electromagnetic fields associated with cellular phones leads to chromosomal instability.},
  year = {2003},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12524674/},
}
PubMed: 12524674

Cited By (47 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Israeli researchers found that 830 MHz radiation causes increasing chromosome abnormalities (aneuploidy) in human blood lymphocytes. The damage increased linearly with radiation intensity over 72 hours of exposure, specifically affecting chromosome 17. This type of genetic damage is known to increase cancer risk.
Research shows chromosome damage occurs within 72 hours of exposure to 830 MHz cell phone radiation. Israeli scientists exposed human blood cells for this duration and found linear increases in chromosomal abnormalities. The damage specifically affected chromosome 17 and increased proportionally with radiation intensity levels.
No, chromosome damage from 830 MHz cell phone radiation occurs through non-thermal mechanisms. Israeli researchers controlled for temperature effects (34.5-38.5°C) and confirmed that elevated temperature alone didn't cause the chromosomal abnormalities they observed. The genetic damage results from radiation itself, not heating.
830 MHz radiation causes aneuploidy in human lymphocytes, which means cells have abnormal numbers of chromosomes. This study specifically found damage to chromosome 17 and abnormal replication of centromeric DNA regions. Aneuploidy is a type of genetic instability linked to increased cancer risk.
Research suggests yes, as 830 MHz radiation causes aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome numbers) in human blood cells, and aneuploidy is a known cancer risk factor. Israeli scientists found this chromosomal instability increased linearly with radiation intensity, leading them to recommend reconsidering exposure guidelines.