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DNA & Genetic Damage160 citations

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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Exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to electromagnetic fields produced a linear increase in chromosome 17 aneuploidy that researchers attributed to a non-thermal pathway.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers examined whether in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to continuous 830 MHz electromagnetic fields causes losses and gains of chromosomes, a condition called aneuploidy. Cells were irradiated at SAR levels ranging from 1.6 to 8.8 W/kg for 72 hours. A linear increase in chromosome 17 aneuploidy was observed as a function of the SAR value, which the researchers described as a genotoxic effect. Control experiments conducted without any RF radiation across a temperature range of 34.5 to 38.5 °C showed that elevated temperature was not associated with the increased aneuploidy or the changes in centromeric DNA replication seen after RF exposure.

Why This Matters

The study used human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro, meaning the cells were tested in laboratory conditions outside a living person. Aneuploidy refers to losses and gains of chromosomes, which the researchers described as a major somatic mutation leading to genomic instability and thereby to cancer. The SAR-dependent aneuploidy was accompanied by an abnormal mode of replication of the chromosome 17 region engaged in segregation, specifically repetitive DNA arrays associated with the centromere. The researchers suggested that epigenetic alterations are involved in the SAR-dependent genetic toxicity. The researchers noted that aneuploidy is a phenomenon known to increase the risk for cancer, and said this should be taken into consideration in future evaluation of exposure guidelines.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.6–8.8 W/kg
Source/Device
830 MHz cellular phones
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 range (Building Biology)This level is 1 times the FCC limit
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_44,
  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},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.10086},
  url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bem.10086/abstract},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.10086

Cited By (160 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

The study examined human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to continuous 830 MHz electromagnetic fields.
Cells were irradiated at SAR levels ranging from 1.6 to 8.8 W/kg for 72 hours.
A linear increase in chromosome 17 aneuploidy was observed as a function of the SAR value.
Control experiments without RF radiation across a temperature range of 34.5 to 38.5 °C showed that elevated temperature was not associated with the increased aneuploidy or centromeric DNA replication changes.
The researchers noted that aneuploidy is a phenomenon known to increase the risk for cancer, and said this should be taken into consideration in future evaluation of exposure guidelines.