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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Immune System

1800 MHz radiofrequency (mobile phones, different global system for mobile communication modulations) does not affect apoptosis and heat shock protein 70 level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old donors.

No Effects Found

Capri M, Scarcella E, Bianchi E, Fumelli C, Mesirca P, Agostini C, Remondini D, Schuderer J, Kuster N, Franceschi C, Bersani F. · 2004

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Cell phone radiation at typical exposure levels showed no effects on immune cell death or stress responses in laboratory testing.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers exposed immune cells from both young and elderly people to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the type used by cell phones) at levels similar to what phones emit. They measured whether the radiation caused cell death, affected cellular energy production, or triggered stress responses. The study found no significant biological effects from the RF exposure across any of the measurements.

Why This Matters

This study represents one piece of the complex puzzle surrounding cell phone radiation and immune system effects. The researchers used SAR levels of 1.4 and 2.0 W/kg, which bracket the 2.0 W/kg limit for cell phones in Europe and the US. What makes this research particularly relevant is that it tested immune cells from both young and elderly donors, since age-related changes in cellular function could theoretically make older adults more susceptible to RF effects. The reality is that while this study found no effects on cell death pathways or stress protein production, it examined only a narrow set of biological endpoints over an unspecified exposure duration. The broader scientific literature shows mixed results for immune system effects, with some studies reporting changes in immune cell function and others finding no effects. You don't have to dismiss this research, but you also shouldn't view it as definitive proof that cell phone radiation is harmless to immune function.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.4, 2.0 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 1.4, 2.0 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: 1.4, 2.0 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To study if prolonged in vitro exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency (RF) could exert an effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from young and elderly donors by affecting apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and heat shock protein (HSP) 70 levels.

Endpoints were analysed in the presence or absence of the apoptosis‐inducing agent 2‐deoxy‐D‐ribose....

In all conditions and for all endpoints tested, there was no significant difference between RF‐ and ...

1800 MHz RF could not induce apoptosis by itself or affect the apoptotic phenomenon when induced by an apoptotic agent. Moreover, RF did not modify the mitochondrial functionality and the expression of HSP 70.

Cite This Study
Capri M, Scarcella E, Bianchi E, Fumelli C, Mesirca P, Agostini C, Remondini D, Schuderer J, Kuster N, Franceschi C, Bersani F. (2004). 1800 MHz radiofrequency (mobile phones, different global system for mobile communication modulations) does not affect apoptosis and heat shock protein 70 level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old donors. Int J Radiat Biol. 80(6):389-397, 2004.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2004_1800_mhz_radiofrequency_mobile_2964,
  author = {Capri M and Scarcella E and Bianchi E and Fumelli C and Mesirca P and Agostini C and Remondini D and Schuderer J and Kuster N and Franceschi C and Bersani F.},
  title = {1800 MHz radiofrequency (mobile phones, different global system for mobile communication modulations) does not affect apoptosis and heat shock protein 70 level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old donors.},
  year = {2004},
  doi = {10.1080/09553000410001702346},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09553000410001702346},
}
DOI: 10.1080/09553000410001702346

Cited By (86 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2004 Italian study found that 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation did not cause cell death in immune cells from either young or elderly donors. The research exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells to cell phone-level radiation and found no significant biological effects across all measurements.
No, research testing 1800 MHz GSM radiation on immune cells found no changes in heat shock protein 70 levels. The study exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both young and old donors to cell phone radiation and detected no stress response activation.
No, a controlled study found that 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation did not modify mitochondrial functionality in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Researchers exposed immune cells from young and elderly people to GSM-level radiation without observing any changes in cellular energy production.
No, immune cells from elderly donors showed the same lack of response to 1800 MHz radiation as cells from young people. Italian researchers found no age-related differences in how peripheral blood mononuclear cells responded to GSM mobile phone frequencies.
No, research found that 1800 MHz radiation could not induce apoptosis by itself or affect the process when triggered by other agents. The study tested GSM frequencies on immune cells and found no interference with normal programmed cell death mechanisms.