6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body

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

Oxidative Stress

Free Radical Release and HSP70 Expression in Two Human Immune-Relevant Cell Lines after Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation.

No Effects Found

Lantow M, Schuderer J, Hartwig C, Simko M. · 2006

View Original Abstract
Share:

Human immune cells showed no increase in free radicals or stress proteins when exposed to cell phone frequency radiation up to regulatory limits.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) at various power levels to see if it would trigger free radical production or stress protein responses. They found no significant effects on either measure, even at exposure levels up to 2.0 W/kg. This suggests that RF radiation at these levels doesn't cause oxidative stress in these particular immune cell types.

Why This Matters

This study provides valuable negative data in the EMF research landscape, examining two key cellular stress markers that often serve as early indicators of biological harm. The exposure levels tested (0.5-2.0 W/kg SAR) span the range of typical cell phone use, with 2.0 W/kg representing the regulatory limit in many countries. While the lack of effects on free radical production might seem reassuring, it's important to note this represents just two cell lines over unspecified exposure durations. The science demonstrates that cellular responses to RF radiation can vary significantly depending on cell type, exposure conditions, and timing. What this means for you is that while this study doesn't show harm in these specific immune cells, it's one piece of a much larger puzzle that includes numerous other studies showing biological effects in different cell types and exposure scenarios.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 W/kg
Source/Device
1800 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 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: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 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 3 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

The goal of this study was to investigate whether radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic-field (EMF) exposure at 1800 MHz causes production of free radicals and/or expression of heat-shock proteins (HSP70) in human immune-relevant cell systems.

Human Mono Mac 6 and K562 cells were used to examine free radical release after exposure to incubato...

Heat and PMA treatment induced a significant increase in superoxide radical anions and in ROS produc...

To determine the involvement of heat-shock proteins as a possible inhibitor of free radical production, we investigated the HSP70 expression level after different RF EMF exposures; no significant effects were detected

Cite This Study
Lantow M, Schuderer J, Hartwig C, Simko M. (2006). Free Radical Release and HSP70 Expression in Two Human Immune-Relevant Cell Lines after Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation. Radiat Res. 165(1):88-94, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2006_free_radical_release_and_2882,
  author = {Lantow M and Schuderer J and Hartwig C and Simko M.},
  title = {Free Radical Release and HSP70 Expression in Two Human Immune-Relevant Cell Lines after Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://meridian.allenpress.com/radiation-research/article-abstract/165/1/88/42290/Free-Radical-Release-and-HSP70-Expression-in-Two},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2006 study found that 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation at levels up to 2.0 W/kg did not increase free radical production in human immune cells. The researchers tested various power levels but detected no significant oxidative stress effects in Mono Mac 6 immune cells.
Research shows that 1800 MHz radiation does not activate HSP70 stress proteins in human immune cells. The 2006 study by Lantow and colleagues found no significant changes in heat shock protein expression after radiofrequency exposure, suggesting cells weren't stressed enough to trigger protective responses.
Studies indicate that RF exposure at 2.0 W/kg does not harm immune cells through oxidative stress. Research on 1800 MHz radiation found no significant increases in free radical production or cellular stress responses, even at this relatively high exposure level for laboratory conditions.
No, GSM frequencies do not increase superoxide radical production in immune cells. A controlled study found that 1800 MHz radiation produced no significant differences in superoxide levels compared to unexposed cells, indicating this frequency doesn't trigger harmful oxidative reactions.
Research suggests that RF radiation at typical phone frequencies doesn't significantly impact cellular antioxidant defenses. The 2006 study found no changes in free radical production or stress protein responses in immune cells exposed to 1800 MHz radiation up to 2.0 W/kg.