Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.
Buttiglione M, Roca L, Montemurno E, Vitiello F, Capozzi V, Cibelli G. · 2007
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation at legal exposure levels activated stress genes and disrupted normal brain cell function within hours of exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human brain cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) at power levels similar to what your phone emits. They found that this radiation activated stress response genes, disrupted normal cell division, and triggered cell death pathways. The effects occurred at radiation levels considered 'safe' by current standards, suggesting that RF exposure may interfere with fundamental cellular processes in brain tissue.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how cell phone radiation affects brain cells at the molecular level. The researchers used 900 MHz RF radiation at 1 W/kg SAR - a level well within current safety limits and typical of what you experience during a phone call. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates biological effects occurring through multiple cellular pathways simultaneously: gene activation, cell cycle disruption, and programmed cell death. The activation of Egr-1, a gene involved in cellular stress responses, suggests that brain cells recognize RF radiation as a stressor even at 'safe' levels. The reality is that current safety standards focus primarily on heating effects, but this study shows non-thermal biological responses that could have long-term implications for brain health. You don't have to accept industry assurances that current exposure limits are adequate when independent research continues to reveal cellular-level effects.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1 W/kg
- Electric Field
- 23 V/m
- Source/Device
- 900 MHz WPC antenna
- Exposure Duration
- continuous for 5, 15, 30 min, 6 ,24 h
Exposure Context
This study used 23 V/m for electric fields:
- 76.7x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
This study used 1 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 2.5x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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 Details
This study was conducted to determine whether the radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.
In order to elucidate the effect of RF radiation on the transcriptional induction of Egr‐1, SH‐SY5Y ...
Short‐term exposures induced a transient increase in Egr‐1 mRNA level paralleled with activation of ...
Our results provide evidence that exposure to a 900 MHz‐modulated RF radiation affect both Egr‐1 gene expression and cell regulatory functions, involving apoptosis inhibitors like Bcl‐2 and survivin, thus providing important insights into a potentially broad mechanism for controlling in vitro cell viability.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2007_radiofrequency_radiation_900_mhz_24,
author = {Buttiglione M and Roca L and Montemurno E and Vitiello F and Capozzi V and Cibelli G.},
title = {Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.},
year = {2007},
doi = {10.1002/jcp.21146},
url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcp.21146/full},
}