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Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L.

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Tkalec M, Malarić K, Pavlica M, Pevalek-Kozlina B, Vidaković-Cifrek Z. · 2009

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RF radiation at cell phone frequencies caused chromosome damage in dividing cells, with pulsed signals proving more harmful than continuous exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists exposed onion seeds to cell phone-level radiation (400 and 900 MHz) for two hours. While seeds germinated normally, their dividing cells showed significant chromosome damage and abnormalities. This suggests radiofrequency radiation can disrupt cellular processes even when overall growth appears unaffected.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation can cause genetic damage at the cellular level, even at non-thermal exposure levels. The researchers used onion root cells because they're a well-established model for studying genetic toxicity - when chemicals or radiation damage DNA, onion cells show the same types of chromosome abnormalities seen in human cells. What makes this particularly relevant is that the exposure levels (10-120 V/m electric field) overlap with what you might encounter near cell towers or when using wireless devices. The fact that modulated signals caused more damage than continuous waves mirrors how our wireless devices actually operate, transmitting in pulses rather than steady streams. The science demonstrates that RF radiation can interfere with mitosis (cell division), the fundamental process by which our bodies grow and repair themselves. While this was a plant study, the cellular mechanisms involved are remarkably similar across species.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
10, 23, 41 and 120 V/m
Source/Device
400 and 900MHz
Exposure Duration
2 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 10, 23, 41 and 120 V/m for electric fields:

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.

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) on seed germination, primary root growth as well as mitotic activity and mitotic aberrations in root meristematic cells were examined

Seeds were exposed for 2h to EMFs of 400 and 900MHz at field strengths of 10, 23, 41 and 120Vm(-1). ...

Germination rate and root length did not change significantly after exposure to radiofrequency field...

Our results show that non-thermal exposure to the radiofrequency fields investigated here can induce mitotic aberrations in root meristematic cells of A. cepa. The observed effects were markedly dependent on the field frequencies applied as well as on field strength and modulation. Our findings also indicate that mitotic effects of RF-EMF could be due to impairment of the mitotic spindle.

Cite This Study
Tkalec M, Malarić K, Pavlica M, Pevalek-Kozlina B, Vidaković-Cifrek Z. (2009). Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. Mutat Res. 672(2):76-81, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2009_effects_of_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_1370,
  author = {Tkalec M and Malarić K and Pavlica M and Pevalek-Kozlina B and Vidaković-Cifrek Z.},
  title = {Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L.},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19028599/#:~:text=Germination%20rate%20and%20root%20length,any%20of%20the%20treatment%20conditions.},
}
PubMed: 19028599

Cited By (141 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

No, 900 MHz radiation does not affect onion seed germination rates. A 2009 study found that two-hour exposures to cell phone frequencies (400 and 900 MHz) had no impact on germination success or root growth in onion seeds, despite causing significant chromosome damage in dividing cells.
Yes, 400 MHz radiofrequency fields can cause chromosome abnormalities in plant cells. Research on onion seeds showed that exposure to modulated 400 MHz fields and higher field strengths caused significant increases in mitotic abnormalities, including lagging chromosomes and disturbed cell division.
Modulated EMF causes several types of chromosome damage in root cells, including lagging chromosomes, vagrant chromosomes, disturbed anaphases, and chromosome stickiness. These abnormalities occurred in onion root cells exposed to both 400 MHz and 900 MHz radiofrequency fields for two hours.
Yes, field strength significantly affects EMF chromosome damage in plants. Higher field strengths (41 and 120 V/m) at both 400 MHz and 900 MHz caused more mitotic abnormalities in onion root cells compared to lower strengths, while germination remained normal.
Yes, non-thermal RF exposure can damage plant cell division without affecting overall growth. Onion seeds exposed to 400 and 900 MHz radiation showed normal germination and root length but significant increases in mitotic abnormalities and disrupted chromosome behavior during cell division.