Prevalence of nuclear cataract in Swiss veal calves and its possible association with mobile telephone antenna base stations.
Hässig M, Jud F, Naegeli H, Kupper J, Spiess B. · 2009
View Original AbstractDeveloping calves near cell towers during pregnancy showed 32% cataract rates with increased oxidative stress, suggesting embryos may be especially vulnerable to wireless radiation.
Plain English Summary
Swiss researchers tracked 253 veal calves from conception to slaughter, examining eye cataracts and their proximity to cell phone towers during pregnancy. They found that 32% of calves developed cataracts, with higher rates in animals whose mothers were closer to mobile phone base stations during the critical first trimester of pregnancy. The study also measured increased oxidative stress (cellular damage from free radicals) in the eyes of affected calves.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation from cell towers may affect developing organisms during their most vulnerable stage. What makes this research particularly significant is its focus on embryonic development, when cells are rapidly dividing and most susceptible to environmental stressors. The 32% cataract rate is striking, especially given that severe cataracts occurred in calves whose mothers were closer to base stations during organogenesis. The researchers' finding of increased oxidative stress in affected eyes points to a biological mechanism we see repeatedly in EMF research. While the authors acknowledge other factors could contribute to cataracts, the geographical correlation with antenna proximity during pregnancy suggests we should be particularly cautious about EMF exposure during critical developmental windows. This adds to growing evidence that developing fetuses may be more vulnerable to wireless radiation than adults.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The purpose of this study was to valuate the prevalence of nuclear cataract in veal calves and to elucidate a possible impact by mobile phone base stations (MPBS).
For this experiment a cohort study was conducted. A follow-up of the geographical location of each d...
Of 253 calves, 79 (32 %) had various degrees of nuclear cataract, but only 9 (3.6 %) calves had seve...
Further studies on the influence of electromagnetic fields during embryonic development animal or person at risk are indicated.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2009_prevalence_of_nuclear_cataract_2186,
author = {Hässig M and Jud F and Naegeli H and Kupper J and Spiess B.},
title = {Prevalence of nuclear cataract in Swiss veal calves and its possible association with mobile telephone antenna base stations.},
year = {2009},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19780007/},
}