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Exposure to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields affects morphology, DNA-related Raman spectra and mitochondrial functions in human lympho-monocytes.

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Lasalvia M, Scrima R, Perna G, Piccoli C, Capitanio N, et al. · 2018

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Radiofrequency radiation at cell phone-relevant levels caused visible cell damage and DNA changes in human immune cells within hours.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 1.8 GHz cell phone radiation for up to 20 hours. The radiation caused cell deformation, DNA changes, and disrupted cellular energy production. These findings raise safety concerns about long-term EMF exposure effects on human health.

Why This Matters

This Italian study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation at levels we encounter daily can trigger measurable biological changes in human immune cells. The 200 V/m exposure level used here falls within the range of what you might experience near cell towers or when using wireless devices extensively. What makes this research particularly significant is that it documents multiple simultaneous effects - from visible cell deformation to DNA structural changes to mitochondrial dysfunction. The fact that cells developed apparent compensatory mechanisms suggests they were under biological stress. While the researchers appropriately call for more studies, this adds to a growing body of evidence that our current safety standards may not adequately protect against non-thermal biological effects from chronic EMF exposure.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
200 V/m
Source/Device
1.8 GHz
Exposure Duration
1 to 20 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 200 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 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 aim of this study is to investigate Exposure to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields affects morphology, DNA-related Raman spectra and mitochondrial functions in human lympho-monocytes.

In this study, the occurrence of biochemical/biological modifications in human peripheral blood lymp...

Morphological analysis of adherent cells unveiled, in some of these, appearance of an enlarged and d...

This results suggest the occurrence of adaptive mechanisms put in action, likely via redox signaling, to compensate for early impairments of the oxidative phosphorylation system caused by exposure to EMFs. Overall the data presented warn for health safety of people involved in long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields, although further studies are required to pinpoint the leukocyte cellular subset(s) selectively targeted by the EMFs action and the mechanisms by which it is achieved.

Cite This Study
Lasalvia M, Scrima R, Perna G, Piccoli C, Capitanio N, et al. (2018). Exposure to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields affects morphology, DNA-related Raman spectra and mitochondrial functions in human lympho-monocytes. PLOS ONE 13(2): e0192894. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192894 (2018).
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2018_exposure_to_18_ghz_1070,
  author = {Lasalvia M and Scrima R and Perna G and Piccoli C and Capitanio N and et al.},
  title = {Exposure to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields affects morphology, DNA-related Raman spectra and mitochondrial functions in human lympho-monocytes.},
  year = {2018},
  
  url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0192894&billing_country=US},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2018 study found that 1.8 GHz cell phone radiation caused human immune cells to become enlarged and deformed after exposure. The research showed morphological changes in lympho-monocytes, which are important white blood cells that help fight infections and diseases.
Research demonstrates that 20 hours of 1.8 GHz radiation exposure reduces DNA backbone-linked vibrational modes in human immune cells. The study used Raman spectroscopy to detect these biochemical modifications in the nuclear compartment, indicating potential DNA-related changes from prolonged exposure.
The 2018 study found that 1.8 GHz radiation disrupts mitochondrial function in human immune cells. After 20 hours of exposure, cells showed increased oxygen consumption and altered ATP synthase activity, indicating that cellular energy production systems were significantly impacted.
After just 5 hours of 1.8 GHz exposure, human immune cells showed a large increase in proton leak-related respiration, indicating early mitochondrial dysfunction. However, this effect recovered to normal levels after 20 hours, suggesting the cells activated adaptive mechanisms.
Yes, the study revealed altered redox homeostasis in human lympho-monocytes exposed to 1.8 GHz radiation. This oxidative stress progressed differently across various immune cell types, suggesting that electromagnetic fields disrupt the cellular balance between antioxidants and harmful free radicals.