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Pulse modulated 900 MHz radiation induces hypothyroidism and apoptosis in thyroid cells: A light, electron microscopy and immunohistochemical study.

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Eşmekaya MA, Seyhan N, Omeroğlu S. · 2010

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Cell phone-level radiation caused thyroid shrinkage and hormone disruption in rats after just three weeks of 20-minute daily exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone-like radiation (900 MHz) for 20 minutes daily over three weeks and found significant damage to thyroid glands. The radiation caused thyroid shrinkage, reduced hormone production, and triggered cell death through a process called apoptosis. This suggests that regular exposure to mobile phone radiation could potentially disrupt thyroid function, which controls metabolism and many other vital body processes.

Why This Matters

This study adds important evidence to concerns about EMF effects on endocrine function, particularly the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, growth, and development. The exposure level of 1.35 W/kg falls within the range of typical cell phone use, making these findings directly relevant to daily EMF exposure from mobile devices held near the body. The researchers used multiple analysis methods including electron microscopy and biochemical markers, strengthening confidence in their results. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates both structural damage to thyroid tissue and disruption of normal hormone production at exposure levels millions of people experience regularly. The thyroid's location in the neck makes it especially vulnerable to radiation from phones held to the ear or carried in shirt pockets.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.35 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
20 min/day for three weeks.

Exposure Context

This study used 1.35 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: 1.35 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1x higher than this level
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

In the present study we investigated the possible histopathological effects of pulse modulated Radiofrequency (RF) fields on the thyroid gland using light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunohistochemical methods

Two months old male Wistar rats were exposed to a 900 MHz pulse-modulated RF radiation at a specific...

Morphological analyses revealed hypothyrophy of the gland in the 900 MHz RF exposure group. The resu...

The overall findings indicated that whole body exposure to pulse-modulated RF radiation that is similar to that emitted by global system for mobile communications (GSM) mobile phones can cause pathological changes in the thyroid gland by altering the gland structure and enhancing caspase-dependent pathways of apoptosis.

Cite This Study
Eşmekaya MA, Seyhan N, Omeroğlu S. (2010). Pulse modulated 900 MHz radiation induces hypothyroidism and apoptosis in thyroid cells: A light, electron microscopy and immunohistochemical study. Int J Radiat Biol. 86(12):1106-1116, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{ma_2010_pulse_modulated_900_mhz_962,
  author = {Eşmekaya MA and Seyhan N and Omeroğlu S.},
  title = {Pulse modulated 900 MHz radiation induces hypothyroidism and apoptosis in thyroid cells: A light, electron microscopy and immunohistochemical study.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20807179/},
}
PubMed: 20807179

Cited By (62 papers)

View all 62 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Research suggests cell phone radiation may harm thyroid function. A 2010 Turkish study found that 900 MHz radiation (similar to GSM phones) caused thyroid shrinkage, reduced hormone production, and triggered cell death in rats after just 20 minutes daily exposure over three weeks.
Yes, 900 MHz radiation appears to inhibit thyroid hormone secretion. Turkish researchers found that rats exposed to this frequency for 20 minutes daily showed significant thyroid gland shrinkage and reduced hormone production, suggesting potential disruption of metabolic processes.
Animal studies indicate potential thyroid risks from cell phone radiation. Researchers found that GSM-like radiation caused structural damage to thyroid glands, triggered cell death, and reduced hormone production in rats, raising concerns about long-term exposure effects in humans.
Mobile phone radiation may cause thyroid cell death and hormone disruption. A study using 900 MHz radiation found increased cell death markers (caspase-3 and caspase-9) in thyroid tissue, along with gland shrinkage and reduced hormone secretion after brief daily exposures.
Cell phone radiation may disrupt metabolism by damaging thyroid function. Research shows 900 MHz radiation can cause thyroid shrinkage and reduce hormone production, which could potentially affect metabolic rate and other vital body processes controlled by thyroid hormones.