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Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain

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Alkis ME, Bilgin HM, Akpolat V, Dasdag S, Yegin K, Yavas MC, Akdag MZ · 2019

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Six months of cell phone radiation exposure caused DNA damage and oxidative stress in rat brains at levels below current safety limits.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at three different frequencies (900, 1800, and 2100 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 6 months to study brain effects. They found increased DNA damage and oxidative stress in brain tissue across all frequency groups compared to unexposed control rats. This suggests that chronic exposure to the radiofrequency radiation emitted by mobile phones may harm brain cells at the genetic level.

Why This Matters

This study adds important evidence to the growing body of research showing biological effects from radiofrequency radiation at levels well below current safety standards. The SAR levels used (0.0845 W/kg for 900 MHz) are actually lower than the legal limit for cell phones in many countries, yet still produced measurable DNA damage and oxidative stress in brain tissue after chronic exposure. What makes this research particularly significant is that it tested multiple frequencies commonly used by mobile networks and found harmful effects across all of them. The 6-month exposure duration also more closely mimics real-world usage patterns than short-term studies. The finding of DNA single-strand breaks at 2100 MHz is especially concerning, as this type of genetic damage can potentially lead to cellular dysfunction and disease over time.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.0845 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day for 6 months

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0845 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Severe Concern rangeFCC limit is 19x 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

The aim of this study is to explore whether long-term RFR exposure at different frequencies affects DNA damage and oxidant-antioxidant parameters in the blood and brain tissue of rats.

28 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (n = 7). They were identifi...

Results of the study showed that DNA damage and oxidative stress indicators were found higher in the...

In conclusion, 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz RFR emitted from mobile phones may cause oxidative damage, induce increase in lipid peroxidation, and increase oxidative DNA damage formation in the frontal lobe of the rat brain tissues. Furthermore, 2100-MHz RFR may cause formation of DNA single-strand breaks.

Cite This Study
Alkis ME, Bilgin HM, Akpolat V, Dasdag S, Yegin K, Yavas MC, Akdag MZ (2019). Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain Electromagn Biol Med. 38(1):32-47, 2019.
Show BibTeX
@article{me_2019_effect_of_900_1800_506,
  author = {Alkis ME and Bilgin HM and Akpolat V and Dasdag S and Yegin K and Yavas MC and Akdag MZ},
  title = {Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1080/15368378.2019.1567526},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15368378.2019.1567526},
}
DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2019.1567526

Cited By (97 papers)

View all 97 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Turkish researchers found that 2-hour daily exposure to cell phone radiation for 6 months significantly increased DNA damage in rat brain tissue. All three frequencies tested (900, 1800, and 2100 MHz) caused genetic damage compared to unexposed control animals.
The 2019 study found that 2100 MHz radiation caused the most severe effects, including DNA single-strand breaks in brain tissue. However, all three frequencies tested (900, 1800, and 2100 MHz) increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in the frontal lobe.
Research shows 900 MHz radiation increases lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage markers in brain tissue. The study found higher oxidative stress indicators in rats exposed to this frequency for 2 hours daily over 6 months compared to unexposed controls.
Studies suggest yes - rats exposed to cell phone radiation for 2 hours daily over 6 months showed increased DNA damage and oxidative stress in frontal lobe tissue. The research tested realistic exposure levels similar to heavy cell phone use.
Yes, the 2019 study specifically examined frontal lobe tissue and found increased DNA damage and lipid peroxidation across all cell phone frequencies tested. This brain region is particularly exposed during typical phone use against the head.