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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Immune System

Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse bone marrow cells.

No Effects Found

Prisco MG, Nasta F, Rosado MM, Lovisolo GA, Marino C, Pioli C · 2008

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Bone marrow stem cells maintained normal immune-rebuilding function after 4 weeks of cell phone radiation at safety limit levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM signals) for 4 weeks, then transplanted their bone marrow cells into radiation-damaged mice to test if the EMF exposure affected the immune system's ability to rebuild itself. The bone marrow cells from EMF-exposed mice performed just as well as unexposed cells in rescuing the damaged mice and rebuilding their immune systems. This suggests that moderate cell phone radiation exposure doesn't impair the bone marrow's critical immune-building functions.

Why This Matters

This study provides reassuring evidence about one specific aspect of EMF exposure - the ability of bone marrow stem cells to function normally after chronic cell phone radiation exposure. The researchers used a SAR level of 2 W/kg, which is at the upper limit of current safety standards and higher than typical phone use generates. What makes this research particularly valuable is its functional approach - rather than just looking for cellular damage, they tested whether the bone marrow could actually perform its life-critical job of rebuilding the immune system. The fact that EMF-exposed bone marrow cells successfully rescued lethally irradiated mice suggests these stem cells retained their essential regenerative capabilities. However, this single study shouldn't be viewed in isolation. The broader body of EMF research shows mixed results across different biological systems, and bone marrow function represents just one piece of the health puzzle.

Exposure Details

SAR
2 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day, 5 days/ week, 4 weeks

Exposure Context

This study used 2 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: 2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 1 times the FCC limit
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

We examined the effects of in vivo exposure to a GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF field on the ability of bone marrow cells to differentiate, colonize lymphatic organs, and rescue lethally X-irradiated mice from death.

X-irradiated mice were injected with medium alone or containing bone marrow cells from either RF-fi...

Three and 6 weeks after bone marrow cell transplantation, no differences in thymus cellularity and i...

In conclusion, our results show no effect of in vivo exposure to GSM-modulated RF fields on the ability of bone marrow precursor cells to home and colonize lymphoid organs and differentiate in phenotypically and functionally mature T and B lymphocytes.

Cite This Study
Prisco MG, Nasta F, Rosado MM, Lovisolo GA, Marino C, Pioli C (2008). Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse bone marrow cells. Radiat Res. 170(6):803-810, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{mg_2008_effects_of_gsmmodulated_radiofrequency_3315,
  author = {Prisco MG and Nasta F and Rosado MM and Lovisolo GA and Marino C and Pioli C},
  title = {Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse bone marrow cells.},
  year = {2008},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138032/},
}
PubMed: 19138032

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

No, 900 MHz GSM radiation doesn't impair bone marrow transplant outcomes. Italian researchers found that bone marrow cells from mice exposed to cell phone radiation for 4 weeks performed just as well as unexposed cells in rebuilding immune systems after transplantation.
Research shows GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiation doesn't damage bone marrow stem cells' ability to function. After 4 weeks of exposure, the cells successfully colonized lymphoid organs and differentiated into mature immune cells just like unexposed cells.
Four weeks of 900 MHz GSM exposure doesn't affect thymus recovery after bone marrow transplant. Researchers found no differences in thymus cell numbers or immune cell development between mice receiving exposed versus unexposed bone marrow cells.
No, 900 MHz GSM radiation doesn't interfere with T and B lymphocyte development. Bone marrow cells exposed to cell phone frequencies for 4 weeks produced normal percentages and functions of both T and B cells after transplantation.
GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiation doesn't affect spleen immune cell regeneration. Transplanted mice showed no differences in spleen cell numbers, B and T cell percentages, or immune cell proliferation regardless of donor bone marrow EMF exposure history.