Do cellular phones alter blood parameters and birth weight of rats?
Dasdag S; Akdag MZ; Ayy ld z O, Demirtas OC, Yayla M, Sert C. · 2000
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation at typical use levels reduced birth weight in rat offspring, suggesting pregnant women should minimize EMF exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone radiation at levels similar to human exposure (0.155 W/kg SAR) and found that while blood parameters remained normal, offspring were born with significantly lower birth weights. The effect disappeared in the next generation, suggesting the impact was limited to direct exposure during pregnancy.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to growing concerns about EMF exposure during pregnancy. The SAR level of 0.155 W/kg is well within the range of typical cell phone use, making these findings directly relevant to pregnant women who use mobile devices. What makes this research particularly significant is that it found measurable effects on developing offspring at exposure levels considered safe by current standards. The reality is that developing fetuses may be more vulnerable to EMF effects than adults, yet our safety standards don't account for this increased sensitivity. While the researchers found the effects didn't persist to the next generation, the immediate impact on birth weight raises questions about what other developmental effects might occur during this critical period that weren't measured in this study.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 0.155 W/kg
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of microwaves (MW) emitted by cellular phones (CPs) on peripheral blood parameters and birth weights of rats.
Thirty-six albino rats were divided into four groups, male (n = 6) and female sham-exposed groups (n...
No blood parameters differed following exposure (p > 0.05). The birth weight of offspring in the exp...
Show BibTeX
@article{o_2000_do_cellular_phones_alter_923,
author = {Dasdag S; Akdag MZ; Ayy ld z O and Demirtas OC and Yayla M and Sert C.},
title = {Do cellular phones alter blood parameters and birth weight of rats?},
year = {2000},
doi = {10.1081/JBC-100100301},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JBC-100100301?journalCode=iebm19},
}