Evaluation of genotoxic effects in human leukocytes after in vitro exposure to 1950 MHz UMTS radiofrequency field.
Zeni O, Schiavoni A, Perrotta A, Forigo D, Deplano M, Scarfi MR. · 2008
View Original Abstract3G cell phone radiation at typical phone SAR levels showed no DNA damage in blood cells during controlled lab testing.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed white blood cells from six healthy people to 3G cell phone radiation (1950 MHz UMTS) at levels similar to those from phones held against the head (2.2 W/kg SAR). They used intermittent exposures over 24 to 68 hours and tested for DNA damage using two sensitive laboratory methods. The study found no evidence of genetic damage or changes in how cells divide and grow.
Why This Matters
This study provides reassuring evidence about 3G wireless technology, but it's important to understand its limitations within the broader EMF research landscape. The 2.2 W/kg exposure level matches the SAR limit for cell phones in Europe, making these findings directly relevant to everyday phone use. However, the intermittent exposure pattern (6 minutes on, 2 hours off) doesn't reflect typical phone usage patterns, and the study only examined short-term DNA damage markers. While these negative results are encouraging, they represent just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The reality is that hundreds of other studies have found biological effects from similar RF exposures, including DNA damage, though results vary significantly based on exposure conditions, cell types, and measurement techniques. What this means for you is that while this particular study suggests 3G signals may not cause immediate genetic damage in blood cells, it doesn't address other potential health effects or longer-term exposures that characterize real-world wireless device use.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2.2 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1950 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 6 min RF on, 2 h RF off
Exposure Context
This study used 2.2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 5.5x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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 Details
In the present study the third generation wireless technology of the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) signal was investigated for the induction of genotoxic effects in human leukocytes.
Peripheral blood from six healthy donors was used and, for each donor, intermittent exposures (6 min...
The results obtained indicate that intermittent exposures of human lymphocytes in different stages o...
Show BibTeX
@article{o_2008_evaluation_of_genotoxic_effects_1459,
author = {Zeni O and Schiavoni A and Perrotta A and Forigo D and Deplano M and Scarfi MR.},
title = {Evaluation of genotoxic effects in human leukocytes after in vitro exposure to 1950 MHz UMTS radiofrequency field.},
year = {2008},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18027845/},
}