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The influence of handheld mobile phones on human parotid gland secretion.

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Goldwein O, Aframian DJ. · 2010

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Mobile phones alter saliva production in adjacent glands, showing radiation causes measurable biological changes in human tissues.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Israeli researchers studied 50 healthy volunteers who regularly used mobile phones on one side of their head, measuring saliva production from their parotid glands (the large salivary glands near your ears). They found that the parotid gland on the phone-using side produced significantly more saliva but with lower protein content compared to the non-phone side. The authors concluded this indicates the glands are responding to continuous stress from radiofrequency radiation exposure.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that mobile phone radiation causes measurable biological changes in human tissues adjacent to the device. The parotid glands sit directly in the path of radiation from phones held against the ear, making them ideal indicators of local tissue effects. What makes this research particularly significant is its elegant design using each person as their own control, comparing the phone-side gland to the non-phone side gland in the same individual. The researchers' characterization of these changes as reflecting 'continuous insult to the glands' is notable language from the scientific community. While we don't know the long-term implications of altered salivary function, this study adds to growing evidence that mobile phone radiation causes biological responses in human tissues at levels considered safe by current guidelines.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To evaluate whether MPH induces physiologic changes in the adjacent parotid gland, located on the dominant side, in terms of secretion rates and protein levels in the secreted saliva.

Stimulated parotid saliva was collected simultaneously from both glands in 50 healthy volunteers who...

A significantly higher saliva secretion rate was noticed in the dominant MPH side compared with that...

Parotid glands adjacent to handheld MPH in use respond by elevated salivary rates and decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands. This phenomenon should be revealed to the worldwide population and further exploration by means of large-scale longitudinal studies is warranted.

Cite This Study
Goldwein O, Aframian DJ. (2010). The influence of handheld mobile phones on human parotid gland secretion. Oral Dis.16(2):146-150, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{o_2010_the_influence_of_handheld_2117,
  author = {Goldwein O and Aframian DJ.},
  title = {The influence of handheld mobile phones on human parotid gland secretion.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19744173/},
}
PubMed: 19744173

Cited By (44 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows cell phone radiation can affect saliva production. A 2010 Israeli study found that salivary glands on the phone-using side of the head produced significantly more saliva but with lower protein content, suggesting the glands respond to continuous radiofrequency stress.
Cell phone use appears to stress salivary glands near your ear. Israeli researchers found that parotid glands on the phone-using side showed elevated saliva rates but decreased protein secretion, indicating the glands respond to continuous radiofrequency radiation exposure with biological changes.
Phone radiation may affect mouth function through salivary gland changes. A study of 50 regular phone users found altered saliva production on the phone-using side, with increased volume but lower protein content, suggesting continuous stress to these important glands.
Cell phones may alter saliva quality and quantity. Research shows the salivary gland on your phone-using side produces more saliva but with reduced protein content compared to the non-phone side, indicating biological stress responses from radiofrequency radiation exposure.
Cell phone use impacts salivary glands by increasing saliva production while decreasing protein content. Israeli researchers studying 50 regular users found these changes occurred specifically on the phone-using side, suggesting the glands respond to continuous radiofrequency radiation stress.