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

Brain & Nervous System

Electromagnetic Fields from mobile phones do not affect the inner auditory system of Sprague-Dawley Rats.

No Effects Found

Galloni P, Parazzini M, Piscitelli M, Pinto R, Lovisolo GA, Tognola G, Marino C, Ravazzani P. · 2005

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Rats exposed to GSM-frequency electromagnetic fields showed no significant changes in cochlear function measured by distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers divided 48 Sprague-Dawley rats into exposed and sham-exposed groups. The rats were exposed 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks at a local SAR of 2 W/kg in the ear. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions tests were carried out before, during, and after the exposure. The analysis showed no statistically significant differences in audiological signals between the different groups.

Why This Matters

Three sets of four loop antennas provided local exposure, with one set for sham-exposed animals and two for exposed animals. The study aimed to evaluate cochlear functionality of Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to GSM mobile phone frequencies using distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Exposure Details

SAR
2 W/kg
Source/Device
900 and 1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day, 5 days/week for 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 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cochlear functionality of Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to electromagnetic fields at the typical frequencies of GSM mobile phones (900 and 1800 MHz) by distortion product otoacoustic emissions, which are a well-known indicator of the status of the cochlea's outer hair cells

A population of 48 rats was divided into exposed and sham-exposed groups. Three sets of four loop an...

The analysis of the data shows no statistically significant differences between the audiological sig...

Cite This Study
Galloni P, Parazzini M, Piscitelli M, Pinto R, Lovisolo GA, Tognola G, Marino C, Ravazzani P. (2005). Electromagnetic Fields from mobile phones do not affect the inner auditory system of Sprague-Dawley Rats. Radiat Res. 164(6):798-804, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2005_electromagnetic_fields_from_mobile_3034,
  author = {Galloni P and Parazzini M and Piscitelli M and Pinto R and Lovisolo GA and Tognola G and Marino C and Ravazzani P.},
  title = {Electromagnetic Fields from mobile phones do not affect the inner auditory system of Sprague-Dawley Rats.},
  year = {2005},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16296886/},
}
PubMed: 16296886

Cited By (28 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used electromagnetic fields at the typical GSM mobile phone frequencies of 900 and 1800 MHz.
Rats were exposed 2 hours per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks at a local SAR of 2 W/kg in the ear.
Distortion product otoacoustic emissions tests were carried out before, during, and after the exposure.
The analysis showed no statistically significant differences in audiological signals between the different groups.
A population of 48 rats was divided into exposed and sham-exposed groups.