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Monitoring dynamic reactions of red blood cells to UHF electromagnetic waves radiation using a novel micro-imaging technology.

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Ruan P, Yong J, Shen H, Zheng X · 2012

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Red blood cells showed significant structural changes when exposed to cell phone-frequency radiation at power levels comparable to close device contact.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human red blood cells to cell phone-frequency radiation (900 MHz) at different power levels. Low-power exposure caused no changes, but higher power levels significantly altered cell shape, size, and hemoglobin properties, suggesting EMF exposure above certain thresholds can damage blood cells.

Why This Matters

This study provides direct visual evidence that radiofrequency radiation can physically alter human blood cells at the cellular level. What makes this research particularly compelling is the use of advanced micro-imaging technology that allowed researchers to watch these changes happen in real time. The power levels that caused cellular damage (1-5 mW/cm²) are within the range of what you might encounter from wireless devices held close to the body, though typical phone use involves lower average exposures due to distance and intermittent transmission. The science demonstrates a clear dose-response relationship where higher power densities produced more pronounced cellular changes. This adds to the growing body of evidence showing that EMF exposure can cause measurable biological effects even at non-thermal levels, challenging the assumption that only heating effects matter for human health.

Exposure Details

Power Density
1 , 5, 0.015, 0.031 µW/m²
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
30 min

Exposure Context

This study used 1 , 5, 0.015, 0.031 µW/m² for radio frequency:

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 ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1 , 5, 0.015, 0.031 µW/m²Extreme Concern1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 666,666,667x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

Multiple state-of-the-art techniques, such as multi-dimensional micro-imaging, fast multi-channel micro-spetrophotometry, and dynamic micro-imaging analysis, were used to dynamically investigate various effects of cell under the 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation.

Cell changes in shape, size, and parameters of Hb absorption spectrum under different power density...

Experimental results indicated that the isolated human red blood cells (RBCs) do not have obviously ...

The results of this study may be significant on protection of human being and other living organisms against possible radiation affections of the high-frequency electromagnetic waves.

Cite This Study
Ruan P, Yong J, Shen H, Zheng X (2012). Monitoring dynamic reactions of red blood cells to UHF electromagnetic waves radiation using a novel micro-imaging technology. Electromagn Biol Med. 31(4):365-374, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2012_monitoring_dynamic_reactions_of_1301,
  author = {Ruan P and Yong J and Shen H and Zheng X},
  title = {Monitoring dynamic reactions of red blood cells to UHF electromagnetic waves radiation using a novel micro-imaging technology.},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22676049/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed human red blood cells to cell phone-frequency radiation (900 MHz) at different power levels. Low-power exposure caused no changes, but higher power levels significantly altered cell shape, size, and hemoglobin properties, suggesting EMF exposure above certain thresholds can damage blood cells.