Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
P., Bellier, P. V., Gajda, G. B., Lavallee, B. F., Marro, L., Lemay, E. and Thansandote, A
No Effects Found
McNamee, J. · 2003
24-hour exposure to 1.9 GHz radiation showed no DNA damage in human blood cells.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Canadian health researchers exposed human white blood cells to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation for 24 hours at power levels up to 10 W/kg, testing for DNA damage and cellular mutations. They found no evidence of genetic damage from either continuous or pulsed radiation exposure. This frequency is commonly used in older cordless phones and some wireless devices.
Exposure Information
Cite This Study
McNamee, J. (2003). P., Bellier, P. V., Gajda, G. B., Lavallee, B. F., Marro, L., Lemay, E. and Thansandote, A.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_bellier_p_v_gajda_g_b_lavallee_b_f_marro_l_lemay_e_and_thansandote_a_ce2933,
author = {McNamee and J.},
title = {P., Bellier, P. V., Gajda, G. B., Lavallee, B. F., Marro, L., Lemay, E. and Thansandote, A},
year = {2003},
doi = {10.1667/0033-7587(2003)159[0693:NEFGEF]2.0.CO;2},
}Quick Questions About This Study
This study found no evidence of DNA damage in human white blood cells after 24 hours of 1.9 GHz exposure at levels up to 10 W/kg, using both immediate and delayed genetic damage testing methods.
Researchers exposed human leukocyte cultures continuously for 24 hours, which is much longer than typical daily cell phone use and allows detection of cumulative genetic damage effects.
The study tested specific absorption rates from 0 to 10 W/kg, with temperature carefully controlled at body temperature throughout the exposure period to isolate radiation effects from heat.
No difference was found between continuous wave and pulsed wave 1.9 GHz exposures in terms of DNA damage or micronucleus formation in human blood cell cultures.
The 1.9 GHz frequency is commonly used in DECT cordless phones, some older wireless devices, and certain industrial applications, though modern cell phones typically use different frequency bands.