A preliminary study to assess possible chromosomal damage among users of digital mobile phones.
Gadhia PK, Shah T, Mistry A, Pithawala M, Tamakuwala D. · 2003
View Original AbstractMobile phone users showed significantly more chromosome damage than non-users, suggesting RF radiation may harm genetic material in cells.
Plain English Summary
Researchers examined blood cells from 24 mobile phone users who had used digital phones for at least 2 years, looking for chromosome damage compared to 24 non-users. They found significantly more broken and abnormal chromosomes in phone users, especially when combined with smoking and drinking, and when cells were exposed to additional chemical stress. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones may damage the genetic material in our cells.
Why This Matters
This early study provides important evidence that mobile phone radiation can damage chromosomes - the structures that carry our DNA. What makes this research particularly significant is that it found genetic damage even in healthy, non-smoking phone users, though the effects were amplified in smokers and drinkers. The study used phones operating at 890-960 MHz, frequencies still used by today's cellular networks. The researchers also tested cells with a known mutagen and found that phone users showed greater susceptibility to additional genetic damage, suggesting that RF exposure may weaken our cells' ability to maintain genetic integrity. While this was a small preliminary study, it adds to a growing body of evidence showing that the radiofrequency radiation we're exposed to daily may have biological consequences beyond just heating tissue.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The aim of this study is to investigate A Preliminary Study to Assess Possible Chromosomal Damage Among Users of Digital Mobile Phones
In a preliminary study to examine possible lymphocyte chromosomal damage, we have tested two cytogen...
There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in dicentric chromosomes among mobile users who were smo...
Although SCEs showed a significant increase among mobile users, no change in cell cycle progression was noted. The hematological picture showed only minor variations between mobile users and controls.
Show BibTeX
@article{pk_2003_a_preliminary_study_to_2093,
author = {Gadhia PK and Shah T and Mistry A and Pithawala M and Tamakuwala D.},
title = {A preliminary study to assess possible chromosomal damage among users of digital mobile phones.},
year = {2003},
doi = {10.1081/JBC-120024624},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JBC-120024624},
}