8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System

Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats

Bioeffects Seen

Deshmukh PS, Banerjee BD, Abegaonkar MP, Megha K, Ahmed RS, Tripathi AK, Mediratta PK. · 2013

View Original Abstract
Share:

Microwave radiation 1,000 times below safety limits still impaired memory and caused cellular damage in this study.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to extremely low-level 900 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 2 hours daily over 30 days. The exposed rats showed significant memory and learning problems, plus increased oxidative stress (cellular damage) in their blood. This matters because the radiation level was about 1,000 times lower than current safety limits, yet still caused measurable brain and cellular effects.

Why This Matters

This study delivers a crucial finding in the EMF health debate: cognitive impairment and oxidative stress occurred at radiation levels far below what regulators consider safe. The specific absorption rate of 0.000085 W/kg is roughly 1,000 times lower than the 2 W/kg limit set by the FCC for cell phones. Put simply, this research demonstrates that 'safe' exposure levels may not actually be safe for brain function. The combination of cognitive decline and oxidative stress is particularly concerning because oxidative damage accumulates over time and has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. What this means for you is that even brief daily exposures to low-level microwave radiation can affect brain function in ways that current safety standards don't account for.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.000084738 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 h/day, 5 days a week for 30 days

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.000084738 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 18,882x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 900 MHz MW radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in blood of Fischer rats

Animals were divided into two groups (6 animals/group): Group I (MW-exposed) and Group II (Sham-expo...

Results showed significant impairment in cognitive function and increase in oxidative stress, as evi...

The study demonstrated that low level MW radiation had significant effect on cognitive function and was also capable of leading to oxidative stress.

Cite This Study
Deshmukh PS, Banerjee BD, Abegaonkar MP, Megha K, Ahmed RS, Tripathi AK, Mediratta PK. (2013). Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats Indian J Biochem Biophys. 50(2):114-119, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{ps_2013_effect_of_low_level_520,
  author = {Deshmukh PS and Banerjee BD and Abegaonkar MP and Megha K and Ahmed RS and Tripathi AK and Mediratta PK.},
  title = {Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23720885/},
}
PubMed: 23720885

Cited By (47 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2013 study found that rats exposed to 900 MHz radiation for 2 hours daily over 30 days showed significant memory and learning impairments. The radiation level was 1,000 times below current safety limits, yet still caused measurable cognitive problems.
Low-level 900 MHz microwave exposure significantly increased MDA (lipid peroxidation marker) and protein carbonyl (protein oxidation marker) in rat blood. These markers indicate cellular damage from oxidative stress, even at extremely low radiation levels.
A 30-day study using 900 MHz radiation (cell phone frequency) found significant cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in rats. The exposure caused measurable brain function problems and cellular damage markers in blood, despite very low radiation levels.
Microwave radiation at levels 1,000 times below current safety limits can still impair cognitive function. A 2013 study showed that extremely low 900 MHz exposure for just 2 hours daily caused significant memory and learning problems in rats.
Blood tests revealed increased MDA and protein carbonyl levels after 900 MHz microwave exposure, indicating cellular damage from oxidative stress. These biochemical markers demonstrate that low-level radiation can cause measurable harm to cells throughout the body, not just the brain.