Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats
Deshmukh PS, Banerjee BD, Abegaonkar MP, Megha K, Ahmed RS, Tripathi AK, Mediratta PK. · 2013
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation 1,000 times below safety limits still impaired memory and caused cellular damage in this study.
Plain English Summary
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 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.
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/},
}