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

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

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Extremely low cell phone radiation impaired memory and caused cellular damage at levels 20,000 times below current safety limits.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to extremely low-level cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 30 days and found significant damage to memory and learning abilities. The study also detected increased oxidative stress in the blood, indicating cellular damage from free radicals. This matters because the radiation level used was far below current safety limits, yet still produced measurable biological effects.

Why This Matters

This study delivers a crucial finding in the EMF health debate: even extraordinarily low levels of microwave radiation can impair cognitive function and trigger oxidative stress. The specific absorption rate (SAR) used was 0.000084738 W/kg, which is roughly 20,000 times lower than current FCC safety limits for cell phones. Put simply, if radiation at this minimal level can damage memory and learning in laboratory animals, what does that tell us about the billions of people exposed to much higher levels daily? The research demonstrates that biological effects occur at power levels once considered completely harmless. The oxidative stress findings are particularly significant because they point to a plausible mechanism for how RF radiation causes cellular damage. This adds to the growing body of independent research showing that our current safety standards, based solely on heating effects, are inadequate for protecting public health.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.000084738 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz MW
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...

Thus, 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, 2013a.
Show BibTeX
@article{ps_2013_effect_of_low_level_91,
  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 = {http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/17108},
}

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 impairment in cognitive function and learning abilities. The radiation level used was far below current safety limits, yet still produced measurable biological effects on memory and learning capacity.
Yes, research demonstrates that even extremely low-level 900 MHz microwave radiation exposure increases oxidative stress markers in blood. The study detected elevated levels of MDA and protein carbonyl, indicating cellular damage from free radicals after 30 days of 2-hour daily exposures.
Studies show that 900 MHz radiation exposure significantly increases MDA (a marker of lipid peroxidation) and protein carbonyl (a marker of protein oxidation) levels in blood. These markers indicate cellular damage from free radicals, while GSH antioxidant levels remained unchanged during the exposure period.
Research shows that 30 days of daily 2-hour exposure to 900 MHz radiation can significantly impair cognitive function in test subjects. The study found measurable effects on memory and learning abilities after this relatively short exposure period, despite using extremely low radiation levels.
Current safety limits may not fully protect against cognitive effects from 900 MHz radiation. A 2013 study found significant memory and learning impairment using radiation levels far below existing safety standards, suggesting these limits may not account for all biological effects on brain function.