[Effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on protein expression profile of human breast cancer cell MCF-7.]
Zeng QL, Weng Y, Chen GD, Lu DQ, Chiang H, Xu ZP · 2006
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation altered protein production in human cells, affecting DNA repair and cellular communication at exposure levels typical of everyday phone use.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human breast cancer cells to cell phone radiation at levels similar to what phones produce, testing different exposure patterns and durations. They found that the radiation changed how cells produced proteins, particularly affecting proteins involved in DNA repair, cell communication, and basic cellular functions. The changes depended on both how long the cells were exposed and whether the exposure was continuous or intermittent.
Why This Matters
This study provides important evidence that cell phone radiation can alter fundamental cellular processes at the molecular level. The researchers used a SAR of 3.5 W/kg, which is well within the range of typical cell phone exposures (most phones operate between 0.5-2.0 W/kg). What makes this research particularly significant is that it shows biological effects aren't simply about heating - the cells responded differently to continuous versus intermittent exposure patterns, suggesting complex biological mechanisms at work. The fact that proteins involved in DNA damage and repair were affected raises questions about long-term cellular health. While this study used cancer cells in a laboratory setting, it adds to a growing body of evidence showing that radiofrequency radiation can trigger biological responses at exposure levels we encounter daily. The science demonstrates that our cells aren't passive to this radiation - they're actively responding to it in ways we're still working to understand.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 3.5 W/kg
- Exposure Duration
- 5 minutes field on followed by 10 minutes off) exposed to RF EMF for different duration (1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours
Exposure Context
This study used 3.5 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 8.8x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
To study the effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) exposure on protein expression profile of human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), as to exploring the possible effects on normal cell physiological function.
MCF-7 cells were continuously or intermittently (5 minutes field on followed by 10 minutes off) expo...
On the average, around 1100 proteins were detected using pH 4 - 7 IPG strip. There were no different...
Data indicated that the protein expression changes induced by RF radiation might depend on exposure duration and mode. Many biological processes might be affected by RF exposure.
Show BibTeX
@article{ql_2006_effects_of_gsm_1800_1456,
author = {Zeng QL and Weng Y and Chen GD and Lu DQ and Chiang H and Xu ZP},
title = {[Effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on protein expression profile of human breast cancer cell MCF-7.]},
year = {2006},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16836875/},
}