Effect of amplitude modulated RF radiation on calcium ion efflux and ODC activity in chronically exposed rat brain.
Paul Raj R, Behari J, Rao AR · 1999
View Original AbstractYoung rats showed brain chemistry changes after 35 days of RF exposure at levels similar to cell phone use.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed young rats to radiofrequency radiation at cell phone-like levels for 35 days and found significant changes in brain chemistry, including increased calcium movement and enzyme activity. These cellular changes in developing brains suggest RF exposure during growth may disrupt normal brain function.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how RF radiation affects the developing brain. The researchers found measurable biochemical changes at a specific absorption rate of 0.75 W/kg, which falls within the range of typical cell phone exposures (SAR limits are 1.6 W/kg in the US). What makes this research particularly significant is the focus on young, developing animals and the 35-day exposure period, which better reflects real-world chronic exposure patterns than acute studies. The changes in calcium ion efflux and ornithine decarboxylase activity are concerning because both play crucial roles in brain development and cellular communication. While this is animal research and we must be cautious about direct extrapolation to humans, the findings align with a growing body of evidence suggesting that developing brains may be more vulnerable to RF effects than previously assumed.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 0.75 W/kg
- Power Density
- 1 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 112 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 35 days
Exposure Context
This study used 1 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 100Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 1.7Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
This study used 0.75 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 1.9x 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
The effect of exposing rats to amplitude modulated radiofrequency radiation (112 MHz modulated to 16 Hz) during development and growth has been examined.
Wistar rats (35 days old) when exposed at above frequency at the power level 1.0 mW/cm2 (SAR, 0.75 W...
Show BibTeX
@article{r_1999_effect_of_amplitude_modulated_1256,
author = {Paul Raj R and Behari J and Rao AR},
title = {Effect of amplitude modulated RF radiation on calcium ion efflux and ODC activity in chronically exposed rat brain.},
year = {1999},
url = {http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/15468},
}