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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Cellular Effects

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not alter the cell cycle progression of C3H 10T and U87MG cells.

No Effects Found

Higashikubo R, Ragouzis M, Moros EG, Straube WL, Roti Roti JL. · 2001

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Cell phone frequencies at 0.6 W/kg didn't disrupt cell division in lab studies, but this addresses only one potential biological effect.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mouse and human cells to radiofrequency radiation at frequencies used by cell phones (835-847 MHz) for up to 100 hours to see if it affected how cells divide and grow. They found no changes in cell division patterns compared to unexposed cells. This suggests that RF radiation at these power levels doesn't disrupt normal cellular reproduction processes.

Why This Matters

This study provides important data on a fundamental biological process - how cells divide and reproduce. Cell cycle disruption is a key mechanism by which toxins can cause cancer, so finding no effects here is significant. The exposure level of 0.6 W/kg is within the range of what you might experience during a long phone call held close to your head. However, we should interpret this negative finding carefully. The study only examined two specific cell types and focused on one biological endpoint. The reality is that RF radiation affects biological systems through multiple pathways, and cell cycle progression is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. While this research doesn't raise red flags about cell division specifically, it doesn't address other documented effects like DNA damage, oxidative stress, or changes in gene expression that other studies have found at similar exposure levels.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.6 W/kg
Source/Device
835.62 MHz, 847.74 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.6 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.6 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 3 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 835.6 MHz - 847.7 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 835.6 MHz - 847.7 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) on cell cycle progression of mouse fibroblasts C3H 10T(1/2) and human glioma U87MG cells were determined by the flow cytometric bromodeoxyuridine pulse-chase method.

Cells were exposed to a frequency-modulated continuous wave at 835.62 MHz or a code division multipl...

The only significant change observed in the study was that associated with C3H 10T(1/2) cell culture...

The results show that exposure to RF EMFs, at the frequencies and power tested, does not have any effect on cell progression in vitro.

Cite This Study
Higashikubo R, Ragouzis M, Moros EG, Straube WL, Roti Roti JL. (2001). Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not alter the cell cycle progression of C3H 10T and U87MG cells. Radiat Res 156(6):786-795, 2001.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2001_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_fields_do_3081,
  author = {Higashikubo R and Ragouzis M and Moros EG and Straube WL and Roti Roti JL.},
  title = {Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not alter the cell cycle progression of C3H 10T and U87MG cells.},
  year = {2001},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11741503/},
}
PubMed: 11741503

Cited By (41 papers)

View all 41 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Cell phone radiation at typical frequencies (835-847 MHz) does not affect how cells divide and reproduce. A 2001 study exposed mouse and human cells to radiofrequency radiation for up to 100 hours and found no changes in cell division patterns compared to unexposed cells.
Research shows RF radiation at cell phone frequencies doesn't disrupt normal cellular reproduction processes. Scientists exposed cells to 835-847 MHz radiation for extended periods and observed no significant changes in cell cycle progression or cellular function compared to control groups.
Studies indicate 835 MHz radiation at tested power levels is not harmful to cellular processes. Researchers found no effects on cell division or growth patterns in both mouse and human cells after exposure periods lasting up to 100 hours.
Radiofrequency exposure at cell phone frequencies doesn't impact normal cell growth patterns. Laboratory testing showed cells exposed to RF radiation at 835-847 MHz maintained the same division and reproduction cycles as unexposed cells throughout the study period.
Current research suggests minimal cellular risks from cell phone frequencies. A comprehensive study found no changes in cell cycle parameters when cells were exposed to 835-847 MHz radiation, indicating these frequencies don't disrupt fundamental cellular processes at tested power levels.