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

Immune System

Effects of GSM-900 microwaves on the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model of multiple sclerosis.

No Effects Found

Anane R, Geffard M, Taxile M, Bodet D, Billaudel B, Dulou PE, Veyret B. · 2003

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Cell phone radiation showed no immediate effect on multiple sclerosis symptoms in rats, but long-term immune impacts remain unstudied.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a laboratory model of multiple sclerosis, to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 2 hours daily over 21 days. The study found no effect of the radiation exposure on the onset, duration, or severity of the autoimmune disease symptoms. This suggests that short-term cell phone radiation exposure may not worsen multiple sclerosis-like conditions, though longer-term effects remain unknown.

Why This Matters

This study provides valuable data on whether cell phone radiation might worsen autoimmune neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis. The researchers used SAR levels of 1.5 and 6.0 W/kg, which bracket typical cell phone exposures (the legal limit is 1.6 W/kg in the US). While the lack of acute effects is reassuring, this represents just 21 days of exposure in a laboratory model. The reality is that people with multiple sclerosis use wireless devices for years or decades, often during periods when their immune systems are already compromised. What this means for you is that while this single study suggests no immediate worsening of MS-like symptoms from cell phone radiation, it doesn't address the long-term immune system effects that other research has documented. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure can influence immune function in various ways, and people with autoimmune conditions may want to consider precautionary measures given the limited scope of studies like this one.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.5 or 6.0 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz, 217 Hz pulse modulation
Exposure Duration
1 day exposure (2 h/day)

Exposure Context

This study used 1.5 or 6.0 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: 1.5 or 6.0 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 217 Hz - 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 217 Hz - 900 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The effects of acute exposure to GSM-900 microwaves (900 MHz, 217 Hz pulse modulation) on the clinical parameters of the acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in rats were investigated in two independent experiments: rats were either habituated or nonhabituated to the exposure restrainers.

EAE was induced with a mixture of myelin basic protein and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Female Lewis ...

There was no effect of a 21 day exposure (2 h/day) on the onset, duration, and termination of the EA...

Cite This Study
Anane R, Geffard M, Taxile M, Bodet D, Billaudel B, Dulou PE, Veyret B. (2003). Effects of GSM-900 microwaves on the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model of multiple sclerosis. Bioelectromagnetics 24(3):211-213, 2003.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2003_effects_of_gsm900_microwaves_2942,
  author = {Anane R and Geffard M and Taxile M and Bodet D and Billaudel B and Dulou PE and Veyret B.},
  title = {Effects of GSM-900 microwaves on the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model of multiple sclerosis.},
  year = {2003},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.10093},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.10093},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.10093

Cited By (12 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2003 study found that 900 MHz cell phone radiation did not worsen multiple sclerosis-like symptoms in rats. Researchers exposed animals with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis to cell phone signals for 2 hours daily over 21 days with no effect on disease onset, duration, or severity.
Research on 900 MHz cell phone radiation showed no impact on autoimmune disease progression in laboratory studies. Rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis experienced no changes in symptom onset or severity after 21 days of 2-hour daily exposures to cell phone frequencies.
One laboratory study suggests cell phone radiation may not directly worsen multiple sclerosis-like conditions. Researchers found no effect on disease symptoms when exposing rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis to 900 MHz radiation for 21 days, though longer-term effects remain unstudied.
A controlled study found that GSM cell phone radiation did not trigger or worsen multiple sclerosis-like symptoms in laboratory animals. Rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis showed no changes in disease onset, duration, or severity after three weeks of daily radiation exposure.
Research on immune system diseases shows mixed results for cell phone radiation effects. One study found no impact on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis progression in rats after 21 days of 900 MHz exposure, suggesting short-term cell phone use may not worsen certain autoimmune conditions.