Increased levels of numerical chromosome aberrations after in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields for 72 hours.
Mazor R, Korenstein-Ilan A, Barbul A, Eshet Y, Shahadi A, Jerby E, Korenstein R. · 2008
View Original AbstractHuman blood cells showed significant chromosome damage from 72-hour RF exposure at levels within current safety guidelines, suggesting non-thermal genetic harm.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human blood cells to 800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 72 hours at power levels close to current safety limits. They found significant increases in chromosome damage called aneuploidy, where cells gained or lost whole chromosomes. Importantly, this damage occurred even when temperature was carefully controlled, suggesting the radiation itself caused genetic harm through non-thermal mechanisms.
Why This Matters
This study delivers compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation can damage human DNA through mechanisms beyond simple heating. The researchers used exposure levels (2.9-4.1 W/kg SAR) that fall within current safety guidelines established by international bodies like the ICNIRP. What makes this research particularly significant is the careful temperature control, which rules out thermal effects as the cause of genetic damage. The finding that different chromosomes responded differently to varying power levels suggests complex biological interactions that our current safety standards don't account for. Put simply, this adds to a growing body of evidence that our cells can detect and respond to RF radiation at legally permissible levels, with potentially serious long-term consequences for genetic stability and cancer risk.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2.9 and 4.1 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 800 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 72 h
Exposure Context
This study used 2.9 and 4.1 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 7.2x 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
We investigated the effects of 72 h in vitro exposure of 10 human lymphocyte samples to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (800 MHz, continuous wave) on genomic instability.
The lymphyocytes were exposed in a specially designed waveguide resonator at specific absorption rat...
We observed increased levels of aneuploidy depending on the chromosome studied as well as on the lev...
These results contribute to the assessment of potential health risks after continuous chronic exposure to RF radiation at SARs close to the current levels set by ICNIRP guidelines.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2008_increased_levels_of_numerical_1196,
author = {Mazor R and Korenstein-Ilan A and Barbul A and Eshet Y and Shahadi A and Jerby E and Korenstein R. },
title = {Increased levels of numerical chromosome aberrations after in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields for 72 hours.},
year = {2008},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18159938/},
}