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

Cancer & Tumors

DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in C6 glioma and primary glial cells exposed to a 836.55 MHz modulated radiofrequency field.

No Effects Found

Stagg RB, Thomas WJ, Jones RA, Adey WR · 1997

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Cell phone-level RF radiation didn't increase brain cell proliferation despite some DNA changes, suggesting limited tumor-promoting effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed brain cells (both normal and cancerous glioma cells) to cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation at 836.55 MHz for 24 hours to see if it would promote tumor growth by affecting DNA synthesis. While they found small increases in DNA activity in some cancer cell experiments, this didn't translate to actual increased cell growth or proliferation in either normal or cancerous cells.

Why This Matters

This study addresses a critical question about whether cell phone radiation might act as a tumor promoter, even if it doesn't directly cause cancer. The exposure levels tested (0.15 to 59 microwatts per gram) span a range that includes typical cell phone exposures, making the findings practically relevant. What's particularly noteworthy is that while the researchers detected some subtle changes in DNA synthesis markers in cancer cells, these changes didn't result in the accelerated cell growth that would be concerning for tumor promotion. However, this is just one study using specific cell types and exposure conditions. The broader body of research on RF radiation and cellular effects shows mixed results, with some studies finding biological changes at similar exposure levels. The key limitation here is that laboratory cell cultures don't fully replicate the complex environment of living tissue, where multiple biological systems interact.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.00015 to 0.059 W/kg
Power Density
0.09, 0.9, and 9 mW/cm²
Source/Device
836.55 MHz
Exposure Duration
24h

Exposure Context

This study used 0.09, 0.9, and 9 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

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: 0.09, 0.9, and 9 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 11 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 836.5 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 836.5 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

We have tested the hypothesis that modulated radiofrequency (RF) fields may act as a tumor-promoting agent by altering DNA synthesis, leading to increased cell proliferation.

In vitro tissue cultures of transformed and normal rat glial cells were exposed to an 836.55 MHz, p...

Results from the DNA synthesis assays differed for the two cell types. Sham-exposed and RF-exposed c...

Cite This Study
Stagg RB, Thomas WJ, Jones RA, Adey WR (1997). DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in C6 glioma and primary glial cells exposed to a 836.55 MHz modulated radiofrequency field. Bioelectromagnetics 18(3):230-236, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{rb_1997_dna_synthesis_and_cell_3417,
  author = {Stagg RB and Thomas WJ and Jones RA and Adey WR},
  title = {DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in C6 glioma and primary glial cells exposed to a 836.55 MHz modulated radiofrequency field.},
  year = {1997},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9096841/},
}
PubMed: 9096841

Cited By (85 papers)

View all 85 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 1997 study found that 836.55 MHz radiation caused small increases in DNA activity in some glioma cancer cells, but this didn't translate to actual increased cell growth. Normal brain cells showed no changes in DNA synthesis when exposed to this frequency for 24 hours.
Research using 836.55 MHz radiation found no evidence that this cell phone frequency makes glioma brain tumors grow faster. While some DNA activity increased slightly in cancer cells, actual tumor cell proliferation rates remained unchanged after 24-hour exposure.
C6 glioma cells exposed to 836.55 MHz radiation at 5.9 μW/g showed small increases in DNA activity in 38% of experiments, but cell doubling times remained the same (about 22 hours). The radiation didn't actually accelerate tumor growth.
No, 24-hour exposure to 836.55 MHz radiofrequency radiation doesn't change brain cell growth rates. A 1997 study found that both normal glial cells and cancerous glioma cells maintained their typical growth patterns despite continuous RF exposure.
Based on laboratory research, 836.55 MHz radiation at cell phone-typical power levels doesn't appear to accelerate brain tumor growth. The study found no increased cell proliferation in either normal brain cells or glioma tumor cells after exposure.