Genotoxicity of radiofrequency signals. I. Investigation of DNA damage and micronuclei induction in cultured human blood cells.
Tice RR, Hook GG, Donner M, McRee DI, Guy AW. · 2002
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation caused four-fold increase in chromosomal damage after 24-hour exposure at 5-10 W/kg power levels.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human blood cells to cell phone radiation from different technologies (CDMA, TDMA, GSM) at various power levels for 3 or 24 hours. They found that 24-hour exposures at higher power levels (5-10 W/kg) caused a four-fold increase in chromosomal damage across all phone technologies tested. This suggests that prolonged exposure to cell phone radiation can damage the genetic material in human immune cells.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation can cause chromosomal damage in human blood cells under laboratory conditions. What makes this research particularly significant is that it tested actual cell phone signals from multiple technologies and found consistent genetic damage across all of them. The SAR levels that caused damage (5-10 W/kg) are well above typical phone usage levels (around 1.6 W/kg maximum), but the study demonstrates a clear biological mechanism by which RF radiation can affect our cells. The fact that damage occurred only after 24 hours of continuous exposure suggests that duration matters as much as intensity. This research adds to the growing body of evidence showing that wireless radiation isn't as biologically inert as the telecommunications industry claims.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 01-Oct W/kg
- Source/Device
- 837 MHz, voice modulated 1909.8 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 3 or 24 Hours
Exposure Context
This study used 01-Oct W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 2.5x 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
In vitro studies evaluated the induction of DNA and chromosomal damage in human blood leukocytes and lymphocytes, respectively.
The signals were voice modulated 837 MHz produced by an analog signal generator or by a time divisio...
Exposure for either 3 or 24 h did not induce a significant increase in DNA damage in leukocytes, nor...
This research demonstrates that, under extended exposure conditions, RF signals at an average SAR of at least 5.0 W/kg are capable of inducing chromosomal damage in human lymphocytes.
Show BibTeX
@article{rr_2002_genotoxicity_of_radiofrequency_signals_1363,
author = {Tice RR and Hook GG and Donner M and McRee DI and Guy AW.},
title = {Genotoxicity of radiofrequency signals. I. Investigation of DNA damage and micronuclei induction in cultured human blood cells.},
year = {2002},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11835258/},
}