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DNA & Genetic Damage115 citations

Measurement of DNA damage after exposure to 2450 MHz electromagnetic radiation.

No Effects Found

Malyapa RS, Ahern EW, Straube WL, Moros EG, Pickard WF, Roti Roti JL · 1997

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Lab cells showed no DNA damage from 24-hour microwave exposure at levels comparable to cell phone radiation.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed lab-grown cells to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and older WiFi) for up to 24 hours to see if it would damage DNA. Using a highly sensitive test called the comet assay, they found no DNA damage at either exposure level tested. This contradicted earlier studies that suggested microwave radiation could break DNA strands in brain cells.

Why This Matters

This study represents an important attempt to replicate earlier findings by Lai and Singh that suggested 2450 MHz radiation could cause DNA breaks in brain tissue. The failure to reproduce those results using what researchers called "the most sensitive method" available raises questions about the reproducibility of some EMF damage claims. However, the reality is that this was an in vitro study using isolated cells in laboratory dishes, which doesn't fully replicate the complex biological environment of living tissue. The exposure levels (0.7 and 1.9 W/kg) were within the range of what you might experience from a cell phone held close to your head, though the continuous 24-hour exposure far exceeds typical daily use patterns. What this means for you is that while this study didn't find DNA damage under these specific conditions, it's just one piece of a much larger puzzle that includes hundreds of other studies with varying results.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.7 and 1.9 W/kg
Source/Device
2450 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 h, 4 h and 24 h

Exposure Context

This study used 0.7 and 1.9 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: 0.7 and 1.9 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

we endeavored to determine if exposure of cultured mammalian cells in vitro to 2450 MHz radiation causes DNA damage.

The alkaline comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis), which is reportedly the most sensitive m...

No significant differences were observed between the test group and the controls after exposure to 2...

Thus 2450 MHz irradiation does not appear to cause DNA damage in cultured mammalian cells under these exposure conditions as measured by this assay.

Cite This Study
Malyapa RS, Ahern EW, Straube WL, Moros EG, Pickard WF, Roti Roti JL (1997). Measurement of DNA damage after exposure to 2450 MHz electromagnetic radiation. Radiat Res 148(6):608-617, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{rs_1997_measurement_of_dna_damage_2919,
  author = {Malyapa RS and Ahern EW and Straube WL and Moros EG and Pickard WF and Roti Roti JL},
  title = {Measurement of DNA damage after exposure to 2450 MHz electromagnetic radiation.},
  year = {1997},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9399707/},
}
PubMed: 9399707

Cited By (115 papers)

View all 115 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 1997 study found no DNA damage when lab-grown mammalian cells were exposed to 2450 MHz radiation for up to 24 hours. Using the sensitive comet assay test, researchers detected no significant differences between exposed cells and controls, contradicting earlier studies suggesting DNA strand breaks.
Research testing 2450 MHz radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens) found no genetic damage in cultured cells after 24-hour exposure. The study used highly sensitive DNA damage detection methods and concluded this frequency does not cause DNA breaks under laboratory conditions.
The comet assay is a highly sensitive laboratory test that detects DNA damage in individual cells. In the 1997 study of 2450 MHz radiation, this test revealed no DNA strand breaks in exposed mammalian cells, providing reliable evidence against genetic damage claims.
A controlled study exposing cultured mammalian cells to 2450 MHz continuous wave radiation for up to 24 hours found no cellular DNA damage. The research used sensitive detection methods and concluded that extended exposure at this frequency doesn't cause genetic harm.
The 1997 study used more rigorous methodology and sensitive DNA damage detection than earlier research claiming microwave radiation breaks DNA strands. Their findings with 2450 MHz exposure showed no genetic damage, highlighting the importance of proper experimental controls and methods.