Changes in cell proliferation due to environmental non-ionizing radiation 2. Microwave radiation.
Kwee S, Raskmark P · 1998
View Original AbstractCell phone frequency radiation consistently reduced cell growth in laboratory studies, showing biological effects follow a clear dose-response pattern.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human cells to 960 MHz microwave radiation (similar to early cell phone frequencies) at different power levels and durations to see how it affected cell growth. They found that microwave exposure consistently reduced cell proliferation compared to unexposed control cells, with stronger fields requiring less exposure time to achieve maximum effects. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation can directly interfere with normal cellular processes in a dose-dependent manner.
Why This Matters
This 1998 study provides important early evidence that microwave radiation at cell phone frequencies can disrupt fundamental cellular processes. The researchers found a clear dose-response relationship where higher power levels required shorter exposure times to reduce cell growth, indicating this is a real biological effect rather than experimental error. What makes this research particularly relevant is that 960 MHz falls within the frequency range used by GSM cell phones, though the specific absorption rates aren't detailed enough to make direct comparisons to typical phone use. The finding that repeated exposures didn't amplify the effects suggests cells may adapt to some degree, but the consistent reduction in cell proliferation across different exposure scenarios demonstrates that radiofrequency fields can interfere with basic cellular functions. This adds to the growing body of evidence that EMF exposure affects living cells in measurable ways, even at non-thermal levels.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 960 MHz
Study Details
This study was undertaken to investigate if the microwave radiation from these fields will have a similar effect on cell proliferation as weak electromagnetic (ELF) fields.
The field was generated by signal simulation of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) of...
It was found that cell growth in the exposed cells was decreased in comparison to that in the contro...
It was found that there was a linear correlation between the length of exposure time to obtain maximum effect and field strength.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_1998_changes_in_cell_proliferation_2323,
author = {Kwee S and Raskmark P},
title = {Changes in cell proliferation due to environmental non-ionizing radiation 2. Microwave radiation.},
year = {1998},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302459897000950},
}