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Cellular Effects107 citations

Changes in cellular proteins due to environmental non-ionizing radiation. I. Heat-shock protiens

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S. Kwee, P. Raskmark & S. Velizarov · 2001

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Human cells exposed to a weak GSM microwave field for 20 minutes showed higher amounts of Hsp-70 at 35 and 37°C, while Hsp-27 showed no significant response.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed transformed human epithelial amnion (AMA) cells to a microwave field simulating the GSM signal at 960 MHz for 20 minutes. The field generated a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2.1 mW.kg−1 in the cells, and exposures were carried out at temperatures of 35, 37, and 40 ± 0.1°C. Higher amounts of Hsp-70 were found in exposed cells at 35 and 37°C compared with sham-exposed cells, while Hsp-27 showed no significant response. The researchers considered these effects athermal because the field strength was much lower than the safety standard for absence of heat generation by microwave fields.

Why This Matters

The study used immunofluorescence to detect two heat-shock proteins, Hsp-70 and Hsp-27, in cell cultures. Cells were grown on glass coverslips and placed inside a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell for exposure. Exposure temperatures of 35, 37, and 40 ± 0.1°C were tested. Higher amounts of Hsp-70 were present in exposed cells at 35 and 37°C than in sham-exposed cells. The researchers described the effect as athermal because the field strength was much lower than the safety standard for absence of heat generation by microwave fields.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.0021 W/kg
Source/Device
960 Mhz
Exposure Duration
20 min

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0021 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Slight Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 762 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 960 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 960 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

This paper describes the effect of weak microwave fields on the amounts of heat-shock proteins in cell cultures at various temperatures.

The field was generated by signal simulation of the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) of...

The heat-shock proteins Hsp-70 and Hsp-27 were detected by immuno-fluorescence. Higher amounts of Hs...

Cite This Study
S. Kwee, P. Raskmark & S. Velizarov (2001). Changes in cellular proteins due to environmental non-ionizing radiation. I. Heat-shock protiens 2001. Electro- and Magnetobiology, 20:2, 141-152, DOI: 10.1081/JBC-100104139.
Show BibTeX
@article{kwee_2001_changes_in_cellular_proteins_1069,
  author = {S. Kwee and P. Raskmark & S. Velizarov},
  title = {Changes in cellular proteins due to environmental non-ionizing radiation. I. Heat-shock protiens},
  year = {2001},
  doi = {10.1081/JBC-100104139},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1081/JBC-100104139},
}
DOI: 10.1081/JBC-100104139

Cited By (107 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

The study used transformed human epithelial amnion (AMA) cells grown on glass coverslips.
The field simulated the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) signal at 960 MHz.
Higher amounts of Hsp-70 were present in exposed cells at 35 and 37°C than in sham-exposed cells.
There was no significant response in the case of Hsp-27.
They described the effect as athermal because the field strength was much lower than the safety standard for absence of heat generation by microwave fields.