Effects of 1.8GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells
Lixia S, Yao K, Kaijun W, Deqiang L, Huajun H, Xiangwei G, Baohong W, Wei Z, Jianling L, Wei W. · 2006
View Original AbstractHuman eye cells show DNA damage and activate protective stress responses when exposed to cell phone radiation at everyday use levels.
Plain English Summary
Scientists exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation at different power levels for 2 hours. At the highest level (3 W/kg), cells showed temporary DNA breaks and increased protective proteins, suggesting cellular defense mechanisms activate when exposed to wireless radiation.
Why This Matters
This study provides important evidence that wireless radiation triggers measurable biological responses in human eye cells, even at exposure levels considered 'safe' by current regulations. The 3 W/kg exposure level that caused DNA damage and stress protein activation is within the range of real-world cell phone use, where SAR levels can reach 2 W/kg. What's particularly significant is that cells responded by ramping up their protective mechanisms - essentially going into defensive mode when exposed to RF radiation. While the DNA damage was temporary and repairable, the fact that it occurred at all challenges the industry narrative that non-thermal RF exposure is biologically inert. The reality is that your cells recognize wireless radiation as a stressor worthy of a protective response, which raises questions about the long-term consequences of chronic low-level exposure to these signals throughout our daily lives.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1, 2 & 3 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1.8 GHz GSM (217 Hz amplitude-modulated)
Exposure Context
This study used 1, 2 & 3 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
To investigate the DNA damage, expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and cell proliferation of human lens epithelial cells (hLEC) after exposure to the 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field (RF) of a global system for mobile communications (GSM).
An Xc-1800 RF exposure system was used to employ a GSM signal at 1.8 GHz (217 Hz amplitude-modulated...
The results show that the difference of DNA-breaks between the exposed and sham-exposed (control) gr...
The results indicate that exposure to non-thermal dosages of RF for wireless communications can induce no or repairable DNA damage and the increased Hsp70 protein expression in hLECs occurred without change in the cell proliferation rate. The non-thermal stress response of Hsp70 protein increase to RF exposure might be involved in protecting hLEC from DNA damage and maintaining the cellular capacity for proliferation.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2006_effects_of_18ghz_radiofrequency_26,
author = {Lixia S and Yao K and Kaijun W and Deqiang L and Huajun H and Xiangwei G and Baohong W and Wei Z and Jianling L and Wei W.},
title = {Effects of 1.8GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells},
year = {2006},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0027510706002697},
}