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Radiofrequency radiations induced genotoxic and carcinogenic effects on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) root tip cells.

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Qureshi ST, Memon SA, Abassi AR, Sial MA, Bughio FA. · 2017

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Cell phone and laptop radiation caused DNA damage in plant cells at the same frequencies humans are exposed to daily.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Pakistani researchers exposed chickpea seeds to radiation from cell phones (900 MHz) and laptops (3.31 GHz) for 24 and 48 hours to study DNA damage. They found that both devices caused genetic damage to plant cells, with laptop radiation being more harmful than cell phone radiation. The study suggests these everyday devices could potentially cause DNA damage and cancer-like changes in living tissue.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that radiofrequency radiation from common devices can damage DNA in living cells. While conducted on plant cells rather than human tissue, the research is significant because it used actual consumer devices - not laboratory equipment - at frequencies identical to what millions of people carry in their pockets daily. The 900 MHz frequency matches GSM cell phones, while the 3.31 GHz frequency represents laptop WiFi emissions. The researchers found dose-dependent effects, meaning longer exposures caused more damage, and they observed cellular changes associated with cancer development. What makes this research particularly relevant is that it demonstrates biological effects from the same devices we use routinely, often for hours at a time. The reality is that if radiofrequency radiation can damage plant DNA at these frequencies, we should be asking serious questions about prolonged human exposure to these same emissions.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz - 3.31 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHz - 3.31 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: GSM cell phone (900 MHz) and laptop (3.31 GHz) Duration: 24 and 48 h

Study Details

Present study was under taken to predict the possible DNA damages (genotoxicity) and carcinogenicity caused by radiofrequency radiations (RF) to living tissue.

Dry seeds of chickpea were treated with GSM cell phone (900 MHz) and laptop (3.31 GHz) as RF source ...

A decrease was observed in mitotic index (M.I) and increase in abnormality index (A.I) with the incr...

Therefore cell phones and laptop should not be used unnecessarily to avoid possible genotoxic and carcinogenic effects.

Cite This Study
Qureshi ST, Memon SA, Abassi AR, Sial MA, Bughio FA. (2017). Radiofrequency radiations induced genotoxic and carcinogenic effects on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) root tip cells. Saudi J Biol Sci. 24(4):883-891, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{st_2017_radiofrequency_radiations_induced_genotoxic_2531,
  author = {Qureshi ST and Memon SA and Abassi AR and Sial MA and Bughio FA.},
  title = {Radiofrequency radiations induced genotoxic and carcinogenic effects on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) root tip cells.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28490961/},
}
PubMed: 28490961

Cited By (13 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research on chickpea seeds found laptop radiation at 3.31 GHz caused more genetic damage than cell phone radiation at 900 MHz. Both devices damaged plant cell DNA and membranes, but laptops showed stronger harmful effects after 48 hours of exposure.
Pakistani researchers found 900 MHz cell phone radiation caused chromosomal abnormalities in chickpea plant cells, including micronuclei, bi-nuclei, and multi-nuclei formation. The genetic damage increased with longer exposure times, reaching maximum effects after 48 hours.
Studies on chickpea seeds show 3.31 GHz laptop radiation begins causing cellular damage within 24 hours, with severe effects appearing after 48 hours. Longer exposure created ghost cells and nuclear fragmentation, indicating potential carcinogenic changes.
Chickpea root tip cells effectively demonstrate EMF damage because they divide rapidly like human cells. Research shows these plants develop the same types of genetic abnormalities from 900 MHz and 3.31 GHz radiation that concern scientists about human health.
Both 900 MHz cell phone and 3.31 GHz laptop radiation damaged cell membranes in chickpea plants after 48 hours of exposure. The study observed nuclear membrane damage and ghost cell formation, suggesting these frequencies compromise cellular structure integrity.