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Biochemical Modifications and Neuronal Damage in Brain of Young and Adult Rats After Long-Term Exposure to Mobile Phone Radiations.

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Motawi TK, Darwish HA, Moustafa YM, Labib MM. · 2014

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Mobile phone radiation at regulatory SAR levels caused measurable brain damage and cell death in rats after just 60 days of exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists exposed rats to mobile phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 60 days. Both young and adult rats showed significant brain damage, including cellular stress and activated cell death pathways. Young rats were particularly affected, suggesting mobile phone exposure may harm developing brains.

Why This Matters

This study demonstrates measurable brain damage from mobile phone radiation at SAR levels (1.13 W/kg) that fall within current regulatory limits for cell phones. The researchers documented multiple pathways of harm: depleted antioxidant defenses, increased oxidative stress markers, and activation of programmed cell death in brain tissue. What makes this research particularly concerning is that young rats showed more severe effects, including actual reduction in brain weight after exposure. The 60-day exposure period, while relatively short in research terms, produced clear biological changes that suggest cumulative damage over time. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure doesn't just heat tissue, as industry often claims, but triggers complex biological responses that can compromise brain health. Put simply, this adds to a growing body of evidence showing that our current safety standards may not adequately protect developing brains from wireless radiation.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.13 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz Mobile Phone
Exposure Duration
60 days (2 h/day)

Exposure Context

This study used 1.13 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

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 Exposure Level in ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.13 W/kgExtreme Concern0.1 W/kgFCC Limit1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

This study investigated the effect of exposure to mobile phone radiations on oxidative stress and apoptosis in brain of rats.

Rats were allocated into six groups (three young and three adult). Groups 1 and 4 were not subjected...

Significant increments in conjugated dienes, protein carbonyls, total oxidant status, and oxidative ...

Cite This Study
Motawi TK, Darwish HA, Moustafa YM, Labib MM. (2014). Biochemical Modifications and Neuronal Damage in Brain of Young and Adult Rats After Long-Term Exposure to Mobile Phone Radiations. Cell Biochem Biophys 2014; 70 (2): 845-855.
Show BibTeX
@article{tk_2014_biochemical_modifications_and_neuronal_149,
  author = {Motawi TK and Darwish HA and Moustafa YM and Labib MM. },
  title = {Biochemical Modifications and Neuronal Damage in Brain of Young and Adult Rats After Long-Term Exposure to Mobile Phone Radiations.},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.1007/s12013-014-9990-8},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12013-014-9990-8},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Scientists exposed rats to mobile phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 60 days. Both young and adult rats showed significant brain damage, including cellular stress and activated cell death pathways. Young rats were particularly affected, suggesting mobile phone exposure may harm developing brains.