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Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1800 MHz) on immature and mature rats

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Sekeroğlu V, Akar A, Sekeroğlu ZA · 2012

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Young rats showed severe, irreversible DNA damage from cell phone radiation at everyday exposure levels, suggesting children face heightened EMF risks.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed young and adult rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for two hours daily over 45 days. Both groups showed DNA damage in bone marrow cells, but young rats suffered significantly worse damage that didn't heal during recovery, suggesting children may be more vulnerable.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that cell phone radiation can damage DNA, particularly in developing organisms. The SAR levels used (0.37-0.49 W/kg) are well within the range of typical cell phone use, where phones can produce SAR values up to 2 W/kg when held against the head. What makes this research especially concerning is the finding that young rats suffered more severe and irreversible genetic damage than adults. The science demonstrates that age matters when it comes to EMF vulnerability, with developing tissues showing heightened sensitivity to radiation exposure. This aligns with other research suggesting children may face greater risks from wireless device use, as their developing nervous systems and thinner skulls provide less protection against electromagnetic fields.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.37 , 0.49 W/kg
Source/Device
GSM 1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
2h/day for 45 day

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: 0.37 , 0.49 W/kgExtreme Concern0.1 W/kgFCC Limit1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 4x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

We investigated the cytogenotoxic effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) for 45 day and the effect of a recovery period of 15 day after exposure to EMF on bone marrow cells of immature and mature rats.

The animals in treatment groups were exposed to 1800 MHz EMF at SAR of 0.37 W/kg and 0.49 W/kg for 2...

Significant differences were also observed in chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) freque...

Cite This Study
Sekeroğlu V, Akar A, Sekeroğlu ZA (2012). Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1800 MHz) on immature and mature rats Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 80:140-144, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_2012_cytotoxic_and_genotoxic_effects_1319,
  author = {Sekeroğlu V and Akar A and Sekeroğlu ZA},
  title = {Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1800 MHz) on immature and mature rats},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22405939/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed young and adult rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for two hours daily over 45 days. Both groups showed DNA damage in bone marrow cells, but young rats suffered significantly worse damage that didn't heal during recovery, suggesting children may be more vulnerable.