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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Immune System

Millemetre waves inhibit the synergistic effect of calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol ester in neutrophil respiratory burst

No Effects Found

Safronova VG, Gapeev AB, Alovskaia AA, Gabdulkhakova AG, Chemeris NK, Fesenko EE · 1997

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Millimeter wave radiation at 5G frequencies impaired immune cell function by up to 60% in laboratory conditions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Russian researchers exposed mouse immune cells (neutrophils) to 41.95 GHz millimeter waves at 150 microW/cm2 for 20 minutes to test effects on the cells' ability to produce reactive oxygen species - their primary defense mechanism. The millimeter waves reduced the cells' immune response by up to 60% when calcium levels were high, but only when calcium could enter the cells from outside. This suggests that millimeter wave radiation can interfere with normal immune cell function by disrupting calcium signaling pathways.

Why This Matters

This study provides important evidence that millimeter wave radiation - the same frequency range used in 5G networks - can significantly impair immune cell function. The 41.95 GHz frequency tested falls squarely within the 30-300 GHz range designated for 5G applications. What makes this research particularly relevant is that the exposure level of 150 microW/cm2 is within the range of what people might encounter near 5G base stations or during extended device use. The researchers found that millimeter waves disrupted the neutrophils' respiratory burst - essentially their ability to kill pathogens and foreign invaders. The fact that this effect required calcium influx suggests the radiation interferes with fundamental cellular signaling mechanisms. While this was an isolated laboratory study on mouse cells, it adds to growing concerns about millimeter wave impacts on immune function at the cellular level.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.15 mW/cm²
Source/Device
41. 95 GHz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.15 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.15 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 7 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 95 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 95 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The effect of extremely high frequency electromagnetic field (mm-waves) on respiratory burst of neutrophils was studied.

The peritoneal evoked neutrophils of the mice (NMRI line) were used. The production of reactive oxyg...

At irradiation of neutrophils the synergistic action of A23187 and PMA was not changed at low concen...

We suggest that the mm-wave effect on the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils is determined by the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and PKC.

Cite This Study
Safronova VG, Gapeev AB, Alovskaia AA, Gabdulkhakova AG, Chemeris NK, Fesenko EE (1997). Millemetre waves inhibit the synergistic effect of calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol ester in neutrophil respiratory burst Biofizika 42(6):1267-1273, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{vg_1997_millemetre_waves_inhibit_the_3345,
  author = {Safronova VG and Gapeev AB and Alovskaia AA and Gabdulkhakova AG and Chemeris NK and Fesenko EE },
  title = {Millemetre waves inhibit the synergistic effect of calcium ionophore  A23187 and phorbol ester in neutrophil respiratory burst},
  year = {1997},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9490113/},
}
PubMed: 9490113

Cited By (3 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, 41.95 GHz millimeter waves reduced neutrophil immune response by up to 60% in a 1997 Russian study. The radiation interfered with the cells' ability to produce reactive oxygen species, their primary defense mechanism, but only when calcium could enter from outside the cell.
Research shows 41.95 GHz millimeter waves at 150 microW/cm2 can suppress neutrophil activity by disrupting calcium signaling. The 20-minute exposure reduced immune cell function significantly, but only when extracellular calcium was present, suggesting calcium-dependent interference mechanisms.
41.95 GHz millimeter waves disrupt calcium signaling pathways in neutrophils, reducing their immune response by up to 60%. The effect only occurred when calcium could flow into cells from outside, indicating the radiation interferes with calcium-dependent cellular processes essential for immune function.
Twenty-minute exposure to 41.95 GHz millimeter waves significantly impaired neutrophil function, reducing their ability to produce reactive oxygen species. The immune suppression was most pronounced at high calcium concentrations, with up to 60% reduction in the cells' defensive capabilities.
Yes, calcium concentration determines millimeter wave effects on neutrophils. 41.95 GHz radiation had no impact at low calcium levels but suppressed immune function by up to 60% at higher concentrations. No effects occurred when calcium was removed from the environment completely.