Effects of hyperthermia induced by microwave irradiation on brain development in mice.
Fukui Y, Hoshino K, Inouye M, Kameyama Y · 1992
View Original AbstractTwenty minutes of 2.45 GHz microwave exposure during pregnancy caused permanent brain damage in offspring, even at non-fever temperatures.
Plain English Summary
Japanese researchers exposed pregnant mice to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) during a critical brain development period. They found that 20 minutes of exposure caused brain damage, reduced brain weight, and altered brain cell density in developing offspring. The effects were similar to heating the animals in hot water, suggesting the damage came from the microwaves heating brain tissue.
Why This Matters
This study demonstrates that microwave radiation can damage developing brains through thermal heating effects, even when body temperature stays below dangerous fever levels (42.5°C). While the researchers concluded the effects were 'mainly thermal,' this finding remains significant because it shows that brief microwave exposure during critical development windows can cause lasting brain changes. The 2.45 GHz frequency used in this study is identical to what's used in microwave ovens, WiFi routers, and many wireless devices. What this means for you: the developing brain appears particularly vulnerable to microwave radiation during pregnancy, and even heating effects that don't cause obvious harm to the mother can impact fetal brain development. This adds to growing evidence that pregnant women should minimize exposure to wireless devices, especially those held close to the body.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 2.45 GHz Duration: 15 or 20 min on day 13 of gestation
Study Details
The aim of this study is to investigate Effects of hyperthermia induced by microwave irradiation on brain development in mice.
Pregnant mice were exposed to 2.45 GHz of microwave radiation for 15 or 20 min on day 13 of gestatio...
The respective incidences of these cells in the groups exposed to microwaves for 15 and 20 min were ...
We concluded that microwave radiation at the dose tested mainly has a thermal effect.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_1992_effects_of_hyperthermia_induced_2091,
author = {Fukui Y and Hoshino K and Inouye M and Kameyama Y},
title = {Effects of hyperthermia induced by microwave irradiation on brain development in mice.},
year = {1992},
url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jrr1960/33/1/33_1_1/_article/-char/ja/},
}