Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure to RF fields with a wide range of SARs on cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution.
Takashima Y, Hirose H, Koyama S, Suzuki Y, Taki M, Miyakoshi J · 2006
View Original AbstractCell damage occurred only at extremely high RF exposure levels (200+ W/kg) that cause significant heating, far above typical device limits.
Plain English Summary
Japanese researchers exposed cells to 2.45 GHz radiation (WiFi frequency) at different power levels. Cell growth remained normal up to 100 W/kg, but died at 200 W/kg when temperatures exceeded 104°F, showing cellular damage occurs only from significant heating effects.
Why This Matters
This study provides important context for understanding EMF safety thresholds, particularly because it tested exposure levels spanning from extremely low (0.05 W/kg) to extraordinarily high (1500 W/kg). The researchers found a clear thermal threshold at 200 W/kg where cell damage began occurring. What this means for you is reassuring in one sense: typical consumer devices operate at much lower SAR levels (cell phones are limited to 1.6 W/kg in the US). However, the study's focus on thermal effects doesn't address the growing body of research showing biological changes at much lower, non-thermal exposure levels. The reality is that while this research suggests high-intensity RF exposure causes damage through heating, it doesn't rule out subtler biological effects from the chronic, lower-level exposures we experience daily from wireless devices.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 0.05 to 1500 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 2.45 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- 2 h
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
To examine the biological effects of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields in vitro, we have examined the fundamental cellular responses, such as cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution, following exposure to a wide range of specific absorption rates (SAR).
Furthermore, we compared the effects of continuous and intermittent exposure at high SARs. An RF ele...
When cells were exposed to a continuous RF field at SARs from 0.05 to 100 W/kg for 2 h, cellular gro...
Exposure to RF radiation results in heating of the medium, and the thermal effect depends on the mean SAR. Hence, these results suggest that the proliferation disorder is caused by the thermal effect.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2006_effects_of_continuous_and_1349,
author = {Takashima Y and Hirose H and Koyama S and Suzuki Y and Taki M and Miyakoshi J},
title = {Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure to RF fields with a wide range of SARs on cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution.},
year = {2006},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16615058/},
}