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Cellular Effects

Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure to RF fields with a wide range of SARs on cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution.

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Takashima Y, Hirose H, Koyama S, Suzuki Y, Taki M, Miyakoshi J · 2006

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Cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution were not affected at continuous RF exposures from 0.05 to 100 W/kg, but cell growth was suppressed and survival decreased at 200 W/kg.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed cells to radio frequency electromagnetic fields at 2.45 GHz to examine cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution across a wide range of specific absorption rates. When cells were exposed to a continuous RF field at SARs from 0.05 to 100 W/kg for 2 h, cellular growth rate, survival, and cell cycle distribution were not affected. At 200 W/kg, the cell growth rate was suppressed and cell survival decreased, and the temperature of the medium rose to 44.1 degrees C. The researchers suggested that the proliferation disorder is caused by the thermal effect.

Why This Matters

The study compared both continuous and intermittent RF field exposures at high specific absorption rates. For continuous exposures lasting 2 hours, no biological effects on growth, survival, or cell cycle distribution were observed at SARs from 0.05 to 100 W/kg. Measured medium temperatures rose with increasing exposure level: 50 W/kg raised the temperature to 39.1 degrees C, 100 W/kg raised it to 41.0 degrees C, and 200 W/kg raised it to 44.1 degrees C. When cells were exposed to an intermittent RF field at 300 W/kg(pk), 900 W/kg(pk) and 1500 W/kg(pk) (100 W/kg(mean)), no significant differences were observed between these conditions and intermittent wave exposure at 100 W/kg. The researchers concluded that exposure to RF radiation results in heating of the medium and that the thermal effect depends on the mean SAR.

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.05 to 1500 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Severe Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 32 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic 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.

Cite This Study
Takashima Y, Hirose H, Koyama S, Suzuki Y, Taki M, Miyakoshi J (2006). Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure to RF fields with a wide range of SARs on cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution. Bioelectromagnetics.27(5):392-400, 2006.
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/},
}
PubMed: 16615058

Cited By (46 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

At 200 W/kg, the cell growth rate was suppressed and cell survival decreased.
When cells were exposed to a continuous RF field at SARs from 0.05 to 100 W/kg for 2 h, cellular growth rate, survival, and cell cycle distribution were not affected.
The exposure unit operated at a frequency of 2.45 GHz.
The researchers suggested that the proliferation disorder is caused by the thermal effect, as the thermal effect depends on the mean SAR.
When cells were exposed to an intermittent RF field at 300 W/kg(pk), 900 W/kg(pk) and 1500 W/kg(pk) (100 W/kg(mean)), no significant differences were observed between these conditions and intermittent wave exposure at 100 W/kg.