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DNA & Genetic Damage

Mitochondrial DNA damage and oxidative damage in HL-60 cells exposed to 900MHz radiofrequency fields.

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Sun Y, Zong L, Gao Z, Zhu S, Tong J, Cao Y · 2017

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Cell phone radiation damaged cellular DNA and energy production in human cells at exposure levels similar to phone calls.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human blood cells to 900MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in many cell phones) for 4 hours daily over 5 days. The radiation caused significant damage to mitochondrial DNA (the genetic material in cellular powerhouses) and increased harmful free radicals, while reducing the cells' ability to produce energy. Importantly, treating the cells with melatonin, a natural antioxidant, prevented this damage.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone frequency radiation can damage the very foundation of cellular energy production. The 120 microwatts per square centimeter exposure level used here is well within the range of what you might experience during a phone call held close to your head. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates a clear biological mechanism: radiofrequency radiation triggers oxidative stress that specifically targets mitochondrial DNA, the genetic blueprints for your cellular power plants. The fact that melatonin could prevent this damage suggests the effects are mediated by free radical production, not just heating. This adds to a growing body of evidence showing that EMF exposure can disrupt cellular function at the genetic level, even at power levels regulators claim are safe.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.12 µW/m²
Source/Device
900MHz
Exposure Duration
4h/day for 5 consecutive days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.12 µW/m² 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: 0.12 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 83,333,333x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

HL-60 cells, derived from human promyelocytic leukemia, were exposed to continuous wave 900MHz radiofrequency fields (RF) at 120μW/cm2 power intensity for 4h/day for 5 consecutive days to examine whether such exposure is capable damaging the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mediated through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

In addition, the effect of RF exposure was examined on 8-hydroxy-2'-dexoyguanosine (8-OHdG) which i...

The results indicated a significant increase in ROS and significant decreases in mitochondrial trans...

Thus, the overall data indicated that RF exposure was capable of inducing mtDNA damage mediated through ROS pathway which also induced oxidative damage. Prior-treatment of RF- and GR-exposed the cells with melatonin, a well-known free radical scavenger, reversed the effects observed in RF-exposed cells.

Cite This Study
Sun Y, Zong L, Gao Z, Zhu S, Tong J, Cao Y (2017). Mitochondrial DNA damage and oxidative damage in HL-60 cells exposed to 900MHz radiofrequency fields. Mutat Res. 797-799:7-14, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2017_mitochondrial_dna_damage_and_1346,
  author = {Sun Y and Zong L and Gao Z and Zhu S and Tong J and Cao Y},
  title = {Mitochondrial DNA damage and oxidative damage in HL-60 cells exposed to 900MHz radiofrequency fields.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28340409/},
}
PubMed: 28340409

Cited By (23 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation significantly damaged mitochondrial DNA in human blood cells after 4 hours of daily exposure for 5 days. The radiation also increased harmful free radicals and reduced cellular energy production.
Yes, researchers found that treating human blood cells with melatonin completely prevented the mitochondrial DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by 900 MHz radiation exposure. Melatonin's antioxidant properties reversed all the harmful effects observed in the study.
The 2017 study showed significant mitochondrial DNA damage in human blood cells after just 4 hours of daily 900 MHz radiation exposure over 5 consecutive days. This suggests cellular damage can occur relatively quickly with repeated exposure.
Yes, the study found that 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation significantly decreased ATP (cellular energy) production in human blood cells. This energy reduction occurred alongside mitochondrial DNA damage and increased oxidative stress after 5 days of exposure.
The research identified that 900 MHz radiation damages mitochondrial DNA through the ROS (reactive oxygen species) pathway. The radiation increases harmful free radicals, which then attack cellular components and reduce the cells' ability to maintain healthy DNA.