New Study: Wireless Radiation Negatively Impacts Human Cells
November 24, 203: Research on human cells exposed to wireless frequencies published in the journal Biomedicines found numerous impacts including increased oxidative stress and impacts to mitochondrial function.
In the experiments, human cells were exposed to the wireless frequency of 2.45 GHz. This frequency is used in Wi-Fi and wireless communications. Sources of 2.45 GHz in everyday life include cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, laptops and tablets, Bluetooth, cell towers and “small” cell antennas.
The study entitled “The Exposure to 2.45 GHz Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Different Cell Responses in Neuron-like Cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells” was published November 24th in the journal Biomedicines by researchers Maria Paola Bertuccio, Giuseppe Acri, Riccardo Ientile, Daniela Caccamo, and Monica Currò from the University of Messina, Italy.
The researchers explain that human blood is highly exposed to ambient levels of wireless radiation as blood vessels run throughout the entire body just under the skin. The study investigated two types of human cells: SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, which were differentiated to neuronal-like cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Cells were exposed to the wireless frequency for 2, 24, and 48 hours.
After wireless radiation exposures, the researchers evaluated the impact to cell viability and mitochondrial activity by measuring changes to reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial transmembrane potential and several other factors. Tests revealed that exposed cells were significantly impacted from the wireless frequency exposure.
Study findings included:
- A significant increase in ROS generation in radiation-exposed cells, compared with controls at all exposure times.
- A time-dependent decrease in cell viability in comparison to unexposed cells
- Mitochondrial transmembrane potential values decreased (after 2 and 24 h in exposed SH-SY5Y cells, and in PBMCs, values decreased soon after 2 h of exposure.)
- Numerous alterations were found (in the NAD+/NADH ratio, mtTFA, SOD1, LC3 gene expression, and BAX/BCL2 ratio).
- The neuron-like cells were more prone to developing oxidative stress compared to PBMCs after 2.45 GHz exposure, activating an early antioxidant defense response.
This is the first known study to investigate oxidative stress and mitochondrial permeability in these cell types after exposure to Wi-Fi’s 2.45 GHz frequencies.
The authors conclude with recommendations to minimize wireless and Wi-Fi radiation exposure.
Taken together, the current research results showed that 2.45 GHz EMR emitted from commonly used devices is capable of influencing both ROS production and mitochondrial imbalance, but it must be considered that these effects may vary based on the experimental parameters. In fact, they may depend on the time of exposure to electromagnetic fields and on the kind of cells used. Therefore, to protect individuals from the adverse effects of EMR exposure on the antioxidant potential of our cells, the use of such devices should be limited. Further investigations are necessary to better understand and confirm these observations, taking into account the complexity of the immune network and increasing the radiation exposure time.
Dr. Devra Davis, President of Environmental Health Trust commented, “Although 2.45 GHz is a non-ionizing radiation exposure, adverse effects were found after exposure. This study adds to every growing body of scientific evidence confirming that non- ionizing wireless radiation is not safe. Governments should implement measures to reduce cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation exposure to children.”
“Numerous countries have banned Wi-Fi from kindergartens to protect young children. U.S. regulations are outdated and do not protect against long term health effects,” stated Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust who just presented on the need to reduce Wi-Fi in schools at the American Public Health Association conference.
Citation: Bertuccio MP, Acri G, Ientile R, Caccamo D, Currò M. The Exposure to 2.45 GHz Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Different Cell Responses in Neuron-like Cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Biomedicines. 2023; 11(12):3129. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11123129
Read more studies on Wi-Fi frequencies and health here.
Learn how to protect yourself and your family here.
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