Authored By:
Klose M, Grote K, Spathmann O, Streckert J, Clemens M, Hansen VW, Lerchl AThis animal study investigated the effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on brain development. In the study, rats’ heads were exposed to GSM 900 MHz RF EMF, from an age of 14 days to 19 months, for 2 hours/day, 5 days/week with average specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0 (sham), 0.7, 2.5 and 10 W/kg. Behavioural and learning tests were performed on the rats at three different stages throughout the study period (juvenile, adulthood and middle age). There were no significant differences between the exposed and control rats. The authors conclude that there are no harmful effects of long-term RF EMF exposure on brain development as indicated by the learning skills and behaviour in rats.
Published In:
Radiat Res 2014: in pressNumerous studies have evaluated the developmental effects of RF exposure on animals. There is no consistent evidence of adverse health effects at low exposure levels, according to a review conducted by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection in 2009 (ICNIRP, 2009). There are studies that reported some negative effects on brain development after exposure to RF EMF, such as learning deficits however other studies reported positive effects such as improved memory and learning skills. Additional research will need to be conducted to confirm the reproducibility of those reported effects. It is noted that the exposure levels in previous studies varied; the study by Klose et al exposed rats to RF levels above the current Australian Standard of 2 W/kg.
