Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Microwave radiation from cellular phones increases allergen-specific IgE production med./bio.

By: Kimata H
Published in: Allergy 2005; 60 (6): 838-839
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of microwave irradiation from cellular phones on allergen-specific IgE production.

Background/further details

30 AEDS patients (atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome) were studied. The patients were treated with application of mixture of pinetar and zinc oxide ointment, but without oral medication. All patients were positive for latex, but not to Japanese cedar pollen.
Normal subjects were also investigated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 800 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 30 min
  • SAR: 1.62 W/kg unspecified (unspecified) (unit W/kg not indicated)

General information

Details on frequency range and modulation were not provided in the article. They were obtained from the mobile phone specifications (Toshiba C5001T).

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 800 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • unspecified
Exposure duration continuous for 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The mobile phone "with transmitting but without sound" was placed to the right ear of the subjects while they watched a weather information video.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info Two weeks after or before the exposure session, a double-blind control session was carried out with the phone switched off.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.62 W/kg unspecified unspecified unspecified unit W/kg not indicated

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Non-exposure had no effect on allergen-specific IgE production, while exposure to microwave irradiation significantly increased allergen-specific IgE production. This increase was selective to allergen to which patients were allergic, as exposure increased latex-specific IgE production, while it failed to induce Japanese cedar pollen production.
The amount of allergen-specific IgE production was dependent on balance of Th1 cytokine and Th2 cytokine. Microwave exposure significantly decreased latex-induced IFN-gamma and IL-12 production, while it significantly increased latex-induced IL-4 and IL-13 production. In contrast, microwave exposure had no effect on production of these cytokines by Japanese cedar pollen.
Peripheral mononuclear cells from normal donors, who were exposed to microwave irradiation, failed to induce latex-specific IgE production by latex or Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE production by Japanese cedar pollen.

Study character:

Study funded by

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