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Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Blood-brain barrier permeability and nerve cell damage in rat brain 14 and 28 days after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones. med./bio.

By: Eberhardt JL, Persson BR, Brun AE, Salford LG, Malmgren LO
Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2008; 27 (3): 215-229
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of GSM microwave exposure on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and signs of neuronal damage in rats.
Background/further details: 96 rats were assigned to eight groups with four different specific absorption rates and two different recovery times after exposure (14 days or 28 days).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
Exposure 1
Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Additional info GSM with no voice modulation applied
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup mobile phone connected via coaxial cable to a temperature controlled TEM cell placed inside a wooden box, rats placed on 14 cm x 14 cm x 7 cm plastic trays inside the TEM cell
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 0.0052 W/m² peak value - - -
power density 0.052 W/m² peak value - - -
power density 5.2 W/m² peak value - - -
power density 52 W/m² peak value - - -
SAR 0.12 mW/kg peak value calculated whole body -
SAR 1.2 mW/kg peak value calculated whole body -
SAR 12 mW/kg peak value calculated whole body -
SAR 120 mW/kg peak value calculated whole body -
power 1 mW peak value - - output power
power 10 mW peak value - - output power
power 100 mW peak value - - output power
power 1,000 mW peak value - - output power
Measurement and calculation details
FDTD program of Brooks Airforce Base (FDTD99) used for SAR calculation
Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Albumin extravasation and its uptake into neurons was significantly enhanced after 14 days in the exposed group, but not after 28 days. The occurence of damaged neurons was significantly enhanced after 28 days. Both, the neuronal albumin uptake after 14 days and the occurence of damaged neurons after 28 days were significantly correlated . The data revealed statistically significant differences already at the lowest exposure level for all parameters but not for diffuse albumin occurence. This applied SAR value was far below the current recommended limit value for exposure to the head (2 W/kg) as used in the EU in accordance with the guidelines from ICNIRP.
Study character:

Study funded by

  • Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS)
  • Märit and Hans Rausing Charitable Foundation, UK

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