Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Radio frequency radiation causes no nonthermal damage in enzymes and living cells med./bio.

Published in: Biotechnol Prog 2010; 26 (6): 1772-1776

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether continuous radiofrequency exposure nonthermally affects commercially important enzymes and live bacterial and human cells.

Background/further details

Incubation temperatures were 50 ± 1°C for the enzymes, 25 ± 1°C or 30 ± 1°C for bacteria, and 37 ± 1°C for the human cells.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 13.56 MHz–2.45 GHz
Exposure duration: continuous for up to 24 h for enzymes; continuous for 4 h for bacteria and human cells

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 13.56 MHz–2.45 GHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for up to 24 h for enzymes; continuous for 4 h for bacteria and human cells
Additional info 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup samples placed in the TEM cell perpendicular to the input RF; samples kept at constant temperature
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 25 W - - - -
SAR 20 W/kg minimum calculated - at 915 MHz
SAR 200 W/kg minimum calculated - at 2.45 GHz

Reference articles

  • Cox FC et al. (2006): A method to investigate non-thermal effects of radio frequency radiation on pharmaceuticals with relevance to RFID technology

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Enzyme activities exhibited no statistically differences due to radiofrequency exposure. Likewise the cell viabilities of bacteria and of human cells were not detectably compromised by such a radiofrequency exposure
In conclusion, continuous wave exposure at 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, or 2.45 GHz frequencies did not induce any detectable nonthermal effect on biologics even under conditions far harsher than those to be encountered in real-life application of RFID technology in terms of irradiation power and exposure time.

Study character:

Study funded by

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