The effects of long-term prenatal exposure to 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz electromagnetic field radiation on myocardial tissue of rats

Abstract

The effects of long-term prenatal exposure to 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz electromagnetic field radiation on myocardial tissue of rats Bozok S, Karaagac E, Sener D, Akakin D, Tumkaya L. The effects of long-term prenatal exposure to 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz electromagnetic field radiation on myocardial tissue of rats. Toxicol Ind Health. 2022;7482337221139586. doi:10.1177/07482337221139586 Abstract It is well-known that wireless communication technologies facilitate human life. However, the harmful effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation on the human body should not be ignored. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of long-term, prenatal exposure to EMF radiation on the myocardium of rats at varying durations. Overall, 18 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into six groups (n = 3 in each group). In all groups other than the control group, three pregnant rats were exposed to EMF radiation (900, 1800 and 2100 MHz) for 6, 12 and 24 h over 20 days. After delivery, the newborn male pups were identified and six newborn male pups from each group were randomly selected. Then, histopathological and biochemical analysis of myocardial samples were performed. When 24-h/day prenatal exposures to 900, 1800, 2100 MHz EMF radiation were evaluated, myocardial damage was greater in the 2100 MHz EMF-24h group than the other groups. In addition, when malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels associated with reactive oxidative species (ROS) were evaluated, the MDA level was higher in the 2100 MHz EMF-24h group compared with the other groups. The GSH level was also lower in the 2100 MHz EMF-24h group. When the 6, 12 and 24 h/day prenatal exposures to 1800 MHz EMF radiation were evaluated, myocardial damage was greater in 1800 MHz EMF-24h group than the remaining groups (p < 0.0001). Also, MDA level was greater in the 1800 MHz EMF-24h group compared with the other groups while the GSH level was lower in this group. It was shown that myocardial tissue was affected more by long-term exposure to EMF radiation at high frequencies. The data raise concerns that the harmful effects of non-ionizing radiation exposure on cardiac tissue will increase with 5G technology. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts Control Group: The three pregnant rats in this group formed the sham group and were not exposed to radiation. 900 MHz/24h Group: The three pregnant rats in this group were continuously exposed to non-ionizing 900 MHz EMF radiation for 24 h per day over 20 days. 1800 MHz/6h Group: The three pregnant rats in this group were continuously exposed to non-ionizing 1800 MHz EMF radiation for 6 h per day over 20 days. 1800 MHz/12h Group: The three pregnant rats in this group were continuously exposed to non-ionizing 1800 MHz EMF radiation for 12 h per day over 20 days. 1800 MHz/24h Group: The three pregnant rats in this group were continuously exposed to non-ionizing 1800 MHz EMF radiation for 24 h per day over 20 days. 2100 MHz/24h Group: The three pregnant rats in this group were continuously exposed to non-ionizing 2100 MHz EMF radiation for 24 h per day over 20 days. Each group was kept separately in the attended experiment boxes throughout study. Also, the control group was kept alone and isolated electromagnetically. During the gestational period, a digital signal generator (Anritsu MG3670 B type, Japan) with an external antenna placed under the cage centrally was used for 900 MHz EMF exposure. The following parameters were used: maximal peak power, 2W; pulse width, 577 μsec; and modulation frequency, 217 Hz. The whole body average SAR was estimated as 0.087 W/kg using the finite integration technique (Alkis et al., 2019). The same digital generator was used for 1800 MHz EMF exposure with following parameters: maximal peak power, 2W; pulse width, 577 μsec; and modulation frequency, 217 Hz. The whole body average SAR was estimated as 0.12 W/kg using the finite integration technique (Alkis et al., 2019). The same digital generator was used for 2100 MHz EMF exposure with following parameters: maximal peak power, 2W; pulse width, 577 μsec; and modulation frequency, 217 Hz. The whole body average SAR was estimated as 0.17 W/kg using the finite integration technique (Alkis et al., 2019). In the study process, the radiation of the radiofrequency source was checked with a spectrum analyzer (Instek GSP 9330 TG, Taiwan) with its different probes.... Since fetal impact in pregnant women cannot be evaluated for ethical reasons, SAR values for EMF exposures ranging from 10 MHz to 2 GHz EMF were evaluated mathematically using a realistic modeling by Nagaoka, T et al. (2007). As a result of this study, in the vertical position, the mean SAR value of the whole body was found as 0.05–0.1 W/kg at 900 MHz EMF exposure whereas 0.125–0.25 W/kg at 2000 MHz exposure. These results were in agreement with the average SAR values generated with vertical EMF exposure in our experimental study.... ... it is recommended that a pregnant working woman should be considered a member of the general population to maintain the fetal temperature at the level required by SAR restrictions in the general population. In the recommendations by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in 2020 (ICNIRP, 2020), the limit SAR values recommended at frequencies between 100 KHz and 6 GHz are 0.4 W/Kg for the working population and 0.08 W/Kg for the general population. However, based on experimental studies in the literature, it can be suggested that exposure to EMF at these frequencies can affect biological systems even at lower intensities than the values recommended by ICNIRP (Al-Jarrah and Rababa, 2022). Despite not being a human study, our results support this conclusion given the SAR values in our experimental animal model.... Since wireless communication devices have been widely used in most countries for about 20 years and will be used for longer periods of time, it is not possible to fully predict their effects on human health. It is controversial whether the results of previous studies at lower frequencies and shorter exposures are still valid today. For this reason, further studies are needed to compare the effects of RF waves used in 5G networks with other RF wavelengths used in wireless communication. In conclusion, it has been shown that myocardial tissue will be affected more by long-term EMF radiation exposure at high frequencies. For this reason, we are concerned that the harmful effects of non-ionizing radiation exposure on cardiac tissue will increase with 5G technology.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In newborn male pups, prenatal 24 h/day exposure groups showed greater myocardial damage at higher frequencies, with the 2100 MHz/24 h group reported as having greater damage than other 24 h/day groups. Oxidative stress markers were altered in the 2100 MHz/24 h group (higher MDA, lower GSH) and similarly in the 1800 MHz/24 h group compared with other 1800 MHz duration groups; the abstract reports p < 0.0001 for greater myocardial damage in the 1800 MHz/24 h group versus remaining 1800 MHz groups.

Outcomes measured

• Myocardial histopathology (myocardial damage)
• Oxidative stress biomarkers in myocardial tissue (malondialdehyde, glutathione)

Limitations

• Animal study; human health implications are indirect.
• Small group sizes (three pregnant rats per group).
• Only newborn male pups were selected for analysis; findings may not generalize to females.
• Exposure conditions (continuous 24 h/day prenatal exposure) may not reflect typical human exposures.
• SAR values differ by frequency (reported estimates: 0.087 W/kg at 900 MHz, 0.12 W/kg at 1800 MHz, 0.17 W/kg at 2100 MHz), which may confound frequency comparisons.

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.6)
  The abstract explicitly raises concerns about increased harmful effects with 5G technology.

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    "publication_year": null,
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wireless communication-like RF exposure (signal generator with antenna under cage)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Prenatal exposure over 20 days at 6, 12, or 24 h/day depending on group"
    },
    "population": "Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats and selected newborn male pups",
    "sample_size": 18,
    "outcomes": [
        "Myocardial histopathology (myocardial damage)",
        "Oxidative stress biomarkers in myocardial tissue (malondialdehyde, glutathione)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In newborn male pups, prenatal 24 h/day exposure groups showed greater myocardial damage at higher frequencies, with the 2100 MHz/24 h group reported as having greater damage than other 24 h/day groups. Oxidative stress markers were altered in the 2100 MHz/24 h group (higher MDA, lower GSH) and similarly in the 1800 MHz/24 h group compared with other 1800 MHz duration groups; the abstract reports p < 0.0001 for greater myocardial damage in the 1800 MHz/24 h group versus remaining 1800 MHz groups.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study; human health implications are indirect.",
        "Small group sizes (three pregnant rats per group).",
        "Only newborn male pups were selected for analysis; findings may not generalize to females.",
        "Exposure conditions (continuous 24 h/day prenatal exposure) may not reflect typical human exposures.",
        "SAR values differ by frequency (reported estimates: 0.087 W/kg at 900 MHz, 0.12 W/kg at 1800 MHz, 0.17 W/kg at 2100 MHz), which may confound frequency comparisons."
    ],
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    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "stance": "concern",
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    "summary": "This rat study examined long-term prenatal RF-EMF exposure at 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz for 20 days with varying daily durations and assessed myocardial tissue in selected newborn male pups. The authors report greater myocardial damage and oxidative stress changes (higher MDA, lower GSH) in the longest-duration (24 h/day) exposure groups, particularly at 2100 MHz and at 1800 MHz compared with shorter 1800 MHz exposures. The paper concludes that higher-frequency, long-duration prenatal exposure affected myocardial tissue more and raises concerns about potential cardiac effects with 5G technology.",
    "key_points": [
        "Eighteen pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to six groups (n=3 pregnant rats per group), including a sham control.",
        "Exposure frequencies were 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz, delivered via a signal generator and antenna under the cage during gestation for 20 days.",
        "Daily exposure durations included 6, 12, and 24 h/day depending on group, with 24 h/day groups at 900 and 2100 MHz and multiple durations at 1800 MHz.",
        "After delivery, six newborn male pups per group were randomly selected for myocardial histopathology and biochemical assays.",
        "The 2100 MHz/24 h group was reported to have greater myocardial damage than other 24 h/day exposure groups, alongside higher MDA and lower GSH.",
        "Within 1800 MHz groups, the 24 h/day exposure showed greater myocardial damage (reported p < 0.0001) and higher MDA with lower GSH than shorter-duration groups.",
        "Reported whole-body average SAR estimates increased with frequency (0.087 W/kg at 900 MHz, 0.12 W/kg at 1800 MHz, 0.17 W/kg at 2100 MHz)."
    ],
    "categories": [
        "Animal Studies",
        "Prenatal Exposure",
        "Radiofrequency (RF)",
        "Cardiovascular Effects",
        "Oxidative Stress"
    ],
    "tags": [
        "Prenatal Exposure",
        "Rat Model",
        "Sprague-Dawley Rats",
        "Radiofrequency EMF",
        "900 MHz",
        "1800 MHz",
        "2100 MHz",
        "Myocardium",
        "Cardiac Tissue",
        "Histopathology",
        "Oxidative Stress",
        "Malondialdehyde",
        "Glutathione",
        "Specific Absorption Rate",
        "5G Concern"
    ],
    "keywords": [
        "prenatal",
        "rat",
        "Sprague-Dawley",
        "900 MHz",
        "1800 MHz",
        "2100 MHz",
        "RF-EMF",
        "myocardial tissue",
        "myocardial damage",
        "MDA",
        "GSH",
        "oxidative stress"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "The abstract explicitly raises concerns about increased harmful effects with 5G technology."
        }
    ],
    "social": {
        "tweet": "Rat study: prenatal RF exposure (900/1800/2100 MHz) for 20 days—especially 24 h/day—was reported to increase myocardial damage and shift oxidative stress markers (↑MDA, ↓GSH), with strongest effects noted at 2100 MHz/24 h and 1800 MHz/24 h.",
        "facebook": "In a rat model, researchers exposed pregnant animals to 900, 1800, or 2100 MHz RF-EMF during gestation for 20 days (6–24 h/day depending on group). In selected newborn male pups, the longest daily exposures were reported to show more myocardial damage and oxidative stress changes (higher MDA, lower GSH), with the authors noting stronger effects at higher frequencies and discussing implications for 5G.",
        "linkedin": "Animal study (Toxicol Ind Health): prenatal RF-EMF exposure at 900/1800/2100 MHz over 20 days (up to 24 h/day) was reported to increase myocardial histopathology findings and alter oxidative stress biomarkers (↑MDA, ↓GSH) in newborn male rat pups, with greater effects in the longest-duration and higher-frequency groups; small group sizes and animal-to-human translation are key limitations."
    }
}

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