Do cell phones truly impact cellular function?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cell phones (CP) have become almost essential to present-day life. However, recent studies have suggested CP are responsible for several medical conditions, including lower sperm counts. Yet, no real mechanism has been explained. Work from this lab has focused on the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) created by laboratory equipment on reproductive and other tissues. The objective of the present study was to determine if cells in vitro were affected by direct exposure to CP and to determine the radiant energy source responsible for the effect. DESIGN: Culture based study of the effects of CP on a macrophage cell model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review suggested that CP might emit either EMF or radio frequency radiation (RF), or both. To determine which fields were present, EMF and RF were measured from 67 cell phones. Preliminary culture experiments were then conducted using a murine macrophage model. Macrophages were recovered, placed in culture and allowed 24 h to attach to the culture surface. After 24 h, duplicate wells of cells were exposed to a high EMF (positive control), direct contact with cells phones, or no exposure (negative control). Then the cells were examined at 24 and 72 h to determine cell activation. RESULTS: Cell Phones produce little to no EMF, but produced a significant RF field (P < .001). The RF fields varied with phone type (P <.001) and state of activity. However, these fields could only be detected in immediate proximity to the phone equipment. Cells exposed to the EMF exhibited significant activation (P < .001) when compared to the control. Macrophages exposed to CP also exhibited significant activation (P < .001) over the control, but less that those exposed to the EMF. CONCLUSION: Radiant fields associated with cell phones do appear capable of inducing changes in cell activity. However the effect appears to require almost direct exposure of the cells to the source. Further research is needed to determine if a similar effects can be seen in reproductive cells in vitro or in vivo.