The Effect of 2.4 GHz Frequency EMR on Chick Embryos and SH-SY5Y Cells
By Truman W. Idso, B.S. Applied Physics · 27 April 2025
Understanding the Study
A group of 15 chick embryos was exposed to 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for a 4-hour duration for 5 consecutive days (days 6-10 of incubation). The embryo brain tissue was dissected and compared to a control group of 15 embryos kept in the same conditions but without EMR exposure. The 2.4 GHz radiation was generated via two cell phones which sent communications back and forth at the specified frequency. Notably, 2.4 GHz is one frequency commonly used by Wi-Fi routers, and it corresponds to a wavelength of 12.5 cm.
Additionally, SH-SY5Y neuronal cells (derived from the neuroblastoma cancer) were exposed to a single 4-hour dose of EMR (2.4 GHz) to "assess cell viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis." The dosed cells were likewise compared to a control group that was not exposed to the 2.4 GHz radiation.
In both study models (chick embryos and SH-SY5Y cells), antioxidants were administered to determine whether or not EMR effects could be mitigated.
The Case for Concern
In the chick embryo model, "scanning electron microscopy revealed micro-impacts after short-term exposure [to] 2.4 GHz [radiation], which induced moderate surface modifications." Some may extrapolate this result to claim that EMR will thus have a negligible impact on humans. However, 4-hour daily EMR exposure is far less than what the average person experiences, so perhaps there is cause for concern when we endure 24-hour exposure from a far wider range of frequencies. This was not addressed in the study, but does indeed merit further investigation.
In the SH-SY5Y cells, "a marked increase in ROS [Reactive Oxygen Species] generation was accompanied by DNA damage and upregulation of apoptotic markers, especially the Bax gene." Excessive ROS production can result in oxidative stress which can damage cells and lead to various diseases. Consequently, the increase in ROS production observed here is concerning in its implication with regard to human health outcomes. Furthermore, the increase of the BAX protein can lead to increased cell death as this protein is a key regulator of apoptosis (programmed cell death).
The Case for Confidence
Despite the issues noted above, there were several areas in which the control groups did not differ significantly from the test groups. There were no noticeable effects on autophagy, cell viability, or calcium accumulation among the SH-SY5Y cells. In the chick embryos, the optical microsope did not resolve any difference between the two groups (only the scanning electron microscope could determine a difference). Furthermore, the authors state that a similar study using 2.45 GHz frequency radiation "did not have any discernible effects at cellular and molecular levels."
Final Analysis
Perhaps most interesting in this paper is the effect that antioxidants had on the test groups. In the case of the chick embryos, "antioxidant enzyme activities displayed differential responses" between test and control groups, thus supporting the hypothesis that EMR exposure resulted in an increase in oxidative stress. For the SH-SY5Y cells treated with antioxidants, outcomes were similarly improved. We cannot conclude from this study the effect of EMR exposure on humans. However, we are hopeful that possible negative effects may be properly treated with the appropriate medical intervention.
This paper represents a serious study regarding the effects of electromagnetic radiation on biological matter. The use of control groups and test groups provides valuable insight into the real-world effects of such radiation. More such studies are needed.
References
K. Deena, G. B. Maadurshni, J. Manivannan, and R. Sivasamy, Molecular Biology Reports52, 144 (2025).
The Effect of 2.4 GHz Frequency EMR on Chick Embryos and SH-SY5Y Cells
By Truman W. Idso, B.S. Applied Physics · 27 April 2025
Understanding the Study
A group of 15 chick embryos was exposed to 2.4 GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for a 4-hour duration for 5 consecutive days (days 6-10 of incubation). The embryo brain tissue was dissected and compared to a control group of 15 embryos kept in the same conditions but without EMR exposure. The 2.4 GHz radiation was generated via two cell phones which sent communications back and forth at the specified frequency. Notably, 2.4 GHz is one frequency commonly used by Wi-Fi routers, and it corresponds to a wavelength of 12.5 cm.
Additionally, SH-SY5Y neuronal cells (derived from the neuroblastoma cancer) were exposed to a single 4-hour dose of EMR (2.4 GHz) to "assess cell viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis." The dosed cells were likewise compared to a control group that was not exposed to the 2.4 GHz radiation.
In both study models (chick embryos and SH-SY5Y cells), antioxidants were administered to determine whether or not EMR effects could be mitigated.
The Case for Concern
In the chick embryo model, "scanning electron microscopy revealed micro-impacts after short-term exposure [to] 2.4 GHz [radiation], which induced moderate surface modifications." Some may extrapolate this result to claim that EMR will thus have a negligible impact on humans. However, 4-hour daily EMR exposure is far less than what the average person experiences, so perhaps there is cause for concern when we endure 24-hour exposure from a far wider range of frequencies. This was not addressed in the study, but does indeed merit further investigation.
In the SH-SY5Y cells, "a marked increase in ROS [Reactive Oxygen Species] generation was accompanied by DNA damage and upregulation of apoptotic markers, especially the Bax gene." Excessive ROS production can result in oxidative stress which can damage cells and lead to various diseases. Consequently, the increase in ROS production observed here is concerning in its implication with regard to human health outcomes. Furthermore, the increase of the BAX protein can lead to increased cell death as this protein is a key regulator of apoptosis (programmed cell death).
The Case for Confidence
Despite the issues noted above, there were several areas in which the control groups did not differ significantly from the test groups. There were no noticeable effects on autophagy, cell viability, or calcium accumulation among the SH-SY5Y cells. In the chick embryos, the optical microsope did not resolve any difference between the two groups (only the scanning electron microscope could determine a difference). Furthermore, the authors state that a similar study using 2.45 GHz frequency radiation "did not have any discernible effects at cellular and molecular levels."
Final Analysis
Perhaps most interesting in this paper is the effect that antioxidants had on the test groups. In the case of the chick embryos, "antioxidant enzyme activities displayed differential responses" between test and control groups, thus supporting the hypothesis that EMR exposure resulted in an increase in oxidative stress. For the SH-SY5Y cells treated with antioxidants, outcomes were similarly improved. We cannot conclude from this study the effect of EMR exposure on humans. However, we are hopeful that possible negative effects may be properly treated with the appropriate medical intervention.
This paper represents a serious study regarding the effects of electromagnetic radiation on biological matter. The use of control groups and test groups provides valuable insight into the real-world effects of such radiation. More such studies are needed.
References
K. Deena, G. B. Maadurshni, J. Manivannan, and R. Sivasamy, Molecular Biology Reports 52, 144 (2025).