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Exposure to 26.5GHz, 5G modulated and unmodulated signal, does not affect key cellular endpoints of human neuroblastoma cells

Sci Rep. · 2025 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 2612

In human neuroblastoma cell cultures, 3 h exposure at 26.5 GHz (SAR 1.25 W/kg) produced no effects on cell cycle or DNA damage under either continuous wave or 5G-modulated signals. No effects were observed when exposure was combined with menadione.

Study snapshot

PublicationSci Rep. · 2025
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Cellular Biology Tags: 5G, electromagnetic fields, neuroblastoma, cellular effects, health risk, millimeter waves, DNA damage DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-04834-3 URL: nature.com Overview The fifth generation (5G) network is currently being worldwide spread out, raising questions about its potential health impact. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a 26.5 GHz 5G electromagnetic field on key cellular endpoints of human neuroblastoma cells. Methodology - A reverberation chamber-based exposure system was designed for the study. - This system allowed the controlled exposure/sham exposure of cell cultures to both electromagnetic and biological parameters. - The suitability of chambers was confirmed by evaluating cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. - Exposure lasted 3 hours at a specific absorption rate of 1.25 W/kg, using both continuous wave and 5G modulated signals. - Evaluations focused on cell cycle and DNA damage, including conditions with the oxidant menadione for possible cooperative effects. Findings - Results showed an absence of effects from exposures, both alone and in combination with menadione, when using continuous wave or modulated signals at the stated exposure level. Conclusion Further investigations are necessary, varying exposure and biological parameters, to strengthen the evidence regarding the absence of effects from 5G signals in the millimeter wave range. It is important to recognize that ongoing research continues to assess the potential health risks of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, and users should remain informed about possible links between EMF and health outcomes.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro
Effect directionno_effect
PopulationHuman neuroblastoma cells (cell cultures)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposuremmWave · 26500 MHz · 1.25 W/kg · 3 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In human neuroblastoma cell cultures, 3 h exposure at 26.5 GHz (SAR 1.25 W/kg) produced no effects on cell cycle or DNA damage under either continuous wave or 5G-modulated signals. No effects were observed when exposure was combined with menadione.

Outcomes measured

  • Cell proliferation
  • Cell cycle progression
  • Cell cycle
  • DNA damage
  • Cooperative effects with menadione (DNA damage/cell cycle context)

Limitations

  • In vitro model (cell cultures)
  • Only one exposure duration reported (3 h)
  • Only one SAR level reported (1.25 W/kg)
  • Authors note further investigations are needed varying exposure and biological parameters
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "mmWave",
    "source": "5G",
    "frequency_mhz": 26500,
    "sar_wkg": 1.25,
    "duration": "3 h"
  },
  "population": "Human neuroblastoma cells (cell cultures)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell proliferation",
    "Cell cycle progression",
    "Cell cycle",
    "DNA damage",
    "Cooperative effects with menadione (DNA damage/cell cycle context)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In human neuroblastoma cell cultures, 3 h exposure at 26.5 GHz (SAR 1.25 W/kg) produced no effects on cell cycle or DNA damage under either continuous wave or 5G-modulated signals. No effects were observed when exposure was combined with menadione.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro model (cell cultures)",
    "Only one exposure duration reported (3 h)",
    "Only one SAR level reported (1.25 W/kg)",
    "Authors note further investigations are needed varying exposure and biological parameters"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "26.5 GHz",
    "millimeter waves",
    "mmWave",
    "reverberation chamber",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR 1.25 W/kg",
    "continuous wave",
    "modulated signal",
    "human neuroblastoma cells",
    "cell cycle",
    "DNA damage",
    "menadione"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study evaluates biological effects of a 26.5 GHz 5G-modulated signal (mmWave)."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-04834-3
PubMed: Not supplied

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