RF Safe

Effect of Exposure to a Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Body Temperature in Anesthetized and Non-Anesthetized Rats.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2020 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5567

Free-moving (non-anesthetized) rats (225 g and 339 g) were not significantly affected in body temperature by 915 MHz RF exposure at 4 W/kg whole-body SAR. In anesthetized rats, body temperature increased from baseline by 1.9 °C (225 g) and 3.3 °C (339 g) at 5…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2020
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to a radiofrequency (RF) signal at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg can increase the body temperature by more than 1 °C. In this study, we investigated the effect of anesthesia on the body temperature of rats after exposure to an RF electromagnetic field at 4 W/kg SAR. We also evaluated the influence of body mass on rats' body temperature. Rats weighing 225 and 339 g were divided into sham- and RF-exposure groups. Each of the resulting four groups was subdivided into anesthetized and non-anesthetized groups. The free-moving rats in the four RF-exposure groups were subjected to a 915 MHz RF identification signal at 4 W/kg whole-body SAR for 8 h. The rectal temperature was measured at 1-h intervals during RF exposure using a small-animal temperature probe. The body temperatures of non-anesthetized, mobile 225 and 339 g rats were not significantly affected by exposure to an RF signal. However, the body temperatures of anesthetized 225 and 339 g rats increased by 1.9 °C and 3.3 °C from baseline at 5 and 6 h of RF exposure, respectively. Three of the five 339 g anesthetized and exposed rats died after 6 h of RF exposure. Thus, anesthesia and body mass influenced RF exposure-induced changes in the body temperature of rats. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:104-112. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

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 typeanimal
Effect directionharm
PopulationRats (225 g and 339 g; anesthetized and non-anesthetized; sham and RF-exposed)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 915 MHz · 4 W/kg · 8 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Free-moving (non-anesthetized) rats (225 g and 339 g) were not significantly affected in body temperature by 915 MHz RF exposure at 4 W/kg whole-body SAR. In anesthetized rats, body temperature increased from baseline by 1.9 °C (225 g) and 3.3 °C (339 g) at 5–6 h of RF exposure, and 3 of 5 anesthetized 339 g exposed rats died after 6 h.

Outcomes measured

  • Rectal body temperature during exposure
  • Mortality in exposed anesthetized rats

Limitations

  • Total sample size not reported in the abstract (only a subgroup count is given for one group)
  • Findings are from rats and may not generalize to humans
  • Exposure conditions are specific (915 MHz, 4 W/kg whole-body SAR, 8 h)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "RF identification signal",
    "frequency_mhz": 915,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "8 h"
  },
  "population": "Rats (225 g and 339 g; anesthetized and non-anesthetized; sham and RF-exposed)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Rectal body temperature during exposure",
    "Mortality in exposed anesthetized rats"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Free-moving (non-anesthetized) rats (225 g and 339 g) were not significantly affected in body temperature by 915 MHz RF exposure at 4 W/kg whole-body SAR. In anesthetized rats, body temperature increased from baseline by 1.9 °C (225 g) and 3.3 °C (339 g) at 5–6 h of RF exposure, and 3 of 5 anesthetized 339 g exposed rats died after 6 h.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Total sample size not reported in the abstract (only a subgroup count is given for one group)",
    "Findings are from rats and may not generalize to humans",
    "Exposure conditions are specific (915 MHz, 4 W/kg whole-body SAR, 8 h)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF",
    "915 MHz",
    "RFID",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "whole-body exposure",
    "anesthesia",
    "body temperature",
    "rectal temperature",
    "rats",
    "mortality"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1002/bem.22236
PubMed: 31828817

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