Effects of Intensive Cell Phone (Philips Genic 900) Use on the Rat Kidney Tissue

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by cell phones on therat kidney tissue.Materials and Methods: Twenty-one male Albino rats were divided into 3 groups, each comprising7 rats. Group 1 was exposed to a cell phone in speech mode for 8 hours/day for 20 days andtheir kidneys were removed. Group 2 was exposed to EMR for 20 days and then their kidneys wereremoved after an interval of 20 days. Cell phone used in the present study was Philips Genie 900,which has the highest specific absorption rate on the market.Results: Light microscopic examination of the kidney tissues obtained from the first group of ratsrevealed glomerular damage, dilatation of Bowman’s capsule, formation of large spaces betweenthe tubules, tubular damage, perivascular edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The mean severityscore was 4.64 ± 1.7 in group 1, 4.50 ± 0.8 in group 2, and 0 in group 3. While there was nosignificant difference between group 1 and group 2 (P > .05), the mean severity scores of groups 1and 2 were significantly higher than that of the control group (P = .001 for each).Conclusion: Considering the damage in rat kidney tissue caused by EMR-emitting cell phones,high-risk individuals should take protective measures.

Keywords

• kidney
• cellular phone
• electromagnetic radiation