Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview

The ubiquity of wireless electronic-device connectivity has led to microwaves becoming a prevalent form of electromagnetic exposure. There is a growing body of evidence challenging the safety standards which claim wireless technologies are safe if they only consider thermal effects.

Findings

• Microwaves at 2.4 GHz eliminated the response of human embryonic stem-cell derived cardiomyocytes (CM) to β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation.
• Detailed profiling linked disrupted Ca2+ signalling to spatially-clustered apoptosis under non-thermal conditions.
• Conditions simulated were significantly above the usual environmental exposure levels, raising important concerns about potential non-thermal effects on biological tissues, especially heart tissue.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that non-thermal effects of 2.4 GHz microwaves can significantly impact human cardiomyocyte function and survival, questioning the adequacy of current safety standards that do not consider such effects.