Investigation of the Effects of 2.45 GHz Near-Field EMF on Yeast

Authors: Angelova B, Paunov M, Kitanova M, Atanasova G, Atanasov N

Year: 2025 Jul 3

Category: Cellular Biology

Journal: Antioxidants (Basel)

DOI: 10.3390/antiox14070820

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/7/820

Abstract

Overview

This study addresses the critical health and safety concerns regarding the pervasive exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly as a result of widespread everyday technologies such as mobile devices.

Experimental Design

  • Yeast suspensions were exposed to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at two distances (2 cm and 4 cm) from the antenna.
  • Exposure durations were set at 20 and 60 minutes.
  • Endpoints included UV-absorbing substance release (membrane permeabilization), total intracellular antioxidant activity, reduced glutathione levels, and DNA damage (via comet assay).

Findings

  • A significant correlation was observed between reduced antioxidant activity and increased membrane permeability after 20 minutes of exposure at a 2 cm distance, indicating oxidative stress induced by EMF exposure.
  • This oxidative stress effect was not replicated through conventional heating, suggesting a specific EMF-related mechanism.
  • Irradiation for 60 minutes at 4 cm caused a mild increase in membrane permeability; this did not align with a change in cellular antioxidant status.
  • Both test conditions of EMF exposure showed a trend towards increased DNA damage in yeast cells.

Conclusion

The research demonstrates clear biological effects of near-field 2.45 GHz EMF exposure on yeast, specifically membrane permeabilization, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. These findings establish a link between EMF exposure and potential health risks, supporting the need for further investigation and caution in the everyday application of such frequencies.

EMF 2.45 GHz yeast oxidative stress DNA damage microwave radiation membrane permeability
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