Abstract
Purpose
The influences of radiofrequency electromagnetic exposure on animal health, particularly on serotonin metabolism, are not well-elucidated. In this in vivo study, we studied the influences of exposure to radiofrequency identification (RFID) signals on serotonin metabolism.
Materials and methods
Twenty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to sham (n = 10) and RFID-exposed (n = 12) groups. Rats in the RFID-exposed group were exposed to RFID signals at an average whole-body specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 8 h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. Before and after RFID exposure, 24-h urine was collected from each rat. Urinary tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid concentrations were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and changes in the patterns of values were compared between the two groups.
Results
Urinary levels of serotonin decreased by 20% (p = .041, Student’s t-test) and 40% (p = .024, Student’s t-test) in both the sham and RFID-exposed groups, respectively. The level of 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid decreased by 30% in the RFID-exposed group (p = .039, Student’s t-test).
Conclusion
Our results indicate that exposure to RFID signals at a specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg is sufficient to alter serotonin metabolism in rats regardless of whether the exposure level is considered biohazardous.
Keywords:
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Hye Sun Kim
Hye Sun Kim has a PhD degree in neuroscience and planned and performed the animal experiments.
Man-Jeong Paik
Man-Jeong Paik has a PhD degree in pharmacy and contributed to the metabolomics analyses.
Chan Seo
Chan Seo has a PhD degree in pharmacy and contributed to the metabolomics analyses.
Hyung Do Choi
Hyung Do Choi has a PhD degree in material engineering and calculated the EMF strengths and SARs.
Jeong-Ki Pack
Jeong-Ki Pack supervised the construction of the RF chamber.
Nam Kim
Nam Kim supervised the construction of the RF chamber.
Young Hwan Ahn
Young Hwan Ahn is a neurosurgeon with a PhD degree in medicine and directed and planned this study.