Radio frequency electromagnetic fields are produced by wireless communication devices and broadcast signals. They range from about 3 kHz to 300 GHz and include frequencies used by cell phones, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 5G. RF is typically measured in microwatts per square meter (µW/m²) or milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm²).
Based on Building Biology Institute guidelines (µW/m² (microwatts per square meter)):
See where common exposures fall on the scale:
Showing 376 studies with measured radio frequency (rf) exposure
Liu YQ, Gao YB, Dong J, Yao BW, Zhao L, Peng RY. · 2015
Researchers exposed rats to pulsed microwave radiation and found significant damage to the sinoatrial node, the heart's natural pacemaker. At moderate to high power levels, the radiation caused cell swelling, structural damage, and permanent scarring that lasted up to 12 months, potentially affecting heart rhythm control.
Wang H et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation at cell phone levels and tested their memory abilities. Exposure at 10 and 50 mW/cm² significantly impaired spatial learning and memory while damaging brain cells in the hippocampus, revealing how wireless radiation can disrupt memory formation.
Tillmann T et al. · 2010
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to 3G cell phone radiation for 24 months alongside a cancer-causing chemical. The radiation doubled metastasizing lung tumors compared to the chemical alone, suggesting cell phone radiation may help other carcinogens become more dangerous.
Li X et al. · 2009
Researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation at various power levels and found abnormal changes in a brain protein that regulates water balance in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center. Higher exposures caused persistent protein increases that didn't recover, suggesting potential blood-brain barrier damage.
Gao XF et al. · 2009
Researchers exposed Sertoli cells (crucial cells that support sperm production in the testicles) to microwave radiation at different power levels for five minutes. They found that higher intensity radiation (100 mW/cm²) disrupted normal cell division, increased cell death, and caused calcium levels inside cells to spike. This suggests that microwave radiation can damage the cells essential for male fertility.
Belyaev IY, Shcheglov VS, Alipov YD, Polunin VA · 1996
Russian researchers exposed E. coli bacteria to extremely weak millimeter waves (similar to 5G frequencies) and found that the bacteria's genetic material changed its physical structure in response. The effect occurred at specific frequencies and happened even at power levels trillions of times weaker than typical wireless device emissions. This suggests that biological systems can detect and respond to radiofrequency radiation at far lower intensities than previously thought possible.
Amoako JK, Fletcher JJ, Darko EO. · 2009
Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels around 50 cell phone towers in Ghana to assess public exposure. They found radiation levels that were 20 times higher than typically measured in similar studies elsewhere, though still within international safety guidelines. The study highlights significant variation in exposure levels around cell towers and raises concerns about increasing radiation as mobile phone usage grows.
Tomitsch J, Dechant E. · 2012
Researchers measured electromagnetic field exposure in bedrooms over a three-year period (2006-2009) to track how our daily EMF exposure is changing. They found that while electric and magnetic fields from power lines decreased slightly, radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices nearly doubled, increasing from 41.35 to 59.56 microwatts per square meter. This reflects the rapid expansion of cell towers, WiFi networks, and wireless technologies in residential areas during this period.
Urbinello D, Röösli M. · 2013
Researchers measured radiation from people's phones while traveling, comparing phones turned off versus standby mode. They found phones constantly emit radiation even when not in use, with car exposure levels orders of magnitude higher than with phones off, challenging assumptions about phone radiation safety.
Hedendahl LK, Carlberg M, Koppel T, Hardell L. · 2017
Swedish researchers had teachers wear radiation monitors in Wi-Fi equipped schools. They found radiofrequency exposure ranged from 1.1 to 66.1 µW/m² during normal activities, but spiked to 396.6 µW/m² when students streamed YouTube videos, showing how device usage dramatically increases classroom radiation levels.
Augner C et al. · 2010
Researchers exposed 57 people to cell tower signals at different power levels and measured stress hormones in their saliva. They found that exposure to radiofrequency radiation increased cortisol (a stress hormone) and alpha-amylase (a stress enzyme) at power levels far below current safety guidelines. This suggests that even low-level cell tower radiation may trigger biological stress responses in the human body.
Augner C, Florian M, Pauser G, Oberfeld G, Hacker GW. · 2009
Austrian researchers exposed 57 people to different levels of radiofrequency radiation from cell phone base stations during controlled laboratory sessions. They found that participants felt significantly calmer when exposed to higher radiation levels compared to those exposed to minimal radiation. This suggests that cell tower signals may affect psychological well-being by reducing mental arousal.
Frei P et al. · 2009
Swiss researchers measured radiofrequency radiation exposure in 166 volunteers over one week using personal monitoring devices. They found that people are exposed to RF radiation throughout their daily lives, with the highest levels occurring on trains, in airports, and during daytime hours. The main sources of exposure were cell phone towers (32%), mobile phones (29%), and cordless phones (23%).
Estenberg J, Augustsson T. · 2013
Swedish researchers developed a mobile monitoring system to measure radiofrequency radiation levels across different environments, collecting over 70,000 measurements in rural, urban, and city areas. They found that radiation levels increased dramatically from rural to urban settings, with city areas showing 150 times higher exposure than rural areas. The study demonstrates how cell phone towers create significant differences in public RF exposure depending on where you live and work.
Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M. · 2006
Researchers measured EMF exposure from cell phone towers in the bedrooms of 365 people living nearby and tested their health and thinking abilities. Even though the radiation levels were extremely low (far below safety guidelines), people closer to the towers reported more headaches and showed changes in mental performance. This suggests that even very weak EMF exposure from cell towers might affect how people feel and think.
Loscher W, Kas G, · 1998
German researchers studied dairy cows living near TV and cell phone transmission towers and found significant behavioral abnormalities over a two-year period. When they moved an affected cow 20 kilometers away from the antennas, its behavior completely normalized within five days, but the problems returned when the cow was brought back. The study suggests that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from the transmission equipment were the likely cause of these behavioral changes.
Breckenkamp J et al. · 2012
German researchers measured EMF exposure in 1,348 bedrooms nationwide. They found cordless phones and WiFi devices created 82% of nighttime EMF exposure, though levels were extremely low and well below safety limits. This shows bedroom EMF exposure is widespread but typically minimal during sleep.
Martens AL et al. · 2017
Dutch researchers tracked nearly 15,000 adults over three years to compare actual radiofrequency radiation exposure from cell towers (measured with precise modeling) versus people's perception of their exposure. They found that while actual exposure levels weren't linked to health symptoms, people who believed they were more exposed reported significantly more sleep problems and nonspecific symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
Daniels WM, Pitout IL, Afullo TJ, Mabandla MV · 2009
Young rats exposed to cell phone radiation (840 MHz) for three hours daily showed subtle behavioral changes including reduced activity and increased grooming, despite normal memory and brain structure. This suggests early EMF exposure may affect brain function in ways not immediately apparent.
Roser K et al. · 2017
Swiss researchers tracked electromagnetic field exposure in 90 teenagers for three days. They discovered that teens' own mobile phones generated 67% of their total EMF exposure, while cell towers contributed only 20%. This shows personal device usage, not environmental sources, drives adolescent EMF exposure levels.
Lahham A, Hammash A. · 2012
Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation from cell towers, radio, and TV stations across 65 locations in Palestine. FM radio stations produced the highest exposure levels at 62% of total radiation. All measurements remained well below international safety limits, providing important baseline data for urban RF exposure.
Frei P et al. · 2010
Researchers measured 166 people's actual radiofrequency exposure for a week and compared it to common estimation methods used in health studies. People's own estimates of their wireless device usage showed almost no correlation with real exposure levels, while computer models performed much better for accurate health research.
Hocking B, Gordon IR, Grain HL, Hatfield GE · 1997
Australian researchers studied cancer rates near TV broadcast towers from 1972-1990. Children living closer to the towers had 58% higher leukemia rates and were twice as likely to die from the disease, even at low radiation levels.
Ibitoye ZA, Aweda AM. · 2011
Nigerian researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels around cell phone towers and broadcast antennas in Lagos City to assess public safety. They found power density levels ranging from 0.219 to 302.4 milliwatts per square meter, which were 20 to 50 times below international safety limits set by ICNIRP and IEEE. The study concluded that people staying at least 6 meters away from these antennas face minimal health risks from RF exposure.
Calvente I et al. · 2016
Spanish researchers measured radiofrequency radiation around the homes of 123 ten-year-old boys and tested their cognitive abilities and behavior. While most measures showed no effects, boys living in areas with higher RF exposure (though still below safety guidelines) had lower verbal skills and higher rates of anxiety-related behaviors compared to those in lower exposure areas. The researchers cautioned that study limitations prevent drawing definitive conclusions.