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
Nittby H et al. · 2008
Swedish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at 1,800 MHz for six hours and found significant changes in brain gene expression. The radiation altered genes controlling cell membranes and signal transmission in memory-critical brain regions, occurring at levels similar to extended human cell phone use.
Pashovkina MS, Akoev IG · 2001
Russian scientists exposed blood samples to weak microwave radiation for 1-3 minutes and found it changed enzyme activity at power levels thousands of times lower than cell phones emit. This shows even brief, low-level electromagnetic exposures can disrupt normal biological processes in blood.
Uskalova DV, Igolkina YV, Sarapultseva EI. · 2016
Russian researchers exposed single-celled organisms (protozoa) to cell phone frequency radiation (1 GHz) at very low power levels for 30 minutes to 6 hours. They found significant changes in cell shape and structure that correlated with reduced movement ability. The researchers suggest this method could help detect early cellular damage from mobile phone radiation, particularly effects on sperm cell mobility.
Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Kizil G, Kizil M, Cakir DU, Yokus B · 2012
Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 10 months and examined their brains for signs of damage. They found significantly increased protein carbonyl levels, which indicates protein damage from oxidative stress. This suggests that long-term cell phone radiation exposure may harm brain proteins, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative processes.
Fragopoulou AF et al. · 2010
Greek researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 4 days. The exposed mice showed significant deficits in learning and remembering spatial information compared to unexposed mice, suggesting cell phone radiation may impair brain memory functions.
Li BF, Guo GZ, Ren DQ, Zhang RB. · 2007
Researchers exposed rats to electromagnetic pulses (intense bursts of electromagnetic energy) and measured their blood pressure for four weeks afterward. The study found that these pulses caused immediate spikes in blood pressure, followed by drops below normal levels that lasted up to a month. This suggests that even brief electromagnetic exposures can trigger lasting changes in cardiovascular function.
Roschke, J, Mann, K · 1997
German researchers exposed 34 healthy men to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 3.5 minutes while measuring their brain activity with EEG sensors. They found no detectable changes in brain wave patterns during the short exposure period compared to when the phone was turned off. This suggests that brief cell phone use may not immediately alter brain electrical activity in awake, healthy adults.
Gapeev AB, Lakushina VS, Chemeris NK, Fesenko EE · 1997
Russian researchers exposed mouse immune cells to extremely high frequency radiation (42 GHz) at low power for 20 minutes. Depending on how the radiation was pulsed, it either boosted or suppressed the cells' infection-fighting ability by 25%, showing weak electromagnetic fields can significantly alter immune function.
Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Ulukaya E, Uzunlar AK, Ocak AR · 2009
Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 2 hours daily over 10 months to study brain cell death (apoptosis) and oxidative stress. Surprisingly, they found reduced cell death and increased antioxidant activity in exposed rats compared to controls. This unexpected finding suggests the brain may activate protective mechanisms in response to chronic low-level radiation exposure.
Chagnaud, JL, Moreau, JM, Veyret, B · 1999
Researchers exposed rats with chemically-induced tumors to GSM cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 2 weeks to see if the radiation would accelerate cancer development. The study found no effect - the microwave exposure neither sped up nor delayed tumor growth, and didn't affect animal survival rates. The exposure levels used were within current safety limits for human whole-body exposure.
Lebedeva NN et al. · 2000
Russian researchers exposed 24 volunteers to cell phone radiation at 902.4 MHz for 15 minutes while measuring their brain activity using EEG. They found significant changes in brain electrical patterns during and after exposure, with the brain showing increased activation that persisted for 30 minutes after the phone was turned off. This demonstrates that cell phone radiation directly alters how the brain functions, even at relatively low power levels.
Galat VV et al. · 1999
Russian researchers exposed mouse and sea urchin embryos to millimeter wave radiation (54-78 GHz) at very low power levels for 30 minutes during early development. They found that exposed mouse embryos developed faster and more successfully reached the blastocyst stage compared to unexposed controls. The radiation appeared to strengthen embryos against environmental stress, suggesting these frequencies may have biological effects even at non-thermal levels.
Nittby H et al. · 2012
Swedish researchers exposed land snails to cell phone radiation at 1900 MHz (the same frequency used by many mobile phones) for one hour, then tested their response to painful heat. The radiation-exposed snails showed significantly reduced sensitivity to pain compared to unexposed snails, suggesting the electromagnetic fields had an anesthetic-like effect on their nervous systems.
Zhao Z, Zhang S, Wang S, Yao Z, Zho H, Tao S, Tao L · 1994
Chinese researchers exposed rabbits to 100 MHz radio frequency radiation at different power levels and surveyed 136 factory workers exposed to similar radiation. They found thermal effects in rabbits at high exposures and neurological symptoms (neurosis) in workers exposed to low-level radiation at 0.2 mW/cm². The study established workplace exposure limits using safety factors to protect against these observed health effects.
Stagg RB, Thomas WJ, Jones RA, Adey WR · 1997
Researchers exposed brain cells (both normal and cancerous glioma cells) to cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation at 836.55 MHz for 24 hours to see if it would promote tumor growth by affecting DNA synthesis. While they found small increases in DNA activity in some cancer cell experiments, this didn't translate to actual increased cell growth or proliferation in either normal or cancerous cells.
Ivaschuk OI et al. · 1997
Researchers exposed rat nerve cells to cell phone radiation at 836.55 MHz (the frequency used by early digital cell phones) to see if it would affect the activity of genes called c-fos and c-jun, which help control cell growth and responses to stress. They found mostly no effects, except for a 38% decrease in c-jun gene activity at the highest exposure level of 9 mW/cm². This suggests that cell phone radiation may have subtle effects on nerve cell gene expression, but only at relatively high exposure levels.
Calabrò E, Magazù S. · 2017
Italian researchers exposed proteins (including hemoglobin and albumin) to mobile phone radiation at 1750 MHz for 4 hours and measured changes in their molecular structure. They found that the proteins' alpha-helix structures physically aligned themselves with the electromagnetic field, causing measurable changes in their chemical bonds. This demonstrates that cell phone-level radiation can directly alter the shape and orientation of essential biological molecules.
Gapeyev AB, Aripovsky AV, Kulagina TP. · 2014
Scientists exposed mice to 42.2 GHz electromagnetic radiation to test whether it could protect against X-ray damage to immune tissue. The electromagnetic exposure helped restore normal tissue chemistry and weight in the thymus gland, suggesting certain frequencies might aid immune system recovery from radiation injury.
Gapeyev AB, Kulagina TP, Aripovsky AV. · 2013
Researchers exposed mice with cancer to extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (42.2 GHz) for 20 minutes daily and found it changed the fatty acid composition in their tissues. The radiation appeared to restore normal fatty acid levels in immune system cells (thymocytes) and altered the fatty acid makeup within tumor tissue itself. This suggests EMF exposure might influence cancer progression by changing how cells process fats.
Aly H., Ashraf & deris, Safaai & Zaki, Nazar. (2011). · 2011
Researchers exposed human white blood cells to 1800 MHz cell phone radiation and found the immune cells moved 50% faster than normal, changed direction, and rapidly altered shape within 2.5 minutes, suggesting immediate disruption of normal immune function.
Bartsch H et al. · 2010
German researchers exposed female rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) throughout their lives. Exposed rats lived 9% shorter lives than unexposed rats - about 72-77 fewer days. The radiation levels matched typical cell phone exposure, suggesting chronic use might affect human lifespan.
Hansteen IL et al. · 2009
Norwegian researchers exposed human immune cells (lymphocytes) to high-frequency microwave radiation at levels similar to industrial applications for 53 hours to test for DNA damage. They found no statistically significant genetic damage from either continuous 18.0 GHz or pulsed 16.5 GHz radiation, though the pulsed exposure showed a non-significant trend toward increased genetic abnormalities that the researchers said needs further study.
Irlenbusch L et al. · 2007
Researchers exposed 33 people to GSM mobile phone signals near their eyes to test whether radiofrequency radiation affects visual sensitivity (the ability to detect light differences). Using exposure levels similar to holding a phone close to your face, they found no measurable changes in visual discrimination abilities during 30-minute exposure sessions. This suggests that typical mobile phone use doesn't immediately impair basic visual function.
Irlenbusch L et al. · 2007
German researchers exposed 33 people to cell phone radiation at 902.4 MHz for 30 minutes to see if it affected their ability to detect light (visual discrimination threshold). They found no statistically significant changes in visual sensitivity between real exposure and fake exposure sessions. This suggests that brief GSM radiation exposure at typical power levels doesn't immediately impair basic visual function.
Yao K, Wang KJ, Sun ZH, Tan J, Xu W, Zhu LJ, Lu de Q. · 2004
Researchers exposed rabbit eye lens cells to microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz for eight hours. Cell growth significantly decreased at power levels of 0.50 mW/cm² and higher, suggesting wireless device radiation could potentially interfere with the eye's natural repair processes.