6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
All Exposure Types

SAR (Specific Absorption Rate)

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Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measures the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by body tissue, expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg). SAR is used to rate cell phones and other devices held against the body. The FCC limit for cell phones is 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue.

Concern Level Thresholds

Based on Building Biology Institute guidelines (W/kg (watts per kilogram)):

No Concern
< 0.4 W/kg
Slight Concern
0.4 – 1.0 W/kg
Severe Concern
1.0 – 1.6 W/kg
Extreme Concern
> 1.6 W/kg (FCC limit)

See where common exposures fall on the scale:

A logarithmic scale showing your reading relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and FCC regulatory limits.Your SAR Exposure in ContextNo ConcernSlightSevereExtreme0.0010.010.1FCC Limit →0.00110 W/kg

Showing 898 studies with measured sar (specific absorption rate) exposure

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to a 1950 MHz radio frequency field on expression of Hsp70 and Hsp27 in human glioma cells.

Miyakoshi J et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed human glioma MO54 cells to a continuous wave 1950 MHz RF field at SARs of 1, 2, and 10 W/kg for up to 2 hours. Cell growth was assessed by counting cell numbers up to 4 days after exposure. RF exposure at 2 and 10 W/kg did not affect the growth of MO54 cells. However, exposure at 10 W/kg for 1 and 2 hours significantly decreased the protein level of phosphorylated Hsp27 at serine 78.

Exposure to pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields affects regional cerebral blood flow.

Huber R et al. · 2005

Researchers investigated the effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields similar to those emitted by mobile phones on waking regional cerebral blood flow in 12 healthy young men. Positron emission tomography scans were taken after 30 min unilateral head exposure to pulse-modulated 900 MHz RF EMF, and a sham control condition was also included. Only the 'handset-like' signal, which had stronger low-frequency components, increased relative cerebral blood flow in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the side of exposure; the 'base-station-like' signal did not.

Blood-forming system in rats after whole-body microwave exposure; reference to the lymphocytes.

Trosic I, Busljeta I, Pavicic I. · 2004

Researchers investigated the effect of 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation on blood-forming cells in rats. Rats were exposed to a field power density of 5-10 mW/cm2 and a whole-body average SAR of 1-2 W/kg for 2 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 2, 8, 15, or 30 days. A significant decrease in lymphoblast count was observed at 15 and 30 days, while other examined parameters did not differ significantly from sham-exposed controls.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure of the ear to GSM microwaves: in vivo and in vitro experimental studies.

Aran JM et al. · 2004

In the first experiment, guinea pigs were exposed to GSM microwaves at SARs of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 2 months. In the second experiment, guinea pigs were exposed at 4 W/kg and auditory brainstem response thresholds were monitored. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed no difference in DPOAE amplitudes or ABR thresholds between exposed and sham-exposed groups. Acute exposure for 1 hour also produced no statistically significant change in ABR thresholds. In vitro, organs of Corti from newborn rats exposed to 1 W/kg for 24-48 hours appeared normal under light microscopy after 2-3 days of culture.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found110 citations

Head-only exposure to GSM 900-MHz electromagnetic fields does not alter rat's memory in spatial and non-spatial tasks.

Dubreuil D, Jay T, Edeline JM. · 2003

Researchers exposed rats head-only to 900 MHz GSM electromagnetic fields at 1 and 3.5 W/kg for 45 minutes and compared performance with sham and control rats. In the first experiment, a slightly improved performance was found at 3.5 W/kg, but this was not seen in the delay task. In the third experiment, exploratory activity showed some effects but recognition memory was unaffected. Overall, the experiments provided no evidence that spatial or non-spatial memory is affected by this exposure.

Non-thermal exposure to radiofrequency energy from digital wireless phones does not affect ornithine decarboxylase activity in L929 Cells.

Desta AB, Owen RD, Cress LW. · 2003

Researchers exposed L929 murine fibroblast cells to radiofrequency radiation from a time division multiple access wireless phone operating at 835 MHz to determine the effect on ornithine decarboxylase activity. Exposure lasted 8 hours at average specific absorption rates ranging from less than 1 W/kg up to 15 W/kg, after which cells were harvested and ODC activity was measured. No statistically significant difference in ODC activity was found between exposed and sham-exposed cells at non-thermal specific absorption rates. At SARs that caused measurable heating, a dose-dependent decrease in enzymatic activity was observed and was consistent with a comparable decrease caused by non-RF-radiation heating.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of In Vivo Exposure to GSM-Modulated 900 MHz Radiation on Mouse Peripheral Lymphocytes.

Gatta L et al. · 2003

Researchers exposed C57BL/6 mice to 900 MHz GSM-modulated radiation at SAR 1 or 2 W/kg for 2 hours per day over 1, 2, or 4 weeks. The number of spleen cells, percentages of B and T cells, and CD4/CD8 distribution were not altered by exposure. After 1 week of exposure, IFN-gamma production increased, but this effect was not seen after 2 or 4 weeks.

Genotoxicity of radiofrequency signals. I. Investigation of DNA damage and micronuclei induction in cultured human blood cells.

Tice RR, Hook GG, Donner M, McRee DI, Guy AW. · 2002

DNA damage in leukocytes was assessed with the alkaline comet assay and chromosomal damage in lymphocytes with the micronucleus assay. No significant increase in DNA damage was seen after 3 or 24 hours, and no increase in micronucleated lymphocytes occurred after 3 hours. However, 24-hour exposures at 5.0 or 10.0 W/kg significantly increased micronucleated lymphocytes about fourfold, regardless of signal type, modulation, or frequency.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

The Effects of 860 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation on the Induction or Promotion of Brain Tumors and Other Neoplasms in Rats.

Zook BC, Simmens SJ, · 2001

Researchers exposed Sprague-Dawley rats to 860 MHz pulsed or continuous radiofrequency radiation for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week from 2 up to 24 months of age. The specific absorption rate was 1.0 W/ kg averaged over the brain. The rats were offspring of females injected intravenously with 0, 2.5, or 10 mg/kg ethylnitrosourea to induce brain tumors. There was no statistically significant evidence that the radiation induced neoplasia in any tissues or promoted cranial or spinal nerve or spinal cord tumors. The radiation had no statistically significant effect on brain tumor number, volume, location, multiplicity, histological type, malignancy, or fatality.

Exposure to pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic field during waking affects human sleep EEG.

Huber R et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed healthy young male subjects for 30 minutes to EMF at 900 MHz and a spatial peak specific absorption rate of 1 W/kg during the waking period before sleep. Compared with a sham exposure control condition, EEG spectral power during non-rapid eye movement sleep was increased, with the maximum rise in the 9.75-11.25 Hz and 12.5-13.25 Hz bands during the initial part of sleep. The researchers concluded that the changes of brain function induced by pulsed high-frequency EMF outlast the exposure period.

Cancer & Tumors119 citations

Spontaneous and nitrosourea-induced primary tumors of the central nervous system in Fischer 344 rats exposed to frequency-modulated microwave fields.

Adey WR et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed Fischer 344 rats to a frequency-modulated signal at 836.55 MHz in a two-year bioassay, testing for effects on spontaneous and chemically induced central nervous system tumors. The study used six groups of offspring totaling 540 rats, with some groups receiving the chemical ENU and others sham or field exposure. No FM field-mediated changes were observed in number, incidence, or histological type of either spontaneous or ENU-induced brain tumors, nor were gender differences detected in tumor numbers.

Pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic field affects human sleep and sleep electroencephalogram.

Borbely et al. · 1999

Researchers exposed healthy young subjects during an entire night-time sleep episode to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field at a maximum specific absorption rate of 1 W/kg. The exposure schedule consisted of alternating 15-min on-15-min off intervals. Compared with a control night with sham exposure, the amount of waking after sleep onset was reduced from 18 to 12 min, and EEG spectral power in non-rapid eye movement sleep was increased. The researchers concluded that pulsed high-frequency EMF in the range of radiotelephones may promote sleep and modify the sleep EEG.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Chronic, low-level (1.0 W/kg) exposure of mice prone to mammary cancer to 2450 MHz microwaves.

Frei et al. · 1998

Researchers exposed 100 C3H/HeJ mice to continuous-wave 2450 MHz RF radiation at 1.0 W/kg for 78 weeks, 20 hours per day, 7 days per week, while 100 mice were sham-exposed. There was no significant difference in mammary tumor incidence between exposed mice (38%) and sham-exposed mice (30%). Latency to tumor onset was similar: 62.5 weeks for exposed mice and 62.0 weeks for sham-exposed mice. Histopathological evaluation found no significant difference in malignant, metastatic, or benign neoplasms between groups.

Reduced exposure to microwave radiation by rats: frequency specific effects.

D'Andrea JA, DeWitt JR, Portuguez LM, Gandhi OP. · 1988

Two experiments tested whether frequency-specific hotspot formation in the body and tail of rats would have behavioral consequences. Rats were placed in a cage where occupying one side triggered microwave exposure and occupying the other side ended it. Reduced exposure to 360-MHz and 2450-MHz microwaves at 1, 2, 6 and 10 W/kg were significantly different from 700-MHz microwaves. A second experiment found the threshold for reduced exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves fell between whole-body SARs of 2.1 and 2.8 W/kg.

Whole Body / General
Not an original health-effects study

SYNOPSIS OF SUGGESTED GUIDELINES BASED ON 1981 INFORMATION

T. F. Budinger · 1981

The document revises previous NMR instrumentation and clinical study guidelines based on new information and reanalysis. For static magnetic fields, harmful physiological or genetic effects are not expected below 2 T. For changing magnetic fields, the induced current effect threshold is above 5 mT at 1-100 Hz, though waveform, repetition rate, maximum B field, and exposure duration need further study. RF heating guidelines set a practical upper limit of a few watts for short studies under 10 minutes and 1 W/kg for long-term studies, with power absorption estimated via RF coil Q measurements.

PROPOSED TLV FOR RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION

Unknown authors · 1979

This 1979 technical report proposed threshold limit values (TLV) for radiofrequency radiation exposure in occupational settings. The document addressed workplace safety standards for microwave and RF electromagnetic energy, establishing guidelines for how much exposure workers could safely receive. This represents early efforts to regulate RF radiation before widespread consumer electronics adoption.

An Analysis Of Radiofrequency And Microwave Absorption Data With Consideration Of Thermal Safety Standards

Richard A. Tell · 1978

The report analyzes existing radiofrequency and microwave absorption data to examine frequency-dependent tissue heating and determine exposure field intensities linked to thermal loading on the whole body and specific tissues in adults and infants. A baseline absorption factor of 1 W/kg, equivalent to the adult basal metabolic rate averaged over total body mass, is used for comparison. In the 10 MHz to 1000 MHz range, absorption can produce whole-body thermal loads several times the basal metabolic rate at the present U.S. safety standard.

An Analysis Of Radiofrequency And Microwave Absorption Data With Consideration Of Thermal Safety Standards

Richard A. Tell · 1978

This 1978 EPA technical report analyzed radiofrequency and microwave absorption data to evaluate thermal safety standards for human exposure. The study examined how RF and microwave energy is absorbed by biological tissue and assessed whether existing safety guidelines adequately protect against heating effects. This represents early government recognition that RF/microwave exposure needed systematic safety evaluation.

An Analysis Of Radiofrequency And Microwave Absorption Data With Consideration Of Thermal Safety Standards

Richard A. Tell · 1978

This 1978 EPA technical report analyzed how radiofrequency and microwave radiation is absorbed by biological tissue, specifically examining thermal safety standards used to protect people from heating effects. The study represents early government efforts to establish exposure limits based on the assumption that heating is the primary health concern from RF radiation.

AN ATTEMPT TO EVALUATE THE EXPOSURE OF OPERATORS OF PORTABLE RADIOS AT 30 MHZ

O. Balzano, O. Garay, F.R. Steel · 1970

This 1970 technical report examined RF energy exposure levels from portable radio operators using 30 MHz frequencies. Researchers used phantom models and tissue simulation techniques to measure how much radiofrequency energy was deposited in human tissue during radio operation. The study represents early efforts to quantify occupational RF exposure from handheld communication devices.

Effect of Mobile Phone Radiation on Cardiovascular Development of Chick Embryo.

Ye W, Wang F, Zhang W, Fang N, Zhao W, Wang J. · 2015

Researchers examined the effects of mobile phone radiation on cardiovascular development in chicken embryos using a 900 MHz phone at a specific absorption rate of approximately 1.07 W/kg, applied intermittently for 3 hours per day during incubation. The rate of embryonic mortality and cardiac deformity increased significantly in the exposed group. Comet assay data showed the haemocyte mean tail in the exposed group was significantly larger than that of the control. The researchers suggest that long-term exposure may induce myocardium pathological changes, DNA damage, and increased mortality, but found little effect on vascular development.

Effect of 900 MHz radıofrequency radıatıon on oxıdatıve stress In rat braın and serum.

Bilgici B, Akar A, Avci B, Tuncel OK. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field at a whole body average specific absorption rate of 1.08 W/kg for 1 h/day for 3 weeks. Malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein product levels increased in rat brain tissue after exposure, suggesting increased lipid and protein oxidation. Garlic reduced the brain oxidative stress markers, though it did not affect the increase in serum nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide levels in the brain showed no significant difference after exposure, but serum nitric oxide increased significantly.

Effect of 900 MHz radıofrequency radıatıon on oxıdatıve stress in rat brain and serum

Bilgici B, Akar A, Avci B, Tuncel OK · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field at a whole body average specific absorption rate of 1.08 W/kg for 1 hour per day for 3 weeks. Malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein product levels increased in rat brain tissue after electromagnetic field exposure. Nitric oxide levels in the brain showed no significant difference, but serum nitric oxide increased significantly after exposure, and garlic did not reduce that increase. The researchers also tested orally administered garlic powder at 500 mg/kg/day and found it had a protective effect against the oxidative stress seen in brain tissue.