Research Library
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Powerwatch
A long-running, independent UK organisation that gathers and reviews global research on the health effects of electromagnetic fields, from electrical power to wireless technology.
Founded 1988 · UK-based · three decades of EMF research · 1,416 studies in this collection
What Powerwatch Is
Powerwatch is a small, independent UK organisation that has researched the health effects of electromagnetic fields since 1988. It serves as a forum for engineers, scientists, and medical researchers to gather global EMF information and help the public understand exposure risks.
It was originally formed to examine an electricity substation proposal in Norfolk, England, and has since maintained a broad library covering electrical power (power lines, substations, wiring, appliances), wireless technology (Wi-Fi, mobile and cordless phones, cell towers), and associated health topics such as childhood leukaemia, brain tumours, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
Who runs it
Powerwatch has been directed since 1988 by Alasdair Philips, an engineer with dual credentials in electrical and agricultural engineering, joined in 2004 by scientific and technical manager Graham Lamburn. It describes itself as completely independent of government and industry.
The Library at a Glance
Composition of this collection
By topic
| Label | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Brain & Nervous System | 341 | 24.1% |
| Cancer & Tumors | 336 | 23.7% |
| Whole Body / General | 203 | 14.3% |
| DNA & Genetic Damage | 161 | 11.4% |
| Reproductive Health | 98 | 6.9% |
| Cellular Effects | 75 | 5.3% |
| Symptoms & Sensitivity | 60 | 4.2% |
| Immune System | 48 | 3.4% |
By organism
| Label | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Human | 666 | 47% |
| Rodent | 259 | 18.3% |
| In vitro | 173 | 12.2% |
| Microorganism | 15 | 1.1% |
| Mammal | 14 | 1% |
| Plant | 7 | 0.5% |
| Insect | 5 | 0.4% |
| Bird | 4 | 0.3% |
| Aquatic | 4 | 0.3% |
By decade
| Label | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3 | 0.2% |
| 1980s | 19 | 1.3% |
| 1990s | 139 | 9.8% |
| 2000s | 640 | 45.2% |
| 2010s | 615 | 43.4% |
Counts computed live from the database at page load.
Explore this Library
How the Library Is Organized
Powerwatch maintains a peer-reviewed studies database with a clear marking system — indicating whether each study found an effect, found no effect, or offered insight without a clear designation — alongside a reference library of over 150 in-depth articles across major EMF topic areas.
Frequently Asked
What is Powerwatch and what does it cover?
Powerwatch is an independent UK organisation, founded in 1988, that researches and catalogues studies on the health effects of electromagnetic fields — from power lines and house wiring to Wi-Fi and mobile phones. In this database it anchors a collection of more than 1,400 peer-reviewed studies.
Who runs Powerwatch and is it independent?
Powerwatch has been directed since 1988 by Alasdair Philips, an engineer with credentials in electrical and agricultural engineering, joined in 2004 by scientific and technical manager Graham Lamburn. It was originally formed to examine an electricity substation proposal in Norfolk, England, and describes itself as completely independent of government and industry.
What health effects does Powerwatch research cover?
Across the more than 1,400 Powerwatch studies in this database, the largest topic areas are the brain and nervous system and cancer and tumors, followed by whole-body effects, DNA and genetic damage, and reproductive health. The research spans human, animal, and laboratory studies from 1979 to 2018.
How is the Powerwatch studies database organized?
Powerwatch marks each study by whether it found an effect, found no effect, or offered insight without a clear designation. In this collection, roughly five in six of the studies report a biological effect. It also maintains a reference library of more than 150 in-depth articles across major EMF topics.
Does Powerwatch cover power lines and wireless?
Yes. Powerwatch research spans both electrical power — power lines, substations, house wiring, and appliances — and wireless technology, including Wi-Fi, mobile and cordless phones, and cell towers. Associated health topics in its library include childhood leukaemia, brain tumours, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity.