3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

5G and Cell Tower Radiation Research

RF Radiation

Research on electromagnetic radiation from cellular base stations, including 5G millimeter wave and sub-6 GHz deployments.

1,404
Studies
74%
Showed Bioeffects
1
EMF Type
600 MHz - 39 GHz
Frequency

Related Studies (1,404)

Cellular phone electromagnetic field effects on bioelectric activity of human brain.

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.

Oxidative stress precedes circulatory failure induced by 35-GHz microwave heating.

Kalns J, Ryan KL, Mason PA, Bruno JG, Gooden R, Kiel JL. · 2000

Researchers exposed rats to 35-GHz microwave radiation and measured oxidative stress markers (cellular damage from harmful molecules) in various organs. They found that even brief microwave exposure caused a 5- to 12-fold increase in oxidative stress markers in the lungs, liver, and blood plasma before any circulatory problems developed. This suggests that microwave radiation triggers widespread cellular damage throughout the body, even at exposure levels that don't immediately cause obvious health effects.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of high peak power microwaves on the retina of the rhesus monkey.

Lu ST et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed rhesus monkeys to high-power microwave radiation (1.25 GHz) for 4 hours daily over 3 weeks to study effects on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). At moderate exposure levels (4.3 W/kg), they found no changes, but at higher levels (8.4-20.2 W/kg), some monkeys showed enhanced electrical responses in cone cells that detect color vision, though no actual damage occurred. The researchers concluded that retinal injury is very unlikely at 4 W/kg and that any changes at higher levels would likely be reversible.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of microwaves (900 MHz) on the cochlear receptor: exposure systems and preliminary results. Radiat Environ Biophys 39(2):131-136, 2000

Marino C et al. · 2000

Italian researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by early cell phones) to see if it would damage their hearing or inner ear function. After testing the rats' cochlear receptors (the delicate structures in the inner ear that convert sound waves into nerve signals), they found no statistically significant hearing damage at the radiation levels tested. The study was designed as preliminary research to establish testing methods for investigating potential hearing effects from microwave exposure.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Comparative effects of extremely high power microwave pulses and a brief CW irradiation on pacemaker function in isolated frog heart slices.

Pakhomov AG et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed isolated frog heart tissue to extremely high-power microwave pulses (up to 350 million watts per kilogram) and compared the effects to lower-power continuous microwave exposure. Both exposure types caused the same temporary changes in heart rhythm that were directly proportional to heating, with no additional effects from the ultra-high power pulses. This suggests that microwave effects on heart function are purely thermal (heat-related) rather than caused by the electromagnetic fields themselves.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Cardiovascular and thermal effects of microwave irradiation at 1 and/or 10 GHz in anesthetized rats.

Jauchem JR, Ryan KL, Freidagger MR · 2000

Researchers exposed anesthetized rats to microwave radiation at 1 GHz, 10 GHz, or both frequencies combined at high power levels (12 W/kg) until the animals died from overheating. They found that rats exposed to 1 GHz died fastest, while those exposed to 10 GHz survived longest, with combined exposure falling in between. This study was designed to understand how different microwave frequencies affect heat distribution in the body and cardiovascular responses during extreme thermal stress.

[Effect of modified SHF and acoustic stimulation on spectral characteristics of the electroencephalograms of the cat brain]

Ivanova VIu, Martynova OV, Aleinik SV, Limarenko AV. · 2000

Russian scientists exposed cats to 980 MHz electromagnetic fields and monitored their brain waves. The EMF exposure shifted brain activity patterns from high frequencies to lower ones, mimicking effects of sound stimulation. This suggests electromagnetic fields may affect the brain through the same pathways as acoustic signals.

Changes in serum alkaline phosphatase activity during in vitro exposure to amplitude-modulated electromagnetic field of ultrahigh frequency (2375 MHz) in guinea pigs

Pashovkina MS, Akoev IG · 2000

Russian researchers exposed guinea pig blood samples to 2375 MHz microwave radiation (similar to WiFi frequencies) for just 1-3 minutes and measured changes in alkaline phosphatase, an important enzyme involved in cellular metabolism. They found that specific pulse frequencies, particularly at 70 Hz, nearly doubled the enzyme's activity levels. This suggests that even brief exposures to common wireless frequencies can trigger measurable biological responses at the cellular level.

Non-thermal heat-shock response to microwaves

de Pomerai D et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed tiny nematode worms to extremely low-power 750-MHz microwaves overnight and found increased production of heat shock proteins - cellular stress indicators that normally appear when organisms are damaged by heat or toxins. The microwave exposure was 1,000 times below current safety limits, yet still triggered this biological stress response, suggesting the effect was not caused by heating but by the electromagnetic fields themselves.

No mutagenic or recombinogenic effects of mobile phone fields at 900 MHz detected in the yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Gos P, Eicher B, Kohli J, Heyer WD · 2000

Scientists tested whether 900 MHz mobile phone radiation could damage DNA in yeast cells using multiple genetic tests. They found no evidence of mutations, DNA damage, or cellular dysfunction, even when combined with known toxic chemicals, suggesting these radiation levels may not directly harm genetic material.

Uteroplacental circulatory disturbance mediated by prostaglandin F(2alpha) in rats exposed to microwaves..

Nakamura H, Nagase H, Ogino K, Hatta K, Matsuzaki I · 2000

Japanese researchers exposed pregnant rats to microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz (the same frequency as WiFi and microwave ovens) for 90 minutes and found it reduced blood flow to the placenta and increased stress hormones. The effects occurred at power levels too low to cause heating, suggesting the microwaves directly disrupted the pregnancy through biological mechanisms. This raises concerns about wireless device exposure during pregnancy.

The effects of electromagnetic field emitted by GSM phones on working memory.

Koivisto M, Krause CM, Revonsuo A, Laine M, Hamalainen H · 2000

Finnish researchers tested how cell phone radiation affects working memory by having participants complete memory tasks with and without exposure to GSM phone signals (902MHz). They found that phone radiation actually sped up response times when people had to remember three items at once, but had no effect on easier memory tasks. This suggests that cell phone radiation can measurably alter brain function and cognitive performance.

Electromagnetic fields (1.8 GHz) increase the permeability to sucrose of the blood-brain barrier in vitro.

Schirmacher A et al. · 2000

Researchers exposed a laboratory model of the blood-brain barrier (the protective membrane that shields your brain from toxins in your blood) to cell phone radiation at 1.8 GHz. They found that this exposure significantly increased the barrier's permeability, allowing substances like sucrose to pass through more easily. This suggests that cell phone radiation may compromise the brain's natural protection system, potentially allowing harmful substances to reach brain tissue.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Primary DNA Damage in Human Blood Lymphocytes Exposed In Vitro to 2450 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation.

Vijayalaxmi, Leal BZ, Szilagyi M, Prihoda TJ, Meltz ML · 2000

Researchers exposed human blood cells to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and some WiFi devices) for 2 hours to see if it would damage DNA. They found no evidence of DNA breaks or damage in the cells, even when they checked again 4 hours later to see if the cells could repair any potential damage. This suggests that this specific type and level of radiofrequency exposure may not cause immediate DNA harm.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz, cell-phone electromagnetic fields had no effect on operant-behavior performances of adult rats.

Bornhausen M, Scheingraber H · 2000

German researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation throughout pregnancy to test whether prenatal EMF exposure affects brain development and learning ability. When the offspring reached adulthood, they showed no cognitive deficits or learning problems compared to unexposed rats. This suggests that low-level cell phone radiation during pregnancy may not impair brain development in rats.

Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man.

Preece et al. · 1999

Researchers tested whether mobile phone signals at 915 MHz affect brain function by having 36 people perform cognitive tests while exposed to simulated phone radiation. They found that exposure made people react faster on choice reaction time tests, but had no effect on memory tasks. The faster reaction times suggest the phone signals may be affecting a specific brain region called the angular gyrus, which processes visual and speech information.

Cellular Effects186 citations

The effects of radiofrequency fields on cell proliferation are non-thermal.

Velizarov, S, Raskmark, P, Kwee, S, · 1999

Researchers exposed cells to 960 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) at different temperatures to test whether heat alone causes biological effects. They found that RF radiation altered cell growth patterns at both higher and lower temperatures, proving that the effects weren't simply due to heating. This challenges the mainstream assumption that only thermal effects from wireless radiation can impact living cells.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Proto-oncogene mRNA levels and activities of multiple transcription factors in C3H 10T 1/2 murine embryonic fibroblasts exposed to 835.62 and 847.74 MHz cellular phone communication frequency radiation.

Goswami PC et al. · 1999

Researchers exposed mouse cells to cellular phone radiation at 835 MHz and 847 MHz (similar to early cell phones) to see if it triggered stress responses. While most stress indicators showed no change, one specific gene called Fos increased by 40-100% in exposed cells. This suggests cell phone radiation can alter gene activity even when it doesn't cause obvious cellular stress.

Microwaves and cellular immunity. I. Effect of whole body microwave irradiation on tumor necrosis factor production in mouse cells.

Fesenko, EE, Makar, VR, Novoselova, EG, Sadovnikov, VB, · 1999

Russian researchers exposed mice to low-level microwave radiation and found it significantly altered immune system function. Short exposures boosted immune cell activity, while longer exposure suppressed it. These effects persisted for days after radiation ended, showing even weak microwaves can disrupt normal immunity.

Microwaves and cellular immunity. I. Effect of whole body microwave irradiation on tumor necrosis factor production in mouse cells.

Fesenko EE, Makar VR, Novoselova EG, Sadovnikov VB. · 1999

Researchers exposed mice to extremely low-level microwave radiation (8.15-18 GHz at just 1 microW/cm²) and found it significantly boosted production of TNF (tumor necrosis factor), a key immune system protein. Short-term exposure for 5 hours to 3 days enhanced immune cell activity, but chronic exposure for 7 days actually suppressed it. This demonstrates that even ultra-weak microwave radiation can measurably alter immune system function in living organisms.

Evaluation in humans of the effects of radiocellular telephones on the circadian patterns of melatonin secretion, a chronobiological rhythm marker.

de Seze R, Ayoub J, Peray P, Miro L, Touitou Y · 1999

French researchers exposed 38 young men to cell phone radiation (GSM 900 MHz and DCS 1800 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 4 weeks to test whether it would disrupt melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles. They found no changes in melatonin patterns during or after exposure. This suggests that typical cell phone use may not directly interfere with the body's natural sleep hormone production.

Human exposure at two radio frequencies (450 and 2450 MHz): similarities and differences in physiological response.

Adair ER, Cobb BL, Mylacraine KS, Kelleher SA, · 1999

Researchers exposed 14 volunteers to radio frequency radiation at 450 and 2450 MHz (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 45 minutes at power levels exceeding current safety guidelines. The exposure caused measurable increases in skin temperature, with the body responding through increased sweating and blood flow to maintain normal core body temperature within 0.1 degrees Celsius.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields have no effect on the in vivo proliferation of the 9L brain tumor.

Higashikubo R et al. · 1999

Researchers exposed rats with brain tumors to cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation for 4 hours daily over several months to see if the radiation would affect tumor growth. The study found no difference in survival rates between rats exposed to RF radiation and those that weren't exposed. This suggests that RF radiation at levels similar to cell phones doesn't accelerate brain tumor growth in this animal model.

FAQs: 5G / Cell Towers EMF Research

Of 1,404 peer-reviewed studies examining 5g / cell towers electromagnetic radiation, 74% found measurable biological effects. These studies span decades of research conducted by scientists worldwide and include both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies examining the health effects of 5g / cell towers radiation exposure.
The BioInitiative Report database includes 1,404 peer-reviewed studies specifically examining 5g / cell towers electromagnetic radiation and its potential health effects. These studies have been conducted by researchers worldwide and published in scientific journals. The research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, reproductive health, and other health outcomes.
74% of the 1,404 studies examining 5g / cell towers electromagnetic radiation found measurable biological effects. This means that 1039 studies documented observable changes when organisms were exposed to 5g / cell towers EMF. The remaining studies either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results.