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

Cell Phone Radiation Research

RF Radiation

Research on electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, including 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G NR signals.

1,326
Studies
73%
Showed Bioeffects
1
EMF Type
700 MHz - 2.7 GHz
Frequency

Related Studies (1,326)

Changes in the dielectric properties of rat tissue as a function of age at microwave frequencies.

Peyman A, Rezazadeh AA, Gabriel C · 2001

Researchers measured how different rat tissues absorb microwave radiation at various ages, from young to adult rats. They found that younger animals' tissues absorb significantly more radiation than older animals, particularly in brain, skull, and skin tissues. This suggests that children may absorb more EMF radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices than adults do.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found111 citations

GSM phone signal does not produce subjective symptoms.

Koivisto M et al. · 2001

Finnish researchers exposed healthy volunteers to GSM mobile phone signals (902 MHz) for 30-60 minutes and measured whether they experienced symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or skin sensations. The study found no difference in reported symptoms between exposure and non-exposure sessions, suggesting that short-term GSM phone radiation doesn't cause immediate subjective symptoms in healthy people.

Cellular Effects107 citations

Changes in cellular proteins due to environmental non-ionizing radiation. I. Heat-shock protiens

S. Kwee, P. Raskmark & S. Velizarov · 2001

Danish researchers exposed human cells to weak 960 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phones) at extremely low power levels for 20 minutes. They found that cells produced significantly more heat-shock proteins (Hsp-70), which are cellular stress markers, even though the radiation was too weak to cause any heating. This suggests that cells can detect and respond to radiofrequency radiation through non-thermal biological mechanisms.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Cytogenetic Studies in Human Blood Lymphocytes Exposed In Vitro to Radiofrequency Radiation at a Cellular Telephone Frequency (835.62 MHz, FDMA).

Vijayalaxmi et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed human blood cells to cell phone radiation at 835.62 MHz for 24 hours to see if it caused DNA damage. They found no increase in chromosomal breaks or other genetic damage markers compared to unexposed cells, even at high exposure levels. This suggests that this specific type of cell phone radiation may not directly damage DNA in blood cells under laboratory conditions.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Chromosome damage and micronucleus formation in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (847.74 MHz, CDMA).

Vijayalaxmi et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed human blood cells to cell phone radiation at 847.74 MHz for 24 hours to see if it would damage DNA or cause chromosome breaks. They found no significant genetic damage compared to unexposed cells, even at high exposure levels (4.9-5.5 W/kg SAR). This suggests that this particular frequency and exposure duration may not directly harm cellular DNA.

Effects of radiofrequency exposure on the GABAergic system in the rat cerebellum: clues from semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry

Mausset A, de Seze R, Montpeyroux F, Privat A · 2001

French researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) and measured changes in GABA, a crucial brain chemical that helps regulate nerve activity. They found that RF exposure reduced GABA levels in the cerebellum, the brain region responsible for movement and coordination. This suggests that cell phone radiation may disrupt normal brain chemistry at the cellular level.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Effects of mobile phone radiation on x-ray-induced tumorigenesis in mice.

Heikkinen P et al. · 2001

Finnish researchers exposed mice to both X-rays (to initiate cancer) and mobile phone radiation for 78 weeks to see if RF radiation would promote tumor growth. The study tested two types of phone signals - continuous NMT at 1.5 W/kg SAR and pulsed GSM at 0.35 W/kg SAR. Neither type of mobile phone radiation increased cancer rates compared to control groups, suggesting RF radiation does not act as a tumor promoter in this animal model.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Measurement of DNA damage in mammalian cells exposed in vitro to radiofrequency fields at sars of 3-5 w/kg.

Li L et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mouse cells to radiofrequency radiation at levels of 3.2-5.1 watts per kilogram (similar to cell phone exposure levels) for up to 24 hours to see if it would damage DNA. Using a sensitive test called the comet assay, they found no detectable DNA damage in the exposed cells compared to unexposed control cells. This suggests that RF exposure at these specific levels and durations may not cause immediate genetic damage in laboratory conditions.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Effect of Exposure to 900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation on Intrachromosomal Recombination in pKZ1 Mice.

Sykes PJ, McCallum BD, Bangay MJ, Hooker AM, Morley AA · 2001

Researchers exposed mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phones) for up to 25 days to see if it affected DNA recombination in spleen cells. They found no effects after short exposures, but after 25 days of exposure, DNA recombination actually decreased below normal levels. While this wasn't the DNA damage scientists typically look for, it suggests RF radiation can alter how cells repair their DNA, though the health significance of this change remains unknown.

Symptoms experienced by users of digital cellular phones: a pilot study in a French engineering school.

Santini R et al. · 2001

French researchers surveyed 161 engineering students and workers about symptoms they experienced while using digital cell phones operating at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies. They found that users of the higher frequency phones (1800 MHz) reported significantly more concentration difficulties, while women experienced more sleep disturbances than men. Phone users also reported physical discomfort including ear warmth and pricking sensations that increased with longer daily use.

Effect of global system for mobile communication (gsm)-like radiofrequency fields on vascular permeability in mouse brain.

Finnie JW et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mice to GSM mobile phone radiation at 898.4 MHz for one hour to test whether it could damage the blood-brain barrier (the protective barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering brain tissue). They found no significant increase in vascular leakage in the brain compared to unexposed control mice. This suggests that this specific exposure level and duration did not compromise the blood-brain barrier's protective function.

Electromagnetic field of mobile phones affects visual event related potential in patients with narcolepsy.

Jech R et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed 22 patients with narcolepsy (a sleep disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness) to cell phone radiation for 45 minutes and measured their brain activity during cognitive tasks. They found that the electromagnetic fields improved the patients' reaction times by 20 milliseconds and enhanced brain responses to visual stimuli, suggesting the radiation temporarily reduced their sleepiness and improved mental performance.

Local vasodilator response to mobile phones.

Paredi P, Kharitonov SA, Hanazawa T, Barnes PJ · 2001

Researchers measured how 30-minute cell phone conversations affected nasal passages and skin temperature in 11 healthy adults. They found that the phone side of the face heated up by over 2 degrees Celsius, nasal passages narrowed by 27%, and nitric oxide levels increased, indicating blood vessel dilation. These effects disappeared when participants used a hands-free earpiece, proving the electromagnetic field was the cause.

Local vasodilator response to mobile phones.

Paredi P, Kharitonov SA, Hanazawa T, Barnes PJ. · 2001

Researchers measured biological changes in 11 healthy adults during 30-minute cell phone calls using 900 MHz phones. They found significant increases in skin temperature (up to 2.3°C), reduced nasal airway space (27% decrease), and elevated nitric oxide levels on the side of the head where the phone was held. These effects disappeared when participants used earpieces instead of holding phones directly against their heads.

Analysis of the influence of the cell geometry, orientation and cell proximity effects on the electric field distribution from direct RF exposure.

Sebastian JL, Munoz S, Sancho M, Miranda JM · 2001

Spanish researchers used computer modeling to study how radiofrequency radiation at cell phone frequencies (900 MHz and 2450 MHz) penetrates individual cells. They found that a cell's shape, orientation, and proximity to other cells dramatically affects how much electromagnetic energy gets absorbed into the cell membrane and interior. The study revealed that cells don't absorb RF energy uniformly - the geometry and positioning matter significantly for determining biological effects.

Whole Body / GeneralNo Effects Found

Effect of immobilization and concurrent exposure to a pulse-modulated microwave field on core body temperature, plasma ACTH and corticosteroid, and brain ornithine decarboxylase, Fos and Jun mRNA.

Stagg RB et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at levels up to 5 W/kg (similar to older phones held directly against the head) while measuring stress hormones and brain activity markers. The study found no differences in stress responses between animals exposed to the radiation versus those that were only restrained, suggesting the radiation itself didn't cause additional stress at these exposure levels.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not alter the cell cycle progression of C3H 10T and U87MG cells.

Higashikubo R et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mouse and human cells to radiofrequency radiation at frequencies used by cell phones (835-847 MHz) for up to 100 hours to see if it affected how cells divide and grow. They found no changes in cell division patterns compared to unexposed cells. This suggests that RF radiation at these power levels doesn't disrupt normal cellular reproduction processes.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Micronuclei in the peripheral blood and bone marrow cells of rats exposed to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation.

Vijayalaxmi et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed rats to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and Wi-Fi) for 24 hours at high intensity levels to see if it would damage their DNA. They looked for micronuclei (tiny fragments that indicate genetic damage) in blood and bone marrow cells. The study found no significant DNA damage compared to unexposed rats, even at radiation levels much higher than typical human exposure.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Neoplastic Transformation in C3H 10T(1/2) Cells after Exposure to 835.62 MHz FDMA and 847.74 MHz CDMA Radiations.

Roti Roti JL et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mouse cells to cell phone radiation at frequencies used by FDMA and CDMA networks (835-848 MHz) for 7 days to see if it would cause normal cells to become cancerous. They also tested whether this radiation could promote cancer development in cells already damaged by X-rays. The study found no increased cancer transformation in cells exposed to either type of cell phone radiation compared to unexposed cells.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Repeated exposure of C3H/HeJ mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses: Lack of effects on mammary tumors.

Jauchem JR, Frei MR, Dusch SJ, Lehnert HM, Kovatch RM · 2001

Researchers exposed 100 cancer-prone mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses (extremely short bursts containing multiple frequencies) for 2 minutes weekly over 12 weeks, using field strengths of 40,000 volts per meter. The exposed mice showed no difference in mammary tumor development, growth rates, or survival compared to unexposed control mice. This study found no evidence that this type of pulsed electromagnetic exposure promotes cancer development in a well-established animal cancer model.

Multinucleated giant cell appearance after whole body microwave irradiation of rats.

Trosic I. · 2001

Researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and some WiFi devices) and examined lung cells. They found that exposure caused immune cells in the lungs to fuse together into abnormal giant cells with multiple nuclei - a sign of chronic lung inflammation. The effect became stronger with more radiation treatments, suggesting cumulative damage to the respiratory system.

Effect of centimeter microwaves and the combined magnetic field on the tumor necrosis factor production in cells of mice with experimental tumors

Novoselova EG, Ogai VB, Sorokina OV, Novikov VV, Fesenko EE · 2001

Researchers exposed tumor-bearing mice to extremely low-level microwaves (1 microW/cm2) combined with weak magnetic fields for 1.5 hours daily over 7 days. They found that this dual exposure increased production of tumor necrosis factor, a protein that helps the immune system fight cancer cells. The results suggest that certain EMF exposures might actually enhance the body's natural tumor-fighting response.

FAQs: Cell Phones EMF Research

Of 1,326 peer-reviewed studies examining cell phones electromagnetic radiation, 73% 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 cell phones radiation exposure.
The BioInitiative Report database includes 1,326 peer-reviewed studies specifically examining cell phones 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.
73% of the 1,326 studies examining cell phones electromagnetic radiation found measurable biological effects. This means that 968 studies documented observable changes when organisms were exposed to cell phones EMF. The remaining studies either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results.