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

Outdoor EMF Infrastructure Research

RFELF Magnetic

Research on environmental EMF sources - cell towers, 5G small cells, power lines, and smart meters.

3
Sources
2,829
Studies
2
EMF Types

Related Studies (1,815)

Effects of A 60 Hz Magnetic Field of Up to 50 milliTesla on Human Tremor and EEG: A Pilot Study.

Davarpanah Jazi S, Modolo J, Baker C, Villard S, Legros A. · 2017

Researchers exposed 10 healthy volunteers to 60 Hz magnetic fields up to 50 milliTesla (extremely high levels) while measuring brain activity and hand tremor. They found subtle changes in brain wave patterns related to touch sensation, but no effects on motor control or hand tremor. The study provides preliminary evidence that power-frequency magnetic fields can influence specific brain regions even when they don't cause obvious physical symptoms.

Generation and propagation of yeast prion [URE3] are elevated under electromagnetic field.

Lian HY, Lin KW, Yang C, Cai P. · 2017

Researchers exposed yeast cells to radiofrequency radiation (2.0 GHz) and extremely low frequency fields (50 Hz) to study effects on protein misfolding. They found that both types of electromagnetic fields increased the formation and spread of prions (misfolded proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases) in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests EMF exposure may contribute to protein misfolding disorders through oxidative stress mechanisms.

Effects of exposure to electromagnetic field from 915 MHz radiofrequency identification system on circulating blood cells in the healthy adult rat.

Kim HS et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed rats to 915 MHz radiofrequency radiation (used in RFID systems) for 8 hours daily over 2 weeks. They found measurable changes in blood cell counts - red blood cells increased while white blood cells decreased, demonstrating RF radiation can alter blood composition at moderate exposure levels.

RAPD Profiling, DNA Fragmentation, and Histomorphometric Examination in Brains of Wistar Rats Exposed to Indoor 2.5 Ghz Wi-Fi Devices Radiation.

Ibitayo AO et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed young male rats to Wi-Fi radiation at 2.5 GHz for 30, 45, and 60 days to study brain effects. They found DNA damage and vascular congestion (blood vessel swelling) in the brain tissue that worsened with longer exposure periods. This suggests that everyday Wi-Fi exposure may cause cumulative damage to brain cells and blood vessels over time.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Influence of radiofrequency-electromagnetic waves from 3rd-generation cellular phones on fertilization and embryo development in mice.

Suzuki S et al. · 2017

Japanese researchers exposed mouse eggs and sperm to 3G cell phone radiation at 2 watts per kilogram for one hour, then studied fertilization rates and early embryo development. They found no significant effects on fertilization success, embryo development, or chromosome damage across different exposure combinations. The researchers noted their exposure level was at least 100 times higher than typical daily human exposure to cell phone radiation.

Electromagnetic fields at a mobile phone frequency (900 MHz) trigger the onset of general stress response along with DNA modifications in Eisenia fetida earthworms

Bourdineaud JP et al. · 2017

Earthworms exposed to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for two hours showed DNA damage and stress responses lasting 24+ hours. The radiation levels were 100 times weaker than safety limits, yet still caused genetic changes, suggesting brief low-level EMF exposure creates lasting biological effects.

Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on brain histopathology of Caspian Sea Cyprinus carpio.

Samiee F, Samiee K. · 2017

Researchers exposed Caspian Sea carp to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (the same 50 Hz frequency used in power lines and household electricity) for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Fish exposed to magnetic field strengths of 3 milliTesla or higher showed severe brain damage, including tissue death. The damage worsened with both stronger fields and longer exposure times.

Electromagnetic fields at a mobile phone frequency (900 MHz) trigger the onset of general stress response along with DNA modifications in Eisenia fetida earthworms.

Bourdineaud JP et al. · 2017

Scientists exposed earthworms to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for two hours at levels far below safety limits. The worms showed DNA damage and stress responses that lasted over 24 hours after exposure ended, suggesting even brief, low-level mobile phone frequencies cause lasting biological harm.

Enhancement of X-ray Induced Apoptosis by Mobile Phone-Like Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in Mouse Spermatocyte-Derived Cells.

Zhang KY et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed mouse sperm-producing cells to cell phone radiation (1950 MHz) at 3 W/kg for 24 hours, both alone and combined with X-ray radiation. While the RF radiation alone caused no harm, when combined with X-rays it significantly increased cell death and reduced cell growth compared to X-rays alone. This suggests that cell phone radiation may make cells more vulnerable to other forms of radiation damage.

Alterations of thymic morphology and antioxidant biomarkers in 60-day-old male rats following exposure to a continuous 900 MHz electromagnetic field during adolescence.

Kulaber A, Kerimoğlu G, Ersöz Ş, Çolakoğlu S, Odacı E. · 2017

Researchers exposed young male rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for one hour daily during their adolescent development period. The exposed rats showed increased oxidative stress in their thymus (a key immune system organ) and tissue damage including bleeding into the tissue. This suggests that RF radiation during development may harm the immune system by creating damaging free radicals.

Acute effects of 30 minutes of exposure to a smartphone call on in vitro platelet function.

Lippi G et al. · 2017

Italian researchers exposed blood samples from 16 healthy volunteers to smartphone radiation (900 MHz) for 30 minutes and found significant changes in platelet function. The exposed blood showed altered clotting behavior and increased platelet size compared to unexposed samples. This suggests that smartphone radiation can directly affect blood components involved in clotting and wound healing.

Ten gigahertz microwave radiation impairs spatial memory, enzymes activity, and histopathology of developing mice brain

Sharma A, Kesari KK, Saxena VK, Sisodia R. · 2017

Researchers exposed developing mice to 10 GHz microwave radiation for 2 hours daily over 15 days and found significant damage to brain development. The exposed mice showed impaired spatial memory, altered brain chemistry, and visible tissue damage in key brain regions including the hippocampus. These effects persisted even weeks after the exposure ended, suggesting the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to microwave radiation.

Acute effects of the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones on attention in emergency physicians.

Altuntas G et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed 30 emergency physicians to cell phone radiation (900-1800 MHz) for 15 minutes and tested their attention and concentration using standardized cognitive tests. Surprisingly, doctors exposed to the radiation actually performed better on selective attention tasks compared to those holding phones that were turned off. The study suggests short-term cell phone radiation exposure may temporarily enhance certain cognitive functions rather than impair them.

Long-term exposure to 835 MHz RF-EMF induces hyperactivity, autophagy and demyelination in the cortical neurons of mice

Kim JH, Yu DH, Huh YH, Lee EH, Kim HG, Kim HR. · 2017

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone-level radiation (835 MHz) for 5 hours daily over 12 weeks and found significant brain changes. The radiation damaged the protective coating around brain cells (called myelin) and caused hyperactive behavior in the mice. This suggests that prolonged exposure to radiofrequency radiation at levels similar to heavy cell phone use may harm brain function and behavior.

Benign Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Brain Plasticity Assessed by Nitric Oxide Metabolism during Poststroke Rehabilitation

Cichoń N et al. · 2017

Researchers studied whether extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields could help stroke patients recover by examining brain chemistry changes. They exposed 48 stroke patients to 40 Hz magnetic fields for 15 minutes daily during rehabilitation and found increased levels of nitric oxide (a brain chemical involved in healing) plus improved mental and daily functioning. This suggests that specific EMF exposures might actually support brain recovery after stroke.

Power frequency magnetic field promotes a more malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma cells via redox-related mechanisms.

Falone S et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma cells (a type of brain cancer cell) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels similar to those found near power lines. The magnetic field exposure made the cancer cells grow faster and become more resistant to cancer treatment drugs by activating the cells' natural defense systems. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields might make certain brain cancers more aggressive and harder to treat.

Assessing the combined effect of extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure and oxidative stress on LINE-1 promoter methylation in human neural cells.

Giorgi G et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed human brain cells to power line magnetic fields alone and with cellular stress. While magnetic fields alone caused minor DNA changes, combining them with stress significantly altered DNA patterns that control genes. Most changes reversed, showing cells can recover.

Direction-dependent effects of combined static and ELF magnetic fields on cell proliferation and superoxide radical production.

Naarala J et al. · 2017

Scientists exposed human blood vessel cells and rat brain cells to combinations of Earth's magnetic field and power line magnetic fields. They found that horizontal power line fields caused different cellular effects than vertical ones. This suggests power line magnetic fields may interact with Earth's natural field to influence cell behavior.

Effect of 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on the production of superoxide anion and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 in RAW264 cells

Pooam M, Nakayama M, Nishigaki C, Miyata H · 2017

Scientists exposed immune cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from power lines at levels found near electrical devices. The magnetic fields damaged cellular energy centers, increased harmful free radicals, and triggered stress responses. This suggests everyday magnetic field exposure may stress our immune systems.

Pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field induce p53/p21-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in mouse spermatogenic cells in vitro and thus may affect male fertility.

Solek P et al. · 2017

Polish researchers exposed mouse sperm cells to electromagnetic fields at 2, 50, and 120 Hz frequencies for two hours. The exposure triggered cell death by damaging DNA and causing oxidative stress, potentially reducing healthy sperm and contributing to male fertility problems.

Effects of single and repeated exposure to a 50-Hz 2-mT electromagnetic field on primary cultured hippocampal neurons

Zeng Y, Shen Y, Hong L, Chen Y, Shi X, Zeng Q, Yu P · 2017

Researchers exposed brain cells from the hippocampus (a memory center) to 50-Hz magnetic fields at 2 milliTesla for 8 hours daily and measured various biological effects. They found that repeated exposure reduced cell survival and increased harmful reactive oxygen species, but did not cause DNA damage or cell death. The study suggests that while these magnetic fields create cellular stress, they may not cause severe biological damage.

Benign Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Brain Plasticity Assessed by Nitric Oxide Metabolism during Poststroke Rehabilitation.

Cichoń N et al. · 2017

Researchers studied 48 stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, with half receiving additional exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (40 Hz) for 15 minutes daily. The EMF-exposed group showed increased levels of nitric oxide compounds in their blood and demonstrated better functional and mental recovery compared to the control group. This suggests that specific EMF frequencies might help enhance brain healing after stroke.

FAQs: EMF in Outdoor / Infrastructure

The outdoor / infrastructure environment contains several common sources of electromagnetic field exposure including 5g / cell towers, power lines, smart meters. Together, these 3 sources account for 2,829 peer-reviewed studies in the BioInitiative Report database examining their potential health effects.
There are 2,829 peer-reviewed studies in our database examining EMF sources commonly found in outdoor / infrastructure environments. These studies cover 3 different EMF sources: 5G / Cell Towers (1,404 studies), Power Lines (411 studies), Smart Meters (1,014 studies). The research includes both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies from scientists worldwide.
5G / Cell Towers has the most research with 1,404 studies, followed by Smart Meters (1,014) and Power Lines (411). This research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, and other health outcomes from EMF exposure in outdoor / infrastructure settings.