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

Personal Device EMF Research

RFELF Magnetic

Research on EMF from devices you carry or wear daily - phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and laptops.

3
Sources
3,372
Studies
2
EMF Types

Related Studies (1,772)

Mobile Phones exposure induces changes of Contingent Negative Variation in humans.

de Tommaso M et al. · 2009

Researchers tested how 900 MHz cell phone signals affect brain electrical activity by measuring a specific brainwave pattern called contingent negative variation (CNV) in 10 volunteers. They found that both active phones and sham phones (with internal circuits running but no RF emission) reduced brain arousal and expectation responses compared to phones that were completely off. The study suggests that both the GSM radio signal and the low-frequency magnetic fields from the phone's battery and circuits can alter normal brain function.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Absence of genotoxic potential of 902 MHz (GSM) and 1747 MHz (DCS) wireless communication signals: In vivo two-year bioassay in B6C3F1 mice.

Ziemann C et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (GSM and DCS signals) for 2 hours daily, 5 days a week for two years to test whether it damages DNA. They measured micronuclei (small DNA fragments that indicate genetic damage) in blood cells and found no difference between exposed and unexposed mice. This suggests that chronic exposure to these specific cell phone frequencies at the tested levels did not cause detectable genetic damage in this animal model.

900 MHz modulated electromagnetic fields accelerate the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway.

Moisescu MG, Leveque P, Verjus MA, Kovacs E, Mir LM. · 2009

French researchers exposed mouse cells to 900 MHz cell phone radiation and found it accelerated endocytosis, the process cells use to absorb nutrients and other substances. This suggests cell phone signals can alter fundamental cellular functions at the molecular level, potentially affecting how cells process essential materials.

Thermal effects of mobile phones on facial nerves and surrounding soft tissue.

Acar GO, Yener HM, Savrun FK, Kalkan T, Bayrak I, Enver O. · 2009

Researchers exposed rabbits to cell phone radiation (1900 MHz) for 25 minutes and measured temperature changes and nerve function in facial tissues. They found that the radiation increased tissue temperature by 0.39°C and temporarily impaired facial nerve function, with both effects returning to normal 25 minutes after exposure ended.

Measurement and analysis of radiofrequency radiations from some mobile phone base stations in Ghana.

Amoako JK, Fletcher JJ, Darko EO. · 2009

Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels around 50 cell phone towers in Ghana to assess public exposure. They found radiation levels that were 20 times higher than typically measured in similar studies elsewhere, though still within international safety guidelines. The study highlights significant variation in exposure levels around cell towers and raises concerns about increasing radiation as mobile phone usage grows.

Exposure to an 890-MHz mobile phone-like signal and serum levels of S100B and transthyretin in volunteers.

Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K, Hardell L · 2009

Researchers exposed 41 volunteers to cell phone radiation for 30 minutes and measured blood markers that indicate whether the blood-brain barrier (the protective shield around your brain) had been compromised. They found that one marker called transthyretin increased significantly after exposure, suggesting the radiation may have affected this critical barrier. This is concerning because a compromised blood-brain barrier could allow harmful substances to enter the brain more easily.

Disturbance of cell proliferation in response to mobile phone frequency radiation.

Trosić I, Pavicić I. · 2009

Researchers exposed hamster cells to mobile phone radiation (935 MHz) at low power levels for 1-3 hours and tracked their growth over four days. They found that cells exposed for three hours showed reduced growth 72 hours later and immediate damage to their internal scaffolding structures called microtubules. This suggests that even brief exposures to cell phone-level radiation can disrupt normal cellular function and growth patterns.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Preattentive auditory information processing under exposure to the 902 MHz GSM mobile phone electromagnetic field: A mismatch negativity (MMN) study

Kwon MS et al. · 2009

Finnish researchers tested whether GSM mobile phone radiation affects the brain's ability to automatically detect changes in sounds, a key function for processing speech and music. They measured brain responses in 17 healthy adults while exposing them to 902 MHz radiation at levels typical of cell phone use (SAR up to 1.21 W/kg). The study found no changes in the brain's automatic sound processing abilities during EMF exposure.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Preattentive auditory information processing under exposure to the 902 MHz GSM mobile phone electromagnetic field: A mismatch negativity (MMN) study.

Kwon MS et al. · 2009

Researchers tested whether cell phone radiation affects the brain's ability to automatically detect changes in sounds by measuring brain waves in 17 healthy adults while a GSM phone was placed next to their ear. They found no differences in brain responses whether the phone was on or off, suggesting that acute exposure to cell phone radiation doesn't impair this basic auditory processing function. This study adds to research examining how electromagnetic fields might affect brain function during everyday phone use.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Heat shock protein induction in fetal mouse brain as a measure of stress after whole of gestation exposure to mobile telephony radiofrequency fields.

Finnie JW, Chidlow G, Blumbergs PC, Manavis J, Cai Z.. · 2009

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily throughout pregnancy to see if it caused stress in developing fetal brains. They measured heat shock proteins, which are biological markers that cells produce when under stress. The study found no evidence that the radiation caused stress responses in the fetal brain tissue, suggesting no detectable harm at the exposure levels tested.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields on rat cortical synaptosomes

Aldinucci C et al. · 2009

Italian researchers exposed rat brain nerve terminals (synaptosomes) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 2 milliTesla for 2 hours to study effects on basic cellular functions. They found no changes in energy production, calcium levels, membrane function, or oxidative stress markers. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields at this intensity don't disrupt fundamental brain cell processes.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Expression of the water channel protein, aquaporin-4, in mouse brains exposed to mobile telephone radiofrequency fields

Finnie JW, Blumbergs PC, Cai Z, Manavis J · 2009

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz for either one hour or two years to see if it would increase a brain protein called aquaporin-4, which rises when the blood-brain barrier becomes leaky. They found no increase in this protein after either short or long-term exposure, suggesting that cell phone radiation at this level doesn't make the blood-brain barrier more permeable.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Expression of the water channel protein, aquaporin-4, in mouse brains exposed to mobile telephone radiofrequency fields.

Finnie JW, Blumbergs PC, Cai Z, Manavis J. · 2009

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for either one hour or repeatedly over two years to see if it would damage the blood-brain barrier - the protective shield that keeps toxins out of the brain. They looked for increased levels of aquaporin-4, a protein that indicates barrier damage. The study found no changes in this protein after either short-term or long-term exposure, suggesting the blood-brain barrier remained intact.

Effects of ELF-EMF on brain proteins in mice.

Strasák L, Bártová E, Krejci J, Fojt L, Vetterl V. · 2009

Researchers exposed mice to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as electrical power lines) for 4 days and measured changes in brain proteins. They found that exposure significantly decreased levels of c-Jun, a protein crucial for brain cell communication and development. This suggests that even short-term exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields can alter important brain proteins.

Effects of ELF-EMF on brain proteins in mice.

Strasák L, Bártová E, Krejci J, Fojt L, Vetterl V. · 2009

Researchers exposed laboratory mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz at 2 milliTesla) for four days and measured changes in brain proteins. They found that exposure decreased levels of c-Jun, a protein involved in cellular stress responses and gene regulation, while another protein (c-Fos) remained unchanged. This suggests that even short-term exposure to magnetic fields can alter brain biochemistry at the cellular level.

Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in pregnant adult rabbits.

Budak GG et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz GSM) for 15 minutes daily over a week, then measured their inner ear function using sensitive hearing tests. They found that non-pregnant rabbits showed significant decreases in cochlear function (the part of the ear that converts sound to nerve signals), while pregnant rabbits were largely protected from these effects. This suggests cell phone radiation can damage hearing mechanisms, but pregnancy hormones may offer some protection.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to DAMPS and GSM signals on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity: I. L-929 mouse fibroblasts.

Billaudel B, Taxile M, Ruffie G, Veyret B, Lagroye I. · 2009

Researchers exposed mouse cells to cell phone signals (DAMPS and GSM) for one hour to see if it would increase activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), an enzyme linked to cell growth and potentially cancer development. They found no significant changes in ODC activity at exposure levels of 2.5 and 6 W/kg, contradicting some earlier studies that reported increased enzyme activity. This suggests that under controlled temperature conditions, these specific cell phone signals may not trigger this particular cellular response.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to DAMPS and GSM signals on Ornithine Decarboxylase (ODC) activity: II. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Billaudel B et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human brain tumor cells to cell phone radiation similar to DAMPS and GSM signals for up to 24 hours, then measured changes in an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) that's involved in cell growth. They found no changes in ODC activity regardless of the type of signal, exposure duration, or radiation intensity. This suggests that typical cell phone radiation levels don't affect this particular cellular process in brain cells.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Cytogenetic effects of exposure to 2.3 GHz radiofrequency radiation on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Hansteen IL et al. · 2009

Norwegian researchers exposed human immune cells (lymphocytes) to 2.3 GHz radiofrequency radiation - similar to what cell phones emit - for an entire cell cycle to see if it would damage DNA or chromosomes. They found no statistically significant genetic damage compared to unexposed cells, even when they added a known DNA-damaging chemical to make cells more vulnerable. This suggests that RF radiation at levels used by mobile devices may not directly break chromosomes in immune cells under these laboratory conditions.

Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions of rabbits: comparison of infants versus adults.

Budak GG, Muluk NB, Budak B, Oztürk GG, Apan A, Seyhan N. · 2009

Researchers exposed infant and adult female rabbits to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz GSM) for 15 minutes daily over 7 days and measured their hearing function using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), which test how well the inner ear responds to sound. Adult rabbits showed significant hearing damage across most frequencies tested, while infant rabbits actually showed some improved responses at certain frequencies. This suggests that developing ears may be more resilient to radiofrequency damage than mature ones, possibly due to higher water content in young ear structures.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Using the nonlinear control of anaesthesia-induced hypersensitivity of EEG at burst suppression level to test the effects of radiofrequency radiation on brain function.

Lipping T et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed anesthetized pigs to GSM mobile phone radiation (890 MHz) to test whether radio frequency signals could trigger brain activity changes detectable in EEG measurements. The study used a highly sensitive testing method where anesthetized animals show exaggerated responses to even minor stimuli. Despite exposure levels of 31 W/kg (much higher than typical phone use), no changes in brain electrical activity were observed, though the animals did experience increased body temperature and heart rate.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Using the nonlinear control of anesthesia-induced hypersensitivity of EEG at burst suppression level to test the effects of radiofrequency radiation on brain function.

Lipping T et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed eleven anesthetized pigs to mobile phone radiation at 890 MHz to test whether radiofrequency signals could trigger brain activity changes in a highly sensitive state. They found no correlation between RF exposure and brain wave patterns, though the animals experienced significant temperature increases (1.6°C) and elevated heart rates during the 10-minute exposures. This suggests that while RF radiation can cause heating effects, it may not directly stimulate brain activity even under conditions of heightened neural sensitivity.

[Antagonistic effect of microwave on hematopoietic damage of mice induced by gamma-ray irradiation.]

Cao Y, Xu Q, Lu MX, Jin ZD, DU HB, Li JX, Nie JH, Tong J. · 2009

Chinese researchers exposed mice to low-level 900 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by cell phones) before subjecting them to high-dose gamma radiation that typically damages blood-forming cells. They found that the microwave pre-exposure actually protected the mice, improving their survival rates and helping maintain healthy blood cell production. This suggests that certain levels of microwave radiation might stimulate protective biological responses rather than cause harm.

FAQs: EMF in Personal Devices & Wearables

The personal devices & wearables environment contains several common sources of electromagnetic field exposure including cell phones, laptops, bluetooth devices. Together, these 3 sources account for 3,372 peer-reviewed studies in the BioInitiative Report database examining their potential health effects.
There are 3,372 peer-reviewed studies in our database examining EMF sources commonly found in personal devices & wearables environments. These studies cover 3 different EMF sources: Cell Phones (1,326 studies), Laptops (1,772 studies), Bluetooth Devices (274 studies). The research includes both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies from scientists worldwide.
Laptops has the most research with 1,772 studies, followed by Cell Phones (1,326) and Bluetooth Devices (274). This research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, and other health outcomes from EMF exposure in personal devices & wearables settings.