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)

. The spectral power coherence of the EEG under different EMF conditions.

Hountala CD et al. · 2008

Researchers studied how cell phone frequencies (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) affect brain wave coordination patterns during a memory task. They found that RF radiation changed how different brain wave frequencies work together, with effects varying between men and women. The study suggests that cell phone radiation can alter fundamental brain activity patterns even during cognitive tasks.

Assessment of biological changes of continuous whole body exposure to static magnetic field and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in mice.

Hashish AH, El-Missiry MA, Abdelkader HI, Abou-Saleh RH. · 2008

Researchers exposed mice to magnetic fields and 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the type from power lines) for 30 days to study health effects. The exposed mice lost weight and showed signs of liver stress, including increased oxidative damage (cellular damage from unstable molecules) and changes in blood chemistry. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to these common electromagnetic fields may disrupt the body's ability to protect itself from cellular damage.

The spectral power coherence of the EEG under different EMF conditions.

Hountala CD et al. · 2008

Researchers measured how different brain wave frequencies work together during memory tasks when people were exposed to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies. They found that radiation changed the coordination patterns between brain waves, with different effects for men and women. Under normal conditions, men showed better coordination between brain wave frequencies than women, but this difference disappeared or reversed when exposed to the two different radiation frequencies.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found

Exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic fields and subjective symptoms: a double-blind study

Cinel C, Russo R, Boldini A, Fox E · 2008

Researchers tested whether 40-minute exposures to mobile phone radiation caused symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or fatigue in 496 volunteers using a double-blind design where neither participants nor researchers knew when real versus fake signals were used. They found no consistent evidence that phone radiation caused subjective symptoms, with only one isolated finding of increased dizziness in one group that wasn't replicated in the other test groups. The study suggests that acute mobile phone exposure doesn't reliably produce the symptoms some people report.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Histopathological examinations of rat brains after long-term exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation.

Grafström G et al. · 2008

Swedish researchers exposed rats to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation for 2 hours weekly over 55 weeks at very low power levels (0.6 and 60 milliwatts per kilogram). When they examined the rats' brains afterward, they found no signs of damage including blood-brain barrier leakage, cell death, or aging-related changes. This contradicts some earlier studies from the same research group that found brain effects at similar exposure levels.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Local exposure of 849 MHz and 1763 MHz radiofrequency radiation to mouse heads does not induce cell death or cell proliferation in brain

Kim TH et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation at 849 MHz and 1763 MHz frequencies for up to 12 months, delivering radiation directly to their heads at levels much higher than typical phone use. They found no evidence of brain cell death, abnormal cell growth, or other cellular changes in the exposed animals compared to unexposed controls.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Local exposure of 849 MHz and 1763 MHz radiofrequency radiation to mouse heads does not induce cell death or cell proliferation in brain.

Kim TH et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation at 849 MHz and 1763 MHz frequencies for up to 12 months, using radiation levels about 4 times higher than current safety limits. They found no changes in brain cell death, cell growth, or tissue damage compared to unexposed mice. This suggests that chronic exposure to these specific frequencies at high levels may not cause detectable brain tissue changes in mice.

Oxidative Stress215 citations

Effects of 900-MHz electromagnetic field emitted from cellular phone on brain oxidative stress and some vitamin levels of guinea pigs.

Meral I et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed guinea pigs to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 12 hours daily over 30 days and found significant oxidative stress in brain tissue. The radiation increased harmful compounds called free radicals while depleting the brain's natural antioxidant defenses. This suggests that prolonged cell phone exposure may damage brain cells through oxidative stress, the same process linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Exposure to cell phone radiation up-regulates apoptosis genes in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes.

Zhao TY, Zou SP, Knapp PE · 2007

Researchers exposed brain cells (neurons and astrocytes) to radiation from a working GSM cell phone for just 2 hours and found that genes involved in cell death pathways became more active. The effect occurred even when the phone was on standby mode, and neurons appeared more sensitive to the radiation than astrocytes (support cells in the brain). This suggests that even brief cell phone exposure can trigger cellular stress responses in brain tissue.

Cell death induced by GSM 900-MHz and DCS 1800-MHz mobile telephony radiation

Panagopoulos DJ, Chavdoula ED, Nezis IP, Margaritis LH · 2007

Greek researchers exposed fruit flies to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies for just 6 minutes daily over 6 days, then examined their reproductive cells for DNA damage. They found widespread cell death and DNA fragmentation in egg-producing cells that normally don't die during early development. This cell death explained why the flies' egg production dropped dramatically in the researchers' previous studies.

Oxidative Stress129 citations

Effects of mobile phones on oxidant/antioxidant balance in cornea and lens of rats

Balci M, Devrim E, Durak I · 2007

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 10 minutes four times daily over four weeks and examined eye tissues for signs of oxidative damage. They found increased markers of cellular damage in both the cornea and lens of the eye, indicating that radiofrequency radiation causes oxidative stress in eye tissues. When rats were given vitamin C supplements alongside the radiation exposure, the damage was significantly reduced.

Dielectric properties of porcine cerebrospinal tissues at microwave frequencies: in vivo, in vitro and systematic variation with age.

Peyman A, Holden SJ, Watts S, Perrott R, Gabriel C · 2007

Researchers measured how microwave radiation (50 MHz to 20 GHz) affects the electrical properties of brain and spinal cord tissues in pigs. They found that white matter and spinal cord tissues showed significant changes with age, while gray matter remained stable. This matters because understanding how different brain tissues respond to microwave frequencies helps us better predict potential health effects from wireless devices.

Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.

Buttiglione M et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed human brain cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) at power levels similar to what your phone emits. They found that this radiation activated stress response genes, disrupted normal cell division, and triggered cell death pathways. The effects occurred at radiation levels considered 'safe' by current standards, suggesting that RF exposure may interfere with fundamental cellular processes in brain tissue.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found101 citations

Genotoxic effects of exposure to radiofrequencyelectromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in cultured mammalian cells are not independently reproducible.

Speit G, Schütz P, Hoffmann H. · 2007

German researchers attempted to replicate the controversial REFLEX study findings that showed cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) could damage DNA in human cells. Using identical equipment, cells, and exposure conditions, they found no DNA damage whatsoever. This directly contradicted the original REFLEX results that had suggested radiofrequency radiation at levels similar to cell phones could be genotoxic (DNA-damaging).

900 MHz radiofrequency-induced histopathologic changes and oxidative stress in rat endometrium: protection by vitamins E and C.

Guney M, Ozguner F, Oral B, Karahan N, Mungan T. · 2007

Researchers exposed female rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 30 minutes daily over 30 days and examined the effects on endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus). The radiation caused significant oxidative damage and tissue inflammation in the endometrium, but these harmful effects were largely prevented when the rats were given vitamins E and C. This suggests that cell phone-frequency radiation may damage reproductive tissues through oxidative stress, but antioxidant protection could help mitigate these effects.

Mobile phone emission modulates interhemispheric functional coupling of EEG alpha rhythms

Vecchio F et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed 10 people to mobile phone radiation for 45 minutes and measured their brain waves using EEG. They found that the radiation altered how the left and right sides of the brain communicate with each other, specifically affecting alpha brain wave patterns. This suggests that cell phone emissions can change the way different brain regions coordinate their activity.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

No apoptosis is induced in rat cortical neurons exposed to GSM phone fields.

Joubert V, Leveque P, Cueille M, Bourthoumieu S, Yardin C. · 2007

French researchers exposed rat brain neurons to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM) for 24 hours at levels similar to phone use (0.25 W/kg SAR) to see if it would cause cell death (apoptosis). Using three different testing methods, they found no increase in neuron death compared to unexposed control cells. This suggests that short-term cell phone radiation exposure may not directly kill brain cells under these laboratory conditions.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of pulsed and continuous wave 902 MHz mobile phone exposure on brain oscillatory activity during cognitive processing.

Krause CM, Pesonen M, Haarala Björnberg C, Hämäläinen H. · 2007

Finnish researchers exposed 72 men to 902 MHz mobile phone radiation while they performed memory tasks, measuring brain wave patterns through EEG. The study found only modest, inconsistent effects on brain oscillations in the alpha frequency range, with no impact on actual memory performance. The researchers concluded that any brain wave changes from phone radiation appear to be subtle, variable, and difficult to replicate consistently.

Effect of an acute 900MHz GSM exposure on glia in the rat brain: A time-dependent study.

Brillaud E, Piotrowski A, de Seze R. · 2007

French researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900MHz GSM signal) for just 15 minutes and then examined their brains over the following 10 days. They found significant increases in glial cell activity (brain cells that support and protect neurons) in multiple brain regions, peaking 2-3 days after exposure. This glial response indicates the brain was reacting to the radiation exposure as if responding to injury or stress.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Pulsed and continuous wave mobile phone exposure over left versus right hemisphere: Effects on human cognitive function

Haarala C et al. · 2007

Finnish researchers tested whether mobile phone radiation affects thinking skills by having 36 men perform cognitive tasks while exposed to different types of phone signals on either the left or right side of their heads. They found no measurable differences in mental performance between real phone radiation exposure and fake exposure, regardless of which side of the head was exposed. The study suggests that typical mobile phone use doesn't impair basic cognitive functions like memory or attention in healthy adults.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects of Subchronic Exposure to Radio Frequency From a Conventional Cellular Telephone on Testicular Function in Adult Rats.

Ribeiro EP, Rhoden EL, Horn MM, Rhoden C, Lima LP, Toniolo L · 2007

Researchers exposed adult rats to cell phone radiation (1,835-1,850 MHz) for one hour daily over 11 weeks to test effects on reproductive function. They found no changes in testosterone levels, sperm count, testicular weight, or tissue damage compared to unexposed rats. This study suggests that typical cell phone radiation exposure may not harm male fertility in the short term.

SAR in the mother and foetus for RF plane wave irradiation.

Dimbylow P. · 2007

Researchers created detailed computer models of pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy (8 to 38 weeks) to measure how radiofrequency radiation is absorbed by both the mother and developing baby. They found that current safety guidelines appear to provide adequate protection for the fetus, with radiation absorption levels staying within established limits across all pregnancy stages tested.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Carcinogenicity Study of 217 Hz Pulsed 900 MHz electromagnetic fields in pim1 transgenic mice.

Oberto G et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed genetically modified mice to pulsed 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 18 months to test whether it could cause cancer. Despite using exposure levels up to three times higher than a previous study that found increased lymphomas, this larger study found no increase in tumors or cancer at any of the tested exposure levels. This contradicts earlier research suggesting cell phone radiation might promote cancer development.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Electromagnetic fields produced by GSM cellular phones and heart rate variability.

Parazzini M et al. · 2007

Italian researchers exposed 26 healthy young adults to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz (2 watts) while measuring heart rate variability, which reflects how well the autonomic nervous system regulates heart rhythm. The study found no statistically significant effects on heart rate patterns during either rest or physical stress, though some minor changes were detected in a few measurements. This suggests that short-term cell phone exposure at typical power levels doesn't meaningfully disrupt the body's automatic control of heart function.

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.