6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies 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
3,602
Studies
2
EMF Types

EMF in Personal Devices & Wearables

  • -These are the devices that travel with you everywhere-in your pocket, on your wrist, in your ears, and on your lap.
  • -Personal devices and wearables represent your most intimate EMF exposure because they're designed to stay close to your body throughout the day.
  • -Your smartphone radiates radiofrequency energy just inches from your brain during calls, your laptop emits magnetic fields directly onto your lap, and your wireless earbuds transmit Bluetooth signals inside your ear canals.

These are the devices that travel with you everywhere-in your pocket, on your wrist, in your ears, and on your lap. Personal devices and wearables represent your most intimate EMF exposure because they're designed to stay close to your body throughout the day. Your smartphone radiates radiofrequency energy just inches from your brain during calls, your laptop emits magnetic fields directly onto your lap, and your wireless earbuds transmit Bluetooth signals inside your ear canals.

Related Studies (3,602)

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Comparative study of cell cycle kinetics and induction of apoptosis or necrosis after exposure of human mono mac 6 cells to radiofrequency radiation.

Lantow M, Viergutz T, Weiss DG, Simko M. · 2006

Researchers used human Mono Mac 6 cells and exposed them to a 1,800 MHz GSM-DTX signal at 2 W/kg SAR for 12 hours. They measured cell cycle kinetics, BrdU uptake, apoptosis, and necrosis using flow cytometry. No statistically significant differences were found in apoptosis, necrosis, cell cycle kinetics, or BrdU uptake between RF EMF-exposed cells and sham or incubator controls. Positive controls treated with gliotoxin and PMA showed significant increases in apoptosis and necrosis, and PMA caused a significant accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase with a reduction in S-phase cells.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

In vitro effects of GSM modulated radiofrequency fields on human immune cells.

Tuschl H, Novak W, Molla-Djafari H. · 2006

The study assessed whether GSM-modulated RF fields have adverse effects on the functional competence of human immune cells. Exposure was performed at GSM Basic 1950 MHz with an SAR of 1 mW/g in an intermittent mode of 5 minutes on and 10 minutes off for 8 hours. Researchers evaluated intracellular cytokine production, immune-relevant gene activity, and cytotoxicity of lymphokine-activated killer cells using blood from at least 15 donors per parameter. No statistically significant effects of exposure were found.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Phosphorylation and gene expression of p53 are not affected in human cells exposed to 2.1425 GHz band CW or W-CDMA modulated radiation allocated to mobile radio base stations.

Hirose H et al. · 2006

Researchers conducted a large-scale in vitro study to test whether modulated RF fields from mobile radio base stations induce apoptosis or stress responses activating p53. Human glioblastoma A172 cells were exposed to W-CDMA radiation at SARs of 80, 250, and 800 mW/kg and CW radiation at 80 mW/kg for 24 or 48 hours, while human IMR-90 fibroblasts were exposed to both modulations at 80 mW/kg for 28 hours. No significant differences in apoptosis, phosphorylated p53 at serine 15, total p53, or downstream gene expression were found between exposed and sham-exposed cells.

Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro.

Stankiewicz W et al. · 2006

Polish researchers exposed human immune cells to 900 MHz GSM cell phone signals at very low power levels (SAR 0.024 W/kg) and found that the microwave exposure significantly increased immune cell activity. The exposed cells showed stronger responses to immune stimulants and higher activity levels compared to unexposed control cells. This suggests that even low-level cell phone radiation can alter how your immune system functions at the cellular level.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Radiofrequency radiation does not induce stress response in human T-lymphocytes and rat primary astrocytes.

Lee JS, Huang TQ, Kim TH, Kim JY, Kim HJ, Pack JK, Seo JS. · 2006

Researchers exposed human T-lymphocyte Jurkat cells and rat primary astrocytes to 1763 MHz RF radiation at SARs of 2 or 20 W/kg for 30 minutes or 1 hour while temperature was completely controlled at 37 +/- 0.2 degrees C. No detectable difference was observed in the expression levels of HSP90, HSP70, and HSP27, and the phosphorylation status of MAPKs did not change significantly. When TPA alone was applied, MAPKs were phosphorylated in a dose-dependent manner, but RF radiation did not enhance TPA-induced MAPK phosphorylation, and neither TPA nor RF radiation affected HSP induction.

Effects of a 2450 MHz high-frequency electromagnetic field with a wide range of SARs on the induction of heat-shock proteins in A172 cells.

Wang J et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed A172 cells to 2450 MHz high-frequency electromagnetic fields at SARs of 5-200 W/kg and included heat controls at 38-44°C. HSP70 expression increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner at SARs above 50 W/kg for 1-3 hours, similar to heat controls. HSP27 expression did not change significantly with HFEMF exposure or heating, but HSP27 phosphorylation increased transiently at 100 and 200 W/kg, exceeding the effect of heating at 40-44°C, peaking after 1 hour at 100 W/kg.

Light and electron microscopic study of the thyroid gland in rats exposed to power-frequency electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers studied the effect of 50 Hz electromagnetic field on the thyroid gland using light and transmission electron microscopes. Two-month-old male rats were exposed to an EMF of 100-300 μT and 54-160 V m-1 for 4 h a day, 5 days a week for 1 month. The EMF group showed a predominance of microfollicles with less colloid content and dilated blood capillaries. Stereological counting revealed a statistically significant increase in the volume density of follicular epithelium, interfollicular tissue, blood capillaries, and the thyroid activation index, while the volume density of colloid significantly decreased.

Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure to RF fields with a wide range of SARs on cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution.

Takashima Y et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed cells to radio frequency electromagnetic fields at 2.45 GHz to examine cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution across a wide range of specific absorption rates. When cells were exposed to a continuous RF field at SARs from 0.05 to 100 W/kg for 2 h, cellular growth rate, survival, and cell cycle distribution were not affected. At 200 W/kg, the cell growth rate was suppressed and cell survival decreased, and the temperature of the medium rose to 44.1 degrees C. The researchers suggested that the proliferation disorder is caused by the thermal effect.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Microwave exposure of neuronal cells in vitro: Study of apoptosis.

Joubert V et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to GSM-900 at 0.25 W/kg average SAR or continuous-wave 900 MHz at 2 W/kg SAR for 24 hours. No statistically significant difference in apoptosis rate was found between sham-exposed and microwave-exposed cells at either 0 or 24 hours post-exposure. Apoptosis rates were also comparable between sham, continuous-wave, 37°C, and 39°C exposed cells. Three assessment methods including DAPI staining, TUNEL/PI flow cytometry, and caspase-3 fluorimetry gave concordant results.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Oxidative stress effects on the central nervous system of rats after acute exposure to ultra high frequency electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers investigated the effect of acute UHF-EMF exposure on non-enzymatic antioxidant defense and lipid and protein oxidative damage in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. They used malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl assays to assess lipid and protein oxidative damages, respectively. No changes in lipid and protein damage, and also in non-enzymatic defense were found in frontal cortex or hippocampus. The results suggest that acute UHF-EMF exposure is not able to produce detectable oxidative stress in rats from any age tested.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of mobile telephony on blood-brain barrier permeability in the fetal mouse brain.

Finnie JW, Blumbergs PC, Cai Z, Manavis J, Kuchel TR. · 2006

Pregnant mice were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields at 4 W/kg for 60 minutes daily from gestational day 1 to day 19. Fetal brains were examined for albumin extravasation in multiple regions including cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, midbrain and medulla. No albumin extravasation was found in exposed or control brains, indicating no increase in vascular permeability.

Electromagnetic interference with infusion pumps from GSM mobile phones.

Calcagnini G et al. · 2006

Malfunctions occurred in 6 of 8 volumetric pumps and 1 of 4 syringe pumps when exposed to phones at maximum output at distances up to 30 cm. The maximum power that did not cause any malfunction at zero distance was 50 mW at 900 MHz and 2.5 mW at 1,800 MHz. The authors noted that moderate-good base station coverage would significantly reduce interference risk in state-of-the-art pumps.

Effects of 60-Hz magnetic field exposure on nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, estrogens, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in healthy reproductive-age women: results of a crossover trial

Unknown authors · 2006

The study used a crossover design with healthy premenopausal women exposed to a 60-Hz magnetic field of 5 to 10 mG greater than ambient levels for 5 consecutive nights during the early to midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Magnetic field exposure was associated with decreased 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels, but no changes in reproductive hormone levels were observed. Participants using prescription medications and anovulatory participants had more pronounced decreases in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels with magnetic field exposure.

Effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on DNA damage in Chinese hamster lung cells

Zhang DY, Xu ZP, Chiang H, Lu DQ, Zeng QL. · 2006

Researchers studied the effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on DNA damage in Chinese hamster lung cells. Cells were intermittently exposed to GSM 1800 MHz RF EMF at a SAR of 3.0 W/kg for either 1 hour or 24 hours, using a pattern of 5 minutes on and 10 minutes off. After 24 hours of exposure, the percentage of gammaH2AX foci positive cells was 37.9 +/- 8.6%, significantly higher than the sham-exposed group at 28.0 +/- 8.4%. The 1-hour exposure showed no significant difference from sham exposure.

Effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on DNA damage in Chinese hamster lung cells.

Zhang DY, Xu ZP, Chiang H, Lu DQ, Zeng QL. · 2006

Chinese researchers exposed hamster lung cells to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz (the frequency used by GSM networks) for either 1 or 24 hours to see if it would damage DNA. They found that 24-hour exposure at high intensity (3.0 W/kg) significantly increased DNA damage markers compared to unexposed cells, while 1-hour exposure showed no effect. This suggests that prolonged exposure to cell phone-type radiation may harm cellular DNA.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Gene expression analysis of a human lymphoblastoma cell line exposed in vitro to an intermittent 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

Chauhan V et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human lymphoblastoma TK6 cells to 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF fields at SARs of 1 and 10 W/kg. They assessed expression of proto-oncogenes FOS, JUN, and MYC using real-time RT-PCR. They also monitored transcript levels of the heat-shock proteins HSP27 and inducible HSP70. Transcript levels in RF-exposed cells showed no significant difference compared to sham-exposed cells. Positive heat-shock controls showed significant elevation of HSP27, HSP70, FOS, and JUN, and a decline in MYC mRNA.

Effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on reproduction of female mice and development of offsprings

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers exposed female mice to 50 Hz, 1.2 mT electromagnetic fields for 8 hours per day throughout pregnancy. Exposed dams gained weight more slowly (29.0% vs 47.8%) and had a lower producing rate (60% of controls), with miscarriages, fetal loss, and malformed fetuses observed. The average number of offspring per mouse decreased (11 ± 1.6 vs 7 ± 2.0), and prenatally exposed offspring showed slower weight gain in the first two weeks and delayed eye opening and tooth eruption.

GSM radiation triggers seizures and increases cerebral c-Fos positivity in rats pretreated with subconvulsive doses of picrotoxin.

Lopez-Martin E et al. · 2006

The study investigated effects of mobile-phone-type radiation on cerebral activity of seizure-prone animals. Rats pretreated with subconvulsive picrotoxin and exposed to 2 hours of GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiation suffered seizures and showed markedly increased c-Fos levels in neocortex, paleocortex, hippocampus and thalamus. Non-irradiated picrotoxin-treated rats did not suffer seizures and had significantly lower c-Fos counts. Radiation caused no such differences in rats not pretreated with picrotoxin.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Analysis of proto-oncogene and heat-shock protein gene expression in human derived cell-lines exposed in vitro to an intermittent 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

Chauhan V et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed HL-60 and MM6 cells to intermittent 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF fields at SARs of 1 and 10 W/kg for 6 hours. No significant changes in gene expression were found between sham-exposed and RF-exposed groups in either cell line. Positive heat-shock controls showed significant increases in HSP27, HSP70, c-fos, and c-jun at both time points.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

No effects of radiofrequency radiation on 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone-Induced tumorigenesis in female Wistar rats.

Heikkinen et al. · 2006

RF radiation did not significantly affect mortality or organ-specific tumor incidence. The only significant difference was an increase in vascular tumors of the mesenteric lymph nodes in the high-RF group, but this was attributed to an unusually low rate in the sham group. Non-neoplastic findings showed isolated significant differences in lacrimal glands, lungs, liver, and skin, considered unrelated to RF radiation. The authors concluded that the results do not support co-carcinogenic effects of low-level long-term RF radiation exposure in rats.

Effects of 900 MHz GSM Wireless Communication Signals on DMBA-Induced Mammary Tumors in Rats.

Yu D, Shen Y, Kuster N, Fu Y, Chiang H. · 2006

No significant differences in overall mammary tumor incidence, latency, multiplicity, or size were observed between microwave-exposed and sham-exposed groups. A tendency for reduced adenocarcinoma incidence at 0.44 W/kg and increased incidence at 4.0 W/kg did not reach statistical significance. Cage control rats had higher body weight, higher tumor incidence, and shorter tumor latency than sham- and microwave-exposed groups.

FAQs: EMF in Personal Devices & Wearables

These are the devices that travel with you everywhere-in your pocket, on your wrist, in your ears, and on your lap. Personal devices and wearables represent your most intimate EMF exposure because they're designed to stay close to your body throughout the day.
There are 3,602 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 (2,296 studies), Laptops (3,602 studies), Bluetooth Devices (822 studies). The research includes both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies from scientists worldwide.
Laptops has the most research with 3,602 studies, followed by Cell Phones (2,296) and Bluetooth Devices (822). This research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, and other health outcomes from EMF exposure in personal devices & wearables settings.