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

Whole Home EMF Research

ELF MagneticELF ElectricRF

Research on EMF throughout the home - electrical wiring, smart home hubs, and WiFi coverage.

5
Sources
2,549
Studies
3
EMF Types

Related Studies (1,669)

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields activate the ERK cascade, increase hsp70 protein levels and promote regeneration in Planaria

Reba Goodman et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed flatworms (planaria) to 60 Hz magnetic fields at 80 milliGauss for one hour twice daily during regeneration after being cut in half. The EMF-exposed worms regenerated faster than unexposed controls, with tail portions growing eyes 48 hours earlier and showing increased levels of stress proteins typically associated with healing and repair processes.

Radioprotective effects of honeybee venom (Apis mellifera) against 915-MHz microwave radiation-induced DNA damage in wistar rat lymphocytes: in vitro study.

Gajski G, Garaj-Vrhovac V. · 2009

Researchers exposed rat blood cells to 915-MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in some mobile phones) for 4 hours and found it caused DNA damage. However, when they pre-treated the cells with bee venom, it significantly reduced this DNA damage, suggesting bee venom has protective properties against microwave radiation effects.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: A Multi-generation Study

Sommer et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (UMTS signals at 1966 MHz) continuously for their entire lives across four generations to study effects on reproduction and development. They found no harmful effects on fertility, pup development, or reproductive health, even at exposure levels up to 1.3 W/kg SAR. The only minor finding was some changes in food consumption patterns without a clear dose-response relationship.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found

Effects of short-term W-CDMA mobile phone base station exposure on women with or without mobile phone related symptoms

Furubayashi T et al. · 2009

Japanese researchers exposed 54 women to cell tower-like radio waves for 30 minutes to test whether people who report mobile phone sensitivity can actually detect electromagnetic fields. They found that sensitive individuals couldn't tell when they were being exposed any better than control subjects, but they consistently reported more discomfort regardless of whether the EMF was on or off. This suggests that electromagnetic hypersensitivity symptoms aren't directly caused by the radio waves themselves.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found

Effects of short-term W-CDMA mobile phone base station exposure on women with or without mobile phone related symptoms.

Furubayashi T et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed 54 women (including 11 with self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity) to cell tower radiation at 10 V/m for 30 minutes in a controlled lab setting. Neither group could detect when they were actually being exposed to EMF, and both groups showed identical biological responses whether exposed to real or fake radiation. The study found no evidence that people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity react differently to cell tower emissions than healthy controls.

Effects of mobile phone radiofrequency on the structure and function of the normal human hemoglobin.

Mousavy SJ et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) to cell phone radiofrequency radiation at 910MHz and 940MHz frequencies. They found that the radiation altered hemoglobin's ability to carry oxygen and changed its molecular structure, with greater effects at higher radiation intensities and longer exposure times. This suggests that cell phone radiation could potentially interfere with your blood's fundamental ability to transport oxygen throughout your body.

Modulator effects of L-carnitine and selenium on wireless devices (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress and electroencephalography records in brain of rat

Naziroğlu M, Gümral N. · 2009

Researchers exposed rats to WiFi-frequency radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over four weeks. The radiation significantly reduced protective antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E in brain tissue. This suggests wireless devices may deplete the brain's natural defenses against cellular damage.

Modulator effects of L-carnitine and selenium on wireless devices (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress and electroencephalography records in brain of rat.

Naziroğlu M, Gümral N. · 2009

Researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwaves) for one hour daily over 28 days and found it depleted protective antioxidant vitamins in brain tissue. When rats were given selenium or L-carnitine supplements, these nutrients helped protect against the radiation-induced vitamin depletion. This suggests that WiFi-frequency radiation creates oxidative stress in the brain that may be partially countered by certain antioxidant supplements.

Modulator effects of L-carnitine and selenium on wireless devices (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress and electroencephalography records in brain of rat.

Naziroğlu M, Gümral N · 2009

Turkish researchers exposed rats to WiFi-frequency radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over 28 days and found it depleted key brain antioxidants including vitamins A, C, and E. When rats were given selenium or L-carnitine supplements during exposure, these protective nutrients were largely restored, with L-carnitine showing stronger protective effects. This suggests that wireless device radiation creates oxidative stress in brain tissue, but certain antioxidants may help counteract this damage.

Changes in human EEG alpha activity following exposure to two different pulsed magnetic field sequences.

Cook CM, Saucier DM, Thomas AW, Prato FS. · 2009

Researchers exposed 32 people to weak pulsed magnetic fields (the type generated by power lines and electrical devices) for 15 minutes while measuring their brain waves. They found that different pulse patterns altered alpha brain wave activity in the back regions of the brain within just 5 minutes of exposure. The changes persisted even after exposure ended, suggesting that these everyday magnetic fields can measurably affect brain function.

Continuous exposure to 900MHz GSM-modulated EMF alters morphological maturation of neural cells.

Del Vecchio G et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed developing brain cells to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM at 1 W/kg) for up to 6 days and found that the radiation significantly reduced the growth of neurites - the branch-like extensions that neurons use to connect with each other. This disruption occurred in both mouse and rat brain cells, suggesting that cell phone radiation may interfere with normal brain development at the cellular level.

Effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on in vitro models of neurodegenerative disease

Del Vecchio G et al. · 2009

Italian researchers exposed brain cells to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM at 1 W/kg SAR) for 144 hours to see if it made them more vulnerable to damage. While the radiation alone didn't harm the cells, it made one type of brain cell significantly more vulnerable to damage from hydrogen peroxide, a common cellular toxin that causes oxidative stress.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects of gestational exposure to 1.95‐GHz W‐CDMA signals for IMT‐2000 cellular phones: Lack of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in rats

Ogawa K et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone radiation (1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals) for 90 minutes daily during the critical period of fetal development (days 7-17 of pregnancy). They found no harmful effects on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, or birth defects at exposure levels up to 2.0 W/kg brain SAR. This suggests that typical cell phone radiation exposure during pregnancy may not cause developmental problems in offspring.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects of gestational exposure to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals for IMT-2000 cellular phones: Lack of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in rats.

Ogawa K et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone radiation (1.95-GHz signals) for 90 minutes daily during pregnancy to see if it would harm developing babies. They tested different exposure levels, including some higher than typical cell phone use, and found no effects on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, or birth defects. The study suggests that cell phone radiation at these levels doesn't appear to cause developmental problems during pregnancy.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Short‐term exposure to mobile phone base station signals does not affect cognitive functioning or physiological measures in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields and controls

Eltiti S et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed 88 people (including those who claimed to be sensitive to electromagnetic fields) to cell tower signals for 50 minutes while they performed memory and attention tests. The study found no effects on cognitive performance or physiological measures like heart rate and skin conductance in either sensitive or control participants. This suggests that short-term exposure to typical cell tower radiation levels doesn't impair brain function or cause detectable physical responses.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of head-only exposure of rats to GSM-900 on blood-brain barrier permeability and neuronal degeneration.

de Gannes FP et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (GSM-900) for 2 hours and checked for brain damage 14 and 50 days later. They found no evidence of blood-brain barrier leakage or neuronal death at exposure levels ranging from very low to high. This study directly contradicted earlier research that claimed similar exposures caused significant brain damage.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

The mobile phone decreases fructose but not citrate in rabbit semen: a longitudinal study.

Salama N, Kishimoto T, Kanayama HO, Kagawa S · 2009

Researchers exposed male rabbits to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 8 hours daily over 12 weeks to study effects on semen quality. They found that phone radiation significantly reduced both sperm motility (movement ability) and fructose levels in semen, which sperm need for energy. The study suggests that prolonged cell phone exposure near reproductive organs may impact male fertility.

The action of pulse‐modulated GSM radiation increases regional changes in brain activity and c‐Fos expression in cortical and subcortical areas in a rat model of picrotoxin‐induced seizure proneness

López-Martín E et al. · 2009

Spanish researchers exposed rats to cell phone signals for 2 hours and found that pulsed GSM radiation affected brain activity differently than continuous radiation of equal strength. The pulsed signals altered gene activity in brain areas controlling seizures, emotions, and memory, suggesting unique biological effects beyond heating.

Changes in synaptic efficacy and seizure susceptibility in rat brain slices following extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field exposure

Varró P, Szemerszky R, Bárdos G, Világi I. · 2009

Researchers exposed rat brain tissue to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels commonly found near power lines (250-500 microtesla) and measured changes in brain cell communication. They found that direct exposure reduced normal brain signaling, while whole-body exposure increased seizure susceptibility and altered how brain cells strengthen their connections. These findings suggest that everyday electromagnetic fields from electrical infrastructure can measurably alter fundamental brain functions.

Changes in synaptic efficacy and seizure susceptibility in rat brain slices following extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure.

Varró P, Szemerszky R, Bárdos G, Világi I. · 2009

Researchers exposed rat brain tissue to 50 Hz magnetic fields at power line levels. The exposure altered how brain cells communicate and increased seizure-like activity. This suggests electromagnetic fields from power infrastructure may affect brain function, though effects appeared temporary.

FAQs: EMF in Whole Home

The whole home environment contains several common sources of electromagnetic field exposure including electrical wiring, wifi routers, smart meters, power lines, appliances. Together, these 5 sources account for 2,549 peer-reviewed studies in the BioInitiative Report database examining their potential health effects.
There are 2,549 peer-reviewed studies in our database examining EMF sources commonly found in whole home environments. These studies cover 5 different EMF sources: Electrical Wiring (411 studies), WiFi Routers (302 studies), Smart Meters (1,014 studies), Power Lines (411 studies), Appliances (411 studies). The research includes both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies from scientists worldwide.
Smart Meters has the most research with 1,014 studies, followed by Electrical Wiring (411) and Power Lines (411). This research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, and other health outcomes from EMF exposure in whole home settings.