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)

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

No effect of an UMTS mobile phone‐like electromagnetic field of 1.97 GHz on human attention and reaction time

Unterlechner M, Sauter C, Schmid G, Zeitlhofer J · 2008

Researchers exposed 40 healthy adults to 3G mobile phone signals at 1.97 GHz for 90 minutes while testing their attention and reaction time through computer tasks. The study found no immediate effects on cognitive performance at exposure levels up to 0.63 W/kg SAR (specific absorption rate), which represents the amount of RF energy absorbed by brain tissue. This suggests that short-term exposure to 3G phone signals does not impair basic mental functions like attention and reaction speed.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Characterization of biological effect of 1763 MHz radiofrequency exposure on auditory hair cells.

Huang TQ et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed mouse auditory hair cells (the cells responsible for hearing) to cell phone radiation at 1763 MHz for up to 48 hours at extremely high power levels - 10 times stronger than typical phone use. They found no DNA damage, no changes in cell cycles, no stress responses, and only 29 out of 32,000 genes showed any change. The study suggests that even at these high exposure levels, cell phone radiation doesn't cause measurable biological damage to the specialized cells in our ears.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Effects of modulated microwave radiation at cellular telephone frequency (1.95 GHz) on X-ray-induced chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Manti L et al. · 2008

Italian researchers exposed human blood cells to cell phone radiation (1.95 GHz UMTS signal) for 24 hours, then hit them with X-rays to see if the RF exposure made the radiation damage worse. While the cell phone signals didn't increase the number of damaged cells, they did cause a small but measurable increase in the severity of chromosome damage within each affected cell at the higher exposure level (2.0 W/kg SAR). This suggests RF radiation might interfere with the cell's ability to repair DNA damage from other sources.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Whole-body exposure of radiation emitted from 900 MHz mobile phones does not seem to affect the levels of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein.

Yilmaz F, Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Kilinc N · 2008

Turkish researchers exposed rats to radiation from 900 MHz cell phones for 20 minutes daily over one month to see if it affected bcl-2, a protein that helps prevent cell death in the brain and reproductive organs. They found no changes in bcl-2 levels in either brain or testicular tissue. This suggests that at least for this specific protein marker, short-term cell phone radiation exposure may not trigger cellular death pathways in these organs.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Whole-body exposure of radiation emitted from 900 MHz mobile phones does not seem to affect the levels of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein.

Yilmaz F, Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Kilinc N. · 2008

Researchers exposed rats to radiation from 900 MHz cell phones for 20 minutes daily for one month to see if it affected bcl-2, a protein that helps prevent cell death in the brain and testes. They found no changes in bcl-2 levels compared to unexposed rats. This suggests that at least for this specific cellular protection mechanism, short-term phone radiation exposure may not cause immediate harm to these organs.

Chronic non-thermal exposure of modulated 2450 MHz microwave radiation alters thyroid hormones and behavior of male rats.

Sinha RK · 2008

Researchers exposed male rats to chronic microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (the same frequency used by microwave ovens and WiFi) and measured changes in thyroid hormones and behavior. The exposed rats became hyperactive and aggressive, while also showing significant disruptions in thyroid hormone levels - specifically decreased T3 and increased T4. These behavioral and hormonal changes were statistically correlated, suggesting that microwave exposure can disrupt the endocrine system in ways that directly affect behavior.

The protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate on electric field-induced hepatic oxidative stress.

Guler G, Turkozer Z, Tomruk A, Seyhan N · 2008

Researchers exposed guinea pigs to electric fields at the strength found near power lines (12,000 volts per meter) and measured liver damage. The electric field exposure increased harmful oxidative stress markers and decreased the liver's natural antioxidant defenses. However, when the animals were given protective antioxidant compounds, the liver damage was significantly reduced.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

HSP70 expression in human trophoblast cells exposed to different 1.8 Ghz mobile phone signals.

Franzellitti S, Valbonesi P, Contin A, Biondi C, Fabbri E. · 2008

Researchers exposed human placental cells to 1.8 GHz mobile phone radiation for up to 24 hours to study stress protein responses. While the cells showed no changes in stress proteins at the protein level, they found subtle changes in genetic activity (mRNA) that varied depending on the type of signal modulation used. This suggests that cellular responses to RF radiation may be more complex and nuanced than previously detected.

Upregulation of Specific mRNA Levels in Rat Brain After Cell Phone Exposure

Yan JG, Agresti M, Zhang LL, Yan Y, Matloub HS. · 2008

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (1.9 GHz) for 6 hours daily over 18 weeks and examined changes in brain tissue at the molecular level. They found statistically significant increases in mRNA (genetic instructions for making proteins) associated with brain injury and repair processes. The study suggests that chronic cell phone exposure may cause cumulative brain damage that could eventually become clinically significant.

Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields enhance chemically induced formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP)sites in A172 cells.

Koyama S, Sakurai T, Nakahara T, Miyakoshi J · 2008

Researchers exposed human brain cancer cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electricity) to see if it would increase DNA damage. They found that while the magnetic fields alone didn't damage DNA, they significantly amplified the DNA damage caused by toxic chemicals. This suggests that common power-frequency magnetic fields may make cells more vulnerable to other sources of genetic damage.

Blocking 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation-induced reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in lens epithelial cells by noise magnetic fields.

Wu W, Yao K, Wang KJ, Lu DQ, He JL, Xu LH, Sun WJ. · 2008

Researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation at levels four times higher than safety limits and found it caused DNA damage and increased harmful reactive oxygen species (molecules that damage cells). However, when they simultaneously exposed the cells to electromagnetic noise fields, this completely blocked the DNA damage and cellular harm from the phone radiation.

[Blocking 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation-induced reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in lens epithelial cells by noise magnetic fields].

Wu W, Yao K, Wang KJ, Lu DQ, He JL, Xu LH, Sun WJ. · 2008

Researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation at 4 watts per kilogram for 24 hours and found it caused significant DNA damage and increased harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. However, when they added electromagnetic 'noise' (random magnetic fields) during the exposure, it completely blocked these harmful effects. This suggests that certain types of electromagnetic interference might actually protect cells from radiation damage.

[Blocking 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation-induced reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in lens epithelial cells by noise magnetic fields]

Wu W, Yao K, Wang KJ, Lu DQ, He JL, Xu LH, Sun WJ. · 2008

Chinese researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) and found it caused DNA damage and increased harmful free radicals. However, when they added electromagnetic 'noise' fields alongside the phone radiation, this protective interference blocked the cellular damage. The study suggests that certain electromagnetic patterns might counteract the harmful effects of mobile phone radiation on eye cells.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Mobile phone base station radiation does not affect neoplastic transformation in BALB/3T3 cells.

Hirose H et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed mouse cells to radiofrequency radiation from mobile phone base stations for six weeks to see if it would cause cancerous changes. Even at high exposure levels (800 mW/kg), the radiation did not increase the rate of cell transformation into cancer cells. This suggests that base station radiation at these levels doesn't directly promote tumor formation in laboratory conditions.

Study on potential effects of "902-MHz GSM-type Wireless Communication Signals" on DMBA-induced mammary tumours in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Hruby R, Neubauer G, Kuster N, Frauscher M · 2008

Researchers exposed rats to 902 MHz GSM-type wireless signals (similar to cell phone radiation) for 4 hours daily over 6 months after giving them a chemical known to cause breast cancer. The RF-exposed rats showed statistically significant increases in palpable tissue masses and more malignant tumors compared to sham-exposed controls, though the researchers concluded these differences were likely incidental due to high variability in the cancer model used.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. III: Expression of heat shock proteins.

Sanchez S et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed hairless rats to cell phone radiation (GSM-900 and GSM-1800 signals) for up to 12 weeks to see if it would trigger heat shock proteins, which are cellular stress markers that indicate when cells are under strain. The study found no changes in these stress proteins at any exposure level tested, including levels up to 5 watts per kilogram. This suggests that under these experimental conditions, the cell phone radiation did not cause detectable cellular stress in rat skin.

Continuous wave and simulated GSM exposure at 1.8 W/kg and 1.8 GHz do not induce hsp16-1 heat-shock gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Dawe AS et al. · 2008

Scientists exposed microscopic worms to cell phone-level radiation (1.8 GHz) to test if it triggers cellular stress responses. The radiation didn't activate stress proteins, and may have slightly reduced them by 15%. This suggests cell phone emissions don't trigger this particular stress response in these organisms.

Microwave irradiation induces neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Inoue S, Motoda H, Koike Y, Kawamura K, Hiragami F, Kano Y. · 2008

Researchers exposed rat nerve cells (PC12m3) to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at 200 watts and found it triggered a 10-fold increase in nerve fiber growth compared to unexposed cells. The microwaves activated specific cellular pathways (p38 MAPK) that promote nerve development, and importantly, this effect occurred without causing cell death or damage. This suggests microwave radiation can directly influence nerve cell behavior through non-thermal biological mechanisms.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to 50 Hz electric field at different strengths on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in the brain tissue of guinea pigs.

Türközer Z, Güler G, Seyhan N. · 2008

Researchers exposed guinea pigs to 50 Hz electric fields at various strengths (from 2,000 to 5,000 volts per meter) for 8 hours daily over three days, then measured markers of oxidative stress in brain tissue. The study found no statistically significant changes in cellular damage markers or antioxidant enzyme activity, though some non-significant trends were observed. This suggests that short-term exposure to these electric field levels may not cause measurable oxidative stress in brain tissue.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to 50 Hz electric field at different strengths on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in the brain tissue of guinea pigs.

Türközer Z, Güler G, Seyhan N · 2008

Researchers exposed guinea pigs to powerful electric fields (the kind found near high-voltage power lines) for 8 hours daily over three days to see if it would damage brain tissue through oxidative stress. They found no statistically significant effects on brain cell damage markers or antioxidant defenses, even at the highest exposure levels tested. While this suggests these particular electric field exposures may not cause measurable brain oxidative damage in the short term, the researchers noted some non-significant trends that warrant further investigation.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on mouse bone marrow cells.

Prisco MG et al. · 2008

Italian researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM signals) for 4 weeks, then transplanted their bone marrow cells into radiation-damaged mice to test if the EMF exposure affected the immune system's ability to rebuild itself. The bone marrow cells from EMF-exposed mice performed just as well as unexposed cells in rescuing the damaged mice and rebuilding their immune systems. This suggests that moderate cell phone radiation exposure doesn't impair the bone marrow's critical immune-building functions.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

No effect of mobile phone-like RF exposure on patients with atopic dermatitis.

Johansson A et al. · 2008

Swedish researchers exposed 15 people with atopic dermatitis (a chronic skin condition causing inflammation and itching) to 30 minutes of cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation at 1 W/kg and measured blood markers of inflammation and stress. They found no changes in any of the measured substances compared to sham exposure, suggesting that RF exposure at typical cell phone levels does not trigger inflammatory responses in people with this sensitive skin condition.

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.