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

Smart Meter Radiation Research

RF Radiation

Research on electromagnetic radiation from utility smart meters using RF communication.

1,014
Studies
73%
Showed Bioeffects
1
EMF Type
900 MHz - 2.4 GHz
Frequency

Related Studies (1,014)

SAR / Device AbsorptionNo Effects Found0

SAR and temperature distribution in the rat head model exposed to electromagnetic field radiation by 900 MHz dipole antenna.

Yang L, Hao D, Wu S, Zhong R, Zeng Y. · 2013

Researchers used computer modeling to calculate how much radiofrequency energy would be absorbed by rat brains during a 900 MHz cell phone frequency exposure experiment. They found that the exposure levels used in their memory study would not cause any significant temperature rise in the brain tissue. This dosimetry study provided the technical foundation for understanding whether any biological effects found in their related memory research could be attributed to heating or non-thermal mechanisms.

Whole body exposure to 2.4 GHz WIFI signals: Effects on cognitive impairment in adult triple transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD)

Banaceur S, Banasr S, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H · 2013

Researchers exposed mice genetically programmed to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms to WiFi signals (2.4 GHz) for 2 hours daily over one month. Surprisingly, they found the WiFi exposure actually improved cognitive performance in the Alzheimer's mice compared to unexposed controls. This unexpected result suggests radiofrequency radiation might have some protective effects on brain function in certain disease states.

Pyramidal Cell Loss in the Cornu Ammonis of 32-day-old Female Rats Following Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field During Prenatal Days 13–21.

Baş O et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone frequency radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily during a critical brain development period and examined their female offspring at 32 days old. They found significant loss of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory. This suggests that prenatal EMF exposure during critical development windows may cause lasting brain damage that persists into later life.

Effect of low level microwave radiation exposure on cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats

Deshmukh PS et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to extremely low-level cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 30 days and found significant damage to memory and learning abilities. The study also detected increased oxidative stress in the blood, indicating cellular damage from free radicals. This matters because the radiation level used was far below current safety limits, yet still produced measurable biological effects.

Maternal mobile phone exposure adversely affects the electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons in rat offspring

Haghani M, Shabani M, Moazzami K · 2013

Pregnant rats exposed to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for six hours daily produced offspring with altered brain function. While the young rats behaved normally, their Purkinje neurons (cells controlling movement and learning) showed reduced electrical activity, suggesting prenatal exposure affects developing brain circuits.

The effect of prenatal exposure to 900-MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-old-day rat testicle.

Hancı H et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone-level radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily during late pregnancy, then examined the testicles of their male offspring at 21 days old. The exposed offspring showed significant damage to their developing reproductive organs, including structural abnormalities, increased cell death, and DNA damage that persisted weeks after birth. This suggests that EMF exposure during pregnancy may harm the reproductive development of male offspring.

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation induces oxidative DNA base damage in a mouse spermatocyte-derived cell line.

Liu C, Duan W, Xu S, Chen C, He M, Zhang L, Yu Z, Zhou Z. · 2013

Researchers exposed mouse sperm cells to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 24 hours and found that at higher exposure levels (4 W/kg SAR), the radiation caused oxidative DNA damage - essentially cellular rust that can harm genetic material. The damage occurred through reactive oxygen species (free radicals) rather than direct energy breaks, and could be prevented with antioxidants like vitamin E.

STUDY OF VARIATIONS OF RADIOFREQUENCY POWER DENSITY FROM MOBILE PHONE BASE STATIONS WITH DISTANCE.

Ayinmode BO, Farai IP. · 2013

Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels at various distances from cell phone towers in Nigeria using calibrated equipment. They found the highest radiation levels occurred at 50-200 meters from the towers, with maximum readings of 2,972 µW/m². All measured levels were below international safety guidelines, suggesting people living near these towers face relatively low RF exposure.

Whole body exposure to 2.4 GHz WIFI signals: effects on cognitive impairment in adult triple transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD).

Banaceur S, Banasr S, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H. · 2013

Researchers exposed mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms to WiFi signals (2.4 GHz) for two hours daily over a month at levels similar to cell phone exposure. Surprisingly, the WiFi exposure actually improved cognitive performance and memory in the Alzheimer's mice compared to unexposed mice. This unexpected finding suggests radiofrequency radiation might have therapeutic potential for certain brain conditions, though the mechanism remains unclear.

Effect of 900 MHz radıofrequency radıatıon on oxıdatıve stress In rat braın and serum.

Bilgici B, Akar A, Avci B, Tuncel OK. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily over three weeks and measured damage markers in brain tissue. The study found significant increases in two key indicators of cellular damage - lipid oxidation and protein damage - in the brain tissue of exposed animals. Interestingly, rats given garlic powder showed protection against this brain damage, suggesting antioxidants may help counteract RF radiation effects.

The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field on Hippocampus Morphology and Learning Behavior in Rat Pups.

İkinci A et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for one hour daily during late pregnancy, then tested the learning abilities of their female offspring. The exposed pups showed significantly impaired learning and memory performance on standard tests, along with visible damage to brain tissue in the hippocampus, a region critical for learning and memory.

Stimulation of the brain with radiofrequency electromagnetic field pulses affects sleep-dependent performance improvement.

Lustenberger C et al. · 2013

Swiss researchers exposed 16 men to cell phone-like radiofrequency signals during sleep while monitoring brain activity. The RF exposure altered brain waves and reduced participants' ability to improve motor skills by 20% compared to nights without exposure, suggesting nighttime RF may disrupt sleep-dependent learning processes.

Non-thermal continuous and modulated electromagnetic radiation fields effects on sleep EEG of rats

Mohammed HS, Fahmy HM, Radwah NM, Elsayed AA · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for one hour daily over a month, then monitored their brain waves during sleep. They found that EMF exposure disrupted normal sleep patterns, particularly REM sleep (the deep sleep phase crucial for memory and brain restoration). The study suggests that radiofrequency radiation can alter brain function even at non-heating power levels.

Spatial learning, monoamines and oxidative stress in rats exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field in combination with iron overload

Maaroufi K et al. · 2013

French researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily over three weeks and tested their cognitive abilities using various learning tasks. The rats showed impaired performance on exploratory tasks and changes in brain chemicals, particularly in the hippocampus region crucial for memory. This suggests that even moderate exposure to cell phone radiation can affect brain function and cognitive performance.

Changes in antioxidant capacity of blood due to mutual action of electromagnetic field (1800 MHz) and opioid drug (tramadol) in animal model of persistent inflammatory state

Bodera P et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 15 minutes and found it significantly reduced the blood's ability to fight harmful free radicals. This antioxidant damage occurred in both healthy and inflamed animals, suggesting cell phone radiation may weaken natural cellular defenses.

The Effects of Cell Phone Waves (900 MHz-GSM Band) on Sperm Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rats.

Ghanbari M1, Mortazavi SB1, Khavanin A1, Khazaei M2. · 2013

Researchers exposed male rats to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz (the frequency used by GSM networks) for two to three weeks and measured effects on sperm quality. They found that exposure significantly reduced sperm viability, motility (swimming ability), and antioxidant defenses compared to unexposed rats, with longer exposure causing greater damage. This suggests cell phone radiation may impair male fertility by creating oxidative stress in reproductive cells.

The Effects of 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field Applied in the Prenatal Period on Spinal Cord Morphology and Motor Behavior in Female Rat Pups.

Ersan Odacı et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for one hour daily during late pregnancy, then examined the spinal cord development and motor behavior of their female offspring. The exposed rat pups showed pathological changes in their spinal cord tissue and unexpectedly increased motor activity on behavioral tests. This suggests that prenatal EMF exposure can alter nervous system development in ways that persist after birth.

The Effects of Cell Phone Waves (900 MHz-GSM Band) on Sperm Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rats.

Ghanbari M, Mortazavi SB, Khavanin A, Khazaei M. · 2013

Researchers exposed male rats to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz (the frequency used by GSM networks) for 2-3 weeks and measured effects on sperm health. They found that exposed rats had significantly reduced sperm viability, motility, and antioxidant defenses compared to unexposed controls. Longer exposure periods caused even greater damage to sperm quality.

The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field on Hippocampus Morphology and Learning Behavior in Rat Pups.

İkinci A et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for one hour daily during late pregnancy. The female offspring showed significant learning and memory problems in maze tests, plus visible damage to the hippocampus, the brain region crucial for learning and memory. This suggests that EMF exposure during pregnancy may harm developing brains in ways that persist after birth.

The vertical pattern of microwave radiation around BTS (Base Transceiver Station) antennae in Hashtgerd township.

Nasseri S, Monazzam M, Beheshti M, Zare S, Mahvi A · 2013

Researchers measured microwave radiation patterns around cell phone towers (base stations) in an Iranian city to understand how exposure levels change at different heights and distances. They found that radiation levels increased significantly as measurement height increased, particularly in crowded urban areas where rigid surfaces and high mobile phone usage amplify wave density. The study demonstrates that cell tower placement in populated areas creates higher public exposure to microwave radiation.

Pyramidal Cell Loss in the Cornu Ammonis of 32-day-old Female Rats Following Exposure to a 900 Megahertz Electromagnetic Field During Prenatal Days 13–21

Orhan Baş et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) during a critical brain development period and found significant loss of brain cells in the hippocampus region of their female offspring. The exposed rat pups had fewer pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis, a brain area crucial for memory and learning. This suggests that EMF exposure during pregnancy may harm developing brains, potentially affecting cognitive function later in life.

FAQs: Smart Meters EMF Research

Of 1,014 peer-reviewed studies examining smart meters electromagnetic radiation, 73% found measurable biological effects. These studies span decades of research conducted by scientists worldwide and include both laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies examining the health effects of smart meters radiation exposure.
The BioInitiative Report database includes 1,014 peer-reviewed studies specifically examining smart meters electromagnetic radiation and its potential health effects. These studies have been conducted by researchers worldwide and published in scientific journals. The research examines various biological endpoints including cellular effects, neurological impacts, reproductive health, and other health outcomes.
73% of the 1,014 studies examining smart meters electromagnetic radiation found measurable biological effects. This means that 740 studies documented observable changes when organisms were exposed to smart meters EMF. The remaining studies either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results.