6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Smart Meter Radiation Research

RF Radiation

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

1,753
Studies
81%
Showed Bioeffects
1
EMF Type
900 MHz - 2.4 GHz
Frequency

About Smart Meters EMF

  • -Smart meters are digital utility devices that automatically transmit your energy usage data to power companies using radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields in the 900 MHz to 2.4 GHz range.
  • -Unlike the old analog meters that required manual readings, these devices communicate wirelessly multiple times per day, creating a new source of EMF exposure directly on your home.
  • -What this means for you is continuous RF radiation emission from a device typically mounted just feet from your living space, often near bedrooms or kitchens where you spend significant time.

Smart meters are digital utility devices that automatically transmit your energy usage data to power companies using radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields in the 900 MHz to 2.4 GHz range. Unlike the old analog meters that required manual readings, these devices communicate wirelessly multiple times per day, creating a new source of EMF exposure directly on your home.

Related Studies (1,753)

The effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by a Global System for Mobile Communications source on cochlear development in a rat model

Seckin E et al · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed pregnant rats and their newborns to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz cell phone radiation for one hour daily throughout pregnancy and early development. While hearing tests showed no differences, electron microscope examination revealed significant cellular damage in the inner ear (cochlea) of exposed animals, including increased cell death.

Noninvasive Assessment of Metabolic Effects of Exposure to 900 MHz Electromagnetic Fields on Djungarian Hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus).

Taberski K et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed 16 male Djungarian hamsters to 900 MHz GSM-modulated RF-EMF at SAR levels of 0, 0.08, 0.4, and 4 W/kg for one week per condition. Only at the highest SAR level did fur temperature increase by about 0.5°C, food consumption decrease, and daytime carbon dioxide production and respiratory quotient decrease.

The effects of mobile phones on apoptosis in cerebral tissue: an experimental study on rats.

Yilmaz A et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to mobile phone radiation at typical usage levels for four weeks, then examined brain tissue for signs of cell death (apoptosis). They found significantly increased levels of proteins that control cell death in the exposed rats compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that mobile phone radiation may trigger cellular stress responses in brain tissue at exposure levels similar to everyday phone use.

Effects of microwaves (950 MHZ mobile phone) on morphometric and apoptotic changes of rabbit epididymis.

Azadi Oskouyi E et al. · 2014

In this study, 18 male rabbits were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group, and the experimental groups received simulated microwaves at 950 MHz with output power of 3 and 6 watts for 2 weeks, 2 h a day. The epithelial height and diameter of the epididymis decreased significantly in both the 3 watt and 6 watt groups, while testosterone level decreased significantly only in the 6 watt group. The rate of apoptosis in the epithelial cells of the epididymis increased significantly only in the 6 watt group.

The effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by a Global System for Mobile Communications source on cochlear development in a rat model.

Seckin E et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their offspring to cell phone radiation (900 and 1800 MHz frequencies) for one hour daily during pregnancy and for 21 days after birth. While hearing tests showed no differences between exposed and unexposed animals, microscopic examination revealed significant cellular damage in the inner ear structures responsible for hearing. This suggests that cell phone radiation can harm developing hearing organs even when functional hearing appears normal.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on electrocardiograms of guinea pigs

Meral I, Tekintangac Y, Demir H · 2014

Researchers used 30 healthy guinea pigs weighing 500-800 g, randomly assigning 10 to a control group and 20 to an EMF-exposed group after a one-week adaptation period. The exposed group received 890-915 MHz EMF with a 217 Hz pulse rate, 2 W maximum peak power, and 0.95 wt kg(-1) specific absorption rate for 12 h per day (11 h 45 min stand-by and 15 min speaking mode) over 30 days. ECGs were recorded at baseline and on days 10, 20, and 30 using leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF, with wave durations and amplitudes measured in lead II. The authors recommended further investigation with longer exposure durations to clarify cardiovascular effects.

The in vivo effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields on the motor activity of protozoa

Sarapultseva EI, Igolkina JV, Tikhonov VN, Dubrova YE · 2014

Researchers exposed the ciliate Spirostomum ambiguum to 1 GHz and 10 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at power flux densities ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 W/m2 for periods from 0.05 to 10 hours. Exposure to 0.1 W/m2 of either 1 or 10 GHz radiofrequency fields resulted in a significant decrease in the motility of the ciliates. The motility of unexposed offspring of ciliates that had been irradiated with 0.1 W/m2 of 10 GHz radiofrequency fields remained significantly compromised across at least 10 to 15 generations.

Effects of nano-selenium on cognition performance of mice exposed in 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields

Qin F, Yuan H, Nie J, Cao Y, Tong J · 2014

Researchers exposed male mice to 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields at 208 microW/cm2 for 0, 30, or 120 minutes per day for 30 days, while some groups also received nano-selenium by intra-gastric injection. Significant impairments in learning and memory were observed in the RF 120 min group, along with reduced acetylcholine levels and antioxidant enzyme activity and increased GABA, glutamate, and MDA in the brain. Nano-selenium supplementation decreased GABA, glutamate, and MDA levels and increased acetylcholine levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in the exposed mice.

The Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Liver Tissue Protein Oxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels After the Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.

Ozgur E et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed adult male guinea pigs to GSM-modulated radio frequency radiation at an average whole body SAR of 0.4 W/kg for 10 or 20 minutes daily for seven consecutive days. The study measured protein oxidation, advanced oxidation protein products, and superoxide dismutase activity in liver tissue, and also tested NAC and EGCG as potential protective treatments. SOD activity significantly decreased after radio frequency radiation exposure, but protein damage did not change. NAC treatment alone increased PCO levels, and EGCG treatment alone elevated AOPP levels.

[Effects of nano-selenium on cognition performance of mice exposed in 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields].

Qin F, Yuan H, Nie J, Cao Y, Tong J. · 2014

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz (the frequency used by GSM networks) for either 30 or 120 minutes daily over 30 days. Mice exposed for 120 minutes showed significant learning and memory problems, along with brain chemistry changes indicating oxidative stress. When researchers gave the mice nano-selenium supplements, the cognitive damage was largely prevented.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Electromagnetic Immunity of Implantable Pacemakers Exposed to Wi-Fi Devices.

Mattei E, Censi F, Triventi M, Calcagnini G · 2014

The study evaluated electromagnetic interference potential and immunity of ten implantable pacemakers from five manufacturers tested in vitro with Wi-Fi signals. The exposure setup reproduced the IEEE 802.11b/g protocol and amplified the Wi-Fi signal to power levels higher than allowed by international regulation. None of the tested pacemakers showed any performance degradation even when exposed to radiofrequency field levels five times higher than the regulatory limit. The researchers concluded that Wi-Fi devices do not pose EMI risks to implantable pacemakers and that modern pacemaker immunity is much higher than the transmitting power of RF devices operating at 2.4 GHz.

Effects of 900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation on Skin Hydroxyproline Contents.

Cam ST, Seyhan N, Kavaklı C, Celikbıçak O. · 2014

The study investigated whether pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation affects hydroxyproline content in rat skin, because skin is described as the first target of external electromagnetic fields. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were exposed to 900 MHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation at an average whole-body SAR of 1.35 W/kg for 20 min/day for 3 weeks. Exposure caused a statistically significant increase in skin hydroxyproline level (p = 0.049), at a SAR below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection safety limit.

[Effect of American Ginseng Capsule on the liver oxidative injury and the Nrf2 protein expression in rats exposed by electromagnetic radiation of frequency of cell phone.] [Article in Chinese].

Luo YP, Ma HR, Chen JW, Li JJ, Li CX. · 2014

Researchers randomly assigned 40 male SD rats to a normal control group, a model group, a Shuifei Jibin Capsule group, and an American Ginseng Capsule group, with 10 rats each. Rats in the model, SJC, and AGC groups were exposed to imitated 900 MHz cellular phone radiation for 4 h in 12 consecutive days, while the normal control group was not irradiated. Compared to the normal control, the model group showed hepatocyte nuclear atrophy, increased liver MDA and Nrf2 protein, and decreased SOD and GSH. In the SJC group, liver MDA and Nrf2 decreased and SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX increased; in the AGC group, MDA and Nrf2 decreased and SOD and GSH increased.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Nanometer-scale elongation rate fluctuations in the Myriophyllum aquaticum (Parrot feather) stem were altered by radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation.

Senavirathna MD, Asaeda T, Thilakarathne BL, Kadono H · 2014

Researchers investigated the effect of EMR on the growth dynamics of Myriophyllum aquaticum by measuring nanometric elongation rate fluctuation using a statistical interferometry technique. Plants were exposed to 2 GHz EMR at a maximum of 1.42 Wm(-2) for 1 hour. After continuous exposure, M. aquaticum plants exhibited a statistically significant 51 ± 16% reduction in NERF standard deviation. Temperature observations revealed that EMR exposure did not cause dielectric heating, so the reduced NERF was due to a non-thermal effect. The alteration in NERF continued for at least 2.5 hours after exposure with no significant recovery during the experimental period.

Effects of microwave exposure and Gemcitabine treatment on apoptotic activity in Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji) cells.

Canseven AG, Esmekaya MA, Kayhan H, Tuysuz MZ, Seyhan N. · 2014

Raji cells were exposed to microwave radiation at a specific absorption rate of 0.350 W/kg for 24 hours. Microwave exposure alone significantly increased apoptotic activity and significantly decreased cell viability, and combined exposure with Gemcitabine increased apoptotic cells further than microwave radiation alone.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the hematopoietic potential of mouse bone marrow cells

Rosado MM et al · 2014

Researchers exposed mice to GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF fields and transplanted bone marrow cells into irradiated syngeneic recipients from exposed, sham-exposed, or cage control donors. Twelve weeks later, thymocyte numbers, subpopulation frequencies, cell proliferation, spleen cell counts, B/T cell percentages, B/T proliferation, and IFN-γ production were all similar across groups. In a competitive transplant into Rag2-deficient mice, marrow from RF-exposed and sham-exposed mice performed equally, though both were less effective than cage-control marrow, an effect the authors linked to restraint stress, and they concluded that GSM-modulated RF exposure did not impair long-term reconstitution of peripheral T and B cell compartments.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the hematopoietic potential of mouse bone marrow cells

Rosado MM et al · 2014

Italian researchers exposed mice to GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency fields (the same type used in cell phones) and then transplanted their bone marrow cells into other mice to test immune system function. After 12 weeks, they found no differences in immune cell development, numbers, or function between bone marrow from RF-exposed mice versus unexposed controls. The study suggests that cell phone-type radiation doesn't impair the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy immune cells.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

No genotoxic effect in exfoliated bladder cells of rat under the exposure of 1800 and 2100-MHz radio frequency radiation

Unknown authors · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed 30 male rats to cell phone frequencies (1800 and 2100 MHz) for 30 minutes daily over one to two months, then examined their bladder cells for genetic damage. They found no increase in micronucleus formation, a marker of DNA damage, compared to unexposed control rats. The study suggests these specific RF exposures may not cause detectable genetic damage in bladder tissue.

EFFECTS OF FREQUENCY, IRRADIATION GEOMETRY AND POLARISATION ON COMPUTATION OF SAR IN HUMAN BRAIN.

Zhou H et al. · 2014

Researchers used the finite-difference time-domain method to compute the specific absorption rate (SAR) of radio frequency (RF) waves in the human brain and to investigate the effects of geometry and polarisation on SAR value. The results suggested that high SAR values were found in the brain at approximately 250 MHz for vertical polarisation and 900-1200 MHz for both vertical and horizontal polarisation, which may be the result of head resonance at these frequencies.

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells

Chen C et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at SAR values of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1, 2, and 3 days. RF-EMF exposure did not influence eNSC apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, or the ratio of differentiated neurons and astrocytes. However, neurite outgrowth of eNSC-derived neurons was inhibited after 4 W/kg RF-EMF exposure for 3 days. The mRNA and protein expression of proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD were decreased after RF-EMF exposure, while expression of their inhibitor Hes1 was upregulated.

Evaluation of oxidant stress and antioxidant defense in discrete brain regions of rats exposed to 900 MHz radiation.

Narayanan SN, Kumar RS, Kedage V, Nalini K, Nayak S, Bhat PG · 2014

Researchers studied the effects of 900 MHz radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation on oxidant stress and antioxidant defense in discrete brain regions of adolescent rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats aged 6 to 8 weeks were divided into a control group, a sham group, and an RF-EMR-exposed group, with 12 animals in each group. The exposed group received 900 MHz RF-EMR at a peak power density of 146.60 µW/cm2 for one hour per day for four weeks from an activated GSM mobile phone. Elevated TBARS levels were found in all brain regions studied, and altered behavioral performances were found in RF-EMR-exposed rats.

Nonthermal Effects of Lifelong High-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Social Memory Performance in Rats.

Schneider J, Stangassinger M · 2014

Researchers exposed male and female rats continuously to either 900-MHz GSM or 1.966-GHz UMTS electromagnetic fields at 0.4 W/kg. Memory was assessed using a social discrimination procedure, with differences in sniffing duration to familiar and novel juvenile rats used as the measure. EMF-exposed females showed no differences in sniffing duration compared with controls, but sniffing durations of EMF-exposed males at 3 months of age were significantly affected. At 6 months of age, GSM-exposed male adults showed a memory performance deficit, but UMTS-exposed males did not.

The effects of mobile phones on apoptosis in cerebral tissue: an experimental study on rats

Yilmaz A et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to electromagnetic waves from mobile phones at frequencies between 1900 and 2100 MHz for a four-week period to study effects on apoptosis-related proteins in brain tissue. Immunohistopathological examinations showed that the study group had more p53 and Bcl-2 positive stained cells, and they were stained denser, with statistically significant differences between the study and control groups (p < 0.003). The researchers concluded that electromagnetic waves from mobile phones may have an effect on apoptosis.

FAQs: Smart Meters EMF Research

Smart meters are digital utility devices that automatically transmit your energy usage data to power companies using radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields in the 900 MHz to 2.4 GHz range. Unlike the old analog meters that required manual readings, these devices communicate wirelessly multiple times per day, creating a new source of EMF exposure directly on your home.
The SYB Research Database includes 1,753 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.
81% of the 1,753 studies examining smart meters electromagnetic radiation found measurable biological effects. This means that 1420 studies documented observable changes when organisms were exposed to smart meters EMF. The remaining studies either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results.