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)

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.

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.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of W-CDMA 1950 MHz EMF emitted by mobile phones on regional cerebral blood flow in humans

Mizuno Y et al. · 2009

Japanese researchers used brain scans to study whether 30 minutes of exposure to 3G mobile phone radiation (W-CDMA at 1950 MHz) affects blood flow in the brain. Testing nine healthy men with PET scans before, during, and after phone exposure, they found no significant changes in regional brain blood flow compared to fake exposure. This suggests that 3G phone radiation at typical usage levels doesn't measurably alter blood circulation in the brain.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Human fibroblasts and 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation: evaluation of DNA damage after exposure and co-exposure to 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-Hydroxy-2(5h)-furanone (MX).

Sannino A et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human skin cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 24 hours at 1 W/kg to test for DNA damage. They found no genetic damage from the RF exposure alone, even when testing cells from people with Turner's syndrome who may be more sensitive. The radiation also didn't make cells more vulnerable to damage from a known water contaminant.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Human Fibroblasts and 900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation: Evaluation of DNA Damage after Exposure and Co-exposure to 3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-Hydroxy-2(5h)-furanone (MX).

Sannino A et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human skin cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) for 24 hours at power levels similar to phone use. They found no DNA damage from the RF radiation alone, and the radiation did not make cells more vulnerable to damage from a known cancer-causing chemical. This suggests that cell phone-level RF exposure may not directly break DNA strands in human cells.

Reactive oxygen species formation is not enhanced by exposure to UMTS 1950 MHz radiation and co-exposure to ferrous ions in Jurkat cells.

Brescia F et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 3G cell phone radiation at levels similar to what phones emit, testing whether this radiation creates harmful reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that can damage cells). Even after 24 hours of exposure, the radiation produced no increase in these damaging molecules and didn't harm cell survival. The study also tested whether radiation might amplify damage from iron compounds, but found no such interaction.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Reactive oxygen species formation is not enhanced by exposure to UMTS 1950 MHz radiation and co-exposure to ferrous ions in Jurkat cells

Brescia F et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 1950 MHz cell phone radiation (the frequency used by 3G networks) to see if it would trigger oxidative stress, a cellular damage process linked to aging and disease. They tested various exposure durations and power levels, both alone and combined with iron compounds known to cause oxidative stress. The study found no increase in harmful reactive oxygen species or cell death from the radiation exposure under any conditions tested.

Derangement of chick embryo retinal differentiation caused by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

Zareen N, Khan MY, Ali Minhas L · 2009

Researchers exposed developing chicken embryos to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation from a mobile phone during critical stages of eye development. They found that the radiation disrupted normal retinal development, causing both growth abnormalities and changes in pigmentation patterns depending on when during development the exposure occurred. This suggests that EMF radiation can interfere with the precise developmental processes needed for proper eye formation.

900-MHz microwave radiation enhances gamma-ray adverse effects on SHG44 cells.

Cao Y, Zhang W, Lu MX, Xu Q, Meng QQ, Nie JH, Tong J. · 2009

Researchers exposed brain cancer cells to 900-MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) before treating them with gamma rays. They found that the microwave exposure made the cells more vulnerable to radiation damage, increasing cell death and creating more harmful reactive oxygen species. This suggests that EMF exposure might amplify the harmful effects of other types of radiation.

Mobile Phones exposure induces changes of Contingent Negative Variation in humans.

de Tommaso M et al. · 2009

Researchers tested how 900 MHz cell phone signals affect brain electrical activity by measuring a specific brainwave pattern called contingent negative variation (CNV) in 10 volunteers. They found that both active phones and sham phones (with internal circuits running but no RF emission) reduced brain arousal and expectation responses compared to phones that were completely off. The study suggests that both the GSM radio signal and the low-frequency magnetic fields from the phone's battery and circuits can alter normal brain function.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Absence of genotoxic potential of 902 MHz (GSM) and 1747 MHz (DCS) wireless communication signals: In vivo two-year bioassay in B6C3F1 mice.

Ziemann C et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (GSM and DCS signals) for 2 hours daily, 5 days a week for two years to test whether it damages DNA. They measured micronuclei (small DNA fragments that indicate genetic damage) in blood cells and found no difference between exposed and unexposed mice. This suggests that chronic exposure to these specific cell phone frequencies at the tested levels did not cause detectable genetic damage in this animal model.

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.