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)

Whole Body / GeneralNo Effects Found

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

Lerchl A et al. · 2008

German researchers exposed hamsters to cell phone radiation 24 hours a day for 60 days at levels matching the maximum allowed for humans. While melatonin levels (the sleep hormone) remained unchanged, hamsters exposed to certain frequencies gained up to 6% more body weight than unexposed animals, suggesting the radiation may affect metabolism even at supposedly safe levels.

Nonthermal effects of radiofrequency-field exposure on calcium dynamics in stem cell-derived neuronal cells: elucidation of calcium pathways.

Rao VS et al. · 2008

Mouse brain cells exposed to cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation showed dramatically altered calcium signaling, with three times more calcium spikes than unexposed cells. This matters because calcium controls critical brain cell functions including growth, development, and communication between neurons.

Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation Use on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and DNA Turn-over Enzyme Activities in Erythrocytes and Heart, Kidney, Liver, and Ovary Tissues From Rats: Possible Protective Role of Vitamin C

Devrim E et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed female rats to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation (the frequency used by cell phones) for four weeks and measured oxidative stress markers in blood cells and organs. The EMF exposure increased oxidative stress and tissue damage in red blood cells and kidneys, while vitamin C provided some protection against these effects. This suggests that cell phone radiation may cause cellular damage through oxidative stress pathways.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found

Nocebo as headache trigger: evidence from a sham-controlled provocation study with RF fields.

Stovner LJ, Oftedal G, Straume A, Johnsson A. · 2008

Norwegian researchers exposed 17 people to cell phone radiation (902.4 MHz) for 30 minutes to see if it caused headaches, comparing real exposure to fake exposure sessions. They found no difference in headache patterns between real and fake exposures, with most headaches being typical tension headaches. The study suggests that headaches people blame on cell phones are likely caused by psychological expectations (the nocebo effect) rather than the radio waves themselves.

Exposure to radiation from global system for mobile communications at 1,800 MHz significantly changes gene expression in rat hippocampus and cortex.

Nittby H et al. · 2008

Swedish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at 1,800 MHz for 6 hours and analyzed gene activity in brain regions critical for memory and thinking. The radiation significantly altered the expression of hundreds of genes, particularly those involved in cell membrane functions and cellular communication. This suggests that even brief exposure to mobile phone radiation can trigger measurable biological changes in brain tissue at the genetic level.

Exposure to radiation from global system for mobile communications at 1,800 MHz significantly changes gene expression in rat hippocampus and cortex.

Nittby H et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation at 1,800 MHz for 6 hours and found significant changes in brain gene activity. The genetic alterations affected genes controlling cell membranes and cellular communication in the cortex and hippocampus, the same brain regions where previous studies documented blood-brain barrier damage.

Effect of head-only sub-chronic and chronic exposure to 900-MHz GSM electromagnetic fields on spatial memory in rats.

Ammari M et al. · 2008

French researchers exposed rats to 900-MHz cell phone radiation for up to 24 weeks to test whether it would impair their spatial memory and navigation abilities. The rats showed no memory deficits even when exposed to radiation levels 3-12 times higher than typical cell phone use. This suggests that chronic exposure to GSM cell phone signals may not directly damage the brain's memory systems.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of head-only sub-chronic and chronic exposure to 900-MHz GSM electromagnetic fields on spatial memory in rats

Ammari M et al. · 2008

French researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation (the same frequency used by GSM phones) for either 8 or 24 weeks, then tested their spatial memory using a maze. The rats showed no memory problems compared to unexposed rats, even at radiation levels up to four times higher than current safety limits. This suggests that chronic cell phone radiation exposure may not impair spatial learning and memory functions in the brain.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Evaluation of HSP70 Expression and DNA Damage in Cells of a Human Trophoblast Cell Line Exposed to 1.8 GHz Amplitude-Modulated Radiofrequency Fields.

Valbonesi P et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed human placental cells to cell phone radiation (1.8 GHz GSM signals) for one hour at levels twice the current safety limit to see if it would trigger cellular stress responses or DNA damage. The radiation exposure produced no detectable effects on stress proteins or DNA integrity, unlike positive control treatments that did cause measurable damage. This suggests that short-term exposure to this type of cell phone radiation may not immediately harm these particular cells.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

No evidence of major transcriptional changes in the brain of mice exposed to 1800 MHz GSM signal

Paparini A et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz (the frequency used by GSM phones) for one hour to see if it changed gene activity in their brains. Using advanced genetic analysis techniques, they found no significant changes in how genes were expressed in the brain tissue. This suggests that short-term exposure to this type of cell phone radiation at the levels tested does not trigger major changes in brain cell function at the genetic level.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

No evidence of major transcriptional changes in the brain of mice exposed to 1800 MHz GSM signal.

Paparini A et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed mice to GSM cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for one hour and analyzed gene expression changes in brain tissue using advanced genetic screening techniques. They found no significant changes in brain gene expression patterns, even when using less strict analysis methods that initially suggested 75 genes might be affected. This study suggests that short-term exposure to cell phone-level radiation may not cause major genetic changes in brain tissue.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

Molecular responses of Jurkat T-cells to 1763 MHz radiofrequency radiation.

Huang TQ, Lee MS, Oh E, Zhang BT, Seo JS, Park WY. · 2008

Researchers exposed immune system T-cells to cell phone radiation at 1763 MHz for 24 hours to see if it caused cellular damage or changes in gene activity. They found no significant effects on cell growth, DNA damage, or major gene expression changes, though two immune-related genes showed minor decreases. This suggests that 24-hour exposure to this specific frequency at high power levels did not cause detectable harm to these immune cells.

Psychomotor performance is not influenced by brief repeated exposures to mobile phones.

Curcio G et al. · 2008

Researchers exposed 24 people to cell phone radiation (902.40 MHz at 0.5 W/kg SAR) for three 15-minute sessions and tested their reaction times and finger coordination after each exposure. They found no statistically significant effects on these motor skills, though there was a slight trend toward faster reaction times. The study suggests that brief, repeated cell phone exposures don't appear to impair basic motor performance.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Psychomotor performance is not influenced by brief repeated exposures to mobile phones

Curcio G et al. · 2008

Italian researchers exposed 24 people to GSM mobile phone radiation (902.40 MHz) for three separate 15-minute sessions and tested their reaction times and finger coordination after each exposure. They found no measurable effects on psychomotor performance, though there was a slight non-significant trend toward faster reaction times. The study suggests that brief, repeated mobile phone exposures at typical power levels don't impair basic motor skills and reflexes.

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.

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.

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.

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.