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)

Suppressive effect of electromagnetic field on analgesic activity of tramadol in rats

Bodera P et al. · 2012

Researchers studied how high-frequency electromagnetic fields affect pain perception and the pain-relieving activity of tramadol in rats. Exposures at 1500 MHz and modulated 1800 MHz were applied, and paw withdrawal latency to a thermal stimulus was measured before and after injections of either tramadol or a vehicle. EMF exposure alone produced no differences in pain perception compared with controls, but EMF at both frequencies transiently suppressed the analgesic effect of tramadol at 30 minutes after drug injection.

Effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency on corticosterone, emotional memory and neuroinflammation in middle-aged rats

Bouji M, Lecomte A, Hode Y, de Seze R, Villégier AS · 2012

Researchers assessed the effects of a single GSM exposure at 900 MHz with a specific absorption rate of 6 W/kg on young adult (6-week-old) and middle-aged (12-month-old) rats. The study measured brain IL-1β and IL-6, plasmatic corticosterone levels, and emotional memory. Results showed an IL-1β increase in the olfactory bulb and enhanced contextual emotional memory in GSM-exposed middle-aged rats, while plasmatic corticosterone levels increased in GSM-exposed young adults. Acute GSM exposure did not induce astrocyte activation, in contrast to previously published work.

Effects of electromagnetic radiation on spatial memory and synapses in rat hippocampal CA1.

Li Y, Shi C, Lu G, Xu Q, Liu S. · 2012

Researchers exposed 8-week-old Wistar rats to near-field radiation at 0.52–1.08 W/kg for 2 hours per day for 1 month. Behavioral changes were examined using the Morris water maze, and the irradiated rats exhibited impaired performance compared with the sham-irradiated rats. The morphological changes included mitochondrial degenerations, fewer synapses, and shorter postsynaptic densities in the radiated rats.

Microwave radiation induced oxidative stress, cognitive impairment and inflammation in brain of Fischer rats.

Megha K et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed male Fischer-344 rats to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz microwave radiation for 30 days at 2 hours per day to evaluate oxidative stress, cognitive impairment, and inflammation in the brain. Compared with sham-exposed animals, microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and oxidative stress in brain tissues. A significant increase in the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha was also observed following microwave exposure.

Reactive Oxygen Species Formation and Apoptosis in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Induced by 900 MHz Mobile Phone Radiation

Lu YS, Huang BT, Huang YX. · 2012

Researchers studied reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and apoptosis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at a specific absorption rate of ~0.4 W/kg. ROS was found to play an important role in apoptosis when exposure lasted longer than two hours, with apoptosis induced through the mitochondrial pathway and mediated by activating ROS and caspase-3, and decreasing the mitochondrial potential. The imbalance between antioxidant defenses and ROS formation was associated with about 37% human PBMC death in eight hours.

Microwave radiation induced oxidative stress, cognitive impairment and inflammation in brain of Fischer rats

Megha K et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone-level microwave radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 30 days and found significant brain damage including memory problems, cellular stress, and inflammation. The exposure level was extremely low - about 1,000 times weaker than current safety limits - yet still caused measurable harm to brain tissue. This challenges the assumption that only high-intensity radiation poses health risks.

Modulation of heat shock protein response in SH-SY5Y by mobile phone microwaves.

Calabrò E et al. · 2012

Italian researchers exposed human brain-like cells to 1800 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) for 2 and 4 hours. They found that this exposure altered the production of heat shock proteins - cellular stress indicators that help protect cells from damage. Specifically, one protective protein (Hsp20) decreased at both exposure times, while another stress protein (Hsp70) increased after 4 hours, suggesting the cells were responding to electromagnetic stress.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found

EHS subjects do not perceive RF EMF emitted from smart phones better than non-EHS subjects.

Kwon MK, Kim SK, Koo JM, Choi JY, Kim DW. · 2012

The study used a double-blind design with 17 EHS and 20 non-EHS volunteers exposed to real and sham RF-EMF sessions. There was no indication that EHS subjects perceive RF-EMFs better than non-EHS subjects. Exposure used a WCDMA module at 1950 MHz with an average power of 24 dBm and a specific absorption rate of 1.57 W/kg for 32 min.

Whole Body / General
Not an original health-effects study
565 citations

Health Council of The Netherlands: no need to change from SAR to time-temperature relation in electromagnetic fields exposure limits

Unknown authors · 2011

The Health Council of the Netherlands examined whether exposure limits should shift from specific absorption rate to a maximum allowable temperature increase. The council evaluated this change across six criteria including consistency, applicability, and causality. The council concluded that changing the dosimetric quantity would not advance the debate on non-thermal effects from long-duration, low-intensity exposure. The council recommended keeping the current system of basic restrictions and reference levels expressed as SAR and in V/m or µT.

Health Council of The Netherlands: no need to change from SAR to time-temperature relation in electromagnetic fields exposure limits

Unknown authors · 2011

The Health Council of the Netherlands examined whether electromagnetic field exposure limits should shift from measuring SAR (specific absorption rate) to measuring temperature increases. They concluded that maintaining current SAR-based limits is preferable and that changing the measurement approach wouldn't resolve scientific debates about non-thermal EMF effects.

900-MHz microwave radiation promotes oxidation in rat brain

Kesari KK, Kumar S, Behari J. · 2011

Researchers exposed 35-day old Wistar rats to a mobile phone for 2 hours per day for 45 days at a specific absorption rate of 0.9 W/Kg. Animals were divided into a sham exposed group and an exposed group, each with 6 animals. The exposed group showed a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, and a significant increase in reactive oxygen species. The researchers concluded that these findings on biomarkers are clear indications of possible health implications.

Reproductive Health111 citations

The effect of pulsed 900-MHz GSM mobile phone radiation on the acrosome reaction, head morphometry and zona binding of human spermatozoa.

Falzone N, Huyser C, Becker P, Leszczynski D, Franken DR. · 2011

Highly motile human spermatozoa were exposed for 1 hour to 900-MHz mobile phone radiation at a specific absorption rate of 2.0 W/kg and examined at various times after exposure. The radiation did not affect the sperm acrosome reaction, but significant reductions were found in sperm head area and acrosome percentage of the head area among exposed sperm compared with unexposed controls. The mean number of zona-bound sperm was 22.8 in exposed samples versus 31.8 in controls, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The researchers concluded that these results could indicate a significant effect of RF-EMF on sperm fertilization potential.

Oxidative Stress102 citations

900 MHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation induces oxidative stress on heart, lung, testis and liver tissues

Esmekaya MA, Ozer C, Seyhan N · 2011

Researchers exposed male Wistar albino rats to 900 MHz pulse-modulated RF radiation at a SAR of 1.20 W/kg for 20 minutes per day over three weeks to investigate oxidative damage in multiple tissues. MDA and NOx levels were significantly increased in liver, lung, testis, and heart tissues of the exposed group compared to sham and control groups, while GSH levels were significantly lower in exposed rat tissues. No significant difference was observed between the sham and control groups.

The therapeutic effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field on the reproductive patterns of male Wistar rats exposed to a 2.45-GHz microwave field.

Kumar S, Kesari KK, Behari J. · 2011

Researchers exposed male Wistar rats to a 2.45 GHz microwave field for two hours per day over 60 days. They also applied a 100 Hz pulsed electromagnetic field to some groups, either alone or combined with the microwave exposure. Microwave exposure significantly increased caspase and creatine kinase levels and decreased testosterone and melatonin. Pulsed electromagnetic field exposure relieves the effect of microwave exposure by inducing Faraday currents.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects on rat testis of 1.95-GHz W-CDMA for IMT-2000 cellular phones.

Imai N, Kawabe M, Hikage T, Nojima T, Takahashi S, Shirai T. · 2011

Researchers exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats to a 1.95 GHz W-CDMA signal for 5 hours per day, 7 days a week for 5 weeks at whole-body SARs of 0.4 and 0.08 W/kg. There were no differences in body weight gain or weights of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate among the groups. The number of sperm in the testis and epididymis were not decreased in the EMF exposed groups, and the testicular sperm count was significantly increased with the 0.4 SAR. Abnormalities of sperm motility or morphology and the histological appearance of seminiferous tubules, including the stage of the spermatogenic cycle, were not observed. Thus, under the present exposure conditions, no testicular toxicity was evident.

GSM Mobile Phone Radiation Suppresses Brain Glucose Metabolism

Kwon MS et al. · 2011

Researchers used positron emission tomography with an 18F-deoxyglucose tracer to investigate the effects of mobile phone radiation on cerebral glucose metabolism in humans. Thirteen young right-handed male subjects were exposed to a pulse-modulated 902.4 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications signal for 33 minutes while performing a simple visual vigilance task. The relative cerebral metabolic rate of glucose was significantly reduced in the temporoparietal junction and anterior temporal lobe of the right hemisphere, on the same side as the exposure. The exposure did not affect task performance, measured by reaction time and error rate.

Induction of adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields: influence of cell cycle.

Sannino A et al. · 2011

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood lymphocytes in G0, G1, or S-phase to 900 MHz RF at 1.25 W/kg for 20 hours, then treated them with mitomycin C. The incidence of micronuclei was evaluated to determine adaptive response. Cells exposed in S-phase showed an adaptive response, while those exposed in G0 or G1 did not.

Induction of adaptive response: pre-exposure of mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields reduces hematopoietic damage caused by subsequent exposure to ionising radiation.

Cao Y, Xu Q, Jin ZD, Zhou Z, Nie JH, Tong J. · 2011

Adult male Kunming mice were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields at power intensities of 12, 120 and 1200 μW/cm(2) for 1 h/day for 14 days and then subjected to whole body gamma-irradiation. Compared with mice exposed to gamma-radiation alone, the RF pre-exposed mice showed a significant increase in survival time and a reduction in hematopoietic tissue damage. The researchers described this effect as appearing similar to the 'adaptive response' which is well documented in scientific literature.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of exposure to 1,800 MHz electromagnetic fields on heat shock proteins and glial cells in the brain of developing rats.

Watilliaux A, Edeline JM, Lévêque P, Jay TM, Mallat M · 2011

Researchers exposed young rats on postnatal days 5, 15, or 35 to a GSM 1,800 MHz signal for 2 hours at 1.7–2.5 W/kg SAR and compared them to pseudo-exposed littermates. Western blotting measured heat shock proteins HSP60, HSC70, HSP90, serine racemase, glutamate transporters GLT1 and GLAST, and glial fibrillary acidic protein GFAP in total and soluble extracts. The GSM signal had no significant effect on any of these proteins, and immunohistochemical staining for CD68 showed no differences in microglial morphology or distribution.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of exposure to 1,800 MHz electromagnetic fields on heat shock proteins and glial cells in the brain of developing rats.

Watilliaux A, Edeline JM, Lévêque P, Jay TM, Mallat M. · 2011

French researchers exposed developing rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 2 hours at SAR levels of 1.7-2.5 W/kg to see if it would trigger stress responses or damage in brain cells. They found no evidence of cellular stress, inflammation, or damage to the glial cells that support brain function. This suggests that brief exposures to cell phone radiation at these levels may not cause immediate harm to developing brain tissue.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects

Sauter C et al. · 2011

Researchers tested 30 healthy young men exposed to GSM 900, WCDMA, and sham signals over nine study days. After correction for multiple testing, only time-of-day effects remained significant in two tests, resulting in faster reactions in the afternoon trials. Univariate comparisons revealed significant changes for GSM 900 only in the vigilance test. WCDMA exposure altered one parameter in vigilance and one in divided attention, while selective attention and the n-back task were not affected by either exposure.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects.

Sauter C et al. · 2011

German researchers exposed 30 young men to mobile phone signals (GSM 900 and WCDMA) for over 7 hours to test effects on cognitive function including attention and working memory. While some minor changes appeared in vigilance tests, these effects disappeared when researchers properly accounted for statistical testing and time-of-day variations. The study found no evidence that extended mobile phone radiation exposure impairs cognitive performance.

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.