Research on electromagnetic radiation from utility smart meters using RF communication.
Beason RC, Semm P. · 2002
Researchers exposed bird brain cells to cell phone-like radio signals (900 MHz, similar to older GSM phones) and found that more than half the neurons changed their activity levels. Most responding cells (76%) increased their firing rates by an average of 3.5 times, while others decreased their activity. The researchers noted these changes suggest potential effects on humans using handheld cell phones.
Finnie JW et al. · 2002
Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for two years to test blood-brain barrier damage. They found minimal blood vessel leakage in both exposed and control groups, suggesting typical cell phone use may not compromise this critical brain protection system.
Shallom JM et al. · 2002
Researchers exposed chick embryos to non-heating microwave radiation at 915 MHz and found it triggered the production of Hsp70, a cellular stress protein that helps protect cells from damage. The microwave-exposed embryos showed 30% higher levels of this protective protein and had significantly better survival rates when later subjected to oxygen deprivation. This suggests that even low-level microwave exposure activates cellular stress responses, though the long-term health implications of repeatedly triggering these protective mechanisms remain unclear.
Tafforeau M et al. · 2002
Researchers exposed flax plants to radiation from a GSM cell phone at 0.9 GHz for 2 hours and found it triggered the same biological response as cold stress - the formation of new tissue growth structures called epidermal meristems. The study also revealed that this response involves changes in calcium and other essential minerals within the plant tissues. This demonstrates that even non-thermal levels of cell phone radiation can cause measurable biological effects in living organisms.
Stopczyk D et al. · 2002
Polish researchers exposed human blood platelets to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 1-7 minutes and measured two key indicators of cellular damage: antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers. The radiation significantly reduced the cells' natural antioxidant defenses while increasing markers of cellular damage at most exposure times. This suggests that even brief exposure to cell phone radiation can trigger oxidative stress, which the researchers say could lead to widespread cellular damage and health problems throughout the body.
Takahashi S et al. · 2002
Researchers exposed mice to 1.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the type used in cell phones) for 90 minutes daily over 4 weeks to test whether it could damage DNA in brain cells. They found no evidence of genetic mutations, brain tissue damage, or changes that might lead to brain tumors. The study suggests that cell phone radiation at these levels does not directly cause DNA damage in mouse brain tissue.
Bortkiewicz A, Pilacik B, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W. · 2002
Researchers exposed 9 healthy young men to cell phone radiation for one hour while measuring melatonin levels through urine tests. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep and circadian rhythms. The study found no significant changes in melatonin production after exposure to 900 MHz radiation at 1.23 W/kg SAR, suggesting that typical cell phone use may not disrupt sleep hormones.
Hanada E, Hoshino Y, Oyama H, Watanabe Y, Nose Y. · 2002
Researchers tested whether 2.4 GHz wireless LAN networks (Wi-Fi) interfere with medical equipment in hospitals, examining nine different devices while Wi-Fi was transmitting nearby. They found no malfunctions in medical equipment even when Wi-Fi access points were placed directly next to the devices, though some hospital equipment like electric surgical knives did reduce Wi-Fi reception rates to about 60%. This suggests Wi-Fi can be safely installed in hospitals at the low power levels used in Japan (maximum 10 mW), though access points should be kept away from microwave ovens.
Thompson CJ, Anderson V, Rowley JT. · 2002
Researchers analyzed how radiofrequency radiation from 900 MHz cell phones gets absorbed by brain tissue, focusing on the statistical patterns of energy absorption rates (SAR). They found that SAR values follow a predictable mathematical pattern and calculated that the probability of exceeding current safety limits is very low. This study used mathematical modeling to evaluate whether existing exposure guidelines provide adequate protection.
Bartsch H et al. · 2002
Scientists tested whether cell phone radiation affects breast cancer development in rats across three studies. The radiation did not increase tumor rates or speed cancer growth overall. One study showed slightly delayed tumor development, but this wasn't repeated. Results suggest no clear cancer risk.
Braune S, Riedel A, Schulte-Monting J, Raczek J. · 2002
German researchers exposed 40 healthy young adults to mobile phone radiation (900 MHz) for specific periods while measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones. While participants' blood pressure increased by about 5 mmHg during the testing protocol, this increase occurred equally during both real and fake (placebo) exposures. The study found no evidence that mobile phone radiation affects cardiovascular function or the nervous system that controls blood pressure.
de Pomerai DI, Dawe A, DjerbibL, Allan, Brunt G, Daniells C. · 2002
Researchers exposed microscopic worms (C. elegans) to weak microwave radiation at frequencies similar to cell phones and found that the radiation actually increased growth rates by 8-11% and improved reproductive success by 28-40%. Importantly, when the researchers heated the worms to the same temperature that microwaves would cause, they saw the opposite effects, proving that microwaves cause biological changes through mechanisms beyond simple heating.
McNamee JP et al. · 2002
Researchers exposed human white blood cells to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation for 2 hours at various power levels to test whether RF exposure causes DNA damage or creates abnormal cell structures called micronuclei. They found no evidence of genetic damage at any exposure level tested, including levels 100 times higher than typical cell phone emissions.
McNamee JP et al. · 2002
Canadian researchers exposed human white blood cells to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 2 hours at various power levels up to 10 W/kg. They found no evidence of DNA damage using two different laboratory tests that measure genetic harm. This suggests that short-term exposure to this type of RF radiation at these levels does not break DNA strands in immune cells.
McNamee JP et al. · 2002
Canadian researchers exposed human white blood cells to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 2 hours at various power levels up to 10 W/kg. They found no DNA damage in the cells compared to unexposed controls, using two different laboratory tests to detect genetic harm. This study suggests that short-term RF exposure at these levels does not cause immediate DNA breaks in immune cells.
Peyman A, Rezazadeh AA, Gabriel C · 2001
Researchers measured how different rat tissues absorb microwave radiation at various ages, from young to adult rats. They found that younger animals' tissues absorb significantly more radiation than older animals, particularly in brain, skull, and skin tissues. This suggests that children may absorb more EMF radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices than adults do.
Koivisto M et al. · 2001
Finnish researchers exposed healthy volunteers to GSM mobile phone signals (902 MHz) for 30-60 minutes and measured whether they experienced symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or skin sensations. The study found no difference in reported symptoms between exposure and non-exposure sessions, suggesting that short-term GSM phone radiation doesn't cause immediate subjective symptoms in healthy people.
S. Kwee, P. Raskmark & S. Velizarov · 2001
Danish researchers exposed human cells to weak 960 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phones) at extremely low power levels for 20 minutes. They found that cells produced significantly more heat-shock proteins (Hsp-70), which are cellular stress markers, even though the radiation was too weak to cause any heating. This suggests that cells can detect and respond to radiofrequency radiation through non-thermal biological mechanisms.
Mausset A, de Seze R, Montpeyroux F, Privat A · 2001
French researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) and measured changes in GABA, a crucial brain chemical that helps regulate nerve activity. They found that RF exposure reduced GABA levels in the cerebellum, the brain region responsible for movement and coordination. This suggests that cell phone radiation may disrupt normal brain chemistry at the cellular level.
Heikkinen P et al. · 2001
Finnish researchers exposed mice to both X-rays (to initiate cancer) and mobile phone radiation for 78 weeks to see if RF radiation would promote tumor growth. The study tested two types of phone signals - continuous NMT at 1.5 W/kg SAR and pulsed GSM at 0.35 W/kg SAR. Neither type of mobile phone radiation increased cancer rates compared to control groups, suggesting RF radiation does not act as a tumor promoter in this animal model.
Sykes PJ, McCallum BD, Bangay MJ, Hooker AM, Morley AA · 2001
Researchers exposed mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phones) for up to 25 days to see if it affected DNA recombination in spleen cells. They found no effects after short exposures, but after 25 days of exposure, DNA recombination actually decreased below normal levels. While this wasn't the DNA damage scientists typically look for, it suggests RF radiation can alter how cells repair their DNA, though the health significance of this change remains unknown.
Boscol P et al. · 2001
Researchers studied 19 women living near radio and TV towers for 13 years, comparing their immune systems to unexposed women. Those with higher radiofrequency exposure showed significantly reduced natural killer cells and weakened immune responses, suggesting broadcast tower radiation may compromise immune defenses.
Santini R et al. · 2001
French researchers surveyed 161 engineering students and workers about symptoms they experienced while using digital cell phones operating at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies. They found that users of the higher frequency phones (1800 MHz) reported significantly more concentration difficulties, while women experienced more sleep disturbances than men. Phone users also reported physical discomfort including ear warmth and pricking sensations that increased with longer daily use.
Jech R et al. · 2001
Researchers exposed 22 patients with narcolepsy (a sleep disorder causing excessive daytime sleepiness) to cell phone radiation for 45 minutes and measured their brain activity during cognitive tasks. They found that the electromagnetic fields improved the patients' reaction times by 20 milliseconds and enhanced brain responses to visual stimuli, suggesting the radiation temporarily reduced their sleepiness and improved mental performance.
Paredi P, Kharitonov SA, Hanazawa T, Barnes PJ · 2001
Researchers measured how 30-minute cell phone conversations affected nasal passages and skin temperature in 11 healthy adults. They found that the phone side of the face heated up by over 2 degrees Celsius, nasal passages narrowed by 27%, and nitric oxide levels increased, indicating blood vessel dilation. These effects disappeared when participants used a hands-free earpiece, proving the electromagnetic field was the cause.