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)

Glial markers and emotional memory in rats following acute cerebral radiofrequency exposures

(E) Barthélémy A et al. · 2016

French researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 15-45 minutes and found that even brief exposures caused brain inflammation and memory problems. At exposure levels similar to what heavy cell phone users experience (6 W/kg), rats showed a 119% increase in brain inflammation markers and reduced long-term memory performance. The study demonstrates that radiofrequency radiation can trigger inflammatory responses in the brain that directly impact cognitive function.

Adaptive response in mouse bone-marrow stromal cells exposed to 900-MHz radiofrequency fields: Gamma-radiation-induced DNA strand breaks and repair.

Ji Y, He Q, Sun Y, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2016

Chinese researchers exposed mouse bone marrow cells to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) for 4 hours daily over 5 days, then hit them with gamma radiation to damage their DNA. Surprisingly, the cells that received RF preconditioning showed less DNA damage and repaired themselves faster than cells exposed to gamma radiation alone, suggesting RF exposure may trigger protective cellular responses.

Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation on Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Gläser K et al. · 2016

German researchers exposed human blood stem cells (the cells that create all blood cells in your body) to cell phone radiation at three different frequencies for up to 66 hours. They tested multiple biological endpoints including DNA damage, cell death, and oxidative stress. Surprisingly, they found that GSM radiation actually caused a small decrease in DNA damage compared to unexposed cells, while showing no other significant effects.

GSM 900 MHz Microwave Radiation-Induced Alterations of Insulin Level and Histopathological Changes of Liver and Pancreas in Rat.

Mortazavi SM et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (GSM 900 MHz) for either 3 or 6 hours daily over 7 days to study effects on insulin production and organ health. While insulin levels remained unchanged, the radiation caused inflammatory damage in the liver and harmed insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, with longer exposure times producing more severe damage.

Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats.

Çeliker M et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to 3G cell phone signals) for 30 days to study effects on hearing. While the rats' hearing tests showed no functional changes, microscopic examination revealed increased cell death and degeneration in the brain areas that process sound. This suggests that cell phone radiation may damage auditory neurons even before hearing loss becomes detectable.

Neurobehavioural Changes and Brain Oxidative Stress Induced by Acute Exposure to GSM 900 Mobile Phone Radiations in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Nirwane A, Sridhar V, Majumdar A · 2016

Researchers exposed zebrafish to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily over two weeks at levels similar to what phones emit during calls. The exposed fish showed increased anxiety-like behaviors, impaired learning and social interaction, plus brain damage from oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules). This suggests that even short daily exposures to mobile phone radiation can affect brain function and behavior.

Neurobehavioural Changes and Brain Oxidative Stress Induced by Acute Exposure to GSM900 Mobile Phone Radiations in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Nirwane A, Sridhar V, Majumdar A. · 2016

Researchers exposed zebrafish to cell phone radiation at levels similar to those from mobile phones (1.34 W/kg SAR) for one hour daily over two weeks. The fish showed increased anxiety-like behaviors, impaired learning ability, and brain damage from oxidative stress. This study demonstrates that even brief daily exposure to mobile phone radiation can alter brain function and damage brain cells.

Neurobehavioural Changes and Brain Oxidative Stress Induced by Acute Exposure to GSM900 Mobile Phone Radiations in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Nirwane A, Sridhar V, Majumdar A · 2016

Researchers exposed zebrafish to cell phone radiation (GSM 900 MHz) for 14 days at human-equivalent levels. The fish developed increased anxiety, reduced social behavior, and impaired learning, plus brain oxidative stress indicating cellular damage. This suggests everyday cell phone radiation may affect brain function.

The effect of prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic field on calcineurin and bone development in rats.

Erkut A et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz frequency) for varying durations during pregnancy and examined bone development in their offspring. They found that longer daily exposure periods caused significant damage to developing bones and muscles, with the worst effects occurring after 24 hours of daily exposure. The study demonstrates that wireless radiation during pregnancy can interfere with normal skeletal development in developing babies.

Effects of Long Term Exposure of 900-1800 MHz Radiation Emitted from 2G Mobile Phone on Mice Hippocampus- A Histomorphometric Study.

Mugunthan N et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed mice to 2G mobile phone radiation (900-1800 MHz) for 48 minutes daily over six months and examined their brain tissue under a microscope. They found that the radiation caused significant changes in the hippocampus (the brain's memory center), including reduced numbers of neurons in key areas and smaller cell nuclei throughout the region. These cellular changes suggest that chronic mobile phone radiation exposure may damage the brain structures responsible for learning and memory.

Activity and expression of acetylcholinesterase in PC12 cells exposed to intermittent 1.8 GHz 217-GSM mobile phone signal.

Valbonesi P, Franzellitti S, Bersani F, Contin A, Fabbri E. · 2016

Italian researchers exposed rat brain cells to cell phone radiation at the legal safety limit for 24 hours and found that a key brain enzyme called acetylcholinesterase increased by 40%. This enzyme is crucial for memory, learning, and proper brain function, and disruptions to it are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Effects of long-term exposure to 900 megahertz electromagnetic field on heart morphology and biochemistry of male adolescent rats.

Kerimoğlu G et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed adolescent male rats to cell phone-level radiation (900 MHz) for one hour daily during their development and examined their hearts as adults. The exposed rats showed significant heart damage including increased oxidative stress, structural changes to heart muscle cells, and higher rates of cell death compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that EMF exposure during critical developmental periods may cause lasting cardiovascular damage.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Analysis of gene expression in mouse brain regions after exposure to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency fields.

McNamee JP et al. · 2016

Canadian researchers exposed mice to 1.9 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 4 hours daily over 5 days and examined gene activity in seven different brain regions. They found no consistent changes in gene expression at exposure levels of 0.2 or 1.4 W/kg, though they acknowledge their study may have missed very small changes below 1.5-fold. This suggests that short-term RF exposure at these levels doesn't significantly alter how genes function in the brain.

Apoptotic cell death during Drosophila oogenesis is differentially increased by electromagnetic radiation depending on modulation, intensity and duration of exposure.

Sagioglou NE et al. · 2016

Greek researchers exposed fruit flies to radiofrequency radiation at various frequencies (100-900 MHz) and found that all exposure protocols increased cell death in developing eggs, even at very low power levels. The study revealed that frequency-modulated signals caused more damage than continuous waves, and that biological effects don't follow a simple dose-response relationship. This research demonstrates that even brief exposures to RF radiation can disrupt normal cellular processes in developing organisms.

Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to 1880-1900MHz DECT base radiation on development in the rat.

Stasinopoulou M et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to DECT phone base station radiation (the same frequency as cordless phones) for 12 hours daily during pregnancy and early life. They found increased heart rates in developing embryos, altered birth measurements in newborns, and significant brain cell loss in the hippocampus region of 22-day-old pups. These brain changes occurred whether the animals were exposed only before birth or both before and after birth.

Induction of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase in Mouse Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Exposed to 900 MHz Radiofrequency Fields: Preliminary Observations.

He Q, Sun Y, Zong L, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2016

Researchers exposed mouse bone marrow cells to cell phone-level radiation for three hours daily over five days. The cells showed significant increases in PARP-1, a protein that repairs DNA damage, suggesting the radiation triggered cellular stress requiring DNA repair mechanisms.

Effects of RF-EMF Exposure from GSM Mobile Phones on Proliferation Rate of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells: An In-vitro Study.

Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Hashemi-Beni B, Ahmadi Z. · 2016

Researchers exposed human fat-derived stem cells to radiation from GSM mobile phones (900 MHz frequency) for different durations over 5 days. They found that exposure for 9 minutes or longer per day significantly reduced the cells' ability to grow and multiply, while 6 minutes per day showed no effect. This suggests that even brief daily phone exposure can impair the regenerative cells your body uses for healing and tissue repair.

Modelling and assessment of the electric field strength caused by mobile phone to the human head.

Buckus R, Strukcinskiene B, Raistenskis J, Stukas R. · 2016

Researchers used computer modeling to map how electric fields from mobile phones affect the human head during phone calls. They found that older 2G phones operating at 900 MHz create stronger electric fields around the ear area than newer phones, with the field strength decreasing rapidly as you move away from the phone. The study showed that higher power phones with lower frequencies produce the most intense electric fields, affecting 1-12% of the head's surface area.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects of 1950 MHz W-CDMA-like signal on human spermatozoa.

Nakatani-Enomoto S et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed human sperm samples to cell phone-like radio frequency radiation at 1950 MHz for one hour at levels of 2.0 or 6.0 watts per kilogram. They found no significant effects on sperm movement, speed, or DNA damage compared to unexposed samples. The study suggests that short-term exposure to this type of radiation under controlled temperature conditions does not harm sperm quality.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Effects of 1950 MHz W-CDMA-like signal on human spermatozoa.

Nakatani-Enomoto S et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed human sperm samples to cell phone-like radiation (1950 MHz) for one hour at two different power levels to see if it affected sperm movement or caused DNA damage. They found no significant changes in sperm motility, movement patterns, or DNA damage markers compared to unexposed samples. This study suggests that short-term exposure to this type of radiation may not immediately harm sperm function under controlled laboratory conditions.

Metabolomic study of urinary polyamines in rat exposed to 915 MHz radiofrequency identification signal.

Paik MJ, Kim HS, Lee YS, Do Choi H, Pack JK, Kim N, Ahn YH · 2016

Researchers exposed rats to 915 MHz radiofrequency signals (like those from RFID tags) for 8 hours daily over 2 weeks and analyzed chemical changes in their urine. They found significant alterations in polyamines, which are molecules involved in cellular metabolism and growth. The RF-exposed rats showed a 54% increase in one specific polyamine compared to just 17% in control animals, suggesting the radiofrequency exposure disrupted normal cellular processes.

Long-term electromagnetic exposure of developing neuronal networks: A flexible experimental setup.

Oster S et al. · 2016

German researchers developed a sophisticated laboratory system to expose developing rat brain neurons to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for weeks at a time. The study focused on creating reliable equipment to test whether wireless radiation affects developing brain tissue, using exposure levels of 362 milliwatts per kilogram. While the paper describes the experimental setup in detail, it doesn't report specific biological effects, serving instead as a foundation for future research on how RF radiation might impact the developing nervous system.

Intravital Computer Morphometry on Protozoa: A Method for Monitoring of the Morphofunctional Disorders in Cells Exposed in the Cell Phone Communication

Uskalova DV, Igolkina YV, Sarapultseva EI. · 2016

Russian researchers exposed single-celled organisms (protozoa) to cell phone frequency radiation (1 GHz) at very low power levels for 30 minutes to 6 hours. They found significant changes in cell shape and structure that correlated with reduced movement ability. The researchers suggest this method could help detect early cellular damage from mobile phone radiation, particularly effects on sperm cell mobility.

Neurobiological effects of repeated radiofrequency exposures in male senescent rats.

Bouji M, Lecomte A, Gamez C, Blazy K, Villégier AS. · 2016

Researchers exposed both young and elderly rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 45 minutes daily over one month to see if aging brains were more vulnerable to EMF effects. The study found that while elderly rats showed expected age-related brain problems, the radiation exposure didn't make these problems worse. Interestingly, both young and old rats exposed to radiation showed reduced anxiety-like behaviors.

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.