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)

Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms

Wilen J, Johansson A, Kalezic N, Lyskov E, Sandstrom M · 2006

Researchers investigated the effect of a mobile phone-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on people who reported subjective symptoms when using mobile phones. Twenty subjects with mobile phone-related symptoms were matched with 20 controls without such symptoms, and each person took part in one true exposure session and one sham exposure session in random order. No significant differences related to radiofrequency exposure conditions were detected. The symptomatic group displayed a shift in low/high frequency ratio towards sympathetic dominance in the autonomous nervous system during tests, regardless of exposure condition.

Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms.

Wilen J, Johansson A, Kalezic N, Lyskov E, Sandstrom M. · 2006

Swedish researchers exposed 20 people who experience symptoms from mobile phones and 20 people without symptoms to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes at levels typical of phone use. While the radiation didn't cause immediate measurable changes in either group, the symptomatic individuals showed different nervous system patterns during cognitive tests, suggesting their autonomic nervous systems may function differently regardless of radiation exposure.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Free radical release and HSP70 expression in two human immune-relevant cell lines after exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation.

Lantow M, Schuderer J, Hartwig C, Simko M. · 2006

Researchers exposed human immune cells to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz (the frequency used by GSM networks) to see if it would trigger the production of harmful free radicals or stress proteins. Even at high exposure levels up to 2.0 W/kg, the radiation did not cause any significant increase in free radical production or stress protein expression in the cells. This suggests that cell phone radiation at these levels may not trigger the type of cellular damage that free radicals can cause.

Melatonin modulates 900 Mhz microwave-induced lipid peroxidation changes in rat brain.

Koylu H, Mollaoglu H, Ozguner F, Nazyroglu M, Delibab N. · 2006

Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham control, 900-MHz microwave exposure, and microwave exposure with melatonin treatment. Microwave exposure increased lipid peroxidation in both the brain cortex and hippocampus compared to controls. Melatonin administration decreased lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus but did not affect cortex levels.

Radio Frequency
Measurement survey

Survey of RF exposure levels from mobile telephone base stations in Australia.

Henderson SI, Bangay MJ. · 2006

Researchers measured radiofrequency signals from 60 base stations across five Australian cities at distances ranging from 50 to 500 m. All recorded exposure levels were well below the general public exposure limits of the ICNIRP guidelines and the Australian radiofrequency standard (ARPANSA RPS3). The highest level recorded from any single base station was 7.8 x 10(-3) W/m(2), which translates to 0.2% of the general public exposure limit.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.

Stronati L et al. · 2006

The study used alkaline comet assay, metaphase analysis, micronucleus test, and nuclear division index to assess DNA strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, micronuclei, and cell cycling speed. It comprehensively examined whether 24-hour continuous exposure to a 935 MHz GSM signal at 1 or 2 W/kg is genotoxic per se or can influence x-ray genotoxicity. Within the experimental parameters, no effect from the RFR signal was observed in any instance. The SAR values chosen were near the upper limit of energy absorption in localized tissue during cellular telephone use.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes

Stronati L et al. · 2006

Italian and British researchers exposed human immune cells (lymphocytes) to 935 MHz cell phone radiation for 24 hours at levels similar to what tissues experience during phone use. Using multiple DNA damage tests, they found no genetic damage from the radiation alone, and the radiation didn't make X-ray damage worse. This suggests that 24-hour exposure to this type of cell phone radiation doesn't directly break DNA or interfere with DNA repair.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

An in vitro study of the effects of exposure to a GSM signal in two human cell lines: monocytic U937 and neuroblastoma SK- N-SH

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers exposed two human cell lines, neuronal SK-N-SH and monocytoid U937, to a 900 MHz RF signal pulsed at 217 Hz with a SAR of 0.2 W/kg. For SK-N-SH cells, they assessed effects using gene microarray, real-time PCR, Western blot for heat shock proteins, and flow cytometry for cell cycle and apoptosis. For U937 cells, they assessed effects using cell viability and cell cycle analysis. No significant difference was found between sham-exposed and radiofrequency-exposed cells in any assay or condition.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

DNA strand breaks are not induced in human cells exposed to 2.1425 GHz band CW and W-CDMA modulated radiofrequency fields allocated to mobile radio base stations.

Sakuma N et al. · 2006

Researchers conducted a large-scale in vitro study to test whether modulated RF fields from mobile radio base stations act as a DNA damaging agent. Human glioblastoma A172 cells and normal human IMR-90 fibroblasts were exposed to 2.1425 GHz CW and W-CDMA radiation. A172 cells were exposed to W-CDMA at SARs of 80, 250, and 800 mW/kg and CW at 80 mW/kg for 2 and 24 hours, while IMR-90 cells were exposed to both modulations at 80 mW/kg for the same periods. No significant differences in DNA strand breaks were observed between exposed groups and sham controls using alkaline comet assays. The authors concluded that low-level exposures do not act as a genotoxicant up to a SAR of 800 mW/kg.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Proliferation and apoptosis in a neuroblastoma cell line exposed to 900 MHz modulated radiofrequency field

Merola P et al. · 2006

The study examined whether a modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency field at a specific absorption rate higher than the ICNIRP occupational reference level could alter cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in a neuroblastoma cell line. Cells were exposed for 24, 48, and 72 hours and tested using WST-I assay, molecular markers, caspase activation, and PARP cleavage detection. Combined exposures with retinoic acid and camptothecin were also tested to check for interference between the field and chemical agents. Overall, the data suggest that 900 MHz radiofrequency exposure up to 72 hours does not induce significant alterations in the three principal cell activities.

Electromagnetic absorption in the head of adults and children due to mobile phone operation close to the head.

de Salles AA, Bulla G, Rodriguez CE. · 2006

Researchers simulated Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in adult and child head models using the Finite Difference Time Domain method at 850 MHz and 1850 MHz. They used realistic head models with fitted electromagnetic parameters and tested microstrip and quarter-wavelength monopole antennas. The 1g-SAR for children was higher than for adults, exceeding 60% higher in the 10-year-old model. Results were compared with international recommendations.

Mobile phone effects on children's event-related oscillatory EEG during an auditory memory task.

Krause CM et al. · 2006

Researchers collected EEG data from 15 children aged 10 to 14 years while they performed an auditory memory task with and without exposure to a 902 MHz mobile phone in counterbalanced order. During memory encoding, the active mobile phone modulated event-related desynchronization and synchronization responses in the approximately 4 to 8 Hz EEG frequencies. During recognition, the active mobile phone transformed brain oscillatory responses in the approximately 4 to 8 Hz and approximately 15 Hz frequencies.

Effects of Global System for Mobile Communications 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on gene and protein expression in MCF-7 cells.

Zeng Q, Chen G, Weng Y, Wang L, Chiang H, Lu D, Xu Z. · 2006

Researchers investigated gene and protein responses to GSM 1800 MHz RF EMF in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells using genomic and proteomic approaches. GeneChip analysis identified a handful of changed genes after exposure at SAR up to 3.5 W/kg for 24 hours, but these changes were not confirmed by RT-PCR. Proteome analysis found a few different proteins differentially expressed under continuous or intermittent exposure at SAR 3.5 W/kg for 24 hours or less, but the authors suggest these effects might have occurred by chance.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Comparative study of cell cycle kinetics and induction of apoptosis or necrosis after exposure of human mono mac 6 cells to radiofrequency radiation.

Lantow M, Viergutz T, Weiss DG, Simko M. · 2006

Researchers used human Mono Mac 6 cells and exposed them to a 1,800 MHz GSM-DTX signal at 2 W/kg SAR for 12 hours. They measured cell cycle kinetics, BrdU uptake, apoptosis, and necrosis using flow cytometry. No statistically significant differences were found in apoptosis, necrosis, cell cycle kinetics, or BrdU uptake between RF EMF-exposed cells and sham or incubator controls. Positive controls treated with gliotoxin and PMA showed significant increases in apoptosis and necrosis, and PMA caused a significant accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase with a reduction in S-phase cells.

Immune SystemNo Effects Found

In vitro effects of GSM modulated radiofrequency fields on human immune cells.

Tuschl H, Novak W, Molla-Djafari H. · 2006

The study assessed whether GSM-modulated RF fields have adverse effects on the functional competence of human immune cells. Exposure was performed at GSM Basic 1950 MHz with an SAR of 1 mW/g in an intermittent mode of 5 minutes on and 10 minutes off for 8 hours. Researchers evaluated intracellular cytokine production, immune-relevant gene activity, and cytotoxicity of lymphokine-activated killer cells using blood from at least 15 donors per parameter. No statistically significant effects of exposure were found.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Phosphorylation and gene expression of p53 are not affected in human cells exposed to 2.1425 GHz band CW or W-CDMA modulated radiation allocated to mobile radio base stations.

Hirose H et al. · 2006

Researchers conducted a large-scale in vitro study to test whether modulated RF fields from mobile radio base stations induce apoptosis or stress responses activating p53. Human glioblastoma A172 cells were exposed to W-CDMA radiation at SARs of 80, 250, and 800 mW/kg and CW radiation at 80 mW/kg for 24 or 48 hours, while human IMR-90 fibroblasts were exposed to both modulations at 80 mW/kg for 28 hours. No significant differences in apoptosis, phosphorylated p53 at serine 15, total p53, or downstream gene expression were found between exposed and sham-exposed cells.

Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro.

Stankiewicz W et al. · 2006

Polish researchers exposed human immune cells to 900 MHz GSM cell phone signals at very low power levels (SAR 0.024 W/kg) and found that the microwave exposure significantly increased immune cell activity. The exposed cells showed stronger responses to immune stimulants and higher activity levels compared to unexposed control cells. This suggests that even low-level cell phone radiation can alter how your immune system functions at the cellular level.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Microwave exposure of neuronal cells in vitro: Study of apoptosis.

Joubert V et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to GSM-900 at 0.25 W/kg average SAR or continuous-wave 900 MHz at 2 W/kg SAR for 24 hours. No statistically significant difference in apoptosis rate was found between sham-exposed and microwave-exposed cells at either 0 or 24 hours post-exposure. Apoptosis rates were also comparable between sham, continuous-wave, 37°C, and 39°C exposed cells. Three assessment methods including DAPI staining, TUNEL/PI flow cytometry, and caspase-3 fluorimetry gave concordant results.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Oxidative stress effects on the central nervous system of rats after acute exposure to ultra high frequency electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers investigated the effect of acute UHF-EMF exposure on non-enzymatic antioxidant defense and lipid and protein oxidative damage in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. They used malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl assays to assess lipid and protein oxidative damages, respectively. No changes in lipid and protein damage, and also in non-enzymatic defense were found in frontal cortex or hippocampus. The results suggest that acute UHF-EMF exposure is not able to produce detectable oxidative stress in rats from any age tested.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effect of mobile telephony on blood-brain barrier permeability in the fetal mouse brain.

Finnie JW, Blumbergs PC, Cai Z, Manavis J, Kuchel TR. · 2006

Pregnant mice were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields at 4 W/kg for 60 minutes daily from gestational day 1 to day 19. Fetal brains were examined for albumin extravasation in multiple regions including cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, midbrain and medulla. No albumin extravasation was found in exposed or control brains, indicating no increase in vascular permeability.

Electromagnetic interference with infusion pumps from GSM mobile phones.

Calcagnini G et al. · 2006

Malfunctions occurred in 6 of 8 volumetric pumps and 1 of 4 syringe pumps when exposed to phones at maximum output at distances up to 30 cm. The maximum power that did not cause any malfunction at zero distance was 50 mW at 900 MHz and 2.5 mW at 1,800 MHz. The authors noted that moderate-good base station coverage would significantly reduce interference risk in state-of-the-art pumps.

Effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on DNA damage in Chinese hamster lung cells

Zhang DY, Xu ZP, Chiang H, Lu DQ, Zeng QL. · 2006

Researchers studied the effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on DNA damage in Chinese hamster lung cells. Cells were intermittently exposed to GSM 1800 MHz RF EMF at a SAR of 3.0 W/kg for either 1 hour or 24 hours, using a pattern of 5 minutes on and 10 minutes off. After 24 hours of exposure, the percentage of gammaH2AX foci positive cells was 37.9 +/- 8.6%, significantly higher than the sham-exposed group at 28.0 +/- 8.4%. The 1-hour exposure showed no significant difference from sham exposure.

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.