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Effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted by cellular telephones on the cognitive functions of humans.

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Eliyahu I, Luria R, Hareuveny R, Margaliot M, Meiran N, Shani G. · 2006

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Cell phone radiation slowed cognitive responses in the specific brain region closest to the phone during two-hour exposure sessions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Israeli researchers exposed 36 healthy men to cell phone radiation at 890 MHz for two hours while they performed cognitive tasks designed to test different brain regions. They found that radiation exposure to the left side of the brain significantly slowed reaction times for left-hand responses, particularly during the second hour of exposure. This suggests that cell phone radiation can impair cognitive performance in the specific brain areas closest to the phone.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation affects cognitive function in a location-specific manner. The fact that left-brain exposure specifically slowed left-hand responses suggests the radiation is directly interfering with neural processing in the exposed region, not just causing general fatigue or distraction. What makes this research particularly concerning is that the exposure levels exceeded typical cell phone use, yet still produced measurable cognitive impairment within just two hours. The reality is that many people hold phones to their heads for extended periods daily, potentially experiencing similar localized brain effects. This adds to the growing body of evidence showing that EMF exposure can alter brain function even at levels considered 'safe' by current standards.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 890 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 890 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 890 MHz Duration: Two sections, of 1 h each, with a 5 min break in between

Study Details

The present study examined the effects of exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation emitted by a standard GSM phone at 890 MHz on human cognitive functions. This study attempted to establish a connection between the exposure of a specific area of the brain and the cognitive functions associated with that area.

A total of 36 healthy right-handed male subjects performed four distinct cognitive tasks: spatial it...

The results indicated that the exposure of the left side of the brain slows down the left-hand respo...

Cite This Study
Eliyahu I, Luria R, Hareuveny R, Margaliot M, Meiran N, Shani G. (2006). Effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted by cellular telephones on the cognitive functions of humans. Bioelectromagnetics.27(2):119-126, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2006_effects_of_radiofrequency_radiation_2056,
  author = {Eliyahu I and Luria R and Hareuveny R and Margaliot M and Meiran N and Shani G.},
  title = {Effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted by cellular telephones on the cognitive functions of humans.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16304688/},
}
PubMed: 16304688

Cited By (80 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Israeli research found that 890 MHz cell phone radiation significantly slowed left-hand reaction times when exposure occurred on the left side of the brain. The effect became most apparent during the second hour of continuous exposure in healthy men performing cognitive tasks.
Research shows that 2 hours of continuous 890 MHz cell phone radiation exposure can impair cognitive performance, specifically slowing reaction times. The Israeli study found this effect was most significant in the brain areas closest to the phone during prolonged use.
Yes, when 890 MHz radiation was applied to the left side of the brain, it specifically slowed left-hand response times during cognitive tasks. This suggests cell phone radiation affects brain regions closest to the phone more than distant areas.
The Israeli study found that cognitive effects from 890 MHz cell phone radiation became apparent during the second hour of exposure. The researchers observed significant slowing of reaction times after prolonged continuous exposure in healthy male participants.
The research found that 890 MHz radiation affected three out of four cognitive tasks tested, with highly significant effects in one specific test. The tasks were designed to evaluate different brain regions' performance during continuous phone radiation exposure.