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Brain & Nervous System

Does exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields cause cognitive and behavioral effects in 10-year-old boys?

No Effects Found

Calvente I, Pérez-Lobato R, Núñez MI, Ramos R, Guxens M, Villalba J, Olea N, Fernández MF. · 2016

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Boys exposed to higher environmental RF levels showed reduced verbal skills and increased anxiety, even at exposures below safety guidelines.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Spanish researchers measured radiofrequency radiation around the homes of 123 ten-year-old boys and tested their cognitive abilities and behavior. While most measures showed no effects, boys living in areas with higher RF exposure (though still below safety guidelines) had lower verbal skills and higher rates of anxiety-related behaviors compared to those in lower exposure areas. The researchers cautioned that study limitations prevent drawing definitive conclusions.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 100 kHz - 6 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 100 kHz - 6 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 100 kHz to 6 GHz

Study Details

We aimed to explore the association of environmental radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) exposure with neurobehavioral function of children.

A subsample of 123 boys belonging to the Environment and Childhood cohort from Granada (Spain), recr...

Most of the cognitive and behavioral parameters did not show any effect, but children living in high...

Given limitations in the study design and that the majority of neurobehavioral functioning tasks were not affected, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.

Cite This Study
Calvente I, Pérez-Lobato R, Núñez MI, Ramos R, Guxens M, Villalba J, Olea N, Fernández MF. (2016). Does exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields cause cognitive and behavioral effects in 10-year-old boys? Bioelectromagnetics. 37(1):25-36, 2016.
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2016_does_exposure_to_environmental_2963,
  author = {Calvente I and Pérez-Lobato R and Núñez MI and Ramos R and Guxens M and Villalba J and Olea N and Fernández MF.},
  title = {Does exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields cause cognitive and behavioral effects in 10-year-old boys?},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26769168/},
}
PubMed: 26769168

Cited By (50 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Spanish researchers found that 10-year-old boys living in higher RF exposure areas showed increased anxiety-related behaviors and obsessive-compulsive symptoms compared to those in lower exposure areas. However, most cognitive and behavioral measures showed no effects, and study limitations prevent definitive conclusions.
A 2016 study found that 10-year-old boys in higher environmental RF exposure areas (though still below safety guidelines) had lower verbal expression and comprehension scores. The researchers cautioned that study design limitations make it difficult to draw firm conclusions from these findings.
Spanish researchers studying 123 ten-year-old boys found lower verbal skills in those living in higher RF exposure areas. Most other cognitive abilities showed no effects. The study measured environmental radiofrequency radiation around homes rather than direct device usage.
A Spanish study found that 10-year-old boys in higher environmental RF exposure areas had increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and other internalizing problems. However, researchers emphasized that study limitations prevent drawing definitive conclusions about causation.
Researchers measured actual RF levels around 123 boys' homes and found stronger behavioral associations when using peak exposure values rather than average levels. Boys above median exposure showed more anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors, though most cognitive measures remained unaffected.