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Replication of heart rate variability provocation study with 2.4-GHz cordless phone confirms original findings.

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Havas M, Marrongelle J. · 2013

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Heart rate variability testing revealed that 36% of people showed cardiovascular stress responses to cordless phone radiation at typical household exposure levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 69 people to radiation from a 2.4-GHz cordless phone base station for 3-minute intervals and measured their heart rate variability (how the heart rhythm changes in response to stress). They found that 36% of participants showed some degree of sensitivity to the electromagnetic radiation, with their hearts responding as if experiencing stress. The study suggests that heart rate variability testing could help identify people who are electromagnetically sensitive.

Why This Matters

This study provides measurable evidence that some people's cardiovascular systems respond to electromagnetic radiation at levels commonly found in homes with cordless phones. The power density used (3-8 μW/cm²) is within the range of everyday wireless device exposure, making these findings directly relevant to millions of households. What makes this research particularly significant is that it moves beyond subjective reports of sensitivity to objective physiological measurements. The fact that 36% of participants showed some degree of cardiovascular response challenges the widespread assumption that electromagnetic hypersensitivity is purely psychological. While this study was later retracted, the physiological mechanisms it describes align with a growing body of research documenting biological effects from wireless radiation at levels well below current safety standards.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.003, 0.008 µW/m²
Source/Device
2.4-GHz
Exposure Duration
3-min intervals

Exposure Context

This study used 0.003, 0.008 µW/m² for radio frequency:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.003, 0.008 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 3,333,333,333x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.40 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.40 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

In this study, we analyzed the response of 69 subjects between the ages of 26 and 80 in both Canada and the USA.

Subjects were exposed to radiation for 3-min intervals generated by a 2.4-GHz cordless phone base st...

A few participants had a severe reaction to the radiation with an increase in heart rate and altered...

Novel findings include documentation of a delayed response to radiation. Orthostatic HRV testing combined with provocation testing may provide a diagnostic tool for some sufferers of EHS when they are exposed to electromagnetic emitting devices. The protocol used underestimates reaction to electromagnetic radiation for those who have a delayed autonomic nervous system reaction and it may under diagnose those who have adrenal exhaustion as their ability to mount a response to a stressor is diminished.

Cite This Study
Havas M, Marrongelle J. (2013). Replication of heart rate variability provocation study with 2.4-GHz cordless phone confirms original findings. Electromagn Biol Med. 32(2):253-266, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2013_replication_of_heart_rate_1018,
  author = {Havas M and Marrongelle J.},
  title = {Replication of heart rate variability provocation study with 2.4-GHz cordless phone confirms original findings.},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23675629/},
}
PubMed: 23675629

Cited By (22 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2013 study found that 36% of people showed heart stress responses when exposed to 2.4 GHz cordless phone base station radiation for just 3 minutes. Their heart rate variability changed as if experiencing stress, with 7% showing moderate to severe sensitivity reactions.
Only 25% of people accurately assessed their electromagnetic sensitivity according to heart rate variability testing. The study found 32% overestimated their sensitivity while 42% didn't know if they were sensitive, showing self-reporting is often inaccurate compared to physiological measurements.
Research using heart rate variability testing found 36% of people show some degree of electromagnetic sensitivity to 2.4 GHz cordless phones. Specifically, 7% were moderately to very sensitive, 29% showed little to moderate sensitivity, based on their heart's stress response.
Yes, heart rate variability testing combined with electromagnetic exposure may help diagnose electromagnetic hypersensitivity. A 2013 study successfully identified different sensitivity levels in 69 people, though it may underestimate reactions in those with delayed responses or adrenal exhaustion.
Yes, researchers documented delayed heart responses to 2.4 GHz cordless phone radiation for the first time. The study found some people's autonomic nervous systems react later than the 3-minute testing period, meaning standard protocols may underestimate electromagnetic sensitivity in certain individuals.