3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Immune System128 citations

Disturbance of the immune system by electromagnetic fields-A potentially underlying cause for cellular damage and tissue repair reduction which could lead to disease and impairment.

Bioeffects Seen

Johansson O. · 2009

View Original Abstract
Share:

EMF exposure disrupts immune function at levels below current safety limits, potentially increasing disease risk.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This comprehensive review by Swedish researcher Olle Johansson examined dozens of studies on how electromagnetic fields affect the immune system. The research shows that EMF exposure disrupts immune function by triggering allergic and inflammatory responses while impairing the body's ability to repair tissue damage. These immune disruptions occur at EMF levels well below current safety limits and may increase disease risk, including cancer.

Why This Matters

This review represents a critical piece of the EMF health puzzle because it connects immune dysfunction to the broader spectrum of EMF-related health effects. Your immune system serves as your body's first line of defense against disease, so when EMF exposure compromises this fundamental protective mechanism, it creates a cascade of potential health problems. What makes Johansson's analysis particularly significant is that it demonstrates these immune effects occur at exposure levels we encounter daily from cell phones, WiFi, and other wireless devices. The science demonstrates that our current safety standards, which focus only on heating effects, completely ignore these biological impacts. This research adds to the mounting evidence that we need exposure limits based on biological effects, not just thermal ones.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

A number of papers dealing with the effects of modern, man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the immune system are summarized in the present review.

EMFs disturb immune function through stimulation of various allergic and inflammatory responses, as ...

It must be concluded that the existing public safety limits are inadequate to protect public health, and that new public safety limits, as well as limits on further deployment of untested technologies, are warranted.

Cite This Study
Johansson O. (2009). Disturbance of the immune system by electromagnetic fields-A potentially underlying cause for cellular damage and tissue repair reduction which could lead to disease and impairment. Pathophysiology. 2009 Aug;16(2-3):157-77. doi: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2009.03.004. Epub 2009 Apr 23. PMID: 19398310.
Show BibTeX
@article{o._2009_disturbance_of_the_immune_2252,
  author = {Johansson O.},
  title = {Disturbance of the immune system by electromagnetic fields-A potentially underlying cause for cellular damage and tissue repair reduction which could lead to disease and impairment.},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19398310/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

This comprehensive review by Swedish researcher Olle Johansson examined dozens of studies on how electromagnetic fields affect the immune system. The research shows that EMF exposure disrupts immune function by triggering allergic and inflammatory responses while impairing the body's ability to repair tissue damage. These immune disruptions occur at EMF levels well below current safety limits and may increase disease risk, including cancer.