8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 8,700 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.

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Showing 742 studies in Cancer & Tumors

Cause-specific mortality in cellular telephone users.

Dreyer NA, Loughlin JE, Rothman KJ · 1999

Researchers attempted to track cause-specific mortality (death rates from specific diseases) among cellular phone users in 1994, focusing on brain-related deaths. However, the study was cut short when a class-action lawsuit blocked access to the mortality data after just one year of surveillance. This prevented the researchers from completing their investigation into whether cell phone use was associated with increased death rates from brain tumors or other causes.

Spontaneous and nitrosourea-induced primary tumors of the central nervous system in Fischer 344 rats chronically exposed to 836 MHz modulated microwaves.

Adey WR et al. · 1999

Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their offspring to cell phone radiation (836 MHz) for 24 months to study brain tumor development. Surprisingly, the radiation-exposed animals showed fewer brain tumors than unexposed controls, both naturally occurring tumors and those induced by a cancer-causing chemical. This unexpected protective effect was most pronounced in rats that died early in the study, where radiation exposure reduced chemically-induced brain tumors by a statistically significant amount.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Absence of 60-Hz, 0.1-mT magnetic field-induced changes in oncogene transcription rates or levels in CEM-CM3 cells

Unknown authors · 1998

Researchers tested whether 60-Hz magnetic fields at 0.1 mT could trigger cancer-related gene activity in human immune cells, attempting to replicate previous findings. They found no changes in oncogene transcription rates or levels after exposures ranging from 15 minutes to 2 hours. This study failed to reproduce earlier claims that power-line frequency magnetic fields activate cancer genes.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found1,133 citations

Radiat Res 149(6):637-645, 1998

Unknown authors · 1998

This study appears to be misclassified in the EMF database, as it actually reviews therapeutic cancer vaccines rather than electromagnetic field research. The paper discusses how cancer vaccines work by stimulating immune responses and explores methods to overcome the immunosuppressive environment that tumors create. This represents a database cataloging error rather than EMF-related health research.

Combined risk estimates for two German population-based case-control studies on residential magnetic fields and childhood acute leukemia

Unknown authors · 1998

German researchers studied 176 children with leukemia and 414 healthy children, measuring magnetic field exposure in their homes over 24 hours. Children exposed to magnetic fields of 0.2 microTesla or higher showed 2.3 times greater odds of developing acute leukemia. This adds to growing evidence linking residential power line EMF exposure to childhood cancer risk.

Power-frequency fields and cancer

Unknown authors · 1998

This 1998 comprehensive review analyzed approximately 100 laboratory studies examining whether power-frequency electromagnetic fields (from power lines and electrical systems) can cause cancer. The analysis found no replicated evidence that these fields have cancer-causing potential, concluding that a causal link between power-frequency EMF and cancer is unlikely.

Magnetic fields and breast cancer in Swedish adults residing near high-voltage power lines

Unknown authors · 1998

Swedish researchers studied 699 women and 9 men with breast cancer who lived within 300 meters of high-voltage power lines between 1960-1985. They found no overall increased breast cancer risk from magnetic field exposure, but discovered a striking 7.4-fold increased risk among younger women with estrogen-positive breast cancer. This suggests magnetic fields may interact with hormonal factors in specific breast cancer subtypes.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Absence of 60-Hz, 0.1-mT magnetic field-induced changes in oncogene transcription rates or levels in CEM- CM3 cells

Unknown authors · 1998

Researchers exposed human leukemia cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for up to 2 hours to test whether this EMF could activate cancer-promoting genes. They found no changes in oncogene activity, contradicting earlier claims that power line frequencies could trigger cancer gene expression.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Lack of promoting effects of the electromagnetic near-field used for cellular phones (929.2 MHz) on rat liver carcinogenesis in a medium-term liver bioassay.

Imaida K et al. · 1998

Japanese researchers exposed rats to 929.2 MHz cell phone radiation for 90 minutes daily over 6 weeks to test whether the radiation could promote liver cancer development. The study used relatively high SAR levels (up to 7.2 W/kg) and found no difference in pre-cancerous liver lesions between exposed and unexposed rats. This suggests that cell phone radiation at these levels does not accelerate liver cancer progression in this animal model.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

The 1.5 GHz electromagnetic near-field used for cellular phones does not promote rat liver carcinogenesis in a medium-term liver bioassay.

Imaida et al. · 1998

Researchers exposed rats to 1.439 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the type used in Japanese cell phones) to see if it would promote liver cancer development. Despite using exposure levels up to 1.91 W/kg and finding evidence of biological stress (increased stress hormones), the radiation did not increase cancer-promoting changes in the liver. This suggests that cell phone radiation at these levels does not accelerate liver cancer progression in this animal model.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Chronic, low-level (1.0 W/kg) exposure of mice prone to mammary cancer to 2450 MHz microwaves.

Frei et al. · 1998

Researchers exposed 100 mice genetically prone to breast cancer to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and early WiFi) for 78 weeks, 20 hours per day. They found no difference in cancer rates between exposed mice (38%) and unexposed mice (30%), and no difference in how quickly tumors developed or grew. This suggests that chronic exposure to this specific level of microwave radiation did not increase breast cancer risk in these cancer-prone animals.

Risk of leukemia and residence near a radio transmitter in Italy.

Michelozzi P, Ancona C, Fusco D, Forastiere F, Perucci CA · 1998

Researchers investigated a cluster of leukemia cases near a high-power radio transmitter in Rome, Italy. They found that men living within 3.5 kilometers of the transmitter had 3.5 times higher leukemia death rates than expected, with risk declining significantly as distance from the transmitter increased. This suggests a potential link between proximity to radio frequency radiation sources and increased leukemia risk in men.

Case-control study on risk factors for testicular cancer.

Hardell L, Nasman A, Ohlson CG, Fredrikson M. · 1998

Swedish researchers studied 148 men with testicular cancer and 314 healthy controls to identify occupational risk factors. They found that men working with video display units (computer screens) had an 80% higher risk of testicular cancer after extended exposure (about 480 working days). Amateur radio operators, radar workers, and electronics engineers also showed elevated risks, though based on smaller numbers of cases.

Cancer & Tumors3,815 citations

Radiat Res 147(4):495-500, 1997

Unknown authors · 1997

This 2020 comprehensive review examined head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a cancer affecting the mouth, throat, and voice box areas. The study found that while tobacco and alcohol remain major risk factors, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are increasingly driving these cancers, particularly in the throat region. This matters because understanding cancer mechanisms helps identify all potential contributing factors, including environmental exposures.

Residential exposure to 60-Hertz magnetic fields and adult cancers in Taiwan

Unknown authors · 1997

Researchers in Taiwan studied 3,427 cancer cases to examine whether living near power lines increases cancer risk. They found that people exposed to magnetic fields above 0.2 microtesla had a 40% higher risk of leukemia, and those living within 50 meters of transmission lines faced double the leukemia risk. No increased risk was found for brain tumors or breast cancer.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found171 citations

Electromagnetic fields and cancer in children residing near Norwegian high-voltage power lines

Unknown authors · 1997

Norwegian researchers studied children living near high-voltage power lines from 1965-1989 to determine if electromagnetic field exposure increases cancer risk. They found no association between magnetic field exposure and childhood cancers, including leukemia and brain tumors. However, the authors noted the study had limited statistical power due to small sample sizes.

Childhood leukemia and electromagnetic fields: results of a population-based case-control study in Germany

Unknown authors · 1997

German researchers studied 129 children with leukemia and 328 healthy controls to examine whether living near power lines increases childhood leukemia risk. They found children exposed to magnetic fields above 0.2 microTesla had over three times higher leukemia odds, though the finding wasn't statistically significant due to small numbers. The results align with other international studies suggesting a possible link between residential power line EMF and childhood blood cancers.

Radiofrequency exposure near high-voltage lines

Unknown authors · 1997

This 1997 analysis examined whether radiofrequency (RF) currents used for power grid communications might contribute to disease patterns near high-voltage lines. The study found that RF magnetic fields are present alongside standard 50/60 Hz power line fields, potentially creating additional exposure that hasn't been accounted for in health studies. This suggests epidemiological research linking power lines to leukemia may need to consider multiple frequency exposures, not just power frequency fields.

Risks of leukaemia among residents close to high voltage transmission electric lines

Unknown authors · 1997

This 1997 meta-analysis examined multiple studies on leukemia risk for people living near high-voltage power lines (49 kV and above). Researchers found a 30% increased leukemia risk for magnetic field exposures at 2 milligauss or higher, with risk increasing at higher exposure levels. The analysis included both adults and children living within 50 meters of transmission lines.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Electrical power lines and childhood leukemia: a study from Greece

Unknown authors · 1997

Greek researchers studied 117 children with leukemia and 202 healthy controls to examine whether living near power lines increases childhood leukemia risk. Using four different methods to measure magnetic field exposure from electrical lines, they found no significant increase in leukemia risk at any exposure level. The study doesn't prove power lines are completely safe, but found no evidence of increased cancer risk.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Frequency of micronuclei in the peripheral blood and bone marrow of cancer-prone mice chronically exposed to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation.

Vijayalaxmi et al. · 1997

Researchers exposed cancer-prone mice to 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and some WiFi) for 20 hours daily over 18 months to test whether it causes DNA damage. They measured micronuclei - tiny fragments that indicate genetic damage - in blood and bone marrow cells. The study found no significant difference in DNA damage between exposed and unexposed mice, suggesting this level of RF exposure did not cause detectable genetic harm.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in C6 glioma and primary glial cells exposed to a 836.55 MHz modulated radiofrequency field.

Stagg RB, Thomas WJ, Jones RA, Adey WR · 1997

Researchers exposed brain cells (both normal and cancerous glioma cells) to cell phone-like radiofrequency radiation at 836.55 MHz for 24 hours to see if it would promote tumor growth by affecting DNA synthesis. While they found small increases in DNA activity in some cancer cell experiments, this didn't translate to actual increased cell growth or proliferation in either normal or cancerous cells.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Brain tumour development in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless cellular communication.

Salford LG, Brun A, Persson BRR · 1997

Researchers injected brain tumor cells into 154 pairs of rats, then exposed half to 915 MHz microwaves (the frequency used by early cell phones) for 7 hours daily over 2-3 weeks while keeping the other half as controls. They found no difference in tumor growth between exposed and unexposed rats, suggesting that microwave exposure did not accelerate existing brain tumors in this particular experimental setup.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Focus formation of C3H/10T1/2 cells and exposure to a 836.55 MHz modulated radiofrequency field.

Cain CD, Thomas DL, Adey WR · 1997

Researchers exposed mouse cells to cell phone-like radiation (836.55 MHz TDMA signals) for 28 days to see if it would enhance cancer cell formation when combined with a known tumor-promoting chemical. The radiation exposure at levels similar to cell phone use did not increase cancer cell formation compared to unexposed cells. This suggests that this type of radiofrequency exposure does not act as a tumor promoter in laboratory cell cultures.

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