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

EMF Research Studies

Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.

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Showing 188 studies in Cardiovascular

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Microwave influence on the isolated heart function: II. Combined effect of radiation and some drugs.

Pakhomov AG, Dubovick BV, Degtyariov IG, Pronkevich AN · 1995

Russian researchers exposed isolated frog heart tissue to 915 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 40 minutes to see how it affected heart function, both alone and combined with various drugs. They found that microwaves alone had no effect on heart rhythm or strength, but when combined with caffeine, the microwaves amplified caffeine's stimulating effects by about 15% - even at power levels too low to cause heating. This suggests that non-thermal microwave exposure might interact with certain substances to affect heart function in ways we don't fully understand.

Influence of modulated high-frequency electromagnetic fields on the functional organization and dynamics of the common brainstem system.

Rittweger J, Lambertz M, Kluge W, Kramer K, Langhorst P · 1995

German researchers exposed five healthy volunteers to modulated high-frequency electromagnetic fields applied to the back of their heads and measured brain activity using magnetoencephalography (brain wave monitoring). They found measurable changes in brain wave patterns, heart rate, and breathing after EMF exposure, indicating the fields affected the brainstem - the brain region that controls basic life functions like breathing and heart rate.

[Endocrine mechanism of placental circulatory disturbances induced by microwave in pregnant rats].

Yoshida Y et al. · 1995

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to microwave radiation at the same frequency used in microwave ovens (2,450 MHz) and measured blood flow to the placenta. They found that microwave exposure significantly reduced placental blood flow and disrupted multiple pregnancy hormones including estradiol and progesterone. This matters because reduced placental blood flow can harm fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Character of the effect of microwave on conduction velocity of frog ventricular muscle.

Yee KC, Chou CK, Guy AW · 1994

Researchers exposed isolated frog hearts to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) for 2 hours at various power levels to see if it affected how electrical signals travel through heart muscle. They found no changes in the speed of electrical conduction through the heart tissue at any exposure level tested, including levels much higher than typical human exposure from wireless devices.

[Changes in pacemakers and the wearers of pacemakers as a result of the use of different electromagnetic energy sources].

Vergassola R et al. · 1994

Italian researchers tested whether various medical electromagnetic devices could interfere with pacemakers in 31 patients and laboratory animals. They found no interference from short-wave diathermy, electrosurgical knives, TENS units, or radiofrequency ablation equipment. This suggests that modern pacemakers are well-shielded against electromagnetic interference from medical devices.

Dielectric properties of human red blood cells in suspension at radio frequencies.

Lu Y, Yu J, Ren Y · 1994

Researchers measured the electrical properties of red blood cells from 243 healthy people when exposed to radio frequencies between 1-500 MHz. They discovered that people over age 49 showed significantly different electrical responses in their blood cells compared to younger individuals. This suggests that radio frequency exposure may affect blood cells differently as we age, potentially making older adults more vulnerable to EMF effects.

The effects of radiofrequency (< 30 MHz) radiation in humans.

Zhao Z, Zhang S, Zho H, Zhang S, Su J, Li L, · 1994

Chinese researchers studied 121 workers exposed to radiofrequency radiation below 30 MHz for over a year, comparing those exposed to high levels (100 V/m or higher) versus low levels. While blood tests and nervous system function remained normal in both groups, workers exposed to higher radiation levels showed heart rhythm abnormalities on their electrocardiograms (ECGs). The researchers suggested 100 V/m as a safety limit for this type of radiation exposure.

Simultaneous response of brain electrical activity (EEG) and cerebral circulation (REG) to microwave exposure in rats.

Thuroczy G, Kubinyi G, Bodo M, Bakos J, Szabo LD, · 1994

Researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (similar to WiFi frequencies) and monitored brain activity and blood flow. Even low-power exposures altered brain wave patterns and increased blood circulation to the brain, showing the brain responds to microwave radiation below heating levels.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Calcium-ion movement and contractility in atrial strips of frog heart are not affected by low-frequency-modulated, 1 GHz electromagnetic radiation.

Schwartz JL, Mealing GA · 1993

Researchers exposed frog heart tissue to 1 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 32 minutes at various power levels to see if it affected calcium movement and heart muscle contractions. They found no changes in either calcium flow or the heart muscle's ability to contract, even at the highest exposure levels tested. This suggests that short-term RF exposure at these frequencies may not directly disrupt basic heart muscle function.

The modification of the effect of microwave radiation on the biochemical processes in anaphylactic shock by using exposure to a weak and perturbed geomagnetic field

Podkovkin VG · 1993

Researchers exposed guinea pigs to microwave radiation at 1 mW/cm² and found it altered their immune response during severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock). The microwaves increased stress hormones like epinephrine and histamine in the blood, with higher levels seen in animals that died from the allergic reactions. This suggests microwave exposure can interfere with the body's ability to handle severe immune responses.

Health status of personnel occupationally exposed to radiowaves.

Goldoni J, Durek M, Koren Z · 1993

Researchers in Croatia studied 49 radar operators and 46 radio relay workers exposed to microwave and radiofrequency radiation at work, comparing them to 46 airport workers not exposed to these fields. Over 18 months, they found significant changes in blood parameters, brain electrical activity, and eye health among the radar operators. The study suggests that long-term workplace exposure to microwaves and radiofrequencies may harm sensitive body systems.

Inter-beat intervals of cardiac-cell aggregates during exposure to 2.45 GHz CW, pulsed, and square-wave-modulated microwaves.

Seaman RL, DeHaan RL · 1993

Researchers exposed chicken embryo heart cells to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) and measured changes in their beating patterns. They found that the cells' rhythm changed in ways that couldn't be explained by simple heating effects alone, suggesting that microwaves can directly affect heart cells through non-thermal mechanisms at power levels as low as 1.2 watts per kilogram.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Exposure of frog hearts to CW or amplitude-modulated VHF fields: selective efflux of calcium ions at 16 Hz.

Schwartz JL, House DE, Mealing GA · 1990

Researchers exposed isolated frog hearts to 240-MHz radio frequency fields (similar to some wireless communication frequencies) for 30 minutes to study calcium movement in heart tissue. They found that when the RF field was pulsed at 16 Hz, calcium ions moved out of the heart cells at rates 18-21% higher than normal, but only at very low power levels. This suggests that even weak RF fields can disrupt normal cellular processes in heart tissue when delivered at specific frequencies.

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