Browse 6,486 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.
Showing 773 studies (Human Studies) from Glaser RF/Microwave Archive
E. Pflomm · 1931
This 1931 German study by E. Pflomm examined both experimental and clinical effects of ultrashort wave radiation on human subjects, focusing on inflammatory responses. The research represents some of the earliest documented investigation into how radiofrequency electromagnetic fields affect human health and biological processes.
Bell WH, Ferguson D · 1931
This 1931 study examined the health effects of super-high frequency radio waves on naval personnel exposed during their regular service duties. The research represents one of the earliest documented investigations into occupational RF exposure health risks. This pioneering work established the foundation for understanding workplace electromagnetic field safety decades before widespread civilian wireless technology use.
Charles M. Carpenter, Albert B. Page · 1930
This 1930 study by Carpenter explored using short radio waves to artificially induce fever in humans for medical treatment. The research was based on the premise that fever serves as a valuable defensive mechanism for the body during disease, challenging the prevailing view that fever should always be suppressed.
Schliephake, E. · 1929
This 1929 German study by Dr. E. Schliephake examined how short electric waves penetrate deeply into human organisms and affect biological systems. The research focused on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation, particularly in medical diathermy applications. This represents some of the earliest documented scientific investigation into how radiofrequency electromagnetic fields interact with living tissue.
RONALD V. CHRISTIE, ALFRED L. LOOMIS · 1928
This 1929 research by Christie and Loomis exposed mice to ultra-high frequency radiation at frequencies between 1,000,000 and 158,000,000 cycles per second (wavelengths from 300 meters to 1.9 meters) and measured lethal effects and heat production. The lethal effect was proportionate to the intensity of the field up to about 50,000,000 cycles (6 meters wavelength), and at higher frequencies both heat production and lethality diminished. The lethal effect was fully accounted for by heat production, strictly analogous to diathermy.
A. Mirimanoff · 1927
This 1927 study examined the use of diathermy (deep heating using radiofrequency electromagnetic fields) for treating eye conditions. Diathermy was an early medical application of RF energy that generated therapeutic heat in tissue through electromagnetic field exposure. The research represents one of the earliest documented uses of radiofrequency EMF in medical practice.
Duke-Elder WS · 1926
This 1926 research by Duke-Elder examined how light radiation damages the eye's lens and contributes to cataract formation. The study explored the pathological mechanisms by which radiant energy causes lens deterioration, focusing on fluorescence effects and energy absorption patterns. This early work established foundational understanding of how electromagnetic radiation can harm delicate eye tissues.
W. STEWART DUKE-ELDER · 1926
This 1920 research by Duke-Elder examined how different types of light radiation damage the human eye, specifically studying photophthalmia (light-induced eye inflammation) and effects on the cornea and conjunctiva. The study investigated pathological effects from ultraviolet and infrared light exposure, establishing early scientific understanding of optical radiation hazards.
Edwin Hendler, James D. Hardy, Dorothy Murgatroyd
Researchers studied how microwave and infrared radiation heat human skin and produce temperature sensations. The study examined the body's ability to detect thermal changes from electromagnetic energy exposure. This research was funded by military agencies interested in understanding how radiation affects human temperature perception.
Unknown authors
Researchers exposed human bone marrow cells from leukemia patients to 2450 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency as microwave ovens and some WiFi) at various power levels for 15 minutes. They found that higher power exposures significantly reduced the cells' ability to form colonies, suggesting direct cellular damage. This demonstrates that microwave radiation can interfere with human blood cell production at the cellular level.
H. C. Gloz
This technical report examined how ultrashort wave radiofrequency radiation affects fluid production and blood flow in the human head. The research documented increased fluid pressure, blood vessel dilation, and hyperemia (increased blood flow) in brain and retinal vessels during RF exposure. This early research provides evidence that RF radiation can cause measurable physiological changes in the vascular system of the head.
I.A. Marriott, M.A. Stuchly
This comprehensive review examined health effects attributed to video display unit (VDU) use, analyzing physical factors like radiation emissions, ergonomics, and vision impacts. The study found that well-documented problems like eye strain and musculoskeletal issues can be controlled through proper workstation design, while many other claimed health effects were either nonexistent or unrelated to VDUs specifically.
Unknown authors
This technical report describes the development of PACE ALERT, a warning device designed to protect pacemaker patients from potentially dangerous microwave radiation exposure. The device aims to detect electromagnetic interference that could disrupt pacemaker function and alert patients before harmful exposure occurs. This represents an important safety innovation for the growing population of cardiac device recipients.
Russell L. Carpenter
This technical report by Carpenter documented case studies of people accidentally exposed to microwave radiation, focusing on eye damage including cataracts. The research examined radar personnel and others who experienced unintended microwave exposure, providing early evidence of biological effects from this technology.
Unknown authors
Researchers used mathematical models to calculate how electromagnetic radiation penetrates and deposits energy in human heads, comparing adult and infant absorption patterns. They tested different head shapes (spheres, prolate spheroids, and ellipsoids) and found ellipsoidal models most accurately predicted power absorption. The study revealed that infants may absorb electromagnetic energy differently than adults due to their smaller head size.
Unknown authors
Researchers developed a new mathematical method to calculate electromagnetic field concentrations on the surface of the human body when exposed to microwave radiation. The technique uses surface integral equations instead of traditional volume methods, making calculations more efficient for electrically large bodies like humans where most electromagnetic energy concentrates in a thin surface layer.
Unknown authors
This research review examined humans' ability to perceive Earth's natural magnetic field, gathering data from interviews with magnetically sensitive individuals. The study also referenced research on how animals and plants navigate using Earth's electromagnetic environment.
Bryan Parker, Seymour Furman, Doris J. W. Escher
This research examined how electromagnetic signals in hospital environments might interfere with cardiac pacemaker function. The study focused on input signals reaching pacemaker electrodes and how ventricular electrical activity could be affected by hospital equipment. This work addressed critical safety concerns about EMF interference with life-sustaining medical devices.
N. N. Goncharova, V. B. Karamyshev, N. V. Maksimenko
Soviet researchers studied TV and radio station workers exposed to ultrashort wave electromagnetic fields and found measurable changes in their cardiovascular and nervous systems during work shifts. The study documented that operators servicing high-frequency transmitters experienced functional changes linked to EMF exposure, prompting recommendations for protective measures in broadcast facilities.
Unknown authors
Boeing conducted an occupational health examination focused on electromagnetic pulse (EMP) exposure among their workers. This technical report examined potential health effects from EMP exposure in aerospace industry settings. The study represents corporate recognition of electromagnetic field health risks in high-tech manufacturing environments.
CARL H. SUTTON
This review examines medical applications of RF radiation, including microwave-based breast cancer detection that matches mammography accuracy without radiation risk, and combination microwave-X-ray cancer therapy that reduces ionizing radiation doses. The research highlights how RF energy can be used beneficially in healthcare while identifying regulatory and economic barriers to development.
Unknown authors
This technical report examined the fundamental philosophical differences between Eastern (particularly Soviet) and Western approaches to setting microwave exposure standards. The analysis compared how different nations weighed risk versus benefit when establishing safety limits for microwave radiation exposure.
P. Lövsund, P.A. Öberg, S.E.G. Nilsson
Researchers measured extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields in welding and steel manufacturing facilities, finding exposures of 0-10 mT at 50 Hz in typical work areas, with some induction heaters producing fields up to 60 mT. The study suggests these industrial magnetic field exposures likely cause magnetophosphenes (visual light sensations) in workers, though these effects are hard to detect in brightly lit industrial environments.
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This Southern Medical Journal study examined Diapulse therapy, which uses pulsed high-frequency (PUHF) electromagnetic energy to treat rheumatic diseases like arthritis. The research investigated whether this specific RF electromagnetic therapy could provide therapeutic benefits for inflammatory joint conditions. This represents early medical exploration of using controlled electromagnetic fields as a treatment modality.
Clyde E. Ingalls
Researchers demonstrated that radar transmitters operating at 1, 3, and 10 gigahertz can be directly heard by the human brain, bypassing the ears entirely. The effect occurred at energy levels considered safe for all-day exposure, suggesting the brain itself can detect electromagnetic radiation. This phenomenon may explain reports of people hearing meteors and aurora displays.