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 1,359 studies (Human Studies)

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Multigenerational effects of whole body exposure to 2.14 GHz W-CDMA cellular phone signals on brain function in rats

Shirai T et al. · 2014

Japanese researchers exposed three generations of rats to cell phone signals (2.14 GHz W-CDMA) for 20 hours daily, testing brain function and development across multiple generations. They found no adverse effects on brain function, behavior, or development in any of the three generations studied. This comprehensive multigenerational study suggests that chronic exposure to these specific cell phone frequencies at the tested levels did not cause detectable brain or developmental problems in rats.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of early-onset radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure (GSM 900 MHz) on behavior and memory in rats.

Klose M et al. · 2014

German researchers exposed young rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for nearly their entire lives, testing their learning and memory abilities at different ages. Despite using radiation levels up to 10 W/kg (much higher than typical phone exposure), they found no significant effects on behavior, memory, or brain development. This long-term study suggests that chronic cell phone radiation exposure starting in early development may not impair cognitive function.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Effects of combined radiofrequency radiation exposure on levels of reactive oxygen species in neuronal cells.

Kang KA et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed neuronal brain cells to combined cell phone radiation (CDMA and WCDMA signals) for 2 hours to measure whether this caused oxidative stress, a type of cellular damage linked to various health problems. The study found no increase in reactive oxygen species (cellular damage markers) in any of the three types of brain cells tested, even when combined with known oxidative stress agents.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Electromagnetic fields and EEG spiking rate in patients with focal epilepsy

Curcio G, Mazzucchi E, Marca GD, Vollono C, Rossini PM · 2014

Italian researchers exposed 12 epilepsy patients to cell phone radiation (902.4 MHz GSM signal) for 45 minutes to see if it affected their brain's electrical activity and seizure patterns. They found that the radiation actually reduced seizure-related brain spikes slightly and caused some changes in brain wave patterns, but concluded these effects had no clinical significance for the patients' epilepsy management.

The risk of subjective symptoms in mobile phone users in Poland - An epidemiological study.

Szyjkowska A, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W, Bortkiewicz A. · 2014

Polish researchers surveyed 587 mobile phone users to understand what symptoms people experience from cell phone use. They found that heavy phone users (those making frequent, long calls) were significantly more likely to report headaches (63% of heavy users), fatigue (45%), and warmth around the ear during or after calls. The symptoms typically appeared during calls and disappeared within 2 hours, though 26% experienced headaches lasting over 6 hours.

EFFECTS OF FREQUENCY, IRRADIATION GEOMETRY AND POLARISATION ON COMPUTATION OF SAR IN HUMAN BRAIN.

Zhou H et al. · 2014

Researchers used computer modeling to calculate how much radiofrequency energy (SAR) gets absorbed by different parts of the human brain at various frequencies. They found that the brain absorbs particularly high levels of energy at around 250 MHz and 900-1200 MHz frequencies, likely because the head acts like an antenna that resonates at these specific frequencies. This matters because these frequency ranges overlap with common wireless technologies like cell phones and radio broadcasts.

Association between mobile phone use and inattention in 7102 Chinese adolescents: a population-based cross-sectional study. .

Zheng F et al. · 2014

Chinese researchers studied over 7,000 middle school students to examine whether mobile phone use affects attention and focus. They found that teens who used their phones for more than 60 minutes daily for entertainment were significantly more likely to have attention problems, including difficulty concentrating and staying focused on tasks. The study suggests that limiting phone use to under an hour per day could help adolescents maintain better attention spans.

Mobile phones, non-ionizing radiofrequency fieldsand brain cancer: is there an adaptive response?

Vijayalaxmi, Prihoda TJ. · 2014

Researchers reanalyzed data from INTERPHONE, the largest study on mobile phones and brain cancer, and found something unexpected: mobile phone users actually showed lower rates of brain tumors (24.3% decreased risk for meningioma, 22.1% for glioma) compared to non-users. The authors suggest this protective effect might result from 'adaptive response,' where low-level radiofrequency exposure triggers cellular defense mechanisms that help prevent cancer.

High-frequency hearing loss among mobile phone users.

Velayutham P, Govindasamy GK, Raman R, Prepageran N, Ng KH. · 2014

Researchers in Malaysia tested the hearing of 100 mobile phone users by comparing their dominant ear (the one they hold their phone to) with their non-dominant ear using high-frequency audiometry. They found statistically significant hearing loss in the high frequencies (above 8 kHz) in the ear that users regularly pressed their phone against. This suggests that chronic mobile phone use may damage hearing in frequencies critical for understanding speech in noisy environments.

Lack of interaction between concurrent caffeine and mobile phone exposure on visual target detection: An ERP study.

Trunk A et al. · 2014

Hungarian researchers tested whether mobile phone radiation affects the brain's response to caffeine by measuring brain activity while people performed visual tasks under four conditions: no caffeine or phone, caffeine only, phone only, and both together. They found that caffeine improved reaction times and altered brain wave patterns as expected, but mobile phone radiation from 3G signals showed no effects on brain activity, either alone or when combined with caffeine.

Influence of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation on terpene emission and content in aromatic plants.

Soran ML, Stan M, Niinemets U, Copolovici L · 2014

Researchers exposed three common aromatic plants (parsley, celery, and dill) to microwave radiation at frequencies used by WiFi routers and cell phones. The plants showed cellular damage including thinner cell walls and smaller organelles, along with increased release of volatile compounds. This demonstrates that everyday wireless device frequencies can act as environmental stressors on plant life.

Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model.

Sepehrimanesh M et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for 1, 2, or 4 hours daily over 30 days. Rats exposed for 4 hours daily showed significantly decreased testosterone levels and disrupted reproductive hormones compared to unexposed rats. This suggests that prolonged RF exposure may interfere with male fertility and reproductive function.

Measurement of the dielectric properties of the epidermis and dermis at frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz.

Sasaki K, Wake K, Watanabe S · 2014

Researchers measured how electromagnetic waves interact with the two main layers of human skin - the outer epidermis and deeper dermis - across frequencies from 0.5 to 110 GHz. They found that current safety models significantly underestimate how much electromagnetic energy these skin layers actually absorb, especially at higher frequencies above 20 GHz. This matters because accurate absorption data is crucial for both medical device development and safety assessments of wireless technologies.

Whole brain EEG synchronization likelihood modulated by long term evolution electromagnetic fields exposure.

Lv B, Su C, Yang L, Xie Y, Wu T. · 2014

Chinese researchers exposed 10 people to LTE (4G cellular) electromagnetic fields for 30 minutes while measuring their brain activity with EEG sensors. They found that the EMF exposure changed how different parts of the brain synchronized their electrical activity, affecting the brain's functional connectivity patterns. This suggests that even brief exposure to 4G signals can alter how brain regions communicate with each other.

A new problem in inflammatory bladder diseases: Use of mobile phones!

Koca O, Gokce AM, Akyuz M, Ercan F, Yurdakul N, Karaman MI. · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed laboratory rats to mobile phone radiation for 8 hours daily over 20 days and examined their bladder tissue under a microscope. They found severe inflammation in the bladder's inner layers in exposed rats, with inflammation scores nearly five times higher than unexposed controls. The study suggests that intensive mobile phone use may contribute to bladder inflammation and related urinary problems.

Risk perception and public concerns of electromagnetic waves from cellular phones in Korea.

Kim K, Kim HJ, Song DJ, Cho YM, Choi JW. · 2014

Korean researchers surveyed 1,001 adults about their perception of health risks from cell phone electromagnetic radiation compared to other environmental and food risks. They found that women were 82% more likely than men to perceive high risk from cell phone EMF, and that people who felt more knowledgeable about the topic, worried about future generations, or felt outraged about potential EMF accidents also showed higher risk perception. This research highlights significant gender and knowledge gaps in public understanding of EMF risks.

The effects of electromagnetic waves emitted by the cell phones on the testicular tissue.

Karaman MI et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone electromagnetic waves for 8 hours daily over 20 days and examined their testicular tissue. Both exposure groups showed significant damage to sperm-producing cells, including abnormal tubules and reduced sperm cell development, compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that prolonged cell phone radiation exposure may harm male reproductive health and fertility.

Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland.

Hashemipour MS, Yarbakht M, Gholamhosseinian A, Famori H. · 2014

Researchers examined saliva from 86 people to see if mobile phone use affected the parotid glands (major salivary glands near the ears). They found that people who predominantly held phones on their right side had higher protein levels and saliva flow on that same side, while levels of important enzymes like amylase and lysozyme decreased. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation from phones may alter the normal function of salivary glands closest to where the phone is held.

Cell and cordless phone risk for glioma - Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997-2003 and 2007-2009

Hardell L, Carlberg M, · 2014

Swedish researchers analyzed phone use patterns among 1,498 brain tumor patients and 3,530 healthy controls to investigate glioma risk. They found that mobile phone use increased brain tumor risk by 30% overall, with the risk tripling for users with over 25 years of exposure. Cordless phone use also increased risk by 40%, with the highest risk occurring when people held the phone on the same side of their head where the tumor developed.

The influence of direct mobile phone radiation on sperm quality.

Gorpinchenko I, Nikitin O, Banyra O, Shulyak A. · 2014

Researchers exposed healthy men's sperm samples to mobile phone radiation for 5 hours and compared them to unexposed samples. The exposed sperm showed significantly reduced swimming ability and increased DNA damage (fragmentation of genetic material). This suggests that cell phone radiation can directly harm sperm quality, which could impact male fertility.

Analysis of the influence of handset phone position on RF exposure of brain tissue.

Ghanmi A, Varsier N, Hadjem A, Conil E, Picon O, Wiart J. · 2014

French researchers tested 80 different positions of mobile phones against the head to measure how much radiofrequency energy (called SAR) reaches brain tissue at standard cell phone frequencies. They found that simply changing how you hold your phone can increase brain exposure by up to 20% compared to the standard cheek position used in safety testing. This means current safety tests may underestimate real-world exposure for some common phone positions.

Diverse Radiofrequency Sensitivity and Radiofrequency Effects of Mobile or Cordless Phone near Fields Exposure in Drosophila melanogaster.

Geronikolou S et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed fruit flies (Drosophila) to radiation from both mobile phones (900 MHz) and cordless phones (1880 MHz) to study reproductive effects. They found that mobile phone radiation significantly reduced egg laying in the second generation of flies, while cordless phone radiation showed only limited effects. The study suggests that lower frequency radiation may cause stronger biological impacts.

The role of anxiety in the perception of technological hazards - A cross-sectional study on cell phones and masts.

Denny-Bas V, Zmirou-Navier D, De Tychey C, Briançon S. · 2014

Researchers surveyed people about their perceptions of health risks from cell phones and cell towers compared to smoking. While people rated smoking as more dangerous overall, those with higher anxiety levels were more certain that cell phones posed health risks and believed these risks could lead to health catastrophes. The study reveals how psychological factors influence how we perceive emerging technology risks when scientific evidence remains uncertain.

Electromagnetic fields and EEG spiking rate in patients with focal epilepsy.

Curcio G, Mazzucchi E, Marca GD, Vollono C, Rossini PM. · 2014

Italian researchers exposed 12 epilepsy patients to GSM cell phone signals (like those from mobile phones) for 45 minutes while monitoring their brain activity. They found that cell phone radiation actually reduced epileptic spike activity and changed brain wave patterns, but concluded these changes weren't clinically significant. The study suggests that mobile phone use doesn't increase seizure risk in epilepsy patients.

Mobile phone use and health symptoms in children.

Chiu CT, Chang YH, Chen CC, Ko MC, Li CY. · 2014

Researchers surveyed over 2,000 Taiwanese children aged 11-15 to examine whether mobile phone use was linked to health symptoms. They found that children who used mobile phones had 42% higher odds of experiencing headaches and migraines, and 84% higher odds of skin itching compared to non-users. Parents also reported that regular phone users had worse overall health compared to the previous year.

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