Browse 8,700 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.
Showing 2,998 studies (Human Studies)
Unknown authors
Researchers developed a new radiofrequency device that can safely heat deep internal tumors to cancer-killing temperatures (above 42°C) without burning surface skin tissue. Testing on 52 human tumors showed 81% reached therapeutic temperatures, with surface tissues remaining at normal body temperature throughout treatment.
Unknown authors
Researchers developed improved mathematical methods to calculate how radiofrequency radiation affects the human body at frequencies near and above whole-body resonance. Previous calculation methods failed at higher frequencies due to mathematical instability, limiting safety assessments. The new approach uses advanced matrix inversion techniques to extend dosimetry calculations into previously inaccessible frequency ranges.
Unknown authors
Researchers compared how low-frequency magnetic fields and electric currents trigger phosphenes (visual flashes when eyes are closed). Both methods produced nearly identical visual effects up to 20 Hz, but magnetic fields showed unique sensitivity patterns at higher frequencies around 30-35 Hz. This reveals fundamental differences in how electromagnetic energy interacts with human visual perception.
Unknown authors
This technical report measured electromagnetic activity naturally produced by the human body across frequencies from 1 kHz to 2 GHz, using advanced equipment including microwave radiometers and medical monitoring devices. The research documented the body's own electromagnetic emissions, including thermal radiation and bioelectrical signals from organs like the heart and brain. This work helps establish baseline measurements for understanding how external EMF sources interact with the body's natural electromagnetic environment.
Unknown authors
Scientists studied how microwave radiation is absorbed by the human body using layered models that include skin, fat, and muscle tissues. They discovered that at 1.2 GHz, these body layers create a resonance effect that doubles radiation absorption compared to simpler models. This finding suggests that realistic body composition significantly affects how much electromagnetic energy we absorb from wireless devices.
Unknown authors
Researchers measured how radiofrequency radiation is absorbed by human and animal tissue models when exposed to near-field conditions (close-range exposure) versus far-field conditions. They found that near-field exposure creates different absorption patterns and potentially dangerous "hot spots" of concentrated radiation in body tissues. This matters because most of our daily EMF exposure comes from devices held close to our bodies, like cell phones.
Unknown authors
This technical paper examined using electromagnetic waves to thaw and recover cryogenically-preserved human organs for transplantation. The research focused on solving technical problems with electromagnetic thawing methods that could enable a nationwide organ banking system. The study represents an unusual medical application of RF energy for organ preservation rather than typical EMF health effects research.
redacted
Researchers used 915 MHz microwave diathermy on healthy volunteers' thigh muscles while measuring blood flow at different depths. They found blood flow increased dramatically from 2 to 32 ml/min/100g, with deeper muscle tissue showing different response patterns than surface tissue. This demonstrates how microwave energy penetrates and affects human tissue circulation.
Unknown authors
This technical report analyzed how radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are absorbed by the human body, measuring Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for both partial-body and whole-body exposure scenarios. The research used mathematical models to calculate how much RF energy different parts of the body absorb at various frequencies. This type of analysis forms the foundation for understanding how wireless devices and other RF sources affect human tissue.
Unknown authors
This technical report examined the physiological effects of electric currents on the human body, with particular focus on dangerous outcomes like ventricular fibrillation (irregular heartbeat that can be fatal). The research documented how different levels of electrical current affect human physiology and established safety thresholds for electrical exposure.
J. D. Hardy, D. Murgatroyd
This military research examined how humans respond to high-intensity thermal radiation, measuring pain thresholds, skin temperature changes, and tissue damage in military personnel. The study investigated the biological effects of intense heat exposure on human subjects. This research provides foundational data on thermal radiation's impact on human tissue, relevant to understanding how electromagnetic energy affects the body.
Unknown authors
This technical report examined occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields among workers near power lines and those using video display terminals (VDTs), focusing on potential links to leukemia and reproductive health effects. The research addressed workplace EMF exposure levels and associated health risks in occupational settings. This type of occupational health research helps establish safety guidelines for workers routinely exposed to EMF sources.
Bill Rados
This study examined video display terminals (VDTs) for various types of radiation emissions including X-rays, radiofrequency, microwave, and ultrasound. The research found that VDTs passed medical safety tests, indicating radiation levels were within acceptable limits. This work contributed to early workplace safety standards for computer monitors.
Vogt, A.
This early research by Vogt measured how infrared radiation passes through different parts of the human eye, including the eyeball itself, its internal structures, and the eyelid. The study examined the eye's transparency to infrared energy, which is relevant to understanding how electromagnetic radiation interacts with one of our most sensitive organs. This foundational work helped establish how the eye responds to non-visible electromagnetic radiation.
Clinton Cox, William E. Murray, Jr., Edward P. Foley, Jr.
This NIOSH technical report examined radiofrequency radiation exposures from RF dielectric heat sealers in workplace settings. The study focused on occupational health risks, particularly potential effects on reproductive functions from these industrial heating devices. This research contributes to understanding how workers may be affected by high-power RF equipment used in manufacturing.
Rutger Wever
This research by Wever examined how electric fields influence human circadian rhythms, the internal biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles and other daily functions. The study investigated whether exposure to electric fields can act as a zeitgeber (external time cue) that affects our natural 24-hour biological patterns. This research is significant because it explores how man-made electromagnetic environments might disrupt our fundamental biological timing systems.
C. J. Chilton
This review examined research on biological radio communication, exploring whether humans and other organisms might naturally transmit or receive electromagnetic signals. The study investigated concepts like telepathy, biocurrents, and electromagnetic field interactions with biological systems. While no specific findings are available, this represents early scientific inquiry into whether living beings use electromagnetic frequencies for communication.
Alan H. Frey
This technical report by A.H. Frey examined how humans respond to very-low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic energy, focusing on exposures from broadcasting stations and measuring physiological effects at various field strengths. The research documented measurable human responses to VLF electromagnetic fields, contributing early evidence that extremely low frequency EMF can produce biological effects in people.
James Greene
This study examined microwave diathermy, a medical treatment that uses microwave radiation to generate therapeutic heat deep within body tissues. The research explored how controlled microwave exposure can provide healing benefits through targeted tissue heating. This medical application demonstrates that microwaves can produce measurable biological effects in human tissue.
Peter W. Barber et al.
Researchers used computer models to study how microwave radiation penetrates different layers of human tissue (skin, fat, muscle). They discovered that the body's layered structure creates a resonance effect at 1.8 GHz, causing 34% more radiation absorption than previously predicted by simpler models.
Habib Massoudi, Carl H. Durney, Curtis C. Johnson
Researchers compared two mathematical models for calculating specific absorption rate (SAR) - how much radiofrequency energy human and monkey bodies absorb from electromagnetic waves. They found that both the 'conductor' and 'dielectric' models produce similar SAR calculations when tissues have high electrical conductivity, but the conductor model becomes inaccurate at low conductivity levels.
Hubert Fischer, Horst Müller
This early research paper examined whether radar waves pose health risks to humans, addressing growing concerns about microwave radiation exposure from radar systems. The study investigated the biological effects of radar-frequency electromagnetic fields on human health. This represents important foundational research into radar safety that helped establish early understanding of microwave radiation's potential health impacts.
R. J. Lindquist
This research by R.J. Lindquist examined galvanism, the therapeutic use of direct electrical current applied to the human body. The study investigated how galvanic current creates ion transfer effects and potential therapeutic benefits when electrical current flows through body tissues.
D.M. Deffenbaugh, R.J. Spiegel, J.R. Mann
Researchers developed a sophisticated computer model to predict how the human body heats up when exposed to electromagnetic fields. The model divided the body into thousands of small cells with different tissue properties and calculated thermal responses including metabolism, blood flow, and sweating. This represents an important advance in understanding how EMF exposure translates into measurable biological effects.
Marcia Lowery, Kenneth Dobbie
This research investigated suspected burns from diathermy equipment, which uses radiofrequency energy for medical procedures. The study examined cases where patients may have suffered thermal injuries from RF-based medical devices. This highlights the potential for RF energy to cause tissue damage when exposure levels are high enough.