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)

Severe Cognitive Dysfunction and Occupational Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure among Elderly Mexican Americans

Davanipour Z, Tseng C-C, Lee PJ, Markides KS, Sobel E. · 2014

Researchers studied 3,050 elderly Mexican Americans to examine whether jobs with high magnetic field exposure affected severe cognitive problems. Workers in high-exposure occupations like power plants were 3.4 times more likely to develop severe cognitive dysfunction, particularly among older adults and smokers.

Does exposure to GSM 900 MHz mobile phone radiation affect short-term memory of elementary school students?

Movvahedi MM et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed 60 elementary school children (ages 8-10) to cell phone radiation for 10 minutes and tested their reaction times and memory performance. Surprisingly, the children performed better on short-term memory tests after radiation exposure compared to sham exposure. This unexpected finding challenges assumptions about how radiofrequency radiation affects developing brains.

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

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

Researchers exposed 10 people to 4G LTE cell phone signals for 30 minutes while monitoring their brain activity with EEG sensors. They found that the radiofrequency exposure changed how different parts of the brain synchronized their electrical activity patterns. This suggests that wireless signals from modern smartphones can alter brain function even during short-term exposure.

IN SITU EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT OF INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCY FIELDS OF DIVERSE DEVICES.

Van Den Bossche M, Verloock L, Aerts S, Joseph W, Martens L. · 2014

Belgian researchers tested electromagnetic fields from touchscreens, energy-saving bulbs, and fluorescent lamps. They found these common devices exceed international safety limits when used within arm's reach, with touchscreens surpassing limits by 56% at close range. Users should maintain 15-25 centimeters distance for safety.

Use of portable exposure meters for comparing mobile phone base station radiation in different types of areas in the cities of Basel and Amsterdam.

Urbinello D, Huss A, Beekhuizen J, Vermeulen R, Röösli M. · 2014

Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation from cell phone towers in different neighborhoods of Basel and Amsterdam using portable meters. They found that downtown and business areas had radiation levels of 0.30 to 0.53 V/m, while residential areas had lower levels of 0.09 to 0.41 V/m. The study demonstrated that these measurements were highly consistent day-to-day, making portable meters a reliable tool for assessing cell tower radiation exposure in urban environments.

Long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from mobile phone on testicular tissue and epididymal semen quality.

Tas M et al. · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 3 hours daily over one full year to study reproductive effects. While sperm count and movement weren't affected, the radiation caused structural damage to testicular tissue, including thinner protective layers and lower tissue health scores. This suggests that chronic cell phone radiation exposure may harm male reproductive organs even when basic sperm parameters appear normal.

Analysis of in situ electric field and specific absorption rate in human models for wireless power transfer system with induction coupling.

Sunohara T, Hirata A, Laakso I, Onishi T · 2014

Scientists tested how much electromagnetic energy people absorb from wireless phone charging pads at 140 kHz frequency. They found extremely low absorption levels - 72 nanowatts per kilogram at 1 watt power. This confirms wireless charging systems operate far below safety limits for human exposure.

Adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields: resistance to ionizing radiation-induced damage

Sannino A et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed human blood cells to radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) for 20 hours, then subjected them to X-ray radiation. Surprisingly, the cells that received the RF pre-exposure showed significantly less genetic damage from the X-rays compared to cells that only received X-rays. This suggests that low-level RF exposure may trigger protective mechanisms that help cells resist subsequent DNA damage.

Occupational exposure to intermediate frequency and extremely low frequency magnetic fields among personnel working near electronic article surveillance systems.

Roivainen P, Eskelinen T, Jokela K, Juutilainen J · 2014

Researchers measured electromagnetic field exposure for store cashiers working near security gates that detect unpaid merchandise. While normal workplace exposure stayed within safety limits, magnetic field levels briefly exceeded international guidelines when cashiers walked through the gates themselves, suggesting potential health risks.

Circadian alterations of reproductive functional markers in male rats exposed to 1800-MHz radiofrequency field.

Qin F et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed male rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 32 days and found it disrupted their natural body clocks and harmed reproductive function. The radiation reduced testosterone levels, decreased sperm production and movement, and interfered with the normal daily rhythms that regulate these processes. This suggests that the timing of EMF exposure throughout the day may influence how severely it affects male fertility.

Effect of a 2.45-GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells.

Koyama S et al. · 2014

Japanese researchers exposed immune cells called neutrophils to 2.45-GHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwave ovens) at levels up to 10 W/kg for up to 24 hours. They found no significant effects on the cells' ability to migrate toward threats or engulf harmful particles - two critical immune functions. This suggests that RF exposure at current safety limits may not impair these specific immune responses.

Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microrna expression in brain.

Dasdag S et al. · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 3 hours daily over an entire year and found it altered microRNA in brain tissue. MicroRNAs are tiny molecules that control gene activity and play crucial roles in brain function, cell growth, and death. This study demonstrates that chronic radiofrequency exposure can disrupt these fundamental cellular control mechanisms in the brain.

Effect of long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on testes functions.

Dasdag S, Taş M, Akdag MZ, Yegin K. · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed male rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.4 GHz) for 24 hours a day over an entire year to study effects on reproductive health. They found that this chronic exposure caused sperm head defects to increase and reproductive organs to shrink, including the epididymis and seminal vesicles. The study suggests that long-term Wi-Fi exposure at levels similar to everyday use may harm male fertility.

Effects of short-term radiation emitted by WCDMA mobile phones on teenagers and adults.

Choi SB, Kwon MK, Chung JW, Park JS, Chung K, Kim DW. · 2014

Researchers exposed 26 adults and 26 teenagers to radiation from 3G mobile phones for 32 minutes, measuring heart rate, breathing, and other body functions. The study found no significant changes in heart function, nervous system activity, or symptoms in either age group during exposure. This suggests that short-term exposure to 3G phone radiation at typical levels doesn't immediately affect basic body functions.

Effects of the static and ELF magnetic fields on the neuronal population activity in Morimus funereus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) antennal lobe revealed by wavelet analysis.

Spasić S, Kesić S, Stojadinović G, Petković B, Todorović D. · 2014

Researchers exposed longhorn beetles to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 2 milliTesla (similar to levels near power lines) for 5 minutes and measured changes in brain activity patterns. They found that the magnetic field exposure caused lasting changes to the beetles' brain wave patterns that persisted even after the exposure ended. This demonstrates that even brief exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields can produce measurable, persistent effects on nervous system function.

Neuronal Cellular Responses to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure: Implications Regarding Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration.

Reale M et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed human brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from household electricity and found they triggered harmful oxidative stress. The cells' natural defenses initially compensated, but failed when combined with other stressors, suggesting everyday EMF exposure may increase brain vulnerability to damage.

Research on brain induced effect by extremely low frequency pulsed magnetic stimulation.

Gao X, Wang X, Chen F, Qi H, Wang X, Ming D, Zhou P. · 2014

Chinese researchers exposed 10 people to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (1 Hz pulses at 10 milliTesla) for 20 minutes and measured their brain activity using EEG. They found significant changes in brainwave patterns and slower cognitive processing compared to a sham exposure group. This demonstrates that even brief exposure to pulsed magnetic fields can measurably alter brain function.

The Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Liver Tissue Protein Oxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels After the Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.

Ozgur E et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed guinea pigs to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 7 days and measured damage to liver tissue. The radiation significantly reduced the activity of an important antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase) that protects cells from damage. Surprisingly, two antioxidant supplements that were meant to provide protection actually caused additional cellular damage when combined with radiation exposure.

Biochemical Modifications and Neuronal Damage in Brain of Young and Adult Rats After Long-Term Exposure to Mobile Phone Radiations.

Motawi TK, Darwish HA, Moustafa YM, Labib MM. · 2014

Researchers exposed young and adult rats to cell phone radiation (SAR 1.13 W/kg) for 2 hours daily over 60 days and found significant brain damage. The radiation caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules), triggered programmed cell death, and led to visible neuronal damage, with young rats showing particularly affected brain development. This suggests that chronic cell phone exposure may harm brain tissue through multiple biological pathways.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) reduces oxidative stress in the brain of gerbils submitted to global cerebral ischemia.

Rauš Balind S, Selaković V, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B · 2014

Researchers exposed gerbils to power line frequency magnetic fields after stroke-like brain damage. The magnetic field exposure helped reduce brain oxidative stress caused by the stroke, with stress levels returning nearly to normal by day 14, suggesting potential protective effects against brain injury.

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