Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.
Showing 1,359 studies (Human Studies)
El-Bediwi AB, Saad M, El-Kott AF, Eid E. · 2012
Researchers exposed rats to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and examined what happened to their blood. They found that the radiation damaged blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) and made the blood thicker and more viscous. These changes could potentially affect blood circulation and overall health.
Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Kizil G, Kizil M, Cakir DU, Yokus B. · 2012
Turkish researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for 2 hours daily over 10 months to study brain effects. They found significant increases in protein carbonyl, a marker of protein damage, along with elevated levels of beta amyloid protein and malondialdehyde in the exposed rats' brains. These findings suggest that long-term cell phone radiation exposure may damage brain proteins, which could have implications for neurological health.
Carlberg M, Hardell L. · 2012
Swedish researchers analyzed brain tumor cases over six years and found that people who used mobile phones or cordless phones on the same side of their head where tumors developed had nearly 3 times higher risk of glioma (a serious brain cancer) after 10+ years of use. The risk was even higher for aggressive tumors and for people who started using wireless phones before age 20. This suggests long-term wireless phone use may increase brain cancer risk, especially when the phone is held against the same side of the head where tumors later appear.
Calabrò E et al. · 2012
Italian researchers exposed human brain-like cells to 1800 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) for 2 and 4 hours. They found that this exposure altered the production of heat shock proteins - cellular stress indicators that help protect cells from damage. Specifically, one protective protein (Hsp20) decreased at both exposure times, while another stress protein (Hsp70) increased after 4 hours, suggesting the cells were responding to electromagnetic stress.
Briggs D, Beale L, Bennett J, Toledano MB, de Hoogh K. · 2012
Researchers developed a sophisticated computer model called Geomorf to predict radio-frequency power density levels around cell phone towers, taking into account factors like antenna height, power output, and surrounding terrain. The model was tested against real-world measurements from 201 locations in both rural and urban areas and proved significantly more accurate than existing industry models. This gives scientists and health researchers a much better tool for estimating people's actual EMF exposure from cell towers in their neighborhoods.
Bortkiewicz A, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W, Zmyślony M. · 2012
Polish researchers studied heart rate patterns in 71 radio and TV broadcasting workers exposed to radiofrequency EMF for an average of 13-19 years. They found that exposed workers had faster heart rates and altered heart rhythm variability compared to unexposed controls, indicating their nervous systems were stuck in a stressed, fight-or-flight state. This suggests that long-term RF exposure may disrupt the body's ability to regulate heart function through the nervous system.
Bortkiewicz A et al. · 2012
Polish researchers surveyed 500 households living near cell phone towers to assess health symptoms and their relationship to EMF exposure. They found that 57% of residents reported headaches, with the highest rates occurring in people living 100-150 meters from towers, while memory problems were most common in those living farther away. Surprisingly, symptom frequency didn't correlate with measured electric field strength, suggesting current exposure assessment methods may be inadequate.
Baste V, Moen BE, Oftedal G, Strand LA, Bjørge L, Mild KH. · 2012
Norwegian researchers tracked nearly 38,000 pregnancies from navy servicemen to see if fathers' radiofrequency exposure affected pregnancy outcomes. They found that when fathers worked on fast patrol boats (which emit high RF radiation) during the three months before conception, their partners had higher rates of preeclampsia (dangerous pregnancy complication) and perinatal death. The timing mattered - only exposure during sperm development showed these effects.
Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento CA, Doncel GF. · 2012
Researchers exposed sperm samples from 29 healthy men to WiFi-connected laptops for 4 hours and found significant damage compared to unexposed samples. The WiFi exposure reduced sperm's ability to swim properly and caused DNA fragmentation (genetic damage) without generating heat. This suggests that men who regularly use WiFi laptops on their laps may be harming their fertility.
Alhusseiny A, Al-Nimer M, Majeed A. · 2012
Researchers tested how mobile phone radiation affects heart rhythm in 356 people, including patients with heart disease. They found that phone radiation significantly altered heart rhythm patterns (specifically prolonging the QT interval) in men, particularly those with existing heart problems. The effects occurred within just 40 seconds of phone exposure, whether the phone was at belt level or held over the chest.
Cam ST, Seyhan N. · 2012
Researchers collected hair samples from eight people before and after they used a mobile phone for 15 and 30 minutes, then tested for DNA damage in the hair root cells. They found that just 15 minutes of phone use caused significant DNA breaks in cells near the ear, with even more damage after 30 minutes. This suggests that everyday mobile phone use can damage DNA in nearby tissues within minutes of exposure.
Cho H, Seo YK, Yoon HH, Kim SC, Kim SM, Song KY, Park JK. · 2012
Researchers exposed human bone marrow stem cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields for 12 days and found the EMFs caused these versatile cells to transform into nerve cells. The electromagnetic fields triggered specific genetic changes that pushed the stem cells to develop neural characteristics without any chemical treatments. This suggests that EMF exposure can fundamentally alter how our most adaptable cells develop and function.
Di S et al. · 2012
Researchers exposed human bone cells (osteoclasts) to large gradient high magnetic fields for 72 hours to simulate different gravity conditions. They found that reduced apparent gravity conditions enhanced the formation of bone-destroying cells, while high magnetic flux inhibited their formation. This suggests that magnetic fields can directly affect bone cell development and survival.
Cho H, Seo YK, Yoon HH, Kim SC, Kim SM, Song KY, Park JK. · 2012
Korean researchers exposed human bone marrow stem cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) for 12 days and found the fields caused these versatile cells to transform into nerve cells. The stem cells began producing proteins typically found in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes without any chemical triggers typically required for this transformation. This suggests that EMF exposure can directly alter how our most fundamental cells develop and function.
Vecchio F et al. · 2012
Researchers measured brainwave patterns in 10 epilepsy patients during 45 minutes of cell phone exposure versus sham exposure. They found that cell phone radiation significantly increased synchronization between the left and right brain hemispheres in the alpha frequency range (8-12 Hz), an effect that was more pronounced in epilepsy patients than in healthy controls. This suggests that people with epilepsy may be more vulnerable to EMF-induced changes in brain function.
Vecchio F et al. · 2012
Italian researchers exposed 11 healthy adults to cell phone radiation for 45 minutes and measured their brain activity during a cognitive task. After radiation exposure, participants showed altered brain wave patterns (specifically changes in alpha rhythms) and faster reaction times compared to a sham exposure session. This suggests that cell phone radiation can measurably change both brain activity and cognitive performance in real-time.
Zeni O et al. · 2012
Researchers exposed human immune cells (lymphocytes) to 3G cell phone radiation at various power levels for 20 hours, then treated them with a DNA-damaging chemical. They discovered that cells pre-exposed to radiation at 0.3 watts per kilogram showed less genetic damage than unexposed cells, suggesting the radiation triggered protective mechanisms. This adaptive response indicates that low-level radiofrequency exposure may prime cells to better defend against subsequent toxic challenges.
Sun W, Shen X, Lu D, Fu Y, Lu D, Chiang H · 2012
Cell phone radiation (1.8 GHz) activated growth receptors in human cells after just 15 minutes of exposure. The effects occurred at radiation levels of 0.5 W/kg and higher but not at 0.1 W/kg, showing radiofrequency radiation can directly trigger cellular responses that control cell growth and communication.
Spichtig S, Scholkmann F, Chin L, Lehmann H, Wolf M · 2012
Swiss researchers measured brain blood flow in 16 people exposed to 3G cell phone radiation. They found that even low-level exposure (0.18 W/kg) changed brain circulation patterns, while higher levels increased heart rate. These effects occurred at radiation levels considered safe by current standards.
Shahbazi-Gahrouei D et al. · 2012
Researchers tested whether cell phone radiation interferes with laboratory blood tests that measure pregnancy hormones (chorionic gonadotropin). They exposed blood samples to 900MHz radiation from two phones with different power levels and found that the radiation significantly altered the test results, especially at higher concentrations and stronger radiation levels. This suggests that cell phones could interfere with important medical tests in hospital laboratories.
Schmid MR et al. · 2012
Researchers exposed 30 men to cell phone radiation before sleep and monitored their brain waves. Exposure to signals pulsed at 14 Hz altered deep sleep brain activity, increasing power in frequencies important for sleep quality. This shows wireless signal patterns can affect brain function during sleep.
Megha K et al. · 2012
Researchers exposed rats to cell phone-level microwave radiation (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 30 days and measured brain effects. The exposed rats showed significant cognitive impairment, increased brain inflammation, and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) compared to unexposed rats. This suggests that chronic microwave exposure at levels similar to cell phone use may harm brain function and memory.
Kumar S, Behari J, Sisodia R. · 2012
Researchers exposed male rats to 10-GHz microwave radiation (similar to radar) for 2 hours daily over 45 days. The radiation significantly altered sperm biochemistry, reducing protective melatonin levels and changing energy metabolism. These cellular changes suggest prolonged microwave exposure could potentially harm male fertility.
Joseph W, Goeminne F, Vermeeren G, Verloock L, Martens L. · 2012
Researchers measured electromagnetic radiation from air traffic control systems at 50 sites. Two systems produced dangerously high electric field levels requiring safety distances to protect workers and nearby residents from exceeding international exposure limits.
Joseph W, Verloock L, Goeminne F, Vermeeren G, Martens L. · 2012
Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels from cell towers and wireless technologies across 311 locations in three European countries, including homes, offices, and urban areas. They found that residential areas had the highest peak exposures at 3.9 volts per meter, with older GSM cell phone networks contributing over 60% of total exposure levels. The study provides a comprehensive baseline of how much wireless radiation people encounter in different everyday environments.