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)

Prevalence of nuclear cataract in Swiss veal calves and its possible association with mobile telephone antenna base stations.

Hässig M, Jud F, Naegeli H, Kupper J, Spiess BM. · 2009

Swiss researchers studied 253 veal calves to see if mobile phone base stations could cause cataracts (clouding of the eye lens). They found that 32% of calves developed cataracts, with those exposed during early pregnancy showing higher rates of oxidative stress (cellular damage from free radicals) when living closer to cell towers. The study suggests a possible link between radio frequency radiation and eye damage during critical developmental periods.

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study

Agarwal A et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human sperm samples to cell phone radiation for one hour and compared them to unexposed samples. The exposed sperm showed decreased movement and survival rates, plus increased oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules). This suggests that carrying an active cell phone near reproductive organs could potentially harm male fertility.

Does exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields produce functional changes in human brain?

Capone F et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed 22 healthy volunteers to pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) for 45 minutes and measured brain activity using transcranial stimulation. They found that PEMF exposure increased brain excitability by about 20%, specifically enhancing glutamate activity (a key brain chemical involved in nerve communication). This suggests that even short-term magnetic field exposure can produce measurable changes in how the human brain functions.

Cognitive effects of radiation emitted by cellular phones: The influence of exposure side and time

Luria R, Eliyahu I, Hareuveny R, Margaliot M, Meiran N. · 2009

Researchers had 48 men perform memory tasks while exposed to cell phone radiation on different sides of their heads. Left-side phone exposure significantly slowed right-hand reaction times during early testing, demonstrating that cell phone radiation can measurably affect brain function and cognitive performance.

Moffat SD Mobile phone exposure and spatial memory.

Wiholm C et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed participants to mobile phone radiation at 1.4 W/kg (similar to real phone use) for 2.5 hours while they performed spatial memory tasks on a computer. Surprisingly, people who reported symptoms from phone use actually performed better during radiation exposure, while those without symptoms showed no change. This unexpected finding challenges assumptions about how phone radiation affects brain function.

Residential exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile phone base stations, and broadcast transmitters: a population-based survey with personal meter.

Viel JF et al. · 2009

French researchers measured cell phone radiation in 200 homes for 24 hours using personal meters. They found radiation levels peaked at specific distances from cell towers (280-1000 meters away) rather than decreasing steadily with distance, showing proximity alone doesn't predict exposure levels.

Radiofrequency exposure in the French general population: band, time, location and activity variability.

Viel JF, Cardis E, Moissonnier M, de Seze R, Hours M. · 2009

French researchers measured radiofrequency radiation exposure in 377 people for 24 hours. FM radio produced the highest exposure levels, followed by WiFi and microwaves. Most people face constant exposure to multiple RF sources, with urban residents and adults experiencing higher levels than rural residents and children.

Exposure to an 890-MHz mobile phone-like signal and serum levels of S100B and transthyretin in volunteers.

Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K, Hardell L · 2009

Researchers exposed 41 volunteers to cell phone radiation for 30 minutes and measured blood markers that indicate whether the blood-brain barrier (the protective shield around your brain) had been compromised. They found that one marker called transthyretin increased significantly after exposure, suggesting the radiation may have affected this critical barrier. This is concerning because a compromised blood-brain barrier could allow harmful substances to enter the brain more easily.

Exposure to ELF-pulse modulated X band microwaves increases in vitro human astrocytoma cell proliferation.

Pérez-Castejón C et al. · 2009

Spanish researchers exposed human brain cancer cells (astrocytoma) to pulsed microwave radiation at 9.6 GHz for various time periods up to 24 hours. They found that after 24 hours of exposure, the cancer cells showed significantly increased proliferation (growth and division) compared to unexposed cells, even at extremely low power levels. This suggests that microwave radiation may accelerate the growth of existing brain tumors.

Mobile phone base stations-Effects on wellbeing and health.

Kundi M, Hutter HP. · 2009

Researchers reviewed studies examining health effects from cell phone base stations (cell towers) and found concerning patterns. Multiple studies showed increased health complaints and cancer rates within 350-400 meters of base stations, with effects appearing at power densities around 0.5-1 milliwatts per square meter. The authors concluded that base station exposure needs urgent independent study, separate from cell phone research.

Temporal and spatial variability of personal exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields

Frei P et al. · 2009

Swiss researchers measured radiofrequency radiation exposure in 166 volunteers over one week using personal monitoring devices. They found that people are exposed to RF radiation throughout their daily lives, with the highest levels occurring on trains, in airports, and during daytime hours. The main sources of exposure were cell phone towers (32%), mobile phones (29%), and cordless phones (23%).

Reactive oxygen species formation is not enhanced by exposure to UMTS 1950 MHz radiation and co-exposure to ferrous ions in Jurkat cells.

Brescia F et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 3G cell phone radiation at levels similar to what phones emit, testing whether this radiation creates harmful reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that can damage cells). Even after 24 hours of exposure, the radiation produced no increase in these damaging molecules and didn't harm cell survival. The study also tested whether radiation might amplify damage from iron compounds, but found no such interaction.

Measurement and analysis of radiofrequency radiations from some mobile phone base stations in Ghana.

Amoako JK, Fletcher JJ, Darko EO. · 2009

Researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels around 50 cell phone towers in Ghana to assess public exposure. They found radiation levels that were 20 times higher than typically measured in similar studies elsewhere, though still within international safety guidelines. The study highlights significant variation in exposure levels around cell towers and raises concerns about increasing radiation as mobile phone usage grows.

Mobile Phone Radiation Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Production and DNA Damage in Human Spermatozoa In Vitro.

De Iuliis GN, Newey RJ, King BV, Aitken RJ. · 2009

Researchers exposed human sperm to cell phone radiation at 1.8 GHz frequencies. Higher radiation levels reduced sperm movement and survival while increasing DNA damage and harmful molecules. The findings suggest that heavy mobile phone use could potentially affect male fertility and future children's health.

The influence of low-frequency magnetic field on plasma antioxidant capacity and heart rate.

Ciejka EB, Goraca A · 2009

Researchers exposed rats to 40 Hz magnetic fields (7 mT strength) for different durations and measured heart rate and antioxidant levels in blood. They found that 14 days of exposure slowed heart rate and changed the body's antioxidant defenses, with effects varying based on daily exposure time (30 vs 60 minutes). The study shows that magnetic field exposure duration affects cardiovascular function and cellular protection systems.

Alterations of human electroencephalographic activity caused by multiple extremely low frequency magnetic field exposures

Cvetkovic D, Cosic I. · 2009

Researchers exposed 33 people to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at different frequencies (4-50 Hz) for 2 minutes each and measured their brain waves using EEG. They found that magnetic fields at specific frequencies could synchronize with and alter corresponding brain wave patterns, particularly in the alpha and beta frequency ranges. This suggests that magnetic fields can directly influence brain activity in measurable ways.

Changes in human EEG alpha activity following exposure to two different pulsed magnetic field sequences.

Cook CM, Saucier DM, Thomas AW, Prato FS. · 2009

Researchers exposed 32 people to weak pulsed magnetic fields (the type generated by power lines and electrical devices) for 15 minutes while measuring their brain waves. They found that different pulse patterns altered alpha brain wave activity in the back regions of the brain within just 5 minutes of exposure. The changes persisted even after exposure ended, suggesting that these everyday magnetic fields can measurably affect brain function.

Mobile phone exposure and spatial memory

Wiholm C et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed volunteers to cell phone radiation for 2.5 hours while they performed spatial memory tasks (navigating a virtual maze). Surprisingly, people who already experienced symptoms from phone use actually performed better on the memory tasks during radiation exposure, while those without symptoms showed no change. This unexpected finding suggests that radiation may affect the brain differently depending on whether someone is already sensitive to electromagnetic fields.

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