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)

Effects of radiofrequency radiation emitted by cellular telephones on the cognitive functions of humans.

Eliyahu I et al. · 2006

Israeli researchers exposed 36 healthy men to cell phone radiation at 890 MHz for two hours while they performed cognitive tasks designed to test different brain regions. They found that radiation exposure to the left side of the brain significantly slowed reaction times for left-hand responses, particularly during the second hour of exposure. This suggests that cell phone radiation can impair cognitive performance in the specific brain areas closest to the phone.

Electromagnetic absorption in the head of adults and children due to mobile phone operation close to the head.

de Salles AA, Bulla G, Rodriguez CE. · 2006

Researchers used computer simulations to compare how much radiofrequency radiation children's heads absorb from mobile phones compared to adults. They found that 10-year-old children absorb over 60% more radiation in their heads than adults when using the same phone. This happens because children have smaller heads, thinner skulls, and different tissue properties that allow deeper radiation penetration.

Radio frequency nonionizing radiation in a community exposed to radio and television broadcasting.

Burch JB et al. · 2006

Researchers measured radio frequency radiation levels at 280 homes near Denver's broadcasting towers over 2.5 days, then repeated measurements 1-2 years later. They found that RF exposure varied dramatically based on distance, elevation, and line-of-sight visibility to transmitters, with homes having clear views of towers experiencing 13-30 times higher radiation levels. Most importantly, RF levels changed significantly over time, with only 25% of outdoor and 38% of indoor measurements remaining stable after 1-2 years.

Occupational exposure to radio frequency/microwave radiation and the risk of brain tumors: Interphone Study Group, Germany.

Berg G et al. · 2006

German researchers studied nearly 1,500 workers exposed to radio frequency radiation in their jobs to see if they developed brain tumors more often than unexposed people. While they found no statistically significant increase in brain cancer risk, workers with the highest occupational RF exposure showed a 21% higher risk of glioma and 34% higher risk of meningioma compared to unexposed workers. The researchers noted that longer exposure duration showed a concerning trend toward increased risk that warrants further investigation.

Mobile phone affects cerebral blood flow in humans.

Aalto S et al. · 2006

Finnish researchers used brain imaging to study how cell phones affect blood flow in the brain while 12 men performed memory tasks. They found that an active mobile phone decreased blood flow directly beneath the antenna in the temporal lobe while increasing it in the frontal brain region. This provides the first direct evidence that cell phone radiation can measurably alter brain physiology in humans.

Reproductive Health119 citations

Endometrial Apoptosis Induced by a 900-MHz Mobile Phone: Preventive Effects of Vitamins E and C.

Oral B et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 30 days and found it caused cell death and oxidative damage in endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus). However, when rats were given vitamins E and C before exposure, these protective antioxidants significantly reduced the cellular damage. This suggests that cell phone radiation may harm reproductive tissues through oxidative stress, but antioxidant vitamins may offer some protection.

Decrease of luminol chemiluminescence upon exposure of human blood serum to 50 Hz electric fields.

Calota V, Dragoiu S, Meghea A, Giurginca M · 2006

Researchers exposed human blood serum to 50 Hz electric fields (the same frequency as household electrical systems) for 1-2 hours and measured changes in free radical activity. They found that exposure reduced free radical concentrations in the blood compared to unexposed samples. This suggests that extremely low frequency electric fields can alter the body's oxidative processes at the cellular level.

Effects of Global System for Mobile Communications 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on gene and protein expression in MCF-7 cells.

Zeng Q, Chen G, Weng Y, Wang L, Chiang H, Lu D, Xu Z. · 2006

Researchers exposed human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz for 24 hours to see if it changed gene and protein activity. While initial tests suggested some genes might be affected, follow-up verification tests found no consistent changes. The study concluded that cell phone radiation at these levels does not produce convincing evidence of biological effects on cellular gene or protein expression.

[Effects of GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on protein expression profile of human breast cancer cell MCF-7.]

Zeng QL, Weng Y, Chen GD, Lu DQ, Chiang H, Xu ZP · 2006

Researchers exposed human breast cancer cells to cell phone radiation at levels similar to what phones produce, testing different exposure patterns and durations. They found that the radiation changed how cells produced proteins, particularly affecting proteins involved in DNA repair, cell communication, and basic cellular functions. The changes depended on both how long the cells were exposed and whether the exposure was continuous or intermittent.

Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms.

Wilen J, Johansson A, Kalezic N, Lyskov E, Sandstrom M. · 2006

Swedish researchers exposed 20 people who experience symptoms from mobile phones and 20 people without symptoms to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes at levels typical of phone use. While the radiation didn't cause immediate measurable changes in either group, the symptomatic individuals showed different nervous system patterns during cognitive tests, suggesting their autonomic nervous systems may function differently regardless of radiation exposure.

Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro.

Stankiewicz W et al. · 2006

Polish researchers exposed human immune cells to 900 MHz GSM cell phone signals at very low power levels (SAR 0.024 W/kg) and found that the microwave exposure significantly increased immune cell activity. The exposed cells showed stronger responses to immune stimulants and higher activity levels compared to unexposed control cells. This suggests that even low-level cell phone radiation can alter how your immune system functions at the cellular level.

Mobile phone radiation causes changes in gene and protein expression in human endothelial cell lines and the response seems to be genome- and proteome-dependent.

Nylund R, Leszczynski D · 2006

Finnish researchers exposed human blood vessel cells to mobile phone radiation for one hour and found that genes and proteins changed differently in each cell type. This suggests that cellular response to phone radiation depends on the specific genetic makeup of cells, potentially explaining conflicting research results.

Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro.

Stankiewicz W et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 900 MHz microwave radiation (similar to GSM cell phone signals) at very low power levels and found that the radiation significantly increased immune cell activity. The exposed cells showed stronger responses to immune stimulants compared to unexposed control cells. This suggests that even weak microwave radiation can alter how our immune system functions.

Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations.

Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M. · 2006

Researchers measured EMF exposure from cell phone towers in the bedrooms of 365 people living nearby and tested their health and thinking abilities. Even though the radiation levels were extremely low (far below safety guidelines), people closer to the towers reported more headaches and showed changes in mental performance. This suggests that even very weak EMF exposure from cell towers might affect how people feel and think.

Survey of RF exposure levels from mobile telephone base stations in Australia.

Henderson SI, Bangay MJ. · 2006

Australian researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels around 60 cell phone towers across five cities, testing distances from 50 to 500 meters away. They found that all measured exposure levels were well below government safety limits, with the highest reading reaching only 0.2% of the allowed public exposure threshold. This study provides baseline data on how much RF radiation people actually encounter from cell towers in everyday environments.

DNA damage and repair induced by acute exposure of microwave from mobile phone on cultured human lens epithelial cells

Sun LX, Yao K, Jiang H, He JL, Lu DQ, Wang KJ, Li HW · 2006

Researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation at different power levels for 2 hours to see if it damaged DNA. They found that lower exposure levels (similar to typical phone use) caused no DNA damage, but higher levels (4 times normal) did cause measurable DNA breaks and reduced cell growth. This suggests there may be a threshold below which cells can repair radiation damage effectively.

[Effect of acute exposure to microwave from mobile phone on DNA damage and repair of cultured human lens epithelial cells in vitro.]

Sun LX, Yao K, He JL, Lu DQ, Wang KJ, Li HW. · 2006

Researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation for 2 hours at different power levels to see if it damages DNA. They found that lower exposure levels (up to 3 W/kg) caused temporary DNA breaks that the cells could repair, but higher exposure (4 W/kg) caused permanent DNA damage that cells couldn't fix.

Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms

Wilen J, Johansson A, Kalezic N, Lyskov E, Sandstrom M · 2006

Swedish researchers exposed 20 people who experience symptoms from mobile phones (like headaches or fatigue) and 20 people without such symptoms to 30 minutes of GSM cell phone radiation at 1 W/kg SAR. While the radiation exposure itself didn't cause measurable changes in either group, the symptomatic individuals showed different nervous system patterns during cognitive tests, suggesting their autonomic nervous systems may respond differently to stress regardless of EMF exposure.

Modulation of MCP-1 and iNOS by 50-Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field

Reale M et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human immune cells called monocytes to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) at 1 milliTesla overnight. They found the fields altered production of two important immune signaling molecules: reducing nitric oxide synthase (which helps fight infections) while increasing MCP-1 (which attracts immune cells to sites of inflammation). These changes suggest power-frequency magnetic fields can disrupt normal immune system function.

Effect of acute exposure to microwave from mobile phone on DNA damage and repair of cultured human lens epithelial cells in vitro.

Sun LX, Yao K, He JL, Lu DQ, Wang KJ, Li HW. · 2006

Researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation for 2 hours at different power levels. Lower levels caused repairable DNA damage, but higher power (4 W/kg) caused permanent breaks cells couldn't fix, suggesting a threshold where radiation overwhelms natural repair.

Mobile phone radiation causes changes in gene and protein expression in human endothelial cell lines and the response seems to be genome- and proteome-dependent.

Nylund R, Leszczynski D. · 2006

Researchers exposed human blood vessel cells to mobile phone radiation (900 MHz GSM) for one hour at 2.8 W/kg and found it altered both gene and protein activity. Importantly, two different variants of the same cell type responded differently to the same radiation exposure, suggesting that cellular response depends on specific genetic makeup. This finding helps explain why EMF studies sometimes produce conflicting results between different laboratories.

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