6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 6,486 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.

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Showing 2,339 studies (Human Studies)

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Chromosome damage and micronucleus formation in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (847.74 MHz, CDMA).

Vijayalaxmi et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed peripheral blood samples from four healthy nonsmoking volunteers to 847.74 MHz CDMA radiation at SARs of 4.9 or 5.5 W/kg for 24 hours. Sham-exposed and gamma-irradiated (1.5 Gy) samples served as controls. No significant differences were found between RF-exposed and sham-exposed lymphocytes in mitotic indices, frequencies of exchange aberrations, excess fragments, binucleate cells, or micronuclei. Gamma-irradiated lymphocytes showed significantly different responses for all indices compared to both RF-exposed and sham-exposed cells. The authors concluded there was no evidence for induction of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei under these exposure conditions.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Cytogenetic Studies in Human Blood Lymphocytes Exposed In Vitro to Radiofrequency Radiation at a Cellular Telephone Frequency (835.62 MHz, FDMA).

Vijayalaxmi et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed diluted peripheral blood from four healthy volunteers to 835.62 MHz RF radiation at SARs of 4.4 or 5.0 W/kg for 24 hours. Sham-exposed and gamma-irradiated (1.50 Gy) samples served as negative and positive controls, and lymphocytes were cultured for 48 or 72 hours to assess chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, mitotic indices, and binucleate cells. No significant differences were found between RF-exposed and sham-exposed lymphocytes for any of the measured endpoints, while gamma radiation produced significantly different responses. The authors concluded there is no evidence for induction of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei under these exposure conditions.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found186 citations

Mobile phone use and subjective symptoms. Comparison of symptoms experienced by users of analogue and digital mobile phones.

Sandstrom M, Wilen J, Oftedal G, Hansson Mild K · 2001

Researchers conducted an epidemiological investigation including 6379 GSM users and 5613 NMT 900 users in Sweden, and 2500 from each category in Norway. The adjusted odds ratio did not indicate any increased risk for symptoms for GSM users compared with NMT 900 users. However, a statistically significant lower risk for sensations of warmth on the ear was observed for GSM users compared with NMT 900 users. A statistically significant association was found between calling time or number of calls per day and the prevalence of warmth behind or around the ear, headaches, and fatigue.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Cytogenetic effects of 900 MHz (GSM) microwaves on human lymphocytes

Maes A, Collier M, Verschaeve L · 2001

Researchers investigated cytogenetic effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency fields using chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchange frequency methods. They studied three exposure modes (continuous, pseudo-random, dummy burst) at power outputs from 0 to 50 W. Specific absorption rates ranged from 0 to 10 W/kg. The study examined effects of radiation alone and combined with mitomycin C and X-rays. Overall, no mutagenic or co-mutagenic effect was found.

Symptoms & SensitivityNo Effects Found111 citations

GSM phone signal does not produce subjective symptoms.

Koivisto M et al. · 2001

Researchers studied the influence of pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from digital GSM mobile phones (902 MHz, 217 Hz pulse modulation) on subjective symptoms in healthy subjects using two single-blind experiments. The results did not reveal any differences between exposure and non-exposure conditions. Exposure durations were about 60 minutes in Experiment 1 and 30 minutes in Experiment 2. Subjects rated symptoms including headache, dizziness, fatigue, itching or tingling of the skin, redness on the skin, and sensations of warmth on the skin.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Cellular Telephones and Cancer-a Nationwide Cohort Study in Denmark.

Johansen C, Boice JD, McLaughlin JK, Olsen JH, · 2001

A retrospective cohort study in Denmark included 420 095 cellular telephone users from 1982 through 1995. Cancer incidence was determined by linkage with the Danish Cancer Registry. Overall, 3391 cancers were observed with 3825 expected, yielding a significantly decreased standardized incidence ratio of 0.89. No excess risk was found for brain or nervous system tumors, salivary gland cancer, or leukemia. The results do not support an association between cellular telephone use and these cancers.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found516 citations

Cellular-telephone use and brain tumors.

Inskip PD et al. · 2001

Researchers conducted a case-control study of intracranial tumors between 1994 and 1998. They enrolled 782 patients with glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma and 799 controls. Cumulative use of more than 100 hours showed relative risks of 0.9 for glioma, 0.7 for meningioma, 1.4 for acoustic neuroma, and 1.0 for all tumors combined. No higher risks were seen for use of 60 or more minutes per day or regular use for five or more years. Tumors did not occur more often on the side of the head where the telephone was typically used.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not alter the cell cycle progression of C3H 10T and U87MG cells.

Higashikubo R et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mouse C3H 10T(1/2) fibroblasts and human U87MG glioma cells to two types of radiofrequency fields at 0.6 W/kg. Five cell cycle parameters including transit through G1, G2, and S phase and probability of cell division were measured immediately and up to 100 hours. No changes in cell cycle parameters were observed in exposed cells compared to sham-exposed cells in either cell line during the entire experimental period.

Assessment of the temporal trend of the exposure of people to electromagnetic fields produced by base stations for mobile telephones.

Silvi A M, Zari A, Licitra G · 2001

Researchers monitored electric-field levels produced by base stations of different typologies, including TACS, GSM, and DCS. The base stations were classified as either 'business' or 'residential'. On an hourly average basis, a daily curve of the exposure trend was constructed for these installations.

Effect on human attention of exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones.

LeeTMC, HoSMY, Tsang LYH, Yang SYC, LiLSW, ChanCCH · 2001

The study examined the effect of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on human attention. Three attention measures were administered to 72 teenagers, 37 of whom were mobile phone users. Mobile phone users performed better on one of the three attention measures than non-users. The researchers suggested a mild facilitating effect on attention functions.

Comparison of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from people occupationally exposed to ionizing and radiofrequency radiation.

Lalic H, Lekic A, Radosevic-Stasic B. · 2001

Researchers investigated genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in 25 hospital workers and 20 radio-relay station workers using chromosome aberration analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Total chromosome aberrations were almost equally higher in both exposed groups compared to unexposed controls. Acentric fragments were the most frequent aberration and were significantly higher in both exposed groups than in controls. Dicentric fragments were also elevated in both exposed groups, while chromatid breaks increased only after ionizing radiation.

Cancer & Tumors163 citations

Ionizing radiation, cellular telephones and the risk of brain tumours.

Hardell L, Hansson Mild K, Pahlson A, Hallquist A · 2001

Researchers conducted a case-control study of 233 patients aged 20-80 with histopathologically verified brain tumours, using two matched controls per case from the Swedish Population Register. Workers in the chemical industry had an odds ratio of 4.10 (95% CI 1.25-13.4) and laboratory workers an odds ratio of 3.21 (95% CI 1.16-8.85). Radiotherapy of the head and neck region gave an odds ratio of 3.61 (95% CI 0.65-19.9), medical diagnostic X-ray of the same area yielded an odds ratio of 1.64 (95% CI 1.04-2.58), and work as a physician gave an odds ratio of 6.00 (95% CI 0.62-57.7). Ipsilateral cellular telephone use increased the risk of tumours in the temporal, temporoparietal, and occipital areas with an odds ratio of 2.42 (95% CI 0.97-6.05).

Cancer & Tumors107 citations

Environmental risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a population-based case-control study in Languedoc-Roussillon, France.

Fabbro-Peray P, Daures JP, Rossi JF. · 2001

Researchers performed a population-based case-control study in Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France, from 1992 to 1996, enrolling four hundred and forty-five NHL cases and one thousand and twenty-five population controls. Multivariate analysis identified significantly increased odds for previous hematopoietic malignancy, history of hives, benzene exposure exceeding 810 days, daily welding, and radio operator activity. Agricultural professionals showed a slight, non-significant elevation in odds compared with non-professionals. All results were adjusted for age, gender, education level, and urban setting.

Population exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by radio base stations: evaluation of the urban background by using provisional model and instrumental measurements.

Anglesio L et al. · 2001

Radiofrequency field monitoring was carried out in Torino, Italy, to evaluate how electromagnetic field strength varies with height, location, and frequency. The study separated contributions from broadcasting antennas and mobile phone base stations. Theoretical evaluation added emissions from all base station installations in Torino and examined calculated field strength maps considering orography at different heights. Theoretical values were compared with measured values in the mobile telephony frequency range.

Effects of acute exposure to the radiofrequency fields of cellular phones on plasma lipid peroxide and antioxidase activities in human erythrocytes.

Moustafa YM, Moustafa RM, Belacy A, Abou-El-Ela SH, Ali FM. · 2001

Researchers investigated the effect of acute exposure to radiofrequency fields from commercially available cellular phones on oxidative stress parameters in 12 healthy adult male volunteers. Each volunteer placed the phone in his pocket in standby position with the keypad facing the body. The parameters measured were lipid peroxide and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase. Plasma lipid peroxide increased significantly after 1, 2, and 4 hours of exposure. SOD and GSH-Px activities in erythrocytes showed significant reduction, while catalase activity did not decrease significantly.

Effect of low-intensity pulse-modulated microwave on human blood aspartate aminotransferase activity

Pashovkina MS, Akoev IG · 2001

Researchers exposed donor blood to pulse-modulated microwaves at 2375 MHz with intensities of 2 microW/cm2 and 8 microW/cm2, pulse modulation from 50 to 390 Hz, for 5 minutes. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was strongly dependent on both modulation frequency and microwave intensity. Maximum activity was found at 390 Hz and 8 microW/cm2, reaching about six times the control level.

Cellular Effects107 citations

Changes in cellular proteins due to environmental non-ionizing radiation. I. Heat-shock protiens

S. Kwee, P. Raskmark & S. Velizarov · 2001

Researchers exposed transformed human epithelial amnion (AMA) cells to a microwave field simulating the GSM signal at 960 MHz for 20 minutes. The field generated a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2.1 mW.kg−1 in the cells, and exposures were carried out at temperatures of 35, 37, and 40 ± 0.1°C. Higher amounts of Hsp-70 were found in exposed cells at 35 and 37°C compared with sham-exposed cells, while Hsp-27 showed no significant response. The researchers considered these effects athermal because the field strength was much lower than the safety standard for absence of heat generation by microwave fields.

Parental occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields and radiation and the incidence of neuroblastoma in offspring.

De Roos AJ et al. · 2001

Researchers examined parental occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields and radiation and the incidence of neuroblastoma in offspring. Cases were 538 children diagnosed with neuroblastoma between 1992 and 1994 in the United States or Canada, and age-matched controls were selected by random-digit dialing. Maternal exposure to a broad grouping of sources that produce radiofrequency radiation was associated with an increased incidence of neuroblastoma, with an odds ratio of 2.8 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.9 to 8.7. However, the broad groupings of sources that produce ELF fields, radiofrequency radiation, or ionizing radiation were not associated with neuroblastoma.

Effects of mobile phone type signals on calcium levels within human leukaemic T-cells (Jurkat cells).

Cranfield CG, Wood AW, Anderson V, Menezes KG. · 2001

Researchers tested whether simulated GSM mobile phone signals at 915 MHz and 2 W kg(-1) influence calcium concentration or calcium signalling patterns in a human lymphocyte cell line. No significant changes were found in the regression slope of calcium fluorescence, mean calcium concentration, number of calcium spikes, or mean height of those spikes. A significant alteration in average frequency from Fourier spectra was found in one category only: pulsed wave exposure of activated cells.

Effects of electromagnetic fields produced by radiotelevision broadcasting stations on the immune system of women.

Boscol P et al. · 2001

The study investigated the immune systems of 19 women with a mean age of 35 years who had been exposed to electromagnetic fields from radiotelevision broadcasting stations in their residential area for at least 2 years, with a mean exposure duration of 13 years. The exposed group had mean field levels of 4.3 plus or minus 1.4 V/m in the range 500 KHz to 3 GHz, while the control group had nearby residential exposure of less than 1.8 V/m. The exposed women showed statistically significant reductions in several immune cell types and lower in vitro production of IL-2 and interferon-gamma by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The researchers concluded that high frequency electromagnetic fields reduce cytotoxic activity in the peripheral blood of women without a dose-response effect.

A theoretical model based upon mast cells and histamine to explain the recently proclaimed sensitivity to electric and/or magnetic fields in humans

Unknown authors · 2000

The article reviews reports of skin and heart symptoms in people exposed to video display terminals. Recent studies cited indicate that electromagnetic fields can affect mast cells and dendritic cells and may degranulate them. The model suggests that degranulation of mast cells and dendritic cells releases histamine, which can cause local erythema, edema, itch, and pain, and somatostatin, which may produce sensations of ongoing inflammation and sensitivity to ordinary light.

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