Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.
Showing 1,359 studies (Human Studies)
Calvente I et al. · 2015
Spanish researchers measured radiofrequency radiation around 123 families' homes, finding average levels of 196 mV/m electric field strength. Though below safety guidelines, the study emphasized applying precautionary measures to protect children from chronic EMF exposure due to their developing biology and increasing wireless device use.
Todorović D, Prolić Z, Petković B, Kalauzi A. · 2015
Researchers exposed longhorn beetles to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and measured how their brain neurons responded. They found that square wave magnetic fields caused measurable changes in neural activity after 10-15 minutes of exposure, while sine wave fields did not. This demonstrates that even insects show biological responses to power-frequency magnetic fields, and that the waveform shape matters for biological effects.
Legros A, Modolo J, Brown S, Roberston J, Thomas AW. · 2015
Researchers scanned people's brains after one-hour exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields from power lines. Brain scans showed altered activation patterns during tasks, even though performance stayed normal. This suggests magnetic field exposure can change how the brain functions, with effects lasting after exposure ends.
Cheng Y et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed brain stem cells (neural progenitor cells) from stroke-damaged brains to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 0.4 mT for 7 days. The magnetic field exposure significantly increased both cell multiplication and the development of these stem cells into neurons. This suggests that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields might help brain recovery after stroke by promoting the growth of new brain cells.
Yang ML, Ye ZM · 2015
Researchers exposed bone cancer cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) at 50 Hz and 1 milliTesla for up to 3 hours. They found the EMF exposure triggered cancer cell death (apoptosis) by increasing oxidative stress and activating specific cellular pathways. This suggests ELF-EMF might have potential therapeutic applications against bone cancer, though this was only tested in laboratory cell cultures, not living organisms.
Lewicka M et al. · 2015
Polish researchers exposed human blood platelets to electromagnetic fields from car electronics, physiotherapy equipment, and LCD monitors for 30 minutes. They found that all three sources caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals), with car electronics producing the strongest effects. This suggests that common electronic devices may damage our blood cells and potentially contribute to diseases linked to oxidative stress.
Roggeveen S, van Os J, Lousberg R · 2015
Dutch researchers measured brain activity in 31 women exposed to 3G phone radiation. Brain scans showed measurable electrical responses within milliseconds of exposure, even though participants couldn't consciously detect when phones were transmitting, proving brains unconsciously respond to mobile phone radiation.
Roggeveen S, van Os J, Viechtbauer W, Lousberg R · 2015
Researchers exposed 31 healthy women to 3G cell phone radiation for 15 minutes and measured brain activity using EEG (electroencephalogram, which records electrical activity in the brain). They found significant changes in multiple brain wave patterns when the phone was held to the ear, but not when placed on the chest. This demonstrates that cell phone radiation can directly alter brain activity in just 15 minutes of exposure.
Lustenberger et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed 20 young men to cell phone-level radiation (900 MHz) for 30 minutes before sleep on two separate occasions, then monitored their brain waves throughout the night. They found that RF exposure increased delta-theta brain wave activity in the frontal-central regions during deep sleep, but these effects varied significantly between individuals and weren't consistent when the same person was tested twice.
Ghosn R et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed 26 healthy young adults to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM) for 26 minutes while measuring their brain waves using EEG. They found that exposure significantly reduced alpha brain wave activity when participants had their eyes closed, and this effect persisted even after the exposure ended. Alpha waves are associated with relaxed, wakeful states, suggesting that cell phone radiation can alter normal brain function.
Danker-Hopfe H et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed 30 healthy men to cell phone radiation during sleep and found 90% showed altered sleep patterns. The most consistent change was increased REM (dream) sleep in one-third of participants, suggesting cell phone signals can affect brain activity during sleep.
Valič B, Kos B, Gajšek P. · 2014
Researchers measured EMF exposure in 21 children under 17 using portable devices worn for over 2,400 hours total. They found average exposures were very low compared to safety guidelines - less than 0.03% for power line frequencies and less than 0.001% for wireless signals like WiFi and cell towers. Even the highest exposures recorded were still well below 1% of current safety limits.
Souza LD, Cerqueira ED, Meireles JR · 2014
Brazilian researchers examined cells from the mouths of 45 mobile phone users to look for DNA damage and cell death markers. They found no differences in most cellular damage markers between light, moderate, and heavy phone users (more than 5 hours per week). However, heavy users showed significantly more 'broken egg' structures in their cells, which may indicate gene amplification problems.
Shirai T et al. · 2014
Japanese researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (2.14 GHz W-CDMA signals) for 20 hours daily across three generations to see if it affected brain development and behavior. They found no abnormalities in brain function, behavior, or general health in any generation of rats, even with continuous exposure from pregnancy through adulthood. The study suggests that this type of cell phone radiation at these exposure levels does not cause harmful effects that pass from parents to offspring.
Pettersson D et al. · 2014
Swedish researchers studied 451 people with acoustic neuromas (benign brain tumors near the ear) and 710 healthy controls to see if long-term mobile phone use increases tumor risk. They found no significant association between phone use and acoustic neuroma development, even among the heaviest users who talked for over 680 hours total. The study suggests that any apparent connection in previous research may be due to detection bias rather than phones actually causing tumors.
Parodi S et al. · 2014
Italian researchers studied 153 children with neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer) and 1044 healthy children to identify risk factors. They measured extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) in homes and found no association between magnetic field exposure and neuroblastoma risk. However, they did find increased cancer risk linked to maternal exposure to hair dyes and workplace chemicals during pregnancy.
Murbach et al. · 2014
Researchers investigated why radiofrequency radiation from cell phones appears to affect brain activity patterns (EEG) during sleep studies. They tested three possible explanations using computer models and found that RF exposure doesn't significantly heat the brain or interfere with electrode measurements. While the study ruled out these technical artifacts, the actual mechanism behind RF's effects on brain activity remains unexplained.
Kim BC, Kim W-K, Lee G-T, Choi H-D, Kim N, Pack J-K. · 2014
Korean researchers measured radiofrequency (RF) radiation levels at 1,260 locations across densely populated areas to see how much wireless radiation people are actually exposed to in their daily lives. They found that even in areas with many cell towers and wireless devices, the total RF exposure was extremely low - only about 7% of international safety guidelines. This suggests that current wireless infrastructure in urban areas produces RF levels well below established safety limits.
Hauri DD et al. · 2014
Swiss researchers followed over 4,000 children for up to 23 years to see if living near radio and TV broadcast towers increased their cancer risk. They found no increased risk of childhood leukemia and mixed results for brain tumors, with their most comprehensive analysis showing no association. This large population study suggests that RF radiation from broadcast transmitters does not significantly increase childhood cancer rates.
Sorahan T, Mohammed N. · 2014
Researchers followed over 73,000 UK electricity workers for nearly 40 years to see if workplace magnetic field exposure increased their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or motor neurone disease. They found no statistically significant increase in any of these neurodegenerative diseases, even among workers with the highest magnetic field exposures. This suggests that occupational magnetic field exposure at the levels experienced by electricity workers does not elevate the risk of these brain diseases.
Yoon HE, Lee JS, Myung SH, Lee YS · 2014
Researchers exposed human lung cells to 60-Hz magnetic fields at different strengths and measured DNA damage markers. They found that stronger magnetic fields (2 mT) caused DNA damage on their own and made cells more vulnerable to radiation damage, while weaker fields (1 mT) had no effect. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields can damage DNA at high enough levels.
Jin YB et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed four different types of human and mouse cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 4 to 16 hours, both alone and combined with known DNA-damaging agents like radiation and hydrogen peroxide. They found no DNA damage from the magnetic field exposure alone, and the magnetic fields did not make other DNA-damaging agents more harmful. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields at 1 milliTesla may not directly damage cellular DNA.
Sorahan T, Mohammed N · 2014
Researchers tracked 73,051 UK electrical workers for nearly 40 years to see if workplace magnetic field exposure increased their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, motor neurone disease, or Parkinson's disease. The study found no statistically significant increase in any of these neurodegenerative diseases, even among workers with the highest magnetic field exposures. This suggests that occupational magnetic field exposure at the levels experienced by electrical workers does not elevate the risk of these brain diseases.
Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. · 2014
Chinese researchers tested whether power line workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields while inspecting transformers and power lines showed changes in brain function and reaction times. They compared 310 inspection workers to 300 office staff using computerized tests measuring mental arithmetic, visual memory, and reaction speed. Despite many workers being exposed to electric fields above China's occupational safety standards, the study found no differences in cognitive performance between the two groups.
Trunk A et al. · 2014
Hungarian researchers studied whether mobile phone radiation affects brain activity during visual tasks, and whether caffeine changes this effect. They exposed 20 people to 3G phone signals at 1.75 watts per kilogram while measuring brain waves during a simple visual test. The mobile phone exposure had no detectable impact on brain activity or reaction times, either alone or combined with caffeine.