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 653 studies (Cell Studies)

Oxidative DNA damage in rats exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.

Yokus B, Cakir DU, Akdag MZ, Sert C, Mete N · 2005

Researchers examined the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50 Hz, 0.97 mT) on oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation in rats. Measurements of 8OHdG and TBARS were taken at 50 and 100 days to look for time-dependent changes. The 8OHdG levels of the exposed group were significantly higher than the sham group at both 50 and 100 days (p<0.001). The extent of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation appeared to depend on exposure time.

No effects of intermittent 50 Hz EMF on cytoplasmic free calcium and on the mitochondrial membrane potential in human diploid fibroblasts

Unknown authors · 2004

They measured cytoplasmic free calcium using the ratiometric fura-2 technique and mitochondrial membrane potential using the JC-1 probe. Exposure caused a highly significant increase in DNA strand breaks measured by the comet assay. No changes were observed in JC-1 fluorescence or cytoplasmic free calcium compared to sham-exposed cells.

Immune System
Review
255 citations

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields as effectors of cellular responses in vitro: possible immune cell activation

Unknown authors · 2004

The authors conducted an extensive literature review and propose that ELF EMF exposure increases free radical levels. They suggest EMF might induce an activated state such as phagocytosis, enhancing free radical release and leading to genotoxic events. The proposed mechanisms include direct activation of macrophages leading to phagocytosis and free radical production, and direct stimulation of free radical production by EMF-induced macrophage activation. They also propose that EMF increases the lifetime of free radicals causing persistently elevated concentrations, and that long-term exposure leads to chronically increased free radicals that inhibit melatonin effects. Taken together, these reactions could lead to higher DNA damage incidence and increased tumor risk.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Is cochlear outer hair cell function affected by mobile telephone radiation?

Monnery PM, Srouji EI, Bartlett J · 2004

Researchers recruited 12 volunteers with normal hearing and measured their otoacoustic emissions. The volunteers were exposed to a mobile telephone placed over the mastoid process during receive and transmit modes. There was no change in the trace signature and no statistically significant change in trace figures. The researchers concluded that PEMF from mobile phones has no measurable effect on outer hair cell function during use.

Whole Body / GeneralNo Effects Found

Public perception of risk concerning cell towers and mobile phones.

Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M. · 2004

Researchers surveyed neighbors of cell towers (n = 123, response rate approx. 48%) and medical students (n = 366) about environmental health risks including mobile telecommunication. Neighbors rated health risks for both mobile phones and cell towers higher than students did. The magnitude of perceived risks resembled that of other ubiquitous exposures like traffic noise and air pollution.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

DNA damage in frog erythrocytes after in vitro exposure to a high peak-power pulsed electromagnetic field.

Chemeris NK et al. · 2004

Researchers investigated genotoxic effects of HPPP EMF (8.8 GHz, 180 ns pulse width, peak power 65 kW, repetition rate 50 Hz) on erythrocytes of the frog Xenopus laevis. They used the alkaline comet assay to assess DNA single-strand breaks and alkali-labile lesions. Blood samples were exposed for 40 minutes in a rectangular waveguide with a specific absorption rate of about 1.6 kW/kg. The temperature rise in blood samples at steady state was 3.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C, and the increase in DNA damage was induced by this temperature rise.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Effects of exposure of the ear to GSM microwaves: in vivo and in vitro experimental studies.

Aran JM et al. · 2004

In the first experiment, guinea pigs were exposed to GSM microwaves at SARs of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 2 months. In the second experiment, guinea pigs were exposed at 4 W/kg and auditory brainstem response thresholds were monitored. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed no difference in DPOAE amplitudes or ABR thresholds between exposed and sham-exposed groups. Acute exposure for 1 hour also produced no statistically significant change in ABR thresholds. In vitro, organs of Corti from newborn rats exposed to 1 W/kg for 24-48 hours appeared normal under light microscopy after 2-3 days of culture.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Measurements of alkali-labile DNA damage and protein-DNA crosslinks after 2450 MHz microwave and low-dose gamma irradiation In vitro.

Lagroye I et al. · 2004

Researchers exposed C3H 10T½ cells to 2450 MHz CW microwaves at 1.9 W/kg for 2 hours, then irradiated them with 4 Gy gamma rays, and used the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay to detect DNA damage. Ionizing radiation induced significant DNA damage, but microwave exposure alone caused no detectable DNA damage. Microwaves did not impede DNA migration induced by gamma rays, and no evidence of DNA–protein crosslinks or changes in DNA-associated protein was found after microwave exposure.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Measurement of DNA damage and apoptosis in molt-4 cells after in vitro exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

Hook GJ et al. · 2004

Researchers exposed Molt-4 T lymphoblastoid cells to CDMA, FDMA, iDEN, and TDMA modulated RF radiation for up to 24 hours. DNA damage was measured with the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay and apoptosis with the annexin V affinity assay. No statistically significant difference in DNA damage or apoptosis was observed between sham and exposed cells for any frequency, modulation, or exposure time.

Profiles in driver distraction: effects of cell phone conversations on younger and older drivers.

Strayer DL, Drews FA. · 2004

The study examined the effects of hands-free cell phone conversations on simulated driving performance in younger and older adults. Compared to driving alone, cell phone use made reactions 18% slower, increased following distance by 12%, and lengthened speed recovery after braking by 17%. There was a twofold increase in rear-end collisions when drivers were conversing on a cell phone.

Transmembrane voltage induced on altered erythrocyte shapes exposed to RF fields

Munoz S, Sebastian JL, Sancho M, Miranda JM · 2004

Researchers calculated the transmembrane voltage induced on erythrocyte, codocyte, ovalocyte, and spherocyte cell models exposed to a linearly polarized electromagnetic plane wave at 1800 MHz. The induced voltage on the original erythrocyte shape was higher than on the altered cell geometries. Erythrocyte shape and membrane electric permittivity were found to play a fundamental role in the induced transmembrane voltage values. A finite element numerical technique with adaptive meshing was used for the calculations.

In vitro study of the electromagnetic interaction between wireless phones and an implantable neural stimulator.

Grant H, Heirman D, Kuriger G, Ravindran MM. · 2004

The study investigated electromagnetic interaction between current cell phone technology and specific models of Cyberonics neural stimulators. Out of 1080 test runs conducted, no interactions were observed. The phone technologies examined did not adversely affect the Cyberonics NeuroStar Model 102 NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis System.

High frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM signals) affect gene expression levels in tumor suppressor p53-deficient embryonic stem cells.

Czyz J et al. · 2004

Researchers exposed wild-type and p53-deficient embryonic stem cells to GSM-217 and GSM-Talk modulated electromagnetic fields at 1.71 GHz. GSM-217 exposure significantly increased hsp70 mRNA levels in p53-deficient cells, with a transient rise in c-jun, c-myc, and p21 levels only in those cells. GSM-Talk exposure produced no gene expression changes in either cell type, and cardiac differentiation and cell cycle were unaffected by GSM-217.

Low power microwave radiation inhibits the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells by upregulating P27Kip1 expression.

Yao K, Wang KJ, Sun ZH, Tan J, Xu W, Zhu LJ, Lu de Q. · 2004

Researchers exposed cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells to continuous 2,450 MHz microwave radiation at power densities of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mW/cm2 for 8 hours. P27Kip1 protein expression increased markedly but its mRNA levels did not change, and P21WAF1 protein and mRNA levels showed no detectable differences between exposed and control groups.

Blood-forming system in rats after whole-body microwave exposure; reference to the lymphocytes.

Trosic I, Busljeta I, Pavicic I. · 2004

Researchers investigated the effect of 2.45 GHz microwave irradiation on blood-forming cells in rats. Rats were exposed to a field power density of 5-10 mW/cm2 and a whole-body average SAR of 1-2 W/kg for 2 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 2, 8, 15, or 30 days. A significant decrease in lymphoblast count was observed at 15 and 30 days, while other examined parameters did not differ significantly from sham-exposed controls.

Apoptosis induced by ultraviolet radiation is enhanced by amplitude modulated radiofrequency radiation in mutant yeast cells.

Markkanen A et al. · 2004

Researchers exposed wild-type and cdc48-mutant yeast cells to 900 or 872 MHz RF fields with or without UV radiation at elevated temperature. Amplitude modulated RF exposure significantly enhanced UV-induced apoptosis in cdc48-mutated cells, but unmodulated fields at the same SAR had no effect. Apoptosis was measured using the annexin V-FITC method with flow cytometry.

Effects of 2.45-GHz electromagnetic fields with a wide range of SARs on micronucleus formation in CHO-K1 cells.

Koyama S, Isozumi Y, Suzuki Y, Taki M, Miyakoshi J. · 2004

Researchers exposed Chinese hamster ovary CHO-K1 cells to 2.45-GHz electromagnetic fields for 2 hours at SARs of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 W/kg to study micronucleus formation. Micronucleus frequency in cells exposed at SARs lower than 50 W/kg did not differ from sham-exposed controls. At SARs of 100 and 200 W/kg, micronucleus frequency was significantly higher than in sham-exposed controls. The researchers also found that micronucleus frequency increased in a temperature-dependent manner when cells were heat-treated at temperatures from 38 to 42 degrees C.

Influence of anesthesia on ocular effects and temperature in rabbit eyes exposed to microwaves.

Kojima M et al. · 2004

Researchers exposed one eye each of 43 male pigmented rabbits to microwaves at 300 mW/cm2, either under systemic anesthesia or without anesthesia. Exposed eyes showed miosis, conjunctival congestion, corneal edema, and increased light scattering in the lens, and all of these anterior ocular changes disappeared within a week. Rabbits under systemic anesthesia showed much stronger symptoms, and their ocular temperatures were 2-9 degrees C higher than those without anesthesia.

The effects of whole body cell phone exposure on the t1 relaxation times and trace elements in the serum of rats.

Aksen F, Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Askin M, Dasdag MM. · 2004

Researchers exposed rats to radiofrequency radiation from cellular phones to study effects on trace elements, T1 relaxation times, and rectal temperature. Manganese and zinc levels in the serum of exposed rats were significantly different from the control group. Iron, copper, and T1 relaxation times in serum did not change significantly, and rectal temperature also showed no statistically significant difference between groups.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

S., Sannino, A., Antolini, A., Forigo, D., Bersani, F. and Scarfi, M. R

Zeni, O., Schiavoni, A. · 2003

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 healthy donors to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields under various conditions. Exposures included continuous-wave and GSM-modulated signals at specific absorption rates of 1.6 W/kg and 0.2 W/kg with different intermittent patterns. No statistically significant differences were found in micronucleus frequency or cell cycle kinetics across any exposure condition.

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