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 355 studies (Cell Studies)

The Cytome Assay as a Tool to Investigate the Possible Association Between Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields and an Increased Risk for Alzheimer's Disease.

Maes A, Anthonissen R, Wambacq S, Simons K, Verschaeve L. · 2016

Scientists exposed cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from power lines at levels above 50 microtesla and found genetic damage patterns similar to Alzheimer's patients. The exposure caused chromosome instability in cells, suggesting a possible biological link between power line magnetic fields and Alzheimer's disease development.

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Promote In Vitro Neuronal Differentiation and Neurite Outgrowth of Embryonic Neural Stem Cells via Up-Regulating TRPC1.

Ma Q et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed embryonic brain stem cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields from power lines and electrical devices. The EMF exposure significantly enhanced the cells' development into neurons and promoted growth of neural connections. This suggests electromagnetic fields could influence brain formation during early development.

Power frequency magnetic fields affect the p38 MAPK-mediated regulation of NB69 cell proliferation implication of free radicals.

Martínez MA, Úbeda A, Moreno J, Trillo MÁ · 2016

Researchers exposed human brain tumor cells (neuroblastoma) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100 microtesla - similar to levels near power lines - for various time periods. The magnetic field exposure triggered specific cellular pathways that increased cell proliferation, with the effects appearing to be mediated by reactive oxygen species (free radicals). This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields can stimulate abnormal cell growth through oxidative stress mechanisms.

Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to extremely low-frequency electric fields on mismatch negativity component of the auditory event-related potentials: Relation to oxidative stress.

Akpınar D et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their offspring to power line-frequency electric fields, then tested brain function. EMF exposure significantly impaired the brain's ability to detect sound changes, a skill essential for learning and attention, with damage linked to cellular oxidative stress.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Biomarkers in volunteers exposed to mobile phone radiation.

Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L · 2015

Swedish researchers tested whether cell phone radiation affects the blood-brain barrier (the brain's protective shield) by measuring specific proteins in blood samples from 24 volunteers before and after exposure to phone-like signals. The study found no significant differences in these barrier-protecting proteins between real exposure and fake exposure sessions. However, the researchers noted that all participants were regular cell phone users, which may have influenced the results.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

A Genotoxic Analysis on Hematopoietic system after Mobile Phone Type Radiation Exposure in Rats.

Kumar G, McIntosh RL, Anderson V, McKenzie RJ, Wood AW. · 2015

Researchers exposed rat bone marrow to mobile phone radiation at 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies to test for genetic damage and effects on blood cell production. They tested both continuous and pulsed signals at power levels ranging from 2 to 12.4 watts per kilogram. The study found no significant changes in cell growth or DNA damage in the bone marrow cells after exposure.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

A genotoxic analysis of the hematopoietic system after mobile phone type radiation exposure in rats.

Kumar G, McIntosh RL, Anderson V, McKenzie RJ, Wood AW. · 2015

Researchers exposed rat bone marrow to cell phone-type radiation at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies to test for DNA damage and changes in blood cell production. They found no significant effects on genetic damage or cell growth at radiation levels of 2-2.5 watts per kilogram, which are similar to current safety limits. This study suggests that short-term exposure to these specific radiation levels may not cause immediate DNA damage in blood-forming cells.

Effect of cell phone use on salivary total protein, enzymes and oxidative stress markers in young adults: a pilot study.

Shivashankara AR et al. · 2015

Researchers examined saliva samples from college students who were light versus heavy cell phone users to look for signs of cellular stress. Heavy users showed significantly higher levels of stress enzymes (amylase and LDH) and oxidative damage markers (MDA) in their saliva compared to light users. This suggests that frequent cell phone use may be causing measurable cellular damage that can be detected through simple saliva tests.

Effect of mobile phone use on metal ion release from fixed orthodontic appliances.

Saghiri MA, Orangi J, Asatourian A, Mehriar P, Sheibani N · 2015

Researchers studied 50 people with metal braces to see if cell phone use affected how much nickel (a metal in braces) was released into their saliva. After a week of no phone use, participants used their phones normally for another week. The study found that cell phone use significantly increased nickel levels in saliva, with longer phone use causing more nickel release from the orthodontic appliances.

Scenarios approach to the electromagnetic exposure: the case study of a train compartment.

Paffi A, Apollonio F, Pinto R, Liberti M. · 2015

Italian researchers studied electromagnetic field exposure inside train compartments, which previous research identified as having the highest EMF levels people encounter in daily life. They found that exposure levels spike dramatically based on how many passengers are using cell phones, poor cell tower coverage forcing phones to boost power, and the metal walls that trap and amplify radiation. The study demonstrates how real-world conditions create exposure hotspots that standard safety assessments miss.

Interference of GSM mobile phones with communication between Cardiac Rhythm Management devices and programmers: A combined in vivo and in vitro study.

Huang D et al. · 2015

Researchers tested how cell phone signals interfere with pacemakers and similar heart devices during medical programming sessions. They found that GSM mobile phones disrupted communication between the heart devices and their programmers in about half of patients tested (51%), though only a small percentage experienced symptoms like dizziness. The interference stopped when the phone calls ended, suggesting patients can still use phones but should keep them away during device programming.

Impact of a Small Cell on the RF-EMF Exposure in a Train.

Aerts S, Plets D, Thielens A, Martens L, Joseph W. · 2015

Researchers measured radiation exposure from cell phones on trains, comparing users connected to distant cell towers versus small cells installed inside the train. They found that passengers using in-train small cells experienced 35 times less brain exposure and 11 times less whole-body exposure from their phones. This demonstrates that proximity to cell towers significantly affects how much radiation your phone needs to emit.

Long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and Wi-Fi devices decreases plasma prolactin, progesterone, and estrogen levels but increases uterine oxidative stress in pregnant rats and their offspring.

Yüksel M, Nazıroğlu M, Özkaya MO. · 2015

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation for 60 minutes daily throughout pregnancy and tracked their offspring for multiple generations. They found that this exposure significantly decreased essential reproductive hormones (prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone) in both mothers and offspring, while increasing oxidative stress damage in the uterus. This suggests that everyday wireless radiation exposure during pregnancy could disrupt hormonal balance and reproductive health across generations.

Effect of cell phone use on salivary total protein, enzymes and oxidative stress markers in young adults: a pilot study.

Shivashankara AR et al. · 2015

Researchers analyzed saliva samples from college students to compare light and heavy cell phone users. They found that heavy users had significantly higher levels of stress enzymes and oxidative damage markers in their saliva. This suggests that frequent cell phone use may trigger cellular stress responses that can be measured through simple saliva tests.

Diamagnetic levitation promotes osteoclast differentiation from RAW264.7 cells

Sun YL et al. · 2015

Chinese researchers used powerful magnetic fields to simulate weightlessness conditions and study how this affects bone-destroying cells called osteoclasts. They found that simulated microgravity enhanced the formation and bone-eating activity of these cells, while the magnetic field itself had the opposite effect. This research helps explain why astronauts lose bone density in space and provides insights into magnetic field effects on bone health.

Pre-exposure of neuroblastoma cell line to pulsed electromagnetic field prevents H2 O2 -induced ROS production by increasing MnSOD activity.

Osera C et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed neuroblastoma cells (a type of brain cancer cell) to pulsed electromagnetic fields for short periods over several weeks, then tested how well the cells handled oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules). They found that the EMF pre-exposure increased the cells' natural antioxidant defenses and made them more resistant to damage from hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that certain EMF exposures might help cells protect themselves against harmful oxidation.

Reduced growth of soybean seedlings after exposure to weak microwave radiation from GSM 900 mobile phone and base station.

Malka N. Halgamuge, See Kye Yak and Jacob L. Eberhardt · 2015

Scientists exposed soybean seedlings to 900 MHz cell phone radiation at various power levels. Even extremely weak signals similar to cell tower emissions reduced plant growth in specific parts of the seedlings, suggesting wireless radiation may disrupt biological processes in living organisms.

Low-amplitude, high-frequency electromagnetic field exposure causes delayed and reduced growth in Rosa hybrida.

Grémiaux A et al. · 2015

French researchers exposed rose bushes to 900MHz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used by cell phones) and tracked their growth for over a month. They found that EMF exposure significantly reduced growth by 45% in newly developing shoots, but only when plants were exposed at their earliest development stage. The effect occurred at extremely low power levels, ruling out heating as the cause.

Exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field changes the efficiency of the scorpion alpha toxin.

Jankowska M et al. · 2015

Polish researchers exposed cockroaches to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in electrical power systems) and found it changed how their nervous systems responded to scorpion toxin. The EMF exposure altered nerve activity patterns and reduced the toxin's effectiveness, demonstrating that power frequency fields can modify how the nervous system functions at the cellular level.

Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF-MF) Exposure Sensitizes SH-SY5Y Cells to the Pro-Parkinson's Disease Toxin MPP.

Benassi B et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed human brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and found that while the fields didn't harm the cells directly, they made the cells much more vulnerable to a chemical toxin that causes Parkinson's disease-like damage. The magnetic field exposure disrupted the cells' natural antioxidant defenses, causing normally survivable toxin levels to trigger cell death through oxidative stress.

8-oxoG DNA Glycosylase-1 Inhibition Sensitizes Neuro-2a Cells to Oxidative DNA Base Damage Induced by 900 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation.

Wang X et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed mouse brain cells to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 24 hours and found it caused DNA damage through oxidative stress. The damage occurred at radiation levels as low as 1-2 watts per kilogram, which is within the range of typical cell phone use. When the cells' natural DNA repair mechanisms were disabled, even lower radiation levels caused genetic damage.

Cell oxidation–reduction imbalance after modulated radiofrequency radiation.

Marjanovic AM, Pavicic I, Trosic I, · 2015

Researchers exposed hamster cells to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (1800 MHz) for 10, 30, and 60 minutes to study cellular damage. They found that even brief 10-minute exposures significantly increased reactive oxygen species (cellular stress markers) and disrupted the cells' natural balance between oxidation and antioxidant defense. This suggests that RF radiation at levels similar to cell phone use can trigger oxidative stress in living cells.

Electromagnetic radiation at 900 MHz induces sperm apoptosis through bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 signaling pathways in rats.

Liu Q, Si T, Xu X, Liang F, Wang L, Pan S. · 2015

Researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for two hours daily over 50 days. Sperm cell death increased 91% compared to unexposed rats, with radiation triggering cellular damage through increased free radicals and decreased antioxidant defenses, demonstrating clear reproductive harm.

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on catalase, cytochrome P450 and nitric oxide synthase in erythro-leukemic cells.

Patruno A, Tabrez S, Pesce M, Shakil S, Kamal MA, Reale M · 2015

Italian researchers exposed leukemia cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (the type emitted by power lines and household appliances) for 24 hours at 50 Hz. They found significant changes in three key cellular enzymes that control oxidative stress and cellular metabolism. These enzyme disruptions could help explain how EMF exposure might contribute to health problems at the cellular level.

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