Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.
Showing 355 studies (Cell Studies)
Chen C et al. · 2014
Scientists exposed developing brain cells to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz for three days. The radiation didn't kill cells but significantly impaired their ability to grow connections needed for proper brain function, suggesting potential risks to brain development during pregnancy.
Canseven AG, Esmekaya MA, Kayhan H, Tuysuz MZ, Seyhan N. · 2014
Researchers exposed Burkitt's lymphoma cells (a type of cancer cell) to 1.8 GHz microwave radiation at levels similar to cell phones for 24 hours. The radiation significantly increased cell death and reduced cell survival, and when combined with a cancer drug called Gemcitabine, the effects were even stronger. This suggests that microwave radiation can affect cancer cells in ways that might interact with cancer treatments.
Alon L, Cho GY, Yang X, Sodickson DK, Deniz CM. · 2014
Researchers developed a new method using MRI to measure how much radiofrequency energy devices like cell phones deposit into body tissues by tracking temperature changes. When they tested a cell phone at maximum power for 15 minutes, it caused tissue heating of 1.7°C and delivered energy at 0.54 watts per kilogram. This technique provides a more accurate way to test whether wireless devices meet safety limits for human exposure.
Abu Khadra KM, Khalil AM, Abu Samak M, Aljaberi A. · 2014
Researchers measured biochemical changes in saliva from 12 young men before and after using mobile phones at typical exposure levels (1.09 W/kg SAR). They found that just 15 minutes of phone use triggered a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (an enzyme that fights cellular damage), indicating the body was responding to oxidative stress from the radiation.
Ying Li and Paul Heroux · 2014
Researchers exposed five different types of cancer cells to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields at levels commonly found in our environment (0.025-5 microTesla). After six days, all cancer cell types lost chromosomes, suggesting the magnetic fields disrupted cellular energy production in the mitochondria (the cell's power plants). The researchers found this effect was similar to what happens when cells are treated with drugs that block energy production.
Pelletier SJ et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed brain cells to direct current electric fields at different intensities to see how they would respond. They found that neurons grew longer and changed shape, immune cells called microglia became more inflammatory, and support cells called astrocytes also changed their structure. This study helps explain how electric fields can directly alter brain cell behavior and function.
Sefidbakht Y et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed human kidney cells to 940 MHz radiation (cell phone frequency) for up to 60 minutes. Initial exposure caused cellular damage, but cells activated protective mechanisms after one hour, reducing stress markers. This suggests cells may adapt to radiation exposure over time.
Manta AK, Stravopodis DJ, Papassideri IS, Margaritis LH. · 2014
Researchers exposed fruit flies to cordless phone base station radiation and found cellular damage markers doubled in fly bodies after 6 hours. Female reproductive organs showed even faster responses, with damage markers increasing 2.5 times after just 1 hour of exposure.
Abu Khadra KM, Khalil AM, Abu Samak M, Aljaberi A. · 2014
Researchers measured biochemical changes in saliva from 12 young men before and after using mobile phones for 15 and 30 minutes at typical exposure levels. They found that cell phone radiation significantly increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that fights cellular damage, suggesting the body was responding to oxidative stress. This provides direct evidence that even brief phone calls can trigger measurable biological responses in human cells.
Pandir D, Sahingoz R · 2014
Researchers exposed Mediterranean flour moth larvae to extremely strong magnetic fields (1.4 Tesla at 50 Hz) for periods ranging from 3 to 72 hours and found significant DNA damage and oxidative stress. The longer the exposure, the more severe the genetic damage and cellular stress became, as measured by multiple biochemical markers. This study demonstrates that magnetic field exposure can cause measurable biological harm at the cellular level.
Chen C et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed embryonic brain stem cells to cell phone frequency radiation (1800 MHz) at levels similar to what phones emit during calls. They found that after three days of exposure at the highest level tested, the developing brain cells couldn't properly grow their connecting branches (neurites), which are essential for forming neural networks. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation could potentially interfere with normal brain development in developing embryos.
Khalil AM, Abu Khadra KM, Aljaberi AM, Gagaa MH, Issa HS. · 2013
Researchers tested saliva samples from people before, during, and after 15 and 30-minute cell phone calls to measure oxidative stress markers (chemicals that indicate cellular damage). They found no significant changes in these stress markers, suggesting that short-term phone use doesn't trigger measurable oxidative damage in saliva. This challenges the theory that cell phone radiation causes immediate cellular stress through oxidative pathways.
Ketabi N, Mobasheri H, Faraji-Dana R. · 2013
Iranian researchers exposed protein ion channels (tiny gateways in cell membranes) to cell phone frequencies between 910-990 MHz and found that the electromagnetic fields made these channels more sensitive to electrical changes. While the channels still functioned normally, they responded more readily to voltage changes when exposed to EMF, with the strongest effect occurring at 930 MHz. This suggests that cell phone radiation can subtly alter how cellular components behave at the molecular level, even without causing obvious damage.
Sefidbakht Y et al. · 2013
Iranian researchers exposed luciferase (a protein that produces light in fireflies) to 940 MHz electromagnetic fields similar to those from mobile phones. They found the EMF exposure significantly increased the protein's activity and changed its structure, making it less likely to clump together. This demonstrates that mobile phone frequencies can directly alter protein function at the molecular level.
Salah MB, Abdelmelek H, Abderraba M · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to WiFi signals (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over 21 days and found it created diabetes-like symptoms and damaged the body's natural antioxidant defenses in the liver and kidneys. The WiFi exposure reduced protective enzymes by 33-68% and increased cellular damage markers by up to 51%. When researchers gave the rats olive leaf extract, it prevented the glucose problems and restored most of the antioxidant protection.
Nayyeri V, Hashemi SM, Borna M, Jalilian HR, Soleimani M · 2013
Iranian researchers measured radiofrequency radiation levels at 900 locations around 60 cell phone towers in Tehran, focusing on areas near hospitals and schools. They found all radiation levels were below international safety guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The study aimed to address public concerns about potential health risks from the growing number of cell towers in urban areas.
Maaroufi K et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) and tested their learning and memory abilities. The EMF-exposed rats showed impaired performance on tasks requiring natural exploration behavior and had altered brain chemistry, particularly in the hippocampus (a key memory center). Interestingly, adding iron overload to the brain didn't make the EMF effects worse, suggesting the radiation alone was sufficient to cause these cognitive changes.
Lepp A, Barkley JE, Sanders GJ, Rebold M, Gates P. · 2013
Researchers studied college students to examine how cell phone use affects physical fitness and activity levels. They found that students who used their phones more had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness, even after accounting for other factors like body fat and exercise motivation. The study suggests this happens because heavy phone users often skip physical activities to use their devices, and phone use tends to be part of a broader pattern of sedentary behavior.
Gao X, Luo R, Ma B, Wang H, Liu T, Zhang J, Lian Z, Cui X. · 2013
Researchers exposed pregnant rats to 900MHz cell phone radiation for three hours daily throughout pregnancy and found significant brain damage in both mothers and offspring, including swollen brain cells and reduced antioxidant defenses. However, when rats were given vitamin E supplements during pregnancy, the protective antioxidant largely prevented this brain damage. This suggests that EMF exposure during pregnancy can harm developing brains, but certain nutrients may offer protection.
Kim HJ, Jung J, Park JH, Kim JH, Ko KN, Kim CW. · 2013
Korean researchers exposed bone marrow stem cells to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in power lines) and found the fields triggered these cells to transform into nerve cells instead of continuing to multiply. The electromagnetic exposure increased calcium levels inside the cells and activated specific proteins involved in nerve development. This suggests extremely low-frequency EMFs might have therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases by promoting the growth of new neurons.
Salah MB, Abdelmelek H, Abderraba M. · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to WiFi radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over 21 days and found it created a diabetes-like condition by damaging the body's natural antioxidant defenses in the liver and kidneys. The WiFi exposure reduced key protective enzymes by 33-68% and increased cellular damage markers by up to 51%. When researchers gave the rats olive leaf extract, it prevented most of the metabolic disruption and restored the protective enzymes, suggesting that WiFi radiation causes harm through oxidative stress.
Kim HJ, Jung J, Park JH, Kim JH, Ko KN, Kim CW. · 2013
Researchers exposed bone marrow stem cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (power line frequency) and found the fields accelerated transformation into nerve cells while slowing cell division. This suggests power frequency EMFs might influence how our bodies generate neurons, potentially affecting neurological health.
Gao X, Luo R, Ma B, Wang H, Liu T, Zhang J, Lian Z, Cui X · 2013
Pregnant rats exposed to 900MHz cell phone radiation for three hours daily showed brain damage in mothers and offspring, including cellular swelling and reduced antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E supplements prevented most damage, suggesting antioxidants may protect developing brains from EMF-related oxidative stress during pregnancy.
Xu S et al. · 2013
Scientists tested whether cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) damages DNA in six cell types. Two cell types showed DNA damage markers, but this didn't cause cell death or growth problems. The findings suggest cells can repair minor DNA damage from radiofrequency exposure.
Moretti D et al. · 2013
French researchers exposed lab-grown brain cell networks to cell phone radiation (GSM-1800) for 3 minutes and measured their electrical activity in real time. They found that the radiation caused a 30% decrease in the brain cells' firing rate and bursting patterns - essentially making the neurons less active. The effect was reversible, meaning the cells returned to normal activity after exposure ended.