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

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Key Finding: 93% of 2,429 primary studies on whole body / general found biological effects from EMF exposure.

Of 2,429 studies examining whole body / general, 93% found measurable biological effects from EMF exposure.

Lowest Documented Effect

Research found effects on whole body / general at exposures as low as:

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in Context7.2 × 10⁻⁸ W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects documented below the Building Biology "No Concern" threshold (0.001 W/kg)FCC limit is 22.2 million times higher than this level

Research Overview

  • -When 95% of nearly 3,800 peer-reviewed studies document biological effects from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, we're looking at a weight of evidence that demands attention.
  • -This isn't fringe science or industry speculation-it's the consistent finding across independent research examining how radiofrequency radiation, extremely low frequency fields, and other non-ionizing EMF sources interact with human physiology.
  • -The question isn't whether effects occur, but which ones matter most to you and your family.

When 95% of nearly 3,800 peer-reviewed studies document biological effects from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, we're looking at a weight of evidence that demands attention. This isn't fringe science or industry speculation-it's the consistent finding across independent research examining how radiofrequency radiation, extremely low frequency fields, and other non-ionizing EMF sources interact with human physiology. The question isn't whether effects occur, but which ones matter most to you and your family. The documented effects span multiple biological systems.

That's what the evidence shows across the 3,798 studies in our whole body research collection: 3,591 of them identified biological changes in response to electromagnetic field exposure.

Research on chicken embryos exposed to both ELF and RF radiation demonstrated 27% less protective protein production after repeated exposures, indicating compromised cellular defense mechanisms.

Source: BioInitiative Working Group. BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Radiation. Edited by Cindy Sage and David O. Carpenter, BioInitiative, 2012, updated 2020. www.bioinitiative.org

Showing 2,816 studies

A Review of Microwave Oven Safety

J. M. Osepchuk · 1978

The review examines microwave oven leakage from ovens manufactured to meet government emission standards. Typical leakage values imply exposure well below the most conservative exposure standards worldwide. Field survey data indicate the overwhelming majority of certified ovens show leakage well below permissible limits, with increasing certainty over time. The review concludes that microwave ovens are as safe as in 1973 and accepted as safe under equivalent emission regulations in various countries including Eastern Europe.

Information Profile - Magnetic Fields

Science Information Services Department · 1978

The profile surveyed biological effects of magnetic fields on organisms from microorganisms to humans. Very low and very high magnetic fields produced more pronounced effects than intensities near the natural geomagnetic field. Human studies reported flicker-fusion threshold depression at near-zero fields, perception changes at 5-10 G, and magnetophosphenes with altered blood iron and copper at 100-400 G. The United States had no governmental exposure standards, while the Soviet Union set limits at 300 G for whole-body and 700 G for hands.

The Biological effects of Microwave Radiation - A Review

W. A. Cornelius · 1978

The review briefly discusses generally agreed biological effects of microwaves. It reviews limitations of existing knowledge about harmful effects of microwaves on humans. It discusses difficulties in applying in vitro and animal data to humans. It also discusses problems of microwave dosimetry. The author states a need for further thorough, well-documented studies across exposure parameters.

Whole Body / GeneralNo Effects Found

SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE OF RHESUS MONKEYS TO 20,000 GAUSS STEADY MAGNETIC FIELD

Unknown authors · 1978

Evoked potentials measured inside and outside the magnet were essentially the same, and the latency of fast and slow waves from limb to brain was not changed by the magnetic field. Heart rate was lower inside the magnet, while blood pressure results showed opposite directions in the two monkeys. Noticeable changes in blood hematology and chemistry can be attributed to the trauma caused by the implantation of the cortical electrodes. From the tests which were performed, as described above, we conclude that there were no observable effects in the two monkeys.

THE LACK OF CORRELATION BETWEEN HEAT AND RADIATION SENSITIVITY IN MAMMALIAN CELLS

Leo E. Gerweck, Peggy Burlett · 1978

The study compared the effect of heat or X-irradiation on the reproductive capacity of 3 cell lines. Two human astrocytoma cell lines showed equal sensitivity to hyperthermia at 42°C or 44°C but differed in radiation sensitivity. Chinese hamster ovary cells were most sensitive to hyperthermia while showing intermediate radiation sensitivity. The results demonstrate a lack of correlation between heat and radiation sensitivity on the cellular level.

ALTERED IN VIVO LYMPHOCYTE MIGRATION FOLLOWING WHOLE-BODY RFR EXPOSURE: DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS ON T- AND B-LYMPHOCYTES

R.P. Liburdy · 1978

Researchers used a novel double-isotope labeling technique with Cr-51 labeled T-lymphocytes and In-111-oxine labeled B-lymphocytes, mixed the fractions, injected them intravenously into female Balb/c mice, and immediately exposed the mice to 2.5 GHz microwave radiation at 30 mW/cm² (45 W/g SAR) for 30 minutes at 25°C. At 30 mW/cm², T-lymphocytes showed a significant increase in migration to the lung, liver, and bone marrow and a marked reduction in migration to the spleen. B-lymphocytes were essentially unaffected by microwave irradiation.

An Analysis Of Radiofrequency And Microwave Absorption Data With Consideration Of Thermal Safety Standards

Richard A. Tell · 1978

The report analyzes existing radiofrequency and microwave absorption data to examine frequency-dependent tissue heating and determine exposure field intensities linked to thermal loading on the whole body and specific tissues in adults and infants. A baseline absorption factor of 1 W/kg, equivalent to the adult basal metabolic rate averaged over total body mass, is used for comparison. In the 10 MHz to 1000 MHz range, absorption can produce whole-body thermal loads several times the basal metabolic rate at the present U.S. safety standard.

Heating of Biological Tissue in the Induction Field of VHF Portable Radio Transmitters

Quirino Balzano, Oscar Garay, Frances R. Steel · 1978

Researchers built two phantom models to study heating of simulated human tissue from VHF portable radio antennas. Temperature measurements showed penetrating power densities in the tissue were substantially lower than expected from an incident plane wave with the same electric field intensity. In the head phantom, a 6-W radio held 0.2 inches from the mouth caused less than 0.1°C temperature rise in one minute. The maximum power density penetrating the dummy was less than 1 mW/cm² at the middle forehead, and no detectable temperature increase occurred near the eyes.

Whole Body / General
Not an original health-effects study

CONSIDERATIONS AND CRITERIA FOR A RECOMMENDED STANDARD FOR OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY AND MICROWAVE FIELDS

Unknown authors · 1978

The criteria document was scheduled for completion by August 1979. Preparation involved NIOSH research, literature review, stakeholder communication, plant visits, and expert review. Recommendations were based on critical evaluation of biological effects and epidemiological data, plus instrumentation, engineering controls, work practices, and medical monitoring. Over 300 letters were sent to manufacturers, users, trade associations, and organized labor, yielding approximately 70 responses.

Learn More

For a comprehensive exploration of EMF health effects including whole body / general, along with practical protection strategies, explore these books by R Blank and Dr. Martin Blank.

FAQs: EMF & Whole Body / General

When 95% of nearly 3,800 peer-reviewed studies document biological effects from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, we're looking at a weight of evidence that demands attention. This isn't fringe science or industry speculation-it's the consistent finding across independent research examining how radiofrequency radiation, extremely low frequency fields, and other non-ionizing EMF sources interact with human physiology.
The SYB Research Database includes 2,429 peer-reviewed studies examining the relationship between electromagnetic field exposure and whole body / general. These studies have been conducted by researchers worldwide and published in scientific journals. The research spans multiple decades and includes various types of EMF sources including cell phones, WiFi, power lines, and other common sources of electromagnetic radiation.
93% of the 2,429 studies examining whole body / general found measurable biological effects from EMF exposure. This means that 2257 studies documented observable changes in biological systems when exposed to electromagnetic fields. The remaining 7% either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results, which is typical in scientific research where study design and exposure parameters vary.