Archive
75 postsBuilding the gulf of opinions on the health and biological effects of electromagnetic radiation
This narrative article examines how opposing views formed regarding health and biological effects of electromagnetic radiation, focusing on ELF and RF exposures. It highlights historical controversies (e.g., childhood leukemia and ELF fields) and disputes over thermal versus non-thermal effects and reliance on SAR. The author argues that social and institutional factors, including industry influence, shaped interpretation and public discourse around EMF safety.
Pilot questionnaire survey shows the lack of diagnostic criteria for electromagnetic hypersensitivity: a viewpoint
This viewpoint reports results from a pilot questionnaire survey of 142 self-declared EHS/IEI-EMF individuals and argues that current evidence and tools do not allow a definitive medical diagnosis of sensitivity to low-level wireless radiation. It notes that many reported diagnoses appear anecdotal and that tests used lack scientific proof for detecting such sensitivity. The article also considers individual sensitivity plausible and calls for controlled provocation and biochemical studies to develop diagnostic biomarkers.
Effect of the radiation emitted from a cell phone on T lymphocytes in mice
This mouse study examined whether cell phone radiation affects T lymphocytes over 2–8 weeks of exposure. CD4 and CD8 subset percentages were similar across groups, but after more than six weeks, exposed groups showed increased T-cell apoptosis and reduced transformation rates compared with shams. The study also reports decreased IL-10 and increased IL-12 in exposed groups, suggesting time-dependent immunological changes under the tested conditions.
Does Electromagnetic Pollution in the ART Laboratory Affect Sperm Quality? A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.
This cross-sectional observational study assessed sperm motility after one hour of in vitro exposure of semen samples to EMFs from different laboratory sources in an IVF setting. It reports a statistically significant reduction in progressive sperm motility after exposure to mobile phones and Wi-Fi repeaters, while other EMF-emitting equipment showed no significant effect. The authors interpret the findings as indicating a potential negative impact of specific RF sources and call for further research, alongside practical mitigation suggestions in IVF laboratories.
The effects of short-term and long-term 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation on adult rat auditory brainstem response
This animal study examined 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure effects on auditory brainstem responses and brain oxidative/ultrastructural markers in adult rats. The 1-week exposure group showed prolonged ABR latencies and biochemical/structural changes consistent with oxidative stress and cellular injury. The authors report no harmful effects in the 10-week exposure condition with rest days under the studied protocol.
Bus-exposure matrix, a tool to assess bus drivers' exposure to physicochemical hazards
This paper describes the development of a Bus-Exposure Matrix (BEM) to retrospectively estimate Swiss bus drivers’ exposures to 10 physicochemical hazards, including electric and magnetic fields. Measurements in representative buses were combined with technical inventories and INLA modeling to estimate annual exposures from 1985–2022. Reported trends include increasing peak noise and electric-field exposures over time, alongside decreases in several air pollution, vibration, and noise metrics.
Impact of mobile phone-emitted non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation on parotid gland function: A comprehensive study
This cross-sectional study of 104 university student volunteers assessed whether mobile phone-emitted non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation is associated with changes in parotid gland-related salivary measures. The authors report higher salivary flow rate and pH with longer mobile phone usage duration, along with side-related differences in albumin, IMA, and IMAR. The paper concludes that consistent exposure to mobile phone NIER and associated heat adversely affects parotid gland function and frames this as a health risk, while calling for further long-term research.
Epidemiological criteria for causation applied to human health harms from RF-EMF exposure: Bradford Hill revisited
This paper is a commentary reviewing how Bradford Hill’s epidemiological criteria can be applied to multidisciplinary evidence on RF-EMF exposure and adverse health effects. It reports that systematic reviews and meta-analyses in this area often reach substantially different conclusions, and argues that key weaknesses in primary studies—especially exposure measurement error and insufficient time for long-latency tumors—help explain the divergence. The author suggests these limitations may cause underestimation of potential causation if the associations are truly causal, and calls for independent guidelines to improve future epidemiological research quality.
Electromagnetic fields regulate iron metabolism: From mechanisms to applications
This review synthesizes evidence that electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure is associated in the literature with changes in systemic and cellular iron metabolism, with reported effects varying by EMF parameters, exposure duration, and biological context. It proposes mechanistic pathways involving iron-containing proteins/tissues, membrane and ion channel modulation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The authors frame iron-metabolism modulation as relevant to both therapeutic applications and safety evaluation, while emphasizing inconsistencies and the need for standardized exposure protocols.
Analyzing the Impact of Occupational Exposures on Male Fertility Indicators: A Machine Learning Approach
This occupational epidemiology study used machine learning to evaluate whether workplace exposures (including magnetic and electric fields, vibration, noise, and heat stress) predict male reproductive indicators in 80 workers. The models and explainable AI outputs highlighted magnetic and electric field exposures and age as key predictors linked to lower free testosterone. The authors also report a 10-year forecast identifying electric field exposure as the most important long-term risk factor.
Effect of Occupational Exposure to Low-frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cataract Development
This cross-sectional epidemiologic study enrolled 100 employees of an electricity company to assess whether occupational low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure is associated with cataract development. Cataract frequency was higher in exposed versus non-exposed groups, and nuclear opacity grading differed significantly between groups. Within exposed workers, nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract grades were associated with longer work experience, suggesting occupational exposure may be a risk factor, particularly for nuclear cataracts.
Residential exposure to magnetic field due to high-voltage power lines and childhood leukemia risk in mainland France - GEOCAP case-control study
This French GEOCAP registry-based case-control study evaluated childhood acute leukemia risk in relation to residential proximity to high-voltage overhead power lines and modeled ELF magnetic-field exposure. It reports an increased risk for children under 5 living within 50 m of power lines, particularly when restricting to high-quality geocoded addresses. However, modeled ELF-MF exposure >0.3 µT was not associated with increased risk, and the authors suggest proximity may capture other factors and call for further research and precaution.
Use of Electrical Household Appliances and Risk of All Types of Tumours: A Case-Control Study
This multi-hospital case-control study (n=316) examined associations between use of common household electrical appliances emitting ELF EMF and tumour risk. Most devices showed below-unity odds ratios, while computer screen and microwave oven use showed slightly increased odds with wide confidence intervals. Proximity to electricity transformer stations was associated with higher tumour odds, whereas proximity to powerlines was not.
RF-EMF exposure assessment with add-on uplink exposure sensor in different microenvironments in seven European countries
This exposure assessment study introduces a cost-efficient add-on sensor attached to a smartphone to quantify auto-induced uplink RF-EMF transmission across 100–6000 MHz in multiple microenvironments. Activity-based surveys were conducted in seven European countries under non-user, maximum downlink, and maximum uplink scenarios. Reported power levels were lowest for non-user scenarios and higher during active use, with variation by country, urbanization, and setting. The authors frame the work as supporting future epidemiological research and planned validation against other tools.
Histomorphometry and Sperm Quality in Male Rats Exposed to 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi
This animal study exposed adult male rats to 2.45 GHz Wi‑Fi from an active router for 4 or 24 hours daily over eight weeks and assessed reproductive organ histology and sperm parameters. The authors report histological changes in testes and epididymis, multifocal atypical hyperplasia in seminal vesicles, reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, and reduced spermatogenesis index in exposed groups. Sperm concentration decreased in both exposed groups, motility decreased in the 4-hour group, and viability increased in the 24-hour group, leading to an overall interpretation of potential reproductive risk under the studied conditions.
Magneto-oncology: a radical pair primer
This mini-review discusses the radical pair mechanism as a plausible biophysical route by which external magnetic fields could influence biochemical processes in living systems. It is intended as a primer for magneto-oncology researchers to assess whether observed magnetic-field-related biomedical effects may be explained by radical pair biochemistry. The article also notes the value of this framework for refining therapeutic protocols and for identifying potential experimental artifacts in oncology-related magnetic field research.
Experimental Study of Animal Behavior under the Influence of the Electromagnetic Field of the 5G Mobile Communication Standard
This pilot animal study exposed mature male Wistar rats to 4.9 GHz electromagnetic fields described as 5G-standard, for 15 days (2 hours/day) in a semi-anechoic shielded chamber. Open-field testing found no clear behavioral differences between unmodulated and modulated exposures. Statistically significant behavioral changes occurred in both exposed and control animals, which the authors attribute to changes in the environmental electromagnetic background, making causal interpretation uncertain.
Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression
This 2016 narrative review proposes that non-thermal microwave/lower-frequency EMFs act primarily through activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), with calcium channel blockers reported to block EMF effects. It summarizes animal, occupational, and epidemiological literature and reports that exposures from base stations, heavy mobile phone use, and wireless smart meters are associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, sometimes with doseresponse patterns. The author concludes that multiple lines of evidence collectively support that non-thermal microwave EMF exposures can produce diverse neuropsychiatric effects including depression.
The effects of microwave emitted by cellular phones on ovarian follicles in rats
This animal study examined whether prenatal exposure to mobile phone microwaves affects ovarian development in rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to a phone placed under the cage throughout pregnancy, with mostly standby exposure and brief periodic speech-mode exposure. Female pups assessed at 21 days had fewer ovarian follicles in the exposed group than in controls, which the authors interpret as a toxic effect on ovaries.
Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data
This paper presents a meta-analysis of 11 peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies examining long-term (>=10 years) cell phone use with laterality analyses. It reports that long-term use is associated with an approximately doubled risk of an ipsilateral brain tumor. The abstract states statistical significance for glioma and acoustic neuroma, but not for meningioma.
Mobile phone use and cancer
This narrative review discusses potential public health consequences of widespread mobile phone use and the controversy around long-term cancer risks. It states that evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies suggests long-term exposure to mobile phone emissions may be linked to a small to moderate increased risk of certain cancers, while also emphasizing that data are insufficient for a final risk assessment. The author argues that even small risks could matter at the population level and that exposure-reduction measures may be indicated given uncertainties.
20 kHz Magnetic Field Emission of Induction Cooking Heaters
This exposure assessment measured 20 kHz magnetic field leakage from induction cooking heaters across four models and compared results with ICNIRP general public limits. The maximum reported magnetic flux density was 16 µT at a specified measurement point using two S-type pans. Field leakage depended on pan size and configuration, and finite element modeling was reported to align closely with measurements.
Physics and biology of mobile telephony
This review argues that current mobile-telephony safety guidelines address excessive microwave heating but may not account for potential non-thermal influences of low-intensity, pulsed radiation. It highlights an asserted oscillatory similarity between pulsed microwave signals and certain electrochemical activities in humans as a reason for concern. While acknowledging uncertainty about health consequences, it notes reported consistencies between some non-thermal effects and neurological problems described by some users and people with long-term base-station exposure.
Headaches from cellular telephones: are they real and what are the implications?
This review discusses reports of headaches occurring with hand-held cellular telephone use and argues they are likely real and attributable to telephone emissions. It points to earlier reports of headaches from low-intensity microwave exposure and proposes biological plausibility via effects on the blood-brain barrier and dopamine-opiate systems. The author raises the possibility that such headaches could signal biologically significant effects.
Evaluation of Electrochemical Information Transfer System: I . Effect of Electric Fields on Living Organisms
This 1976 animal study evaluated the effects of weak ELF electric fields similar to those associated with Project Seafarer on mice. The abstract reports that electric field exposure acted as a biological stressor, with effects involving the central nervous and endocrine systems. It is presented as part of broader research assessing potential physiological changes from high-power, low-frequency electromagnetic communication systems.