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92 postsRole of radio-frequency electromagnetic waves in causing oxidative stress
This animal study exposed fertilized chick eggs to a nearby 1800 MHz mobile phone that was called repeatedly (50 minutes/day) and assessed embryos at days 10 and 15. The exposed group reportedly showed mitochondrial abnormalities in liver, brain, and heart tissues on electron microscopy, along with increased HSP70 in cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes. The authors conclude that radio-frequency electromagnetic waves can induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in developing embryos.
The use of different exposure metrics in the research about the health impacts of electromagnetic fields
This policy brief focuses on how RF-EMF exposure should be quantified in health research, emphasizing the role of near-field sources and proposing cumulative dose (J/kg/day) as a health-relevant metric. It reports mean cumulative dose estimates of 0.29 J/kg/day for the whole body and 0.81 J/kg/day for the brain. The brief notes established RF-EMF effects (heating, microwave hearing under highly pulsed radiation, and stimulation) and discusses indications of biological effects below thermal thresholds, while stating that improved metrics do not by themselves confirm harm.
Temporal Change of Outdoor Rf-Emf Levels Four in European Countries: A Microenvironmental Measurement Study
This microenvironmental measurement study assessed temporal trends in outdoor RF-EMF exposure from 2016 to 2023 in four European countries using repeated walking-route measurements with exposimeters. The abstract reports that data did not suggest significant changes in mobile base station (downlink) exposure over time and that trends were not consistent across individual microenvironments. Reported median downlink exposure values varied by country and year but did not indicate an overall increase despite higher mobile data traffic.
Experimental Study of Stress Reactions Induced by Low-Intensity Microwave Radiation
This animal experiment examined hematopoietic and immune-related indicators in mice after repeated exposure to low-intensity microwave radiation. Exposure involved monochromatic pulsed fields in the 2.27–2.78 GHz range with average power flux density of 60 μW/cm² and doses of 0.086–0.86 J/g. The authors report cumulative biological effects consistent with a stress-like adaptive reaction, based on changes in bone marrow, spleen CFU-S measures, erythrocyte hemolytic resistance, and thymus metrics.
Effects of radiofrequency field from 5G communication on fecal microbiome and metabolome profiles in mice
This animal study exposed adult male C57BL/6 mice to a 4.9 GHz radiofrequency field for three weeks (1 hour/day) and compared them with a sham group. The abstract reports altered fecal microbiome composition with reduced diversity in the RF group, along with 258 significantly differentially abundant fecal metabolites. The authors conclude that 4.9 GHz RF exposure is associated with changes in gut microbiota and metabolic profiles and call for further EMF safety research.
Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies in Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats exposed to whole-body radio frequency radiation at a frequency (900 MHz) and modulations (GSM and CDMA) used by cell phones
This National Toxicology Program technical report describes 900 MHz whole-body RFR exposures (GSM and CDMA) in male and female Sprague Dawley rats from in utero through up to 2 years. The report concludes clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in males for both modulations based on malignant schwannoma of the heart, with malignant glioma of the brain also reported as related to exposure. In females, the report concludes equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity for both modulations based on selected tumor outcomes, and genetic toxicology findings were mixed with some comet assay increases/equivocal results but negative micronucleus assays.
Electromagnetic Fields Act Similarly in Plants as in Animals: Probable Activation of Calcium Channels via Their Voltage Sensor
This narrative review proposes that low-intensity microwave/lower-frequency EMFs activate plasma membrane calcium channels in animals, increasing intracellular calcium and triggering downstream signaling including oxidative stress pathways. It further suggests that EMF actions in terrestrial multicellular plants are probably similar, with plant two-pore channels proposed as plausible mediators due to a comparable voltage sensor. The abstract describes briefly reviewed plant studies as consistent with this mechanism, but does not provide detailed exposure parameters or quantitative results.
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.
RF Shielded Hat for Protecting Cameraman from EMF Exposure
The paper describes the development of RF-shielded hats using a microwave absorbing sheet intended to reduce EMF exposure to a cameraman’s head. Three hat designs are described, and measurements are planned/performed in an anechoic chamber using a wireless video camera operating around 1.9–2.7 GHz, including a 2.45 GHz signal condition and a sham condition. The abstract does not report quantitative results on whether exposure was reduced.
Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects
This narrative review argues that non-thermal biological effects of extremely low and microwave frequency EMFs may be mediated by activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). It cites 23 studies in which VGCC blockers reportedly block or reduce diverse EMF effects and proposes downstream Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide signaling. The review discusses both potential therapeutic effects (e.g., bone growth stimulation) and potential adverse effects via oxidative stress pathways, including a reviewed example of DNA single-strand breaks.
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.
Genetic damage in mammalian somatic cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation: a meta-analysis of data from 63 publications (1990-2005)
A meta-analysis of 63 publications assessed whether radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure is associated with genetic damage in mammalian somatic cells using multiple genotoxicity endpoints. Overall differences between RF-exposed and control conditions were reported as small, though statistically significant increases were observed for some endpoints under certain exposure conditions. Mean chromosomal aberration and micronucleus indices were reported to fall within historical spontaneous levels, and the analysis found considerable evidence of publication bias.
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.
Biological effects of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields: a review
This review summarizes reported biological effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields, describing them as significant and often acting as stressors. Reported outcomes include metabolic, hormonal, and body weight changes in rodents, lethality at high exposure levels in mice and insects, and increased mitotic index in mouse tissues/cells under specified exposure conditions. The review suggests many effects may be mediated through neuroendocrine, nervous system, or behavioral responses to field exposure.
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.
Bibliography of reported biological phenomena ("effects") and clinical manifestations attributed to microwave and radio-frequency radiation
This item is a bibliography of reported biological phenomena and clinical manifestations attributed to radio-frequency and microwave radiation. It compiles over 2000 references published up to June 1971, with supplemental listings through Nov. 21, 1971, and gives particular attention to reported effects in humans. The abstract does not describe any systematic synthesis or conclusions about health effects.