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43 postsExposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and IARC carcinogen assessment: Risk of Bias preliminary literature assessment for 10 key characteristics of human carcinogens
This review examined experimental literature on whether RF-EMF exposures within ICNIRP (2020) limits affect IARC key characteristics of human carcinogens. It identified 159 articles and found that 38% of in vitro/in vivo measurements reported statistically significant effects, but higher study quality was associated with fewer reported effects and there was no consistent exposure-response pattern. The authors state that study diversity and generally poor quality prevent high-confidence conclusions for most key characteristics, while recommending replication of the few higher-quality positive findings under stringent standards.
A novel approach for assessments of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure in buildings near telecommunication infrastructure
This paper proposes a new methodology to better assess indoor RF-EMF exposure in buildings near telecommunication base station antennas by refining measurement-point selection. Implemented in four multi-storey buildings in Natal, Brazil, indoor electric field peaks and averages were reported to be substantially higher than ground-level measurements. Although the highest indoor levels remained below ICNIRP recommended limits, the authors argue current regulatory evaluation methods may underestimate indoor exposure in certain building locations.
In-Situ Measurements of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Measurements Around 5G Macro Base Stations in the UK
This exposure assessment performed RF spot measurements in line-of-sight to 56 active 5G macro base stations across 30 publicly accessible UK locations. Power density was measured across 420 MHz–6 GHz under multiple scenarios (background, streaming, downlink speed test, and extrapolated SS-RSRP decoding). Reported total RF and 5G-specific levels were within 1998 ICNIRP public reference levels, with 4G downlink contributing most of the measured exposure.
Characterization of the Core Temperature Response of Free-Moving Rats to 1.95 GHz Electromagnetic Fields
This animal study measured core body temperature in free-moving male and female Sprague Dawley rats during and after 3-hour exposure to 1.95 GHz RF-EMF at multiple whole-body average SAR levels. A measurable thermal response was reported at 4 W/kg, while lower SAR conditions showed smaller or no significant temperature increases. The authors note that temperature dropped quickly after exposure ended, implying post-exposure measurements may underestimate peak heating.
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.
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.
5G EMF Exposure at 3.6 GHz in Greece Using Data From Frequency-Selective Monitoring Sensors
This exposure-assessment study analyzed two years of continuous frequency-selective monitoring from 13 sensors in the five largest cities in Greece, focusing on the 3.6 GHz 5G band. It reports a gradual increase in 3.6 GHz environmental EMF levels over time and greater variability than legacy cellular bands, with 30-minute averaging reducing observed fluctuations. Despite the upward trend and variability, all measurements were reported to remain well below Greek and ICNIRP reference levels, and the authors emphasize the value of continuous monitoring as 5G deployment expands.
Deduction of Extrapolation Factors in Realistic Scenarios for In-Situ Assessment of 5G Base Stations
This conference paper examines extrapolation factors used for in-situ EMF exposure assessment of 5G base stations in realistic indoor and outdoor scenarios. Using both frequency-selective and code-selective measurement approaches under varying traffic conditions, it reports substantial variability in extrapolated exposure estimates driven largely by antenna radiation patterns. Outdoor environments showed more stable extrapolation than indoor environments, highlighting challenges for reliable exposure assessment when antenna patterns and network configurations are not well characterized.
Assessing EMF Exposure in Greek Urban and Suburban Areas During 5G Deployment: A Focus on 5G EMF Levels and Distance Correlation
This exposure assessment reports 400 ground-level electric field measurements in Greek urban and suburban areas during 5G deployment. It finds that 4G contributes most to overall measured EMF exposure, while 5G currently contributes less. The study reports an inverse relationship between 3.5 GHz EMF levels and distance from 5G base stations, with urban areas showing higher levels than suburban areas.
Determining the relationship between mobile phone network signal strength and RF-EMF exposure: protocol and pilot study to derive conversion functions
This protocol and pilot study evaluated whether smartphone signal strength indicators can be converted into RF-EMF exposure estimates using derived formulas and regression models. The study reports a positive log-linear association between LTE RSSI and far-field (base station) exposure aggregated by location, while handset-related exposure at the ear and chest during data transmission showed negative log-linear trends with improving signal quality. The authors conclude the ETAIN 5G-Scientist app may support large-scale RF-EMF exposure assessment, but emphasize the need for more data to improve accuracy and address uncertainties in individual measurements.
Efficient design of electromagnetic field exposure maps with multi-method evolutionary ensembles
This engineering/methods study proposes an evolutionary computation approach (PCRO-SL) to optimize the selection of measurement points for constructing RF-EMF exposure maps. Tested on real measurements in Meco (Madrid, Spain), it reports good agreement with a reference exposure map while reducing required sampling density. The authors provide practical point-selection rules (e.g., line-of-sight within 250 m and directional sampling within 500 m) intended to maintain representativeness and avoid interpolation artifacts.
Potential influence of geomagnetic activity on blood pressure statistical fluctuations at mid-magnetic latitudes
This six-year time series analysis used over 500,000 blood pressure measurements from two mid-magnetic latitude cities in China to examine associations with geomagnetic activity (Ap index). The study reports that blood pressure fluctuations correlate with geomagnetic activity and share similar periodic patterns, unlike air temperature and PM2.5. The authors conclude that high geomagnetic activity periods may increase risk for individuals with hypertension and note potential clinical and policy relevance.
The Effect of Proximity Sensor & Grip Sensor Use on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in Smartphones
This engineering study examined how smartphone proximity and grip sensors affect SAR during LTE and 5G NR operation in a 3D measurement environment. The abstract reports that enabling these sensors reduces SAR relative to being turned off, with reductions varying by sensor and frequency. The authors attribute the reduction to sensor-driven power management and transmission power adjustment.
Is Cellphone Carrying Below the Waist (Exposure to Non-Ionizing Radiation) Contributing to the Rapid Rise in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer?
This conference abstract reports a pilot matched case-control study examining whether carrying a cellphone below the waist is associated with early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). The authors report higher EOCRC likelihood among those who carried phones below the waist, with the strongest association for ipsilateral carrying (same side as the tumor) and high cumulative hours. Details on exposure measurement, confounding control, and full statistical reporting are not provided in the abstract.
Prospective cohort study on non-specific symptoms, cognitive, behavioral, sleep and mental health in relation to electronic media use and transportation noise among adolescents (HERMES): study protocol
This protocol describes the third wave of the HERMES prospective adolescent cohort in Switzerland, with follow-up every four months and at one year. The study will assess electronic media use, modeled RF-EMF and transportation noise exposures, and a range of outcomes including cognition, behavior, sleep, mental health, and non-specific symptoms. A subsample will undergo personal RF-EMF measurements and accelerometer-based sleep/physical activity tracking.
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.
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.
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.