This narrative review discusses proposed non-thermal mechanisms by which chronic, low-intensity RF-EMR from ubiquitous wireless sources may affect male reproductive health. It highlights oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired testosterone synthesis/steroidogenesis, and declines in sperm quality as reported outcomes. The authors argue that current SAR/thermal-based guidelines may not capture these endpoints and call for updated standards and precautionary measures.

This review summarizes studies reporting radiofrequency radiation (RFR)-associated changes in gene expression across biological systems. Reported affected genes relate to cellular stress responses, oxidative processes, apoptosis, DNA damage detection/repair, protein repair, and neural function regulation. The authors highlight reported gene expression effects at or below 0.4 W/kg SAR and argue this challenges current guideline assumptions, while noting that not all studies find significant effects.

This animal study examined whether prenatal exposure to 3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation (2 hours/day) affects male reproductive outcomes later in life. Male rat offspring assessed at 12 months showed multiple adverse testicular and cellular findings in exposed groups versus sham controls, including impaired spermatogenesis markers, increased abnormal sperm morphology, increased DNA damage, and increased apoptosis, with full-gestation exposure generally most pronounced. The authors interpret the results as evidence of persistent reproductive toxicity from prenatal exposure and call for further mechanistic work and precautionary actions.

This rat study tested whether 2600 MHz radiofrequency field exposure interacts with indomethacin to affect gastric tissue. Both exposures alone were reported to increase oxidative stress and reduce antioxidant markers in the stomach. Co-exposure was reported to intensify oxidative stress, apoptosis, and histological gastric mucosal injury compared with either factor alone, consistent with a synergistic detrimental effect in this model.

This paper evaluates and critiques 12 WHO-commissioned systematic reviews and meta-analyses on RF-EMF health effects across outcomes including cancer and reproductive endpoints. It argues that serious methodological flaws and limitations in the WHO reviews prevent them from providing assurance of safety for cell phones and other wireless devices. The authors highlight reported evidence in the animal cancer review (high certainty for heart schwannomas; moderate certainty for brain gliomas) and describe dose-related adverse effects on male fertility and reproductive outcomes, including at exposure levels below current ICNIRP thresholds.

This in vitro study used LC-MS metabolomics to assess how continuous versus intermittent RF-EMF irradiation affects mouse Leydig (TM3) and spermatogonia (GC-1) cells. The authors report stronger metabolic disturbances in TM3 cells under continuous exposure, including changes in amino acid and glutathione-related pathways, while intermittent exposure mainly affected fatty acyl and purine-related metabolism. GC-1 cells were reported to be less sensitive, and ADP changes were proposed as a potential metabolic signature. The authors interpret these metabolic disturbances as suggesting potential reproductive health risks.

This in vitro study reports that radiofrequency (RF) exposure in the 800–2,400 MHz range modulates differentiation pathways in human cortical organoids derived from embryonic stem cells. RF exposure is described as maintaining radial glia stem cell identity and delaying differentiation, alongside induction of endogenous retrovirus expression and increased expression of ASD-associated genes and retroelements. The abstract attributes these effects to dysregulation of BET proteins and reports that BET inhibition rescues the RF-associated developmental defects.

This animal study used metabolomics to assess metabolic changes in male Drosophila melanogaster exposed to 3.5 GHz RF-EMF at 0.1, 1, and 10 W/m². It reports disruptions in four metabolic pathways and 34 differential metabolites, with significant decreases in several metabolites including GABA, glucose-6-phosphate, and AMP. The authors interpret the findings as suggesting RF-EMF-related metabolic disturbance, while noting no clear dose-dependent pattern.

This 2025 review summarizes historical and modern literature on how bacteria may adapt to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from common sources such as mobile phones and Wi-Fi. It argues that RF-EMF exposure can influence bacterial survival mechanisms and could potentially compromise therapeutic interventions by promoting increased resistance. The authors frame these possibilities as a public health concern and call for continued research and precaution.

This case-control study in Mexico City (2017–2022) evaluated residential ELF-MF and device-use proxies for RF exposure in relation to childhood CNS tumor risk. Elevated residential ELF-MF (≥0.4 μT) was associated with approximately doubled odds of CNST, while cell phone use showed no association. Prolonged tablet use, with or without internet connectivity, was reported to be associated with higher CNST risk.

This narrative review examines research on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from mobile towers and its potential association with genetic damage and genetic polymorphism in humans, with an emphasis on India. The abstract states that RF-EMR exposure may affect genetic material and suggests a link between EMR exposure and genetic damage, with possible implications for cancer risk and cell death. It also highlights that genetic polymorphisms may modify susceptibility and calls for further research to clarify health impacts.

This review compares two epidemiologic studies of radio-frequency radiation (RFR) exposure among military personnel with overlapping patient groups. One study reported a statistically significant increase in cancer among exposed individuals, while the other did not, which the review attributes to a smaller sample size. The review highlights similar cancer patterns across both studies, including a high proportion of hematolymphoid cancers and earlier onset among exposed individuals, and interprets these similarities as evidence of carcinogenic effects.

This animal and in vitro study examined non-thermal 900 MHz RF-EMF exposure during prenatal and postnatal development at 0.08 and 0.4 W/kg SAR. The authors report changes consistent with altered neurodevelopment, including reduced BDNF, reduced in vivo cell proliferation, and disrupted synaptic balance in rat pup brain regions. In vitro, exposed neural stem cells showed increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks and shifts in cell populations toward glial lineages. The authors conclude that regulatory-level 900 MHz exposure can disrupt key neurodevelopmental processes in rodents.

This laboratory study tested combined effects of constant temperature and RF exposure on development of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus from hatching to adult emergence. Temperature was reported as the primary determinant of developmental timing, with optimal development around 302C. RF exposure (900 MHz and 18 GHz) was described as a secondary factor that could accelerate or prolong development depending on temperature, with synergistic shortening at 250C and prolongation under suboptimal conditions.

This prospective cohort study followed 105 neonates/infants for one year and measured household RF-EMF using a selective radiation meter, categorizing exposure into tertiles. Higher household RF-EMF exposure was associated with lower ASQ-3 neurodevelopmental scores, particularly in motor and problem-solving domains, and higher odds of monitor/refer classifications for fine motor and problem-solving. The abstract notes these associations persisted after adjustment for low birth weight, though exposure was measured at a single time point and key confounders (e.g., prenatal phone use, parental interaction) were not assessed.

This scoping review and evidence map (PRISMA-ScR) summarizes over 500 studies on RF-EMF exposure and genotoxicity across in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological research. The authors report a higher proportion of significant DNA damage findings in in vivo and epidemiological studies than in vitro studies, with DNA base damage commonly reported under real-world/pulsed/GSM talk-mode conditions and longer exposures. They conclude that DNA damage has been observed at exposure levels below ICNIRP limits and recommend precautionary measures and updates to guidelines to address potential non-thermal effects.