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.

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.

This animal study exposed 108 male Sprague-Dawley rats to 900 MHz EMF (1 mW/cm2) or sham for 14 or 28 days (3 h/day). The authors report that 28-day exposure was associated with impaired spatial memory, BBB permeability damage, and ultrastructural changes in hippocampus and cortex. They also report increased mkp-1 expression and ERK dephosphorylation, proposing activation of the mkp-1/ERK pathway as a mechanism.

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.

This review discusses the comet assay and summarizes research on non-ionizing EMF exposure and DNA/chromosomal damage. It describes both positive and negative findings across studies, noting no consistent overall pattern for radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The authors nonetheless conclude that under certain exposure conditions RFR appears genotoxic and may affect DNA damage and repair, with evidence discussed as most applicable to exposures typical of cell phone use.

This animal study reports results from five experimental campaigns over five years examining weak magnetic field exposure and morphological abnormalities in White Leghorn chick embryos. Four campaigns reported statistically significant increases in abnormality rates, while one pulsed-field campaign showed only a small, non-significant increase. Pooled analyses reported increased abnormality rates for both pulsed and 60 Hz sinusoidal exposures compared with controls, and the authors propose genetic susceptibility as a possible confounder.

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.