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25 postsFilters: tag: radiofrequency-emf Clear
Increasing Incidence of Thyroid Cancer and Use of Smart Phones [Health Matters]
This magazine article discusses the rising incidence of thyroid cancer and raises the possibility of an association with increased smartphone use and related RF EMF exposure near the head and neck. It characterizes EMF exposure from personal electronics as a growing public health concern. The piece calls for more research, monitoring, and public awareness, and mentions precautionary measures.
Adverse Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on The Central Nervous System: A Review
This review argues that EMF exposure is associated in the literature with several adverse central nervous system outcomes, including blood-brain barrier disruption, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter changes, cognitive effects, and neurodevelopmental impacts. It reports that evidence on EMFs and brain tumors is conflicting, while noting WHO’s classification of radiofrequency EMFs as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The authors highlight prenatal and childhood periods as potentially more vulnerable and call for more standardized long-term and mechanistic research to guide public health policy.
Human cells response to electromagnetic waves of radio and microwave frequencies
This review discusses how human cells may sense and respond to electromagnetic waves, focusing on radiofrequency and microwave ranges. It reports that the literature shows variable health impacts, with studies citing both potential harms and potential benefits in diagnostics and treatment (including cancer-related applications). The review highlights emerging molecular mechanisms and calls for safe, practical applications and balanced consideration in regulation.
Flora and fauna: how nonhuman species interact with natural and man-made EMF at ecosystem levels and public policy recommendations
This review discusses how increasing ambient nonionizing EMF (0–300 GHz), particularly RF from modern wireless technologies and satellites, may affect flora and fauna at ecosystem levels. It states that many nonhuman species rely on electro/magneto-reception and that even low-intensity EMF exposures are capable of disrupting critical biological functions and behaviors. The authors conclude that current exposure standards focus on human health and recommend policy reforms and mitigation measures to protect wildlife and ecosystems.
Causal relationship between duration of mobile phone use and risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis
This two-sample Mendelian randomization study examined whether duration of mobile phone use is causally related to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage using large European GWAS datasets. The primary MR analysis reported that excessive duration of mobile phone use was associated with higher aSAH risk, and sensitivity analyses were described as supportive. The authors conclude the findings have potential clinical, public health, and policy implications.
Review of the evidence on the influence of Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz radiation on oxidative stress and its possible relationship with Alzheimer's disease
The review states there is no scientific consensus on whether Wi‑Fi (2.4/5 GHz) contributes to Alzheimer's disease through oxidative stress, and that existing results are mixed and inconclusive. It discusses an indirect analysis linking oxidative-stress-responsive genes after 2.4 GHz exposure with genes associated with Alzheimer's disease. The authors suggest chronic exposure could affect regulation of neurodegeneration-related genes (e.g., GSK3B, APOE), while emphasizing that a direct relationship has not been demonstrated and more research is needed.
Investigation of fetal exposure to electromagnetic waves between 2.45 and 5 GHz during pregnancy
This dosimetry study simulated fetal RF-EMF exposure between 2.45 and 5 GHz during the second trimester, estimating SAR10g in fetal brain and lungs. The presence of a belly-button piercing increased SAR, with maxima reported at 2.45 GHz (16 mW/kg in lungs; 14 mW/kg in brain). Despite these increases, all SAR values were reported to remain below IEEE and ICNIRP limits, while the authors note a precautionary implication regarding metal objects during pregnancy.
Altered development in rodent brain cells after 900 MHz radiofrequency exposure
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.
Comparison Between Broadband and Personal Exposimeter Measurements for EMF Exposure Map Development Using Evolutionary Programming
This exposure-assessment study compares RF-EMF exposure maps produced using a broadband meter versus a personal exposimeter and aims to correct personal exposimeter readings to match broadband-based maps. The authors report that LOS/NLOS-specific correction factors reduce discrepancies, particularly improving LOS measurements affected by body shielding. A genetic algorithm is used to optimize correction factors and support scalable urban exposure mapping, with the authors noting that additional validation in other environments is needed.
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields reduce bumble bee visitation to flowers
This blinded, two-year study examined whether RF-EMF exposure at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz affects pollinator visitation to Salvia and Lavandula. The authors report no significant effect on honey bee visitation rates. They report a significant reduction in bumble bee visits per observation period under RF-EMF exposure, which they frame as a potential risk warranting further long-term research.
Evaluation of Personal Radiation Exposure from Wireless Signals in Indoor and Outdoor Environments
This exposure assessment measured personal RF electric field strength in multiple indoor and outdoor micro-environments in Malaysia using an ExpoM-RF 4 meter and modeled exposure with machine learning (FCNN, XG Boost) and linear regression. Reported exposures were usually below the stated public limit (61.4 V/m), but maximum values in dense urban areas with many base stations were reported to approach 56.7365 V/m. The authors frame near-threshold maxima in high-density areas as a potential health risk and recommend caution and monitoring.
Histomorphometric study of thyroid tissue in juvenile rats exposed to 5G electromagnetic fields
This animal study examined thyroid histomorphometry in juvenile male Wistar rats after 2 weeks of 5G EMF exposure (3.5 GHz, 1.5 V/m). Exposed rats showed larger follicle and colloid areas and a significantly lower Thyroid Activation Index, which the authors interpret as thyroid hypoactivity. The authors suggest this may represent a potential health risk and call for further work including hormone assays and mechanistic studies.
Electromagnetic fields from mobile phones: A risk for maintaining energy homeostasis?
This narrative review discusses low-intensity RF-EMF exposure, primarily from mobile phones, with a focus on thermoregulation and energy homeostasis. It reports that many rodent studies at 900 MHz describe cold-like thermoregulatory and behavioral responses and molecular findings suggestive of WAT browning, while BAT transcriptional changes typical of cold exposure were not observed. The authors indicate short-term adaptations may not disrupt homeostasis, but emphasize uncertainty about long-term consequences and call for further research, including at 5G-relevant frequencies.
The influence of Wi-Fi on the mesonephros in the 9-day-old chicken embryo
This animal study examined continual 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi exposure (200–500 μW/m²) during 9 days of chicken embryo incubation and assessed the mesonephros at day 9. The authors report no adverse effects on general mesonephros development, but describe moderate degenerative changes and vascular congestion without inflammatory infiltrate. They also report significantly increased apoptotic and proliferating cells and up-regulation of caspase‑1 gene expression, interpreted as disruption of regulatory processes during development.
Rapid Deployment of 5G Wireless Communication and Risk Assessment on Human Health: Quid Novi?
This review discusses the rapid deployment of 5G and the associated debate about potential human health impacts from EMF exposure, particularly at 3.5–26 GHz including millimeter waves. It emphasizes limited published studies in these exposure ranges and highlights EU-funded initiatives and research consortia aimed at closing knowledge gaps. The authors state that guidelines are generally considered adequate at present, but argue that uncertainties—especially regarding long-term exposure—support continued research and precautionary approaches.
Assessing RF EMF exposure in multiple microenvironments across ten European countries with a focus on 5G
This exposure assessment measured environmental and auto-induced RF-EMF across more than 800 microenvironments in ten European countries, with a focus on 5G-related bands. Non-user environmental exposure was reported to be below international guideline values and similar to prior European research, while induced traffic substantially increased measured exposure, especially in uplink scenarios. The study also reports systematic differences by setting (cities vs villages) and by national precautionary limit policies.
An 1800 MHz Electromagnetic Field Affects Hormone Levels, Sperm Quality, and Behavior in Laboratory Rats
This animal study exposed rats to a 1800 MHz electromagnetic field for 12 weeks and assessed hormones, sperm quality, and behavior. The abstract reports increased corticosterone, decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone, reduced sperm motility/viability, and increased anxiety-like behavior in exposed rats. Some hormonal changes reportedly persisted for at least 2 weeks after exposure ended, and the authors frame the results as indicating adverse endocrine, reproductive, and behavioral effects.
Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on cancer in laboratory animal studies, a systematic review
This systematic review evaluated RF EMF exposure and cancer outcomes in experimental animals, including chronic cancer bioassays and tumor-promotion designs. Across 52 included studies, the authors report high certainty of evidence for increased malignant heart schwannomas and gliomas in male rats, and moderate certainty for increased risks of several other tumor types. Many other organ systems showed no or minimal evidence of carcinogenic effects, and the authors note challenges in translating animal findings to human risk assessment due to exposure and mechanistic uncertainties.
Effects of Mobile Electromagnetic Exposure on Brain Oscillations and Cortical Excitability: Scoping Review
This scoping review evaluates evidence on mobile phone electromagnetic exposure and its effects on brain oscillations and cortical excitability in healthy individuals. Across 78 EEG studies (and 2 TMS studies), the authors report that exposure may be linked to changes in neural activity, including increased amplitudes in several EEG bands and possible changes in cortical silent period. However, substantial methodological inconsistency across studies limits firm conclusions, and the review highlights limited evidence for 5G/mmWave exposures and argues for precaution and potential guideline revision.
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.
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.
The effect on rat peripheral nerve morphology and function of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field applied in the prenatal period
This animal study exposed pregnant Sprague Dawley rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour daily throughout gestation and assessed offspring outcomes postnatally. Sciatic nerve analyses at postnatal day 60 indicated persistent morphological alterations attributed to prenatal EMF exposure. However, the reported changes were not severe enough to significantly affect measured functional outcomes (including electrophysiology and locomotor tests).
Role 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.
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.
Exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields activates the mkp-1/ERK pathway and causes blood-brain barrier damage and cognitive impairment in rats
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.