Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation with a focus on hematology parameters: a brief

PAPER manual Veterinarska Stanica 2025 Review Effect: mixed Evidence: Insufficient

Read original paper → DOI: 10.46419/vs.56.3.6 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation with a focus on hematology parameters: a brief review and future research needs N. Žura, I. Žura Žaja*, P. Perić, K. Malarić, S. Milinković Tur, N. Poljičak Milas, V. Rimac, J. Pejaković Hlede, S. Kunštek, M. Pećin, M. Vili. Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation with a focus on haematology parameters: a brief review and future research needs. Veterinarska Stanica, 56(3):375-387. 2025. doi: 10.46419/vs.56.3.6. Abstract The use of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) has steadily increased since the 1950s. RF-EMR is used in medicine, industry, household appliances, security and navigation, and especially in wireless tele- communications and animal husbandry. The widespread use of RF-EMR, especially with the introduction of 5G networks, raises concerns about potential adverse effects on human and animal health. The effects and mechanisms of RF-EMR impacts of 5G network frequencies on human and animal health are still unknown or poorly understood. Current research findings include the biological effects of RF-EMR on genotoxicity, cell proliferation, gene expression, cell signalling, cell membrane function, and the function of immune, hematopoietic, and reproductive systems. Exposure of humans and laboratory animals to RF-EMR emitted from cell phones and many other electronic devices of 4G and older technologies has been shown to have detrimental effects on blood cells and to cause changes in the complete blood count. This depends on the type of organisms exposed, sources, frequency, electric field level and duration of exposure. There is sparse data in the available literature on the effects of RF-EMR on haematology indicators and erythrocyte morphometry in domestic animals. Therefore, the aim of this scientific review is to highlight the effects of RF-EMR on haematology indicators, erythrocyte morphometry, and platelet activation in humans and animals, taking into account the findings on the effects of 5G electromagnetic radiation on these indicators. Considering the ubiquitous electromagnetic pollution, it is important to gain knowledge about the effects of RF-EMR on human and animal health. In addition, it is necessary to determine the effects following in vitro exposure of blood to RF-EMR, especially due to the storage and use of blood and blood products in transfusion medicine. Open access paper: hrcak.srce.hr

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Review

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Humans and animals (including laboratory animals and domestic animals)

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF wireless telecommunications (incl. 5G); cell phones; electronic devices; other RF-EMR sources

Evidence strength

Insufficient

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: unknown

Main findings

The review states that exposure of humans and laboratory animals to RF-EMR emitted from cell phones and other electronic devices of 4G and older technologies has been shown to have detrimental effects on blood cells and to cause changes in the complete blood count, depending on organism type, source, frequency, electric field level, and exposure duration. It also notes that effects and mechanisms of 5G-frequency RF-EMR on human and animal health are still unknown or poorly understood, and that data on hematology indicators and erythrocyte morphometry in domestic animals are sparse.

Outcomes measured

Hematology indicators / complete blood count changes
Blood cell effects
Erythrocyte morphometry
Platelet activation
Immune system function
Hematopoietic system function
Genotoxicity
Cell proliferation
Gene expression
Cell signalling
Cell membrane function
Reproductive system function

Limitations

Narrative/brief review (not described as systematic in the abstract)
Effects/mechanisms for 5G frequencies described as unknown or poorly understood
Sparse literature on domestic animals for hematology indicators and erythrocyte morphometry
No specific exposure metrics (frequency, SAR, field levels, durations) provided in abstract

Suggested hubs

5g-policy (0.62)
Discusses introduction of 5G networks and notes unknown/poorly understood effects, with focus on hematology-related endpoints.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wireless telecommunications (incl. 5G); cell phones; electronic devices; other RF-EMR sources",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Humans and animals (including laboratory animals and domestic animals)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Hematology indicators / complete blood count changes",
        "Blood cell effects",
        "Erythrocyte morphometry",
        "Platelet activation",
        "Immune system function",
        "Hematopoietic system function",
        "Genotoxicity",
        "Cell proliferation",
        "Gene expression",
        "Cell signalling",
        "Cell membrane function",
        "Reproductive system function"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The review states that exposure of humans and laboratory animals to RF-EMR emitted from cell phones and other electronic devices of 4G and older technologies has been shown to have detrimental effects on blood cells and to cause changes in the complete blood count, depending on organism type, source, frequency, electric field level, and exposure duration. It also notes that effects and mechanisms of 5G-frequency RF-EMR on human and animal health are still unknown or poorly understood, and that data on hematology indicators and erythrocyte morphometry in domestic animals are sparse.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Narrative/brief review (not described as systematic in the abstract)",
        "Effects/mechanisms for 5G frequencies described as unknown or poorly understood",
        "Sparse literature on domestic animals for hematology indicators and erythrocyte morphometry",
        "No specific exposure metrics (frequency, SAR, field levels, durations) provided in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMR",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
        "5G",
        "4G",
        "cell phones",
        "wireless telecommunications",
        "hematology",
        "complete blood count",
        "blood cells",
        "erythrocyte morphometry",
        "platelet activation",
        "animals",
        "domestic animals",
        "laboratory animals",
        "in vitro blood exposure",
        "transfusion medicine"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Discusses introduction of 5G networks and notes unknown/poorly understood effects, with focus on hematology-related endpoints."
        }
    ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Comments

No comments yet.