Electromagnetic Radiation Health Effects

There are many ways to classify electromagnetic radiation health effects. Here we distinguish between biological changes (generally substantiated by experimental observations at cellular level) and pathological effects (causing or aggravating diseases) substantiated by epidemiological studies.

The lists of EMF health effects presented here are in fact just a small sample from the mountain of research that has been reported in scientific literature.

Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation

Here are some of the biological changes caused by electromagnetic radiation, as observed and reported in various studies (most recent first):

Protein Changes in Skin. Ten women volunteered to participate in a study in which radiation (900mH) from GSM cell phones was applied to them for one hour to simulate a phone call. Scientists then screened their skin cells for any stress reactions. They looked at 580 different proteins and found two which were substantially affected. (One was increased by 89% and the other decreased by 32%). New Scientist February 23, 2008

Sperm Abnormalities. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic studied the sperm quality of 361 men seen at their fertility clinic. On average, those who spent more hours talking on their cell phones had lower sperm counts and higher rates of abnormal sperm. (New Zealand Herald – Friday Feb 8, 2008)

Excited Brain Cells. Researchers from Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Isola Tiberina,found that the electromagnetic field emitted by cell phones can cause some cells in the brain's cortex (adjacent to the side of phone use) to become excited for about an hour, while others become inhibited. Health24 - June 27, 2006

DNA Damage. German research group Verum studied the effect of radiation on human and animal cells. After being exposed to cell phone frequencies the cells showed increased breaks in their DNA. These DNA breaks could not always be repaired by the cells. The damage would therefore be passed on to future cells which could predispose them to becoming cancerous. USA Today December 21, 2004

Brain Cell Damage. A study of the effects of cell phone frequencies (applied at non-thermal intensity) on rat brains showed damage to the neurons (brain cells) in various brain parts, including the cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia. June 2003 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives

Aggressive Growth in Leukemia Cells Researchers at the National Research Council in Bologna, Italy found that Leukemia cells exposed to cell phone frequencies (900mH) for 48 hours replicated more aggressively. New Scientist October 24, 2002

Increased Blood Pressure. Researchers in Germany found that one-time use of a cell phone for 35 minutes could cause an increase in resting blood pressure of between 5 and 10mm Hg. Lancet June 20, 1998

Harmful Effects of ElectroMagnetic Radiation

Here are some of the pathological (disease producing) effects attributed to electromagnetic radiation and reported in the media (most recent first):

Salivary Gland Cancer. An Israeli study reports that people who used cell phones for 22 hours a month or more were 50 percent more likely to develop parotid gland cancer than those who used cell phones infrequently or never. Health24 February 19, 2008

Brain Tumour. An analysis of several previous studies has concluded that cell phone use over 10 years causes an increased risk of acquiring certain types of brain tumour (2.4 times for acoustic neuroma and 2 times for gliomas). News24 October 3, 2007

Lymphatic Cancer and Bone Marrow Cancer. Researchers from the University of Tasmania and the University of Bristol studied records of 850 patients who had been diagnosed with lymphatic and bone marrow cancers. They concluded that people living within 300 metres of a high voltage power line for extended periods (particularly in childhood) were up to five times more likely to develop these diseases later in life. Internal Medicine Journal September 2007 Physorg.com August 24, 2007

Miscarriage. Researchers in California found that EMFs from electrical appliances (such as domestic vacuum cleaners, hairdryers and food mixers) could significantly increase the risk of miscarriage. (Epidemiology January 2002)

Suicide. American researchers found that the rate of suicide among 5000 electricity utility workers who were exposed to extremely low frequency EMFs was double that of a control group of the same size. The effect was particularly noticeable among young workers.(Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine March 15, 2000)

Many other studies have been performed and not all of them have received media attention. For further evidence, see our EMF Articles page.

Summary of Electromagnetic Health Effects

Life-threatening Diseases

Alzheimer'sDisease
Brain cancer (adult and child)
Breast cancer (male and female)
Depression (also leading to suicide)
Heart disease
Leukemia (adult and child)
Miscarriage

Other Conditions

Allergies
Autism
Blood pressure (raised)
Electro sensitivity
Headaches
Hormone changes
Immune system damage
Nerve damage
Sleep disturbance
Sperm abnormalities

How does EMF Radiation Harm Us?

Some scientists previously believed that the only way that EM radiation could produce damaging effects was if the radiation was sufficiently intense to cause a heating effect on the tissues. (It has been reported that talking on a cell phone for half an hour can raise the temperature of the brain on the affected side).

This theory has now been roundly discredited by many studies in which biological effects have been observed at intensities far too small to cause any measurable heating effect.

The mechanisms by which electromagnetic radiation may affect disease processes are not yet fully understood, but promising candidates include

DNA Damage. Our cells have mechanisms to repair DNA damage to a limited extent, but it appears that EMFs can overwhelm these mechanisms. Damaged DNA is implicated in several disease processes, including various types of cancer.

Interference with Melatonin production. Electromagnetic radiation  appears to interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that is normally produced in the body. Low melatonin levels have already been linked to several diseases, including cancers. (Recent research indicates that seratonin production can also be affected by EMFs).

Interference with Cellular Communication. Our body cells communicate internally and externally by means of electrical signals. These signals can be altered by EMF radiation (which generates electrical currents within the body) causing changes in both cellular activity and cellular structures.

Electromagnetic health effects may depend on...

At this stage we don't have all the answers, but clues from various studies indicate that EMF health effects may depend on:

EMF Intensity. Exposure to strong EMFs may cause damage, even though the exposure is of short duration.
In one study, researchers asked pregnant volunteers to wear a device which measured the highest intensity (peak) EMF in a 24 hour period. Results indicated that higher peak EMFs correlated with higher rates of damage (miscarriage).

Cumulative EMF Exposure. During a normal day a person will be exposed to EMFs of various frequencies. For example, these could arise from electric shavers and hairdryers, traveling by car, bus or train, domestic appliances such as heaters, ovens and microwaves, neon lights, household wiring, power lines, cell phone carrying and use, to name just a few of the more common sources. The combination of these exposures may overwhelm the body defenses and repair mechanisms.

EMF Exposure Duration. Many studies have indicated that various health effects are only noticed after many years of exposure to  electromagnetic pollution, for example high voltage power lines, or cell phones.

EMF Transience. It could be more biologically stressful to be exposed to the fluctuating EMF which arises from an electrical appliance which cycles on and off (for example a photocopier or printer) than from a similar appliance that remains steadily on all day. 

EMF Frequency. It is not yet known with certainty which electromagnetic frequencies cause which health effects, but it does appear that different frequencies cause different effects.

Superimposed Signals. An electromagnetic wave can be modulated in various ways to carry a signal, which might be digital or analogue. Where the wave is used for communication (e.g. radio, television, mobile telephony etc) it is normal to have a signal imposed on a carrier frequency. There is evidence that, in some cases, the signal component can be more harmful than the carrier wave EMF  itself.

EMF health danger is real

The danger to our health posed by current levels of man-made electromagnetic fields, is real. This is the consensus of a growing number of responsible scientists and professional healthcare workers.

Fortunately there are many ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones, before our health is affected. See our page EMF Protection.

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Electromagnetic Radiation Health Effects