Scientific Appeals
on Wireless and EMF Health Effects

Over the years, scientists have repeatedly joined together to appeal for updated safety limits and protective policies to reduce wireless exposure in order to protect public health and the environment. Here are a few examples.

EMF Scientist Appeal

The EMF Scientist Appeal was first released in 2015 and is now signed by over 259 scientists from 41 countries who have peer-reviewed publications on electromagnetic fields. They request that the United Nations and all Member States in the World Health Organization exert strong leadership in fostering the development of more protective EMF guidelines, encouraging precautionary measures, and educating the public about health risks, particularly risk to children and fetal development.

Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices…

Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.

-EMF Scientist Appeal, European Journal of Oncology, 2015 

  • The scientists of the EMF Appeal collectively request that:

    1. children and pregnant women be protected;
    2. guidelines and regulatory standards be strengthened;
    3. manufacturers be encouraged to develop safer technology;
    4. utilities responsible for the generation, transmission, distribution, and monitoring of
    electricity maintain adequate power quality and ensure proper electrical wiring to minimize harmful ground current;
    5. the public be fully informed about the potential health risks from electromagnetic energy
    and taught harm reduction strategies;
    6. medical professionals be educated about the biological effects of electromagnetic energy
    and be provided training on treatment of patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity;
    7. governments fund training and research on electromagnetic fields and health that is
    independent of industry and mandate industry cooperation with researchers;
    8. media disclose experts’ financial relationships with industry when citing their opinions
    regarding health and safety aspects of EMF-emitting technologies; and
    9. white-zones (radiation-free areas) be established.

EMF Scientist Appeal

International Commission on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF) 

The Commission of international experts published a paper documenting how the U.S. FCC and ICNIRP safety standards for wireless exposure are based on outdated science and fail to protect the public from well-documented health risks. 

Adverse effects observed at exposures below the assumed threshold SAR include non-thermal induction of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, cardiomyopathy, carcinogenicity, sperm damage, and neurological effects, including electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Also, multiple human studies have found statistically significant associations between RFR exposure and increased brain and thyroid cancer risk.

International Commission on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields 
ICBE-EMF FAQs on Wireless and EMFs

Scientist’s Letter to Italian Government

In March 2024, numerous expert scientists sent a letter to the Italian Government, Parliament, and Provinces calling on them to maintain Italy’s strict regulations in response to a government proposal that would weaken Italy’s allowable levels of cell tower and wireless radiation in the environment. The letter includes a long list of expert signatories along with each scientists’ published research in the field.

Our studies, and more generally international research in the last twenty years, have largely demonstrated that exposure to radiofrequency, even below the current ICNIRP/WHO safety standards, can cause damage to health and it can reduce the levels of well-being in the general population.

American Academy of Letter by expert scientists to
the Italian government Letters to the US Government

UK and International Medical and Scientific Experts and Practitioners on Health Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation

Over 3,500 doctors and scientists signed onto this consensus statement calling for protections against wireless radiation exposure.

Hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies have demonstrated adverse biological effects occurring in response to a range of NIR [non-ionizing radiation] exposures below current safety guidelines; however emissions continue to escalate. The main risks associated with exposure to such (wireless) non-ionising radiation in the peer-reviewed scientific literature include: increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damage, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans.

Consensus Statement from UK and International Medical and Scientific Experts
Press release
List of over 3,500 signatories

The European Union 5G Appeal

Over 438 scientists and doctors from over 35 countries sent a declaration to officials of the European Commission demanding a moratorium on the increase of cell antennas for planned 5G expansion.

We the undersigned, scientists and doctors, recommend a moratorium on the roll-out of the fifth generation, 5G, for telecommunication until potential hazards for human health and the environment have been fully investigated by scientists independent from industry. 5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been proven to be harmful to humans and the environment.

The European Union 5G Appeal

Reykjavik Iceland Appeal on Wireless in School

In 2017, scientists presented the science in a series of lectures focused on how Wi-Fi technology in schools exposes children to radiofrequency radiation (RFR), which scientific research has linked to potential health risks such as developmental issues, cognitive impairment, and increased cancer susceptibility.

Children are especially vulnerable due to their developing brains and bodies, as well as their longer lifetime exposure. To protect children’s health and development, the Reykjavik Appeal urges schools to switch to wired internet connections and adopt the precautionary principle to reduce unnecessary exposure.

We, the signers, are concerned about our children’s health and development in schools with wireless technology for teaching. A vast amount of scientific studies have shown considerable medical risks with long-term exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR) from wireless devices and networks well below the recommended reference levels from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). We ask the authorities to take responsibility for our children’s future health and wellbeing.

Reykjavik Iceland Appeal on Wireless in School (2017)

Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association

The Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association (ORSAA) is an independent, non-profit scientific organization that publishes research and maintains a comprehensive, peer-reviewed database of EMF Bioeffects Research, which serves as a resource for researchers, health professionals and the public. ORSAA actively engages in public education, policy advocacy and scientific discourse, promoting the application of the precautionary principle in the deployment of wireless technologies to safeguard public health

There is an extensive evidence base revealing that significant stress to human biological systems is being imposed by exposure to everyday wireless communication devices and supporting infrastructure. This evidence is compelling enough to warrant an update in medical education and practice.

– Wireless technology is an environmental stressor requiring new understanding and approaches in health care

Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association

Center for Family and Community Health School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley

Joel Moskowitz PhD, Director of the Center for Family and Community Health School of Public Health at the University of California Berkeley, maintains a scientific blog posting wireless radiation research updates.

SaferEMR Website

Health Hazards of Wireless Technologies: What do we know now?, Collaborative for Health and Environment

The Bioinitiative Report

The BioInitiative Report is a landmark scientific review on the biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and radiofrequency (RF) radiation. It was written by 29 experts from 10 countries, including 10 medical doctors and 21 PhDs, all of whom are recognized authorities in their respective fields. The authors include three former presidents and five members of the Bioelectromagnetics Society. Dr. Carl F. Blackman, for example, is a former research scientist in the Environmental Carcinogenesis Division of the US Environmental Protection Agency and served on the World Health Organization committee to evaluate the health implications of radiofrequency radiation exposure.

Bioeffects are clearly established and occur at very low levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation. Bioeffects can occur in the first few minutes at levels associated with cell and cordless phone use. Bioeffects can also occur from just minutes of exposure to mobile phone masts (cell towers), WI-FI, and wireless utility ‘smart’ meters that produce whole-body exposure. Chronic base station level exposures can result in illness.

Many of these bioeffects can reasonably be expected to result in adverse health effects if the exposures are prolonged or chronic. This is because they interfere with normal body processes (disrupt homeostasis), prevent the body from healing damaged DNA, produce immune system imbalances, metabolic disruption and lower resistance to disease across multiple pathways. Essential body processes can eventually be disabled by incessant external stresses (from systemwide electrophysiological interference) and lead to pervasive impairment of metabolic and reproductive functions.

The original BioInitiative Report was published in 2007 and became a key resource internationally, even being cited by the Council of Europe in their report supporting Resolution 1815: “The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment” which called for stricter exposure limits for EMFs based on biological effects and protective measures for vulnerable populations, particularly children, such as wired internet in schools instead of Wi-Fi.

The updated 2012 and 2017 editions incorporated over 1,800 new peer-reviewed studies and expanded its focus to include fertility and reproduction, fetal and neonatal development, neurological impacts, autism spectrum conditions, and more. Unlike traditional paywalled research, the BioInitiative Report was intentionally made freely accessible to ensure the widest possible dissemination of its findings.

Most of the chapters of the original 2007 BioInitiative Report were published in 2009 in the peer-reviewed journal Pathophysiology — a respected international journal that focuses on the biological mechanisms underlying disease.

The BioInitiative includes a resource called RF Color Charts which detail the specific RF radiation levels at which biological effects have been reported in peer reviewed studies. They highlight that even low-intensity exposures—far below current safety limits—can cause harmful effects such as DNA damage and neurological changes.

Bioinitiative Report

BabySafe Project Statement on Pregnancy and Wireless Radiation

The BabySafe Project is a program designed to inform doctors, neonatal health professionals and parents about the potential risks that wireless radiation poses to pregnancy. Over 200 physicians, scientists, and public health professionals from around the world have signed onto this project “to express their concern about the risk that wireless radiation poses to pregnancy and to urge pregnant women to limit their exposures.”

We call on our elected leaders to support such research and to advance policies and regulations that limit exposures for pregnant women. We call on the industry to implement and explore technologies and designs that will reduce radiation exposures until such research is carried out.

The BabySafe Project

International Doctors’ Appeal Freiburg

In 2002, more than 1,000 doctors signed the Freiburg Appeal calling for support and demanding precaution with regard to wireless radiation. 10 years later, in 2012, with rapidly increasing radiation being introduced in our society, they relaunched their appeal, calling on physicians, scientists and governments around the world to heed the warnings.

Health care professionals worldwide make observations that are consistent with and increasingly confirmed by scientific findings. Adverse effects of electromagnetic fields and the fundamental impairment of biological control mechanisms can occur well below current exposure limits and have been demonstrated, in some instances for decades.

International Doctors Appeal (2012)

President’s Cancer Panel, 2009

The 2009 U.S. President’s Cancer Panel pointed to cell phones and other wireless technologies as potential causes of cancer. Notably, the panel acknowledged that while conclusive evidence was still emerging, the long latency period typically associated with brain cancer—estimated to be 20 to 30 years—warranted precautionary action, especially for vulnerable populations like children.

Since latency for brain cancer from environmental exposures is thought to be 20 to 30 years, comprehensive studies looking at longer-term human exposure are needed. Participants urged that a precautionary approach be taken with respect to the use of cell phones by children, who are more susceptible than adults to radiation risks.

– Summary of the President’s Cancer Panel 2009 January 27 Phoenix, AZ

In its recommendations, the panel went beyond merely identifying concerns and proposed practical steps to minimize personal exposure to RF fields. Among them were behavioral changes—such as prioritizing landlines or text messages, using headsets instead of placing phones directly to the ear, and avoiding storing active phones in close contact with the body. Crucially, the panel advised that children should not use mobile phones except in emergencies and called for a strong preference for wired internet connections in schools over wireless networks.

There should be resistance to the general trend toward making everything wireless without consideration of negative consequences.

This warning, issued well over a decade ago, is notable given the massive increase in wireless infrastructure and device use today. It reflects a public health perspective that emphasizes precaution in the face of scientific uncertainty—especially when long-term risks cannot yet be fully measured but early signals of harmful effects are present.

DAVID CARPENTER: ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND CANCER: THE COST OF DOING NOTHING

1997 Boston Physicians’ and Scientists’ Petition on Cellular Infrastructure 

In 1997, a group of Boston-area physicians and scientists issued a public petition urging health officials to halt the rollout of Sprint’s new microwave-based communication system. Citing biological plausibility of harm, reports of illness, and existing scientific evidence, the signatories warned of potential neurological impacts and called for a moratorium until full safety reviews could be conducted. 

We the undersigned physicians and scientists call upon public health officials to intervene to halt the initiation of communication transmissions employing ground level, horizontally transmitting, pulsed microwaves in Boston. This form of transmission is scheduled to begin in June 1997 by the Sprint Corporation for personal communication systems (PCS). Given the biological plausibility of negative negative health impacts, particularly to the human nervous system, as well as anecdotal evidence of illness and death from such exposures in cities where transmission has already been implemented, and voluminous medical studies indicating human and ecological harm from microwaves, we urge the suspension of that implementation pending full public notification of its potential hazards and the full review and determination of its safety by the scientific community.

1997 Boston Physicians’ and Scientists’ Petition

Decades of Scientific Appeals

For decades, scientists and public health experts have issued repeated warnings about the potential health risks of wireless radiation, urging regulatory agencies and the public to take precautionary measures.

Medical and Scientific Organizations That Recommend Minimizing Exposure