There is significant published science on radio-frequency (RF) radiation and non-ionizing EMF documenting numerous adverse effects. While not all studies show effects, the majority do. Hundreds of scientists are calling for action to reduce exposure.
Human epidemiological studies and case reports have found evidence that cell tower exposure and cell phone wireless radiofrequency (RF) radiation are linked to measurable health effects. Populations living or working near antennas have reported clusters of neurological symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems, tinnitus, and cognitive difficulties, often described as microwave illness. Studies on magnetic field EMF, as from powerlines, have reported associations with childhood leukemia. In short, just because it is non-ionizing does not mean it is safe.
Case studies in Sweden and other countries have also connected long-term radiofrequency radiation exposure with elevated risks of cancer, particularly brain and thyroid tumors. These findings indicate that chronic, low-level exposure from everyday proximity to cell tower emissions can have biological consequences beyond the thermal effects assumed in existing safety standards.
Scientific reviews further show that cell tower health effects include oxidative stress, DNA damage, reproductive impacts, and immune system disruption, all documented at exposure levels well below the limits set by the FCC and ICNIRP.
Analyses of large databases, report that the majority of real-world tower and RF radiation studies show significant biological effects.
Studies on the biological impacts of RF radiation and magnetic field EMF non-ionizing radiation.
Cancer epidemiology update, following the 2011 IARC evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (Monograph 102) by Miller et al. Environmental Research (2018).
Cellular and molecular effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields by Lai & Levitt. Reviews on Environmental Health (2023).
Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Neurotransmitters in the Brain by Hu et al. Frontiers in Public Health (2021).
Summary of seven Swedish case reports on the microwave syndrome associated with 5G radiofrequency radiation” by Hardell and Nilsson published in Reviews on Environmental Health, 2024
Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies by Brabant et al. Reviews on Environmental Health (2022).
Health impact of 5G: Current state of knowledge of 5G related carcinogenic and reproductive/developmental hazards as they emerge from epidemiological studies and in vivo experimental studies by Belpoggi on behalf of the European Parliament Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services. Publications Office of the European Union (2021).
Immune Responses to Multi-Frequencies of 1.5 GHz and 4.3 GHz Microwave Exposure in Rats: Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis by Zhao et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).
Wireless technology is an environmental stressor requiring new understanding and approaches in health care by McCreddenet al. Frontiers in Public Health (2022).
Planetary electromagnetic pollution: It is time to assess its impact by Bandara & Carpenter. The Lancet Planetary Health (2018).
Relationship between radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation from cellular phones and brain tumor: meta-analyses using various proxies for RF-EMR exposure-outcome assessment by Moon et al. Environmental Health (2024).
Thermal and non-thermal health effects of low intensity non-ionizing radiation: An international perspective by Belpomme et al. Environmental Pollution (2018).
Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 2 impacts: How species interact with natural and man-made EMF by Levitt et al. Reviews on Environmental Health (2021).
A Prospective Cohort Study of Adolescents’ Memory Performance and Individual Brain Dose of Microwave Radiation from Wireless Communication by Foerster et al. Environmental Health Perspectives (2018)
A Review on the Effects of Thermal Inversions and Electromagnetic Fields on Cell Cultures and Wireless Communications by López-Álvarez et al. Sensors (2023).
An Exploration of the Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted by Mobile Phones and Extremely Low Frequency Radiation on Thyroid Hormones and Thyroid Gland Histopathology by Alkayyali et al. Cureus (2021).
Comments on the US National Toxicology Program technical reports on toxicology and carcinogenesis study in rats exposed to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 900 MHz and in mice exposed to whole-body radiofrequency radiation at 1,900 MHz by Hardell and Carlberg in the International Journal of Oncology (2019)
Development of health-based exposure limits for radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices using a benchmark dose approach by Uche & Naidenko published in Environmental Health (2021).
Effect of Radiation Emitted by Wireless Devices on Male Reproductive Hormones: A Systematic Review by Maluin et al. Frontiers in Physiology (2021).
Electromagnetic Fields of Wireless Communications: Biological and Health Effects by Panagopoulos. CRC Press (2022).
Electromagnetic field and brain development by Kaplan et al. in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy (2016).
Evaluation of the genotoxicity of cell phone radiofrequency radiation in male and female rats and mice following subchronic exposure by Smith-Roe et al in Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis (2020).
Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut by Luo et al. Environmental Research (2020).
Histopathologic effects of mobile phone radiation exposure on the testes and sperm parameters: a systematic literature review of animal studies by Assefa & Abdu. Frontiers in Reproductive Health (2025).
Evidence for a health risk by RF on humans living around mobile phone base stations: From radiofrequency sickness to cancer by Balmori in Environ Research (2022)
Human‑made electromagnetic fields: Ion forced‑oscillation and voltage‑gated ion channel dysfunction, oxidative stress and DNA damage by Panagopoulos et al. International Journal of Oncology (2021).
International Appeal: Scientists call for protection from non-ionizing electromagnetic field exposure by Kelley et al. European Journal of Oncology (2015).
Polarization: A Key Difference between Man–made and Natural Electromagnetic Fields, in regard to Biological Activity by Panagopoulos et al. Scientific Reports (2015).
Risks to Health and Well-Being From Radio-Frequency Radiation Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices by Miller et al. Frontiers in Public Health (2019).
Role of Mitochondria in the Oxidative Stress Induced by Electromagnetic Fields: Focus on Reproductive Systems by Santini et al. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2018).
Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G by the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields. Environmental Health (2022).
The assumption of safety is being used to justify the rollout of 5G technologies by McCredden et al. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
The roles of intensity, exposure duration, and modulation on the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation and exposure guidelines by Lai & Levitt. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine (2022).
Wireless technologies, non-ionizing electromagnetic fields and children: Identifying and reducing health risks by Davis et al. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care (2023).
Papers that document how FCC and ICNIRP limits lack protection.
Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G by the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields. Environmental Health (2022).
Some thoughts on the possible health effects of electric and magnetic fields and exposure guidelines by Barnes & Freeman. Frontiers in Public Health (2022).
The roles of intensity, exposure duration, and modulation on the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation and exposure guidelines by Lai & Levitt. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine (2022).
Incongruities in recently revised radiofrequency exposure guidelines and standards by Lin. Environmental Research (2023).
International Appeal: Scientists call for protection from non-ionizing electromagnetic field exposure by Kelley et al. European Journal of Oncology (2015).
Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 3. Exposure standards, public policy, laws, and future directions by Levitt et al. Reviews on Environmental Health (2021).