Wireless radiation and electromagnetic fields (EMF) are a rapidly increasing environmental exposure.
Cell phones, cell towers, and wireless devices emit radiofrequency radiation, a type of EMF. Government limits are decades old. Scientists are calling for safeguards to protect human health and wildlife.
Our Work
We are leading the way towards a safe technology future.
The Wireless and EMF Program at Environmental Health Sciences aims to:
- Advance scientific understanding of the health
and environmental impacts from exposure. - Support science-based, protective regulations
and transparent oversight. - Promote innovative solutions that mitigate health and environmental risk.
Watch Now
Linda Birnbaum PhD, former director of the National Institutes of Environmental Health and the National Toxicology Program, dives into the science behind EMF’s health impacts, the “clear evidence” of cancer findings in the NIH animal study, the increased vulnerability of children and pregnant women, and the actions needed to reduce cell phone exposure.
FAQ
- What is EMF?
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are ubiquitous in the modern world. They are invisible, energized waves composed of electric and magnetic fields. Growing research suggests artificially generated non-ionizing EMFs can have harmful effects on human health and the environment.
- How are we exposed to EMFs?
Scientists have focused on the health effects of two types of non-ionizing EMF:
- Wireless radiofrequency radiation, which is emitted by all wireless devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart devices, Bluetooth, cell towers, and 5G.
- Magnetic field extremely low frequency EMF (often referred to as just “EMF”), which is emitted by electronics, charging cords, and power lines.
Read about the science on the health risks of wireless radiation.
Read about the science on the health risks of magnetic fields.
- What are the health effects of exposure to EMF?
Studies have reported associations between exposure to EMF and cancer, genetic effects, decreased testosterone, sperm damage, memory problems, altered thyroid hormone levels, and altered neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies have also found impacts to wildlife, plants and trees.
Non-ionizing EMFs have been found to increase oxidative stress in the body. This can lead to inflammation, disrupting healthy functions and increasing the risk of chronic disease.
- How is EMF exposure regulated?
In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission’s regulatory limits for wireless radiation exposure were set in 1996. Since that time, there has been no review of these limits to ensure they are based on up-to-date science. FCC limits only prevent short-term tissue overheating, ignoring biological effects and long-term exposure risks.
The U.S. does not have any limits for magnetic field EMF exposure, a serious regulatory gap.
- What do experts say?
Numerous scientific and medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and California Department of Health, are calling for a scientific review of current regulations as well as public health advice to reduce exposure.
The New Hampshire State Commission issued a Report on 5G and wireless technology recommending cell towers be distanced from homes and schools. Click here to learn more about experts’ safety recommendations.
- What are some ways to reduce exposure?There are many simple ways to protect yourself.
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Distance cell phones and wireless devices away from your head and body.
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Do not carry cell phones in your pocket or bra.
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Use speakerphone or wired airtube headphones for calls, and corded and ethernet tech rather than wireless or Bluetooth.
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Turn your Wi-Fi off when it’s not in use.
The Santa Clara Medical Association issued Best Practices for Safe Technology in Schools , and the Maryland State Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council provides Guidelines to Reduce Wireless and EMF.
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Latest on EHN.org
EHN All about wireless radiation on EHN: Latest news and updates
- Bluetooth earbud magnetic fields increased air pollution in mouse brains, inducing neurotoxicity
A new study published by Zhang et al. in ACS Nano reported on an experiment that exposed mice to both the magnetic fields emitted by Bluetooth earbuds and cell phones, as well as magnetite nanoparticles derived from air pollution. The researchers found that this combined exposure led to greater accumulation of nanoparticles in the brain and neurotoxic effects.
- Scientific review finds underwater EMF exposure can affect aquatic life
A recent systematic review published in Marine Environmental Research by Elizabeth James et al. examined 35 years of peer-reviewed studies on underwater electromagnetic (EMF) radiation exposure and found that 66% reported significant impacts on aquatic life.
- Study links cell tower and cell phone radiation to changes in blood cells tied to immune health
A recent study published in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine found people living close to cell towers and wireless base station network antennas had higher radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposures, along with measurable changes in certain white blood cells, suggesting a biological stress response and altered immune activity.
- Study: Wireless radiation increases DNA damage from the toxic chemical, hexavalent chromium
Combining wireless electromagnetic (EMF) radiation exposure with known carcinogen hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) — the industrial contaminant highlighted in the film “Erin Brockovich”) — significantly increased DNA damage in a recent study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.
- Electromagnetic radiation from power lines linked to a higher risk of central nervous system tumors in children
A recent study published in Environmental Research reported an association between exposure to electromagnetic radiation in Mexico City — particularly the extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) produced by power lines and household wiring — and children’s risk for developing central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
- U.S. regulations fail to protect wildlife from cell tower and wireless radiation, science review finds
A science and policy review published in Frontiers in Public Health documents how increasing levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic (EMF) radiation in the environment, including the wireless radiation from cell towers, combined with the absence of regulations protecting wildlife from harmful impacts, are “leading to an ecological crisis.”
Image Credits (from left):
Test Tube Image: totojang1977 / Shutterstock.com
Brain Scan Image: Elif Bayraktar / Shutterstock.com
Cell Tower Image: SerdthongchaiI / Shutterstock.com