Cell phones and wireless devices all emit a type of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation called radio-frequency, invisible energy waves traveling at the speed of light. Unlike natural EMFs emitted from the Earth, artificial wireless signals are pulsed and highly complex waveforms.  Basically anything that is wireless creates an RF radiation exposure which can penetrate into our brain and body.

Although RF radiation is non-ionizing, different from X-rays or atomic bomb radiation, it can still impact our health. Published scientific research has linked exposure to a range of harmful effects.

Everyday sources include cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, smart meters, cell towers, 4G and 5G networks, and other “smart”wireless devices.

Jumplinks:

• Health Risks Linked to Wireless Exposure
• Increasing Exposure
• Children are More Vulnerable
• Inadequate Regulations
• Wildlife is Also at Risk
• Expert Recommendations

Health Risks Linked to Wireless Exposure

A growing body of research in humans, animals and cells links wireless radiation exposure to a broad range of biological impacts, including:

• Cancer, including brain, breast, and thyroid tumors. 
• Impaired fertility, reduced sperm quality, and ovarian impacts.
• Neurodevelopmental impairments, decreased brain cells, and altered neurotransmitter function. 
• Memory, concentration, and cognitive impacts.
• Genetic impacts and DNA damage. 
• Hormonal disruptions.
• Impacts on wildlife, especially pollinators.

Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies show that even low-intensity RF radiation exposure can induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cellular changes, which can contribute to chronic disease risk.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified wireless radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) in 2011 based on evidence linking heavy cell phone use to cancer. Today, numerous scientists state the scientific evidence linking wireless exposure to cancer has increased to the point that wireless radiation would be classified by IARC as a “probable” or “proven” human carcinogen if re-evaluated based on current research. 

Increasing Exposure

Exposure to wireless radiation is increasing rapidly due to the growing use of cell phones and the proliferation of wireless technology in homes, workplaces, and schools. More devices—cell phones, tablets, laptops, bluetooth headphones, smartwatches, smart home systems, cordless phones, and baby monitors—are being used for longer periods and held closer to the body.  

Environmental sources such as cell towers, small cells, 5G base stations, Wi-Fi routers, smart meters, and utility networks add to the cumulative exposure, particularly when multiple sources overlap in the same space. Chronic, long-term exposure, especially for children, pregnant women, or heavy device users, is of great concern, as the body absorbs RF radiation energy continuously throughout each day, likely heightening future health risks.

Children are More Vulnerable

Children are particularly vulnerable to wireless exposure due to:

• Thinner skulls and smaller heads, allowing deeper penetration into the brain
• Higher water content, increasing absorption rates
• Developing brains, which are more sensitive

Scientific modeling has found wireless radiation absorption rates in children are higher than in adults, including 2-fold greater in the cerebellum, 2- to 5-fold greater in the eyes, 10-fold greater in the skull, and up to 30-fold greater in the hippocampus. These brain regions are critical for learning and memory. Further, research has documented higher brain tumor risks in people who started using cell phones under 20 years of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has written several letters calling for an update to wireless safety limits to better protect children due to their unique vulnerability. 

“The average exposure from use of the same mobile phone is higher by a factor of 2 in a child’s brain and higher by a factor of 10 in the bone marrow of the skull,”

-World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer 

Inadequate Regulations

Current regulations on wireless radiation are widely considered insufficient by many scientists and public health experts.  Existing safety limits, such as those set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are inadequate. They are based primarily on protecting against the effects from overheating, but not for non-thermal biological impacts such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and neurological effects.

Here are some of the main problems: 

• Outdated guidelines: U.S. regulatory limits, which have remained unchanged since 1996, were established decades ago (in the ‘80s), before the widespread use of smartphones, Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G technology. 
• Lack of protection for long term effects: FCC and ICNIRP limits are only intended to protect for effects of short term exposure, such as overheating and burns. They are not designed to protect for effects of cumulative long-term exposures.
• Lack of protection for vulnerable populations: Research on children’s vulnerability was not included in the development of government safety standards decades ago. 
• Limited safeguards: Schools, daycares, and public buildings in the U.S. have no requirements to minimize exposure from cell towers and Wi-Fi. 
• Lack of oversight: There are no requirements for premarket safety testing for long-term health effects, nor post-market surveillance systems to report health and environmental impacts.
• Industry influence: Research shows that industry funding impacts study outcomes and the federal agency that is supposed to ensure accountability – the FCC – is under regulatory capture.  

Wildlife Is Also at Risk

Studies have found wireless and non-ionizing EMF can adversely affect wildlife even at very low intensities. Studies report wireless exposure can harm insects like bees, disrupting development, colony health, behavior, memory, and learning, while also causing biochemical and structural impacts on plants and trees. 

A comprehensive 2021 review by U.S. experts citing over 1,200 studies reported widespread effects on wildlife, including disrupted orientation, migration, reproduction, nesting, and survival. However, current exposure regulations focus only on human safety and do not protect flora and fauna, highlighting a significant regulatory gap and the need for ecosystem-based environmental safeguards.

Expert Recommendations

Scientists and public health agencies recommend simple steps to reduce wireless exposure 

• Keep cell/mobile phones and laptops away from the body.
• Opt for speakerphone or wired headsets for calls.
• Limit children’s use and exposure to cell phones and Wi-Fi devices.
• Install wired internet connections in homes and schools instead of Wi-Fi.