Frontiers review: RF-EMF risks to children and pregnant women remain unresolved

Frontiers in Public Health published a narrative review (11 September 2026) of RF-EMF exposure risks from mobile phones and base stations for children and pregnant women. Dogra and colleagues, working at the Indian Council of Medical Research and All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, report that experimental studies show biological effects including oxidative stress, DNA damage and changes in neurodevelopment and reproductive function, while human epidemiological evidence stays inconsistent. The authors conclude that ICNIRP guidelines cover thermal effects, but uncertainties remain around long-term, non-thermal effects, and they recommend precautionary measures for children and pregnant women.

"Importantly, this apparent lack of conclusive evidence should not be interpreted as evidence of the absence of risk."

— Dogra et al., Frontiers in Public Health

"Although guidelines from ICNIRP effectively address established thermal effects of RF-EMF exposure, uncertainties remain regarding potential long term, low intensity and non thermal biological effects, particularly during sensitive developmental stages."

— Dogra et al., Frontiers in Public Health

"The effectiveness of commercially available EMF shielding or protective accessories remains insufficiently validated and therefore cannot currently be recommended as evidence based exposure reduction strategies."

— Dogra et al., Frontiers in Public Health

📄 Underlying Research

A review of potential health risks of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure from mobile phones and base stations in children and pregnant women

Dogra S, Rajput S, Rathi A, Gautam R, Mazumder P, Sinha A, Sahoo RK, Pati S, Mukherjee A, Arora T (2026) Frontiers in Public Health Journal Level 1ⓘ

🔗 DOI

Frontiers review: RF-EMF risks to children and pregnant women remain unresolved

Source

📄 Underlying Research

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