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Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
Research
Mobile phones
Review of 115 studies: Electromagnetic radiation exposure consistently induces oxidative stress and DNA damage, and cancer evidence remains mixed
Bahrani and colleagues (Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 2026) narratively review in vitro and in vivo evidence on electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and health, screening 17,240 records down to 115 studies with sham or control conditions and a non-thermal focus. They report that EMR exposure consistently induces oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis, with the nervous and reproductive systems most vulnerable, including memory deficits, hippocampal damage and reduced sperm quality. Outcomes depend strongly on frequency, power density, duration and modulation, and carcinogenicity evidence remains mixed. The authors call for long-term prospective human studies and real-world multi-frequency exposure scenarios.
"EMR exposure consistently induces oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis, with the nervous and reproductive systems being most vulnerable."
— Bahrani et al., Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
"Neurobehavioral impairments (anxiety, memory deficits, hippocampal damage) and reproductive toxicity (reduced sperm quality, testicular injury, hormonal dysregulation) were frequently reported."
— Bahrani et al., Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
"Carcinogenicity evidence remains mixed: some animal studies report increased tumor incidence, while others show no effects."
— Bahrani et al., Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
"EMR exposure, particularly at mobile communication frequencies, can induce biological effects primarily through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis."
— Bahrani et al., Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
Method
"A literature search of Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science (2000-2026) identified 17,240 records. After duplicate removal and title/abstract screening, 640 articles underwent full‑text assessment. Following exclusion of 525 articles (lack of sham/control, solely thermal effects, inaccessibility, non‑mammalian models), 115 studies were included."
— Bahrani et al., Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering (Abstract)
"Outcomes are highly dependent on exposure parameters frequency, power density, duration, and modulation."
— Bahrani et al., Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering (Abstract)
Location
📍 Tehran, Iran
📄 Underlying Research
The impact of electromagnetic radiation on human health: a narrative review of in vitro and in vivo evidence.
Bahrani F, Henz D, Spitz J, Muller K, Dobaradaran S
(2026)
Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering
Journal Level 0ⓘ
