A comprehensive mechanism of biological and health effects of anthropogenic extremely low frequency and wireless communication electromagnetic fields

Authors: Panagopoulos DJ, Yakymenko I, De Iuliis GN, Chrousos GP

Year: 2025

Category: Public Health, Environmental Health

Journal: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1585441

URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1585441/full

Abstract

Overview

Exposure to anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs), especially those from wireless communications (WC), has increased tremendously—an unprecedented phenomenon in biological evolution. Anthropogenic EMFs, being fully polarized, coherent, and, especially in the case of WC EMFs, highly variable, differ substantially from natural EMFs. WC EMFs consist of microwave (MW) carrier waves modulated by Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) signals and delivered in on/off pulses at various ELF rates. This combination includes intense random variability, mainly in the Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) band, resulting in a mix of MW and ELF/ULF EMFs.

Findings

  • The combination of polarization/coherence and pronounced low-frequency variability is key to EMF bioactivity.
  • Epidemiological and laboratory studies show a connection between ELF or WC EMF exposure and health risks such as cancer, infertility, electro-hypersensitivity (EHS), and other pathologies.
  • Studies also identify DNA damage and oxidative stress (OS) as explanatory mechanisms for these health effects.
  • While man-made EMFs may not directly ionize molecules, they can trigger biosynthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by disturbing voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) in cell membranes—known as the Ion Forced Oscillation (IFO)-VGIC mechanism.
  • The resulting ion channel dysfunction disrupts cellular ionic concentrations, stimulates overproduction of ROS, and leads to oxidative stress through diverse cellular mechanisms (e.g., electron transport chain, NOXs, NOS).

Implications

  • Human and animal studies record carcinogenicity, DNA/genetic damage, oxidative stress, and reproductive decline due to DNA impairment in reproductive cells—all indicating that man-made EMFs can induce OS and DNA damage, infertility, cancer, and related pathologies.
  • Due to fundamental cellular similarities across species, effects observed in animal cells are expected in human cells as well.
  • Adverse EMF health effects occur even at exposure levels below officially accepted limits, which often ignore non-thermal effects. The authors emphasize the need for adopting the Precautionary Principle and call for stricter exposure limits, particularly regarding WC EMFs, and even a moratorium on 5G rollout.
  • The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, WHO) has classified both ELF and RF/WC EMFs as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B), with further research suggesting reclassification as probably carcinogenic (Group 2A) or carcinogenic (Group 1).

Conclusion

The IFO-VGIC mechanism provides a comprehensive explanation for documented bioeffects of anthropogenic EMF exposure—linking VGIC dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA/cellular damage, and related health risks such as cancer, EHS, infertility, and neurodegenerative diseases. The presented evidence highlights the urgent need for biologically relevant EMF exposure guidelines for public health and environmental protection.

electromagnetic fields wireless communication cancer risk infertility oxidative stress DNA damage precautionary principle
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