Summary
Growing evidence from repeated studies suggests that Wi-Fi exposure produces a consistent set of biological effects, many of which overlap with those seen from other microwave-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Research across numerous reviews shows that Wi-Fi can trigger oxidative stress, damage sperm and testicular tissue, alter neuropsychiatric function including EEG patterns, induce apoptosis, cause cellular DNA damage, disrupt endocrine activity, and produce excessive intracellular calcium levels. These seven effects appear repeatedly in the literature and are mechanistically linked to EMF-induced activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), which is thought to be the primary pathway through which low-intensity, non-thermal EMFs act on cells. Additional mechanisms—such as activation of other ion channels, calcium cyclotron resonance, or magnetoreception pathways—may play minor roles. The review also highlights several general features of non-thermal EMF biology: pulsed signals tend to be more potent than continuous ones, polarized artificial EMFs are more active than natural non-polarized fields, dose–response patterns are often non-linear, effects can accumulate over time, and children may be more vulnerable than adults. Using these principles, the authors critique a previous review by Foster and Moulder, noting that its seven “negative” studies were not true Wi-Fi studies and were too underpowered to draw meaningful conclusions. Taken together, the recurring findings across multiple research lines support the view that these seven biological effects should be regarded as established consequences of Wi-Fi and similar microwave-frequency EMF exposures.
PMID: 29573716
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.035
Abstract
Repeated Wi-Fi studies show that Wi-Fi causes oxidative stress, sperm/testicular damage, neuropsychiatric effects including EEG changes, apoptosis, cellular DNA damage, endocrine changes, and calcium overload. Each of these effects are also caused by exposures to other microwave frequency EMFs, with each such effect being documented in from 10 to 16 reviews. Therefore, each of these seven EMF effects are established effects of Wi-Fi and of other microwave frequency EMFs. Each of these seven is also produced by downstream effects of the main action of such EMFs, voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) activation. While VGCC activation via EMF interaction with the VGCC voltage sensor seems to be the predominant mechanism of action of EMFs, other mechanisms appear to have minor roles. Minor roles include activation of other voltage-gated ion channels, calcium cyclotron resonance and the geomagnetic magnetoreception mechanism. Five properties of non-thermal EMF effects are discussed. These are that pulsed EMFs are, in most cases, more active than are non-pulsed EMFs; artificial EMFs are polarized and such polarized EMFs are much more active than non-polarized EMFs; dose-response curves are non-linear and non-monotone; EMF effects are often cumulative; and EMFs may impact young people more than adults. These general findings and data presented earlier on Wi-Fi effects were used to assess the Foster and Moulder (F&M) review of Wi-Fi. The F&M study claimed that there were seven important studies of Wi-Fi that each showed no effect. However, none of these were Wi-Fi studies, with each differing from genuine Wi-Fi in three distinct ways. F&M could, at most conclude that there was no statistically significant evidence of an effect. The tiny numbers studied in each of these seven F&M-linked studies show that each of them lack power to make any substantive conclusions. In conclusion, there are seven repeatedly found Wi-Fi effects which have also been shown to be caused by other similar EMF exposures. Each of the seven should be considered, therefore, as established effects of Wi-Fi.
Pall ML. Wi-Fi is an important threat to human health. Environ Res. 2018 Jul;164:405-416. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.035. Epub 2018 Mar 21. PMID: 29573716.