EMFs and Public Health: Closing the Research Gaps

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are everywhere, from the extremely low-frequency fields from power lines and household wiring to the radiofrequency (RF) signals that keep our phones and Wi-Fi connected. For most of us, exposure is continuous.

In the recent MAHA Strategy Update, released this past September, there is a call for more rigorous research into the health effects of electromagnetic radiation. As technology continues to rapidly evolve and people become more aware of potential risks, it’s a good time to ask: What do we really know about EMF exposure, and where are the gaps?

Studies over the past decade vary widely, and few are conclusive. However, research points to the following potential health impacts from EMF exposure:

• Cancer & Tumor Risk: The WHO classified EMFs as a class 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic), and U.S. NTP studies found higher rates of malignant gliomas and heart schwannomas in some male rats, raising concern about links to human gliomas.
  
  

• Childhood Development: Some studies suggest EMF exposure may affect development, though results are limited by lifestyle factors like screen time. Many families reduce exposure during pregnancy and infancy as a precaution.
  
  

• Sleep Disruptions: Research shows nighttime EMF exposure may interfere with sleep quality, making EMF-friendly bedrooms a simple step for better rest.
  
  

• Fertility & Reproductive Health: Recent studies connect EMFs to reduced sperm quality, and experts suggest precautions like avoiding phones in pockets or laptops on laps to support reproductive health.
  
  

• Immune Function & Oxidative Stress: Growing evidence links EMFs to oxidative stress, which can fuel inflammation and weaken immunity.

While there is evidence of potential harm, many uncertainties remain, which is why the MAHA Commission’s call for more research is especially important. Questions remain over these areas, where research is still limited or contradictory:

Most human studies are relatively short in duration. However, children born today are facing a lifetime of EMF exposure that will only grow as technology evolves. There is a lack of studies tracking individuals, especially from childhood, over decades. 

The latency period for some conditions like cancer or degenerative conditions is long and effects may emerge after many years. Few studies have followed people long enough to see if there could be a link between these conditions and EMF exposure. 

Early life exposures during prenatal stages, infancy, and early childhood are less studied, but the brain and body during this time could be more sensitive to EMF exposure. Populations with underlying health issues such as immune and oxidative stress disorders or other diseases may be more vulnerable as well, but data is very limited.  

New exposures from 5G and beyond may differ from earlier RF sources like early cell phones and older base stations in terms of depth of penetration. There is also some question surrounding combined exposures, are people are now exposed simultaneously to many types of EMFs at once on top of other environmental stressors. Interactions are not yet well understood.

The question of how exactly EMFs could lead to biological damage is under investigation. Some proposed mechanisms include oxidative stress, DNA damage (either direct or through Reactive Oxygen Species), cellular changes, or impacts on the calcium ion channel. Some laboratory work supports these, but much remains unclear. 

While animal studies show reduced sperm quality and changes in hormone level, human evidence is much more limited and often inconsistent. Research is currently lacking direct evidence about infertility and sperm quality in well-controlled human samples. 

Many anecdotal reports exist of electrohypersensitivity symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. However, there is a lack of controlled trials to show consistent physiological effects. More research is needed to identify real physiological symptoms linked to EMF exposure.

Given what is currently known and what still remains uncertain, here are some ways research policymakers could lean into to help close the gaps and give more reliable evidence to drive policy decisions:

• Long-Term Studies Starting Early in Life: Track children from before birth or early childhood, measure their EMF exposure over time, and follow them for decades to see possible effects on brain health, cancer, fertility, and more.
  
  

• Better Ways to Measure Exposure: Use personal EMF monitors, long-term tracking in homes and schools, and improved ways to measure for indoor and outdoor exposures. Having standardized measurement methods will make it easier to compare results across studies.
  
  

• Studying New Technologies: Research health effects of real-world 5G, small cell towers, and “smart” devices. Compare newer signals to older ones to see if they act differently in the body.
  
  

• Vulnerable Groups: Focus on children, pregnant people, and those with health conditions.
  
  

• Long-Term Health Outcomes: Many illnesses take years to appear, so studies need to track participants over long time spans.
  
  

• Public Guidance and Precaution — While research continues, public health advice should encourage reducing unnecessary exposure, especially for vulnerable groups, and communicate risks clearly without fearmongering or downplaying.

We don’t have to sit idly by and wait for research to catch up. Simple changes in our tech habits can reduce exposure, mitigating the still-unknown effects of EMFs on human health:

• Create distance. Exposure increases with proximity, so make it a habit to keep the phone out of the pocket when you aren’t using it, keep laptops and tablets on the table instead of in your lap, and avoid keeping your devices near your bed at night.

• Unplug. When you aren’t using a device, turn it off to reduce the EMF load around you.

• Go hands-free. Use speakerphone or wired headphones when chatting. 

• Tune your space. Invest in EMF wellness technology like Aires to clean up your electromagnetic environment and support your body in the midst of EMFs. 

When it comes to EMF protection, many people’s first thought is to block them. However, blocking is not the best solution for EMF protection. Instead of avoiding EMFs entirely, work with them by making Aires part of your wellness toolkit. Aires devices don’t block EMFs. Instead, they reshape EMFs into a more biologically-friendly form, reducing stress on your body.

While there is credible evidence that EMF exposure could be linked to a growing list of health concerns, there is still so much unknown, incomplete, and contradictory. The MAHA Strategy Update’s call for more research is a well-justified, forward-thinking step towards better understanding how EMFs impact our bodies.  

Closing the research gaps is going to be essential for creating public health policies that are truly evidence-based, and to design safety standards that catch more than just thermal effects. As research continues to evolve, we can hope for more clarity and better guidance. But in the meantime, consider precautionary steps like simple changes to your tech habits and EMF wellness tools like Aires to support your body in our increasingly digital world.