RF Safe

Electromagnetic Fields, Pulsed Radiofrequency Radiation, and Epigenetics: How Wireless Technologies May Affect Childhood Development

Child Dev · 2018 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6792

This review profiles epigenetic studies related to exposure to mobile phones and other wireless devices producing EMF and pulsed radiofrequency radiation. The abstract states that numerous studies have reported harmful health impacts and neurodevelopmental/ne…

Study snapshot

PublicationChild Dev · 2018
Study typereview
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Mobile phones and other wireless devices that produce electromagnetic fields (EMF) and pulsed radiofrequency radiation (RFR) are widely documented to cause potentially harmful health impacts that can be detrimental to young people. New epigenetic studies are profiled in this review to account for some neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral changes due to exposure to wireless technologies. Symptoms of retarded memory, learning, cognition, attention, and behavioral problems have been reported in numerous studies and are similarly manifested in autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, as a result of EMF and RFR exposures where both epigenetic drivers and genetic (DNA) damage are likely contributors. Technology benefits can be realized by adopting wired devices for education to avoid health risk and promote academic achievement.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview
Effect directionharm
Populationyoung people/children
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 87% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review profiles epigenetic studies related to exposure to mobile phones and other wireless devices producing EMF and pulsed radiofrequency radiation. The abstract states that numerous studies have reported harmful health impacts and neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioral symptoms in young people, with epigenetic mechanisms and DNA damage described as likely contributors.

Outcomes measured

  • epigenetic changes
  • neurodevelopmental changes
  • neurobehavioral changes
  • memory
  • learning
  • cognition
  • attention
  • behavioral problems
  • autism
  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorders
  • DNA damage

Limitations

  • Review article; no primary sample described in the abstract
  • No quantitative effect estimates reported in the abstract
  • Specific exposure metrics are not provided in the abstract
  • Causal claims are not established from the abstract alone
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "young people/children",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "epigenetic changes",
    "neurodevelopmental changes",
    "neurobehavioral changes",
    "memory",
    "learning",
    "cognition",
    "attention",
    "behavioral problems",
    "autism",
    "attention deficit hyperactivity disorders",
    "DNA damage"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review profiles epigenetic studies related to exposure to mobile phones and other wireless devices producing EMF and pulsed radiofrequency radiation. The abstract states that numerous studies have reported harmful health impacts and neurodevelopmental/neurobehavioral symptoms in young people, with epigenetic mechanisms and DNA damage described as likely contributors.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Review article; no primary sample described in the abstract",
    "No quantitative effect estimates reported in the abstract",
    "Specific exposure metrics are not provided in the abstract",
    "Causal claims are not established from the abstract alone"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.87,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "EMF",
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "wireless technologies",
    "mobile phones",
    "epigenetics",
    "child development",
    "neurodevelopment",
    "DNA damage",
    "ADHD",
    "autism"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12824
PubMed: 28504324

Read the original paper →

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