Journal of Radio Electronics. eISSN 1684-1719. 2026. ¹5
Full text in Russian (pdf)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30898/1684-1719.2026.5.9
Biological effects of radiofrequency
V.N. Makarov 1, N.A. Boos 1, M.A. Mahov 2
1 MIREA – Russian Technological University, 119454, Moscow, prospect Vernadskogo, 78
2 LLC Firma «TECHNOSVET», 117342, Moscow, st. Vvedenskogo, d. 27, k. 2
The paper was received April 10, 2026.
Abstract. With the widespread adoption of wireless technologies (2G-5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), the biological effects of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) electromagnetic radiation have gained considerable public health and scientific significance. The aim of this work is to systematize the mechanisms of RF/MW radiation interaction with biological tissues, to review experimental and epidemiological evidence on its biological effects, and to critically evaluate current international safety standards. This is a literature review based on searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar covering the period 1976-2025, with priority given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large multicenter studies. The dominant energy absorption mechanism is dielectric heating, quantified by the specific absorption rate (SAR). In addition to thermal effects, a large proportion of peer-reviewed studies have reported non-thermal effects–reactive oxygen species induction, calcium homeostasis disruption, DNA damage, and altered blood–brain barrier permeability–although their reproducibility is limited. Analysis of over 500 genotoxicity studies found that 59 % reported significant DNA damage at exposures below ICNIRP limits, with reproductive system cells showing the greatest sensitivity (80 % positive findings). The large-scale NTP and Ramazzini studies found malignant heart schwannomas in rats following chronic exposure. Epidemiological data from major cohort studies (COSMOS, Interphone) have not shown a statistically significant increase in brain cancer risk, though follow-up periods may be insufficient to detect tumors with long latency. Current ICNIRP and IEEE standards are based exclusively on thermal thresholds and do not account for signal modulation or potential non-thermal effects. Fifth-generation millimeter-wave radiation is confined to superficial skin absorption; its long-term biological effects remain largely unexplored. A reassessment of the IARC classification is planned for 2025-2029.
Key words: RF radiation, microwave radiation, specific absorption rate (SAR), oxidative stress, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, ICNIRP, IARC, 5G, millimeter wave, safety standards.
Financing: This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (grant no. FSFZ-2026-0007).
Corresponding author: Makarov Valeriy Nikolaevich, makarov_vn@bk.ru
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For citation:
Makarov V.N., Boos N.A., Mahov M.A. Biological effects of radiofrequency and microwave radiation // Journal of Radio Electronics. – 2026. – ¹. 5. https://doi.org/10.30898/1684-1719.2026.5.9 (In Russian)