From the Research
Based on current scientific evidence, Wi-Fi signals and everyday electromagnetic radiation from consumer devices have not been shown to cause harmful effects on the human body at the levels we typically encounter. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2024 1, found that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure below guideline values does not cause symptoms, although the evidence is very uncertain. This study, a systematic review and meta-analysis, included 13 papers from eight distinct cohort and one case-control studies with a total of 486,558 participants.
Key Findings
- The study found no indication that RF-EMF below guideline values causes symptoms, but the evidence is very uncertain due to the low number of studies, possible risk of bias in some studies, inconsistencies, indirectness, and imprecision.
- Another study published in 2020 2 found no statistically significant acute effects of a whole-night Wi-Fi exposure on subjective sleep parameters as well as on parameters characterizing the macrostructure of sleep.
- A 2025 study 3 suggested that short-term and long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation can lead to anxiety, depression, decreased learning ability, memory loss, sleep rhythm disorders, and other adverse effects, but this study was focused on the effects of electromagnetic radiation on mood and rhythms in animal and cellular studies.
Recommendations
- There is no need to take precautions to reduce exposure to Wi-Fi signals or everyday electromagnetic radiation from consumer devices, as the levels of exposure are typically well below international safety limits.
- If you remain concerned, you can reduce exposure by keeping devices at a distance when possible, using speakerphone for calls, and turning off Wi-Fi routers when not in use, though these precautions are not deemed necessary by mainstream scientific consensus.
- It is essential to note that the radiation from Wi-Fi is much weaker than that from cell phones, and both are significantly weaker than natural sources of radiation we're exposed to daily.
Limitations of Evidence
- The current evidence has limitations, including the low number of studies, possible risk of bias in some studies, inconsistencies, indirectness, and imprecision.
- Future research needs novel and innovative methods to differentiate between potential biophysical effects and other potential effects from extensive use of wireless communication devices that may compete with healthy behavior such as sleeping or physical activity.