Q & A: Could Electromagnetic Fields Affect Cells Without Breaking DNA Directly?

by: Tayren N. Ben-Abraham, MPH, MSc., M.A., M.A.

Q: If electromagnetic fields are non-ionizing, how could they possibly affect our cells?
A: This is one of the important questions researchers are investigating. Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are forms of non-ionizing radiation which is radiation that does not have enough energy to directly break chemical bonds or remove electrons from atoms. (Hossain & Haider, 2023). Examples of devices that give off this type of radiation are wifi routers, laptops, Bluetooth devices, microwaves, anything that conducts electricity such as power lines, and cellphones (Cirino & Lamoreux, 2018). Because they are non-ionizing does not mean that they do not have an effect on the human body. Scientists have investigated whether electromagnetic fields might affect cells indirectly by changing cell signaling and processes involved in energy production (Averill-Bates, 2024; Belenichev et al., 2024; Birnbaum et al., 2022). There are many ways the cells can be compromised, but here we will only focus on one major pathway – the reactive oxygen series or ROS. One of the most studied possibilities involves molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Ahmed Selim & Wojtovich, 2025).

Q: What are ROS?
A: Reactive oxygen series, or ROS, are chemically active molecules that cells naturally produce and are produced from outside of the body too (Juan et al., 2021). ROS contain oxygen atoms which freely bond with other atoms which can be really dangerous (Liu et al., 2023). We generally call these free radicals which can result in many health problems. ROS can also form non-radical molecules (Ren et al., 2026). One way that free radicals can cause damage to the body is by reacting to the lipid, or fats, in our bodies (Martemucci et al., 2022). Fats make up things like out cell membranes and other structures in the human body (Ali & Szabo, 2023). But here is the surprising part: ROS are not automatically bad. They can participate in the very processes they also destroy like cellular signaling, immune defense, gene regulation, and cellular adaption (Averill-Bates, 2024). Cells also have antioxidant systems that help keep ROS under control Ahmed Selim & Wojtovich, 2025). Here is a simple way to remember the effects of ROS. Think of ROS like a fire in a fireplace. A controlled fire can be useful. But if the fire becomes too large, it can damage the house.
 
Q: How could electromagnetic exposure possibly increase ROS?
A: Scientists have proposed several possible pathways. It isn't necessarily one simple chain of events. Instead, different processes inside the cell may interact with one another (Kaltsas et al., 2026; Jomova et al., 2023). One proposed pathway involves structures called voltage-gated calcium channels, or VGCCs.

Voltage-gated calcium channels are proteins in the cell membrane that open when the cell becomes electrically active, or depolarized (Yao et al., 2023). When these channels open, calcium ions (Ca²⁺) move into the cell (Yao et al., 2023). This calcium entry acts as an important signal that helps cells perform many functions. In nerve cells, calcium entering through these channels triggers the release of neurotransmitters, which allow nerve cells to communicate with one another (Pikor et al., 2024). In muscle cells, calcium helps start muscle contraction (Sinha et al., 2022). Calcium entry also helps certain cells release hormones, such as insulin from pancreatic cells (Ma et al., 2025). In addition, calcium can act as a signal inside cells, helping control processes such as gene activity, cell growth, and other cellular functions (Su et al., 2024). Overall, voltage-gated calcium channels help convert electrical signals into important biological responses.
 
Q: What are voltage-gated calcium channels?
A: Imagine the cell membrane as a wall surrounding a building. VGCCs are like tiny gates in that wall or they can even be doors. Some gates or doors require a key and some just freely open when approached. Voltage-gated calcium channels require a key and they control the movement of calcium into the cell (Palmisano et al., 2024). Calcium is extremely important because cells use it for communication and many other functions (Su et al., 2024). Scientists have proposed that, under certain conditions, electromagnetic exposure might affect how these channels work.
 
Q: Why would too much calcium be a problem?
A: Calcium normally helps cells perform important jobs, but too much calcium can trigger cellular stress. High calcium levels can activate an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which increases production of nitric oxide (NO) (Iova et al., 2023; Andrabi et al., 2023). Calcium can also activate other enzymes that may contribute to cellular injury (Matuz-Mares et al., 2022).
 
Q: Can healthy mitochondria make ROS?
A: Yes. Even healthy mitochondria can produce small amounts of ROS because some electrons naturally escape from the electron transport chain and react with oxygen (Chenna et al., 2022). Normally, antioxidant systems keep these ROS under control (Jomova et al., 2023). When mitochondria become damaged or stop working properly, more electrons may escape. That can result in more ROS production causing the body to age faster and cause disease (Chenna et al., 2022).
 
Q: Why might the brain be especially vulnerable?
A: The brain is an extremely energy-demanding organ (Morais, 2010). Although the brain represents only about 2% of the body's weight, it uses approximately 20% of the body's oxygen (Wang et al., 2024). Neurons are the components of the brain that require large amounts of energy as they contain many mitochondria (Rae et al., 2024).  According to Sanchez-Alegria & Arias (2022) the cells membranes of neurons are rich in polyunsaturated fats which makes them susceptible to electromagnetic exposure and damage. This is one reason researchers are interested in oxidative stress when studying possible neurological effects of electromagnetic exposure.

Q: What about reproductive cells?
A: Researchers have also studied oxidative stress in reproductive biology. Sperm cells have membranes containing large amounts of lipids and have relatively limited antioxidant protection (Qamar et al., 2022). This may make them vulnerable to oxidative damage. As a result, excess ROS could potentially damage sperm membranes and DNA (Kowalczyk, 2021). For this reason, oxidative stress has been investigated as one possible mechanism connecting electromagnetic exposure with reproductive effects.
 
Q: Does this mean electromagnetic exposure definitely causes this entire chain?
A: No. The pathway described above is a proposed biological mechanism that researchers are investigating. It does not mean that every exposure to electromagnetic fields produces this entire sequence. Scientists are still studying important questions such as:
·       How much exposure would be necessary to produce these effects?
·       Do different studies consistently find the same results?
·       Do changes observed in cells actually lead to important health effects in people?
These questions are important because finding a biological effect in cells does not automatically mean that the same effect will occur in humans or cause disease.

Q: Why is oxidative stress such an important area of research?
A: Because oxidative stress could potentially connect many different biological processes. Researchers have investigated its possible relationship with the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, DNA and genetic stability, metabolism, hormonal systems, reproductive function, the immune system. Oxidative stress an important biological pathway to investigate when scientists are trying to understand how non-ionizing electromagnetic fields might interact with living cells.
 
The Bottom Line
Electromagnetic fields do not have enough energy to directly ionize atoms like ionizing radiation does. But researchers are investigating whether electromagnetic exposure could potentially affect cells indirectly through changes in cellular signaling, calcium regulation, mitochondrial function, heating of body tissues, and ROS production. So, the central question is therefore not simply: "Do electromagnetic fields break DNA?" It is also: "Could electromagnetic exposure change cellular processes in ways that eventually lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage?" Oxidative stress remains one of the major biological mechanisms being studied in electromagnetic-field research. But the research is ongoing, and important questions about electromagnetic radiation exposure levels, reproducibility, and actual health effects remain unanswered.

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