WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – A new study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine raises fresh concerns about the impact of cell phones on blood circulation. Researchers affiliated with the Environmental Health Trust (EHT) found that holding a cell phone next to the body for just five minutes can cause red blood cells to stick to one another, with potential implications for blood circulation and overall health.
Using ultrasound technology, researchers found that red blood cells clumped together after brief exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation emitted by two different smartphones. This clumping — known as red blood cell aggregation or rouleaux formation — can slow blood circulation and be a factor in several systemic diseases, including the development of blood clots.
“After only five minutes of exposure to the cell phone, we documented abnormal, sluggish blood flow in a healthy 62-year-old woman with no history of blood disorders,” said Dr. Robert R. Brown, M.D., co-author of the study, board-certified diagnostic radiologist, and EHT’s vice president for scientific research and clinical affairs.
Researchers are planning further studies to understand the implications of everyday mobile phone use for a wide range of people, including those with chronic health conditions and children.
“This study’s finding highlights the urgent need for our government to revise regulations that govern mobile phone safety, which were created nearly 30 years ago,” said Dr. Devra Davis, founder of EHT. “They don’t reflect the latest science on electromagnetic fields, and we need to take a fresh look at the risks — especially for children, whose developing bodies may be more vulnerable.”
The full study can be accessed here.
