Living close to mobile phone towers may be associated with signs of immune system stress, including elevated white blood cell counts similar to those seen in smokers, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine.
Researchers reported that chronically high white blood cell levels — a marker often linked to inflammation and infection — were more common among people residing near cell towers and heavy cellphone users.
White blood cells play a critical role in fighting infections, but persistent elevation can indicate ongoing inflammation or immune strain, according to Cleveland Clinic.
The study found that adults living within 60 metres of a cell tower showed higher levels of certain white blood cells compared with those living more than 300 metres away.
“These results indicate human biological systems are under stress from both mobile phone use and local mobile phone tower exposures, leading to potential health effects,” the researchers wrote.
Lead authors Julie McCredden and Zothan Siama said everyday exposure to wireless radiation could contribute to inflammatory conditions and long-term immune system strain.
They argued that devices such as cellphones and wireless infrastructure may act as physical stressors, though they noted that environmental health effects of radiofrequency exposure are not widely emphasised in conventional medical training.
Researchers analysed blood samples from 101 adults in Aizawl, India. Fifty participants lived within 60 metres of a tower, while 51 lived at least 300 metres away.
Radiofrequency (RF) radiation levels were measured in participants’ homes, and efforts were made to minimise confounding factors, including occupational exposure. Participants were also matched by age and gender and surveyed about lifestyle habits and phone use.
One of the most notable findings involved monocytes, a type of white blood cell linked to inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Nearly 24% of those living near towers had elevated monocyte levels comparable to smokers, while those living farther away did not show the same pattern.
Epidemiologist Nicolas Hulscher described this as the study’s most striking result, noting that monocytes play a central role in systemic inflammation and vascular injury.
The researchers warned that long-term exposure could be contributing to the growing prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases worldwide.
The study also examined cellphone habits and found that using a phone for four to six hours daily was associated with elevated lymphocytes — another type of immune cell.
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More than half of participants in this category had lymphocyte levels above normal ranges, particularly among adults under 30.
While lymphocytes help fight short-term infections, researchers cautioned that prolonged activation could eventually weaken immune resilience.
Scientists also measured cortisol and amylase — biochemical markers of stress — but results were inconsistent, preventing firm conclusions about their relationship with RF exposure.
A related 2025 study by the same research team reported that residents living near towers experienced higher rates of allergies, infections, and cognitive complaints compared with those living farther away.
The findings come amid continued global debate about the health effects of long-term exposure to wireless radiation.
In the United States, limits on RF emissions are set by the Federal Communications Commission and have remained largely unchanged since 1996. Critics argue those standards were based mainly on short-term heating effects rather than chronic exposure.
India’s permitted exposure levels are generally stricter — about one-tenth of U.S. limits at certain frequencies, according to health advocacy groups.
Advocacy organisation Children’s Health Defense has called for updated safety guidelines and greater involvement of public health agencies in setting exposure standards.
While the study does not prove causation, its authors say the findings highlight the need for further research into potential biological effects of long-term exposure to wireless technologies.
They emphasised that modern lifestyles involve continuous interaction with mobile devices and communication infrastructure, making understanding possible health impacts increasingly important.