Electromagnetic fields from mobile phones: A risk for maintaining energy homeostasis?

In the world, there is a near ubiquitous presence of a low-intensity radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) radiation, due to telecommunications as mobile phones. However, their rapid expansion raises concerns about possible interaction with biological mechanisms. The RF-EMF safety guidelines recommended limits to protect against the thermal heating, the most recognized effect at high intensity levels with a known biophysical mechanism. Among all the effects studied, the impact of RF-EMF exposure on thermoregulation is one of the most important aspects of this research. This review aims to present the complex relationship between RF-EMF exposure and thermoregulation, at intensity levels below the threshold to produce thermal effects. In fact, most studies showed that RF-EMF exposure at 900MHz seems to elicit physiological and biological effects similar to responses inducing by cold environment in two different rodent models. In this brief review, we will describe the effects and underlying mechanisms induced by RF-EMF exposure at low levels and discuss the potential implications for environmental health and safety.