Living near a cell tower was associated with elevated levels of white blood cells — comparable to those seen in smokers — according to a peer-reviewed study in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine.
The study also found that using a cellphone for 4 to 6 hours a day raised people’s white blood cell count, particularly among adults under 30.
“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 authors wrote.
White blood cells are key to the body’s immune response and naturally elevate during infection or inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
But ongoing exposure to wireless radiation from cell towers and cellphones may deplete the immune system by chronically elevating the white blood cell count, according to the study authors.
“People’s everyday exposures to mobile phones and towers may be affecting their health by creating or adding to inflammatory conditions and immune system depletion,” Julie McCredden, Ph.D., and Zothan Siama, Ph.D., the study’s corresponding authors, told The Defender.
Cellphones, cell towers and other wireless devices are all “potential sources of physical stress — not just social or emotional stress,” they said. “Unfortunately, most doctors are not aware of the potential immune and inflammatory effects of exposure to wireless frequencies, because they are not trained in environmental health.”
Why I cancelled my local gym membership? Cell tower behind the gym. Insane. People dropping weekly pic.twitter.com/Eb8kx1pru1
— Matt From Cultivate Elevate (@CultivateElevat) February 16, 2026
