Authors : Sandeep Kumar

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4ppfvkym

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yhdxsu5h

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug365

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Birds are increasingly exposed to man-made electromagnetic radiation (EMR) due to rapid growth in wireless communication technologies, including mobile networks, broadcast antennas, and satellite systems. Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) EMR has raised global concern regarding its potential harmful effects on avian species, particularly in urban and suburban ecosystems where antenna density is high. Birds possess lightweight body structures, high metabolic rates, and magnetoreception capabilities, making them especially sensitive to electromagnetic fields. Emerging evidence indicates that EMR may disrupt navigation behavior, impair reproductive success, and induce physiological stress in various bird species. Structural and functional alterations in cells, increased oxidative stress, DNA damage, and reduced fertility have been observed under chronic exposure conditions. Additionally, EMR absorption leads to thermal effects in tissues, quantified as Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which may cause heating of small organs such as the brain and reproductive organs due to their compact body size. Studies have reported declines in bird populations in regions with dense telecommunication infrastructure, along with behavioral changes such as disorientation, nest desertion, and altered vocalization patterns. However, knowledge gaps remain concerning frequency-dependent biological interactions, long-term ecological consequences, and combined exposure from multiple radiation sources. This review highlights the current scientific understanding of EMR-induced hazards to birds, emphasizing mechanistic pathways, species-specific vulnerabilities, and environmental risk factors. The study advocates for precautionary measures, optimized antenna installation policies, and continued research to protect avian biodiversity amid expanding wireless connectivity.

Keywords : Electromagnetic Radiation, Birds, SAR, Magnetoreception, Reproductive Toxicity, Avian Behavior, Biodiversity Decline.

References :

1. Balmori, A. (2009). Electromagnetic pollution from phone masts. Nature, 431 (7020), 147.
2. Balmori, A. (2010). Mobile phone mast effects on common frog (Rana temporaria) tadpoles: The city turned into a laboratory. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 29(1–12).
3. Balmori, A., & Hallberg, Ö. (2007). The urban decline of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus): A possible link with electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 26(2), 141–151.
4. Bandara, P., & Carpenter, D. O. (2018). Planetary electromagnetic pollution: It is time to assess its impact. The Lancet Planetary Health, 2(12), e512–e514.
5. Cucurachi, S., Tamis, W. L. M., Vijver, M. G., Peijnenburg, W. J. G. M., Bolte, J. F. B., & de Snoo, G. R. (2013). A review of the ecological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Environment International, 51, 116–140.
6. Engels, S., Schneider, N. L., Lefeldt, N., Hein, C. M., Zapka, M., Michalik, A., & Mouritsen, H. (2014). Anthropogenic electromagnetic noise disrupts magnetic compass orientation in a migratory bird. Nature, 509(7500), 353–356.
7. Everaert, J., & Bauwens, D. (2007). A possible effect of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone base stations on the number of breeding house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, 26(1), 63–72.
8. Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2020). Health risks from radiofrequency radiation, including 5G, should be assessed by experts with no conflicts of interest. Oncology Letters, 20(4), 1–10.
9. Panagopoulos, D. J., Johansson, O., & Carlo, G. L. (2015). Real versus simulated mobile phone exposures in experimental studies. BioMed Research International, 2015, 607053.
10. Ritz, T., Adem, S., & Schulten, K. (2004). A model for photoreceptor-based magnetoreception in birds. Biophysical Journal, 78(2), 707–718.
11. Russell, C. L. (2018). 5G wireless telecommunications expansion: Public health and environmental implications. Environmental Research, 165, 484–495.
12. Wiltschko, W., Stapput, K., Ritz, T., & Wiltschko, R. (2015). Magnetoreception in birds: The effect of radio-frequency fields. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 12(103), 20141103.
13. Kumar, S., et al. (2023). Assessment of EMR exposure using GIS and spatial interpolation: Case studies from India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(5), 1–13.