A Tribute in the Month of His Anniversary – Five years since his passing, he would now have reached his 100th year of life.
April 2026
Dedicated to the memory of Professor Yuri Grigoriev
— Eileen O’Connor, Director, EM Radiation Research Trust
“Man conquered the Black Plague, but he has created new problems – EMF Pollution.”
The late Professor Yuri Grigoriev
Tribute from colleague – April 6, 2021
At the time of Professor Grigoriev’s passing, Professor Oleg A. Grigoriev paid tribute publicly on X, reflecting both scientific respect and personal loss. He described him as one of the founding figures of Russian EMF non-thermal standards, highlighting his extraordinary scientific career spanning nuclear physics, cosmonaut support work, and decades of electromagnetic field research. He remembered him as a man of “big soul and warm heart. “Professor Yuri Grigoriev passed away today (95+)… a man with big soul & warm heart.”
Dr. Oleg A. Grigoriev
Dr. Sc. (Radiobiology), PhD (Radiobiology & Hygiene of Non-Ionizing Radiation)
Chairman, Russian National Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
Member of the Board, Scientific Council for Radiobiology, Russian Academy of Sciences
In a further post in Russian, he wrote that the “oldest radiobiologist in the world” had passed away suddenly in his 96th year, noting his many scientific contributions, over 60 students, and expressing deep gratitude and respect for a “great man, a true human being.” (Translation from Russian) 👇
A scientist of courage and conviction
Professor Yuri Grigoriev devoted his life to radiation science and to understanding the biological effects of electromagnetic fields. His concerns were grounded in decades of scientific experience at the highest level, including his role on the Russian Governmental Commission responding to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
He became increasingly concerned about the rapid global expansion of wireless technologies, including mobile telecommunications and the emerging 5G infrastructure, warning of the risks associated with ever-increasing public exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.
He described this as a situation that was no longer under control, and one that required urgent scientific and public health attention.
His scientific warning on EMF exposure
When I once asked Professor Grigoriev to compare ionising and non-ionising radiation, he gave a detailed and powerful response that remains with me to this day: “Ionizing radiation is monitored with safety systems in place to contain, control, and prevent overexposure. The current proliferation of wireless frequencies is worse, as levels of non-ionizing radiation are constantly increasing and ubiquitous; it is out of control. The worldwide dissemination of mobile telecommunications has resulted in new sources of large-scale population exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields.
Prevention of childhood and juvenile diseases from exposure to EMF sources is of paramount social and economic importance. It is one of the bases for public health policy in the near and long-term future.
The human brain and nervous system tissues directly perceive EMF and react irrespective of its intensity, and in certain cases, the effect depends on EMF modulation. This feature distinguishes EMF from all other environmental factors and complicates human health risk assessment for EMF exposure.
A situation has emerged where cumulative EMF exposure of children may be comparable to adult exposure and may be equal to the levels of occupational exposure of workers. The current standards are outdated and inadequate. Urgent action is needed to curb the negative impact from this physical agent.”
A personal remembrance
Professor Grigoriev was my friend and my hero. I had the privilege of being invited to stay at his home in Russia with my colleague Sissel Halmøy, and to spend time with his family, friends, and colleagues. These were not only scientific exchanges, but deeply human experiences that revealed his kindness, generosity, and warmth.
Five years since his death, he is never forgotten. If he were still with us today, he would be 100 years old. He lived through nearly an entire century of scientific development and global change, carrying that history with reflection and humility.
(Photo: Eileen O’Connor, Sissel Halmøy, and Professor Yuri Grigoriev at his home in Moscow)
A moment of conversation, friendship, and shared scientific concern — a moment I will never forget.
Legacy and scientific impact
Professor Grigoriev was a towering figure in radiation science whose work shaped decades of thinking on non-ionising radiation protection. He was respected internationally for his scientific contributions and for his willingness to speak openly about emerging risks to public health.
“The current standards are outdated and inadequate. Urgent action is needed to curb the negative impact from this physical agent.”
Russia applies significantly more precautionary public exposure limits for radiofrequency radiation than the UK, with substantially lower allowable levels under its national standards compared with the ICNIRP-based guidance adopted in the UK.
Professor Grigoriev also actively participated in international scientific and policy forums. I had the opportunity to present in the same European Commission session, alongside him and other international delegates, in a multilingual setting with simultaneous translation for all languages.
(Photo: Eileen O’Connor, Professor Yuri Grigoriev, and Dr Isaac Jamieson at the European Commission, during a multilingual scientific and policy session with simultaneous interpretation)
A setting that reflected the scientific complexity and international importance of the discussions.
I believe he would have been deeply saddened by much of what is unfolding in the world today. At the same time, his life’s work remains a reminder of the importance of responsibility, caution, and scientific integrity in the development of technologies that now surround us all.
He passed away in April 2021 at the age of 95. His absence is deeply felt, but his legacy continues through his scientific contributions, those he mentored, and all of us who had the privilege of knowing him and learning from him.
Related reading
The Three Giants of Science
Sir William Stewart, Professor Yuri Grigoriev, and Dr Oleg A. Grigoriev
https://radiationresearch.org/three-giants-one-warning/
References
Radiation Research Trust
The Cold War of Electromagnetic Radiation
https://radiationresearch.org/the-cold-war-of-electro-magnetic-radiation/
Microwave News
Yuri Grigoriev Dies at 95
https://microwavenews.com/news-center/yuri-grigoriev-dies-95
Download free of charge: Frequencies Used in Telecommunications
https://radiationresearch.org/news/frequencies-used-in-telecommunications-an-integrated-radiobiological-assessment
In memory of Professor Yuri Grigoriev.
