No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
Complex exposure to eleCtromagnetiC Fields Electromagnetic Field Effects on Cells and Cancer Risks from Mobile Communication
Abstract
Both potentially detrimental and beneficial responses of living cells to weak, nonthermal (NT) electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been observed. So far, focus has been on biological effects of extremely low frequency (ELF, 1–300 Hz) EMF and EMF of microwave frequency range (MW, 300 MHz to 300 GHz). There is strong evidence that biological effects of EMF are dependent on many physical, physiological, and genetic parameters, which must be controlled in replication studies. 1,2 Source of funding may also affect the data. 3 While a significant body of published data shows biological effects of NT MW, studies supported by the mobile industry are less likely to report these effects. 3,4 Failure to control important parameters in replicated studies along with reduced funding for EMF research in economically developed countries may be the main cause of the lack of accepted mechanism for biological effects of NT EMF. While funding for mechanistic EMF studies has been significantly reduced, the number of sources for ELF and MW exposure in everyday life is constantly growing. Moreover, some modern devices emit EMF in wide frequency ranges covering both ELF and MW. In particular, mobile phones not only expose the user to MW but also to ELF. 5–10 ITIS Foundation has performed detailed measurement of five mobile phones. 11 All five phones have shown the maximum B-field on the back side with extrapolated pulse heights between 35 and 75 μT. At this location, four out of the five tested phones exceeded the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reference levels by several harmonics of 217 Hz. The maximum violation by a factor of two was detected at 650 Hz. The B-field on the front side of the phones tested is by a factor two to six times smaller and varies between eight and 20 μT. The maximum DC fields were detected near the phone loudspeaker and reached levels up to 20 mT (half of the corresponding ICNIRP reference level of 40 mT). Perentos et al. have recently measured and characterized the ELF magnetic field from several GSM handsets using different probes which covered frequency range from static magnetic fields (0 Hz) to 2 GHz. Peak ELF fields at the front sides of five commercial GSM phones were assessed and a maximum of 22.4 μT was reported. 12 The main ELF component at 217 Hz was about 1 μT at a distance of 3 cm from the front side of the handset. The overall pulse peak was 4.2 times greater than the 217 Hz component. The 217 Hz magnetic field decreased with distance and reached 0.3 μT at approximately 5 cm from the front handset site. The overall ELF pulse peak produced by all ELF components was 4.2 times greater than the 217 Hz component.
... Thermal effects of acute exposure to MW are well characterized by the specific absorption rate (SAR, W/kg). Along with thermal MW effects, various biological responses to nonthermal (NT) MW, which are observed at the SAR values well below any measurable elevation of temperature, have been described by many research groups all over the world (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Among many other variables, effects of NT MW strongly depend on frequency, modulation, polarization, and duration of exposure (7,8). ...
... Cao et al. studied whether circadian rhythms of the plasma antioxidants (Mel, GSH-Px, and superoxide dismutase [SOD]) are affected by chronic exposure of male Sprague Dawley rats to the 1.8 GHz RF (201.7 µW/cm 2 power density, 0.05653 W/kg SAR) (58). The animals were exposed to RF for 2 h/day at six specific times during the 24 h light-dark cycle (3,7,11,15,19 and 23 h Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), respectively) for 32 consecutive days. The concentrations of three antioxidants (Mel, GSH-Px and SOD) were determined in blood samples. ...
... Cordless phone use was not related to any of the sleeping scores. Based on inconsistent findings for different RF sources, which otherwise are well expected based on studies and mechanisms reviewed previously (2,3,8), the authors suggested that the revealed sleep disorders may also be potentially caused by other factors that are related to mobile phone usage such as the displacement of sleep by media use, physiological arousal when using media in the evenings or bright (blue) light from screens suppressing melatonin. ...
... The latter type of exposure is termed non-thermal. Biological and health-relevant effects at non-thermal levels have been shown and discussed by many research groups all over the world (9,10,(22)(23)(24). ...
... There were several mechanisms identified which might be responsible for carcinogenic effects of RF (23). Epidemiological studies of RF before the general rise in exposure to mobile telecommunication devices was very restricted and only a few studies had been conducted in the vicinity of radio transmitters, radar stations, for occupational exposures, and in radio amateurs. ...
... Many modern devices emit EMF of different frequency ranges simultaneously. For example, mobile phones create EMF in RF, VLF, and ELF frequency ranges and also a static magnetic field; for a review see (23). Therefore, it is important to consider combined exposures for the assessment of health effects. ...
Chronic diseases and illnesses associated with non-specific symptoms are on the rise. In addition to chronic stress in social and work environments, physical and chemical exposures at home, at work, and during leisure activities are causal or contributing environmental stressors that deserve attention by the general practitioner as well as by all other members of the health care community. It seems necessary now to take "new exposures" like electromagnetic fields (EMF) into account. Physicians are increasingly confronted with health problems from unidentified causes. Studies, empirical observations, and patient reports clearly indicate interactions between EMF exposure and health problems. Individual susceptibility and environmental factors are frequently neglected. New wireless technologies and applications have been introduced without any certainty about their health effects, raising new challenges for medicine and society. For instance, the issue of so-called non-thermal effects and potential long-term effects of low-dose exposure were scarcely investigated prior to the introduction of these technologies. Common electromagnetic field or EMF sources: Radio-frequency radiation (RF) (3 MHz to 300 GHz) is emitted from radio and TV broadcast antennas, Wi-Fi access points, routers, and clients (e.g. smartphones, tablets), cordless and mobile phones including their base stations, and Bluetooth devices. Extremely low frequency electric (ELF EF) and magnetic fields (ELF MF) (3 Hz to 3 kHz) are emitted from electrical wiring, lamps, and appliances. Very low frequency electric (VLF EF) and magnetic fields (VLF MF) (3 kHz to 3 MHz) are emitted, due to harmonic voltage and current distortions, from electrical wiring, lamps (e.g. compact fluorescent lamps), and electronic devices. On the one hand, there is strong evidence that long-term exposure to certain EMFs is a risk factor for diseases such as certain cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and male infertility. On the other hand, the emerging electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is more and more recognized by health authorities, disability administrators and case workers, politicians, as well as courts of law. We recommend treating EHS clinically as part of the group of chronic multisystem illnesses (CMI), but still recognizing that the underlying cause remains the environment. In the beginning, EHS symptoms occur only occasionally, but over time they may increase in frequency and severity. Common EHS symptoms include headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. A comprehensive medical history, which should include all symptoms and their occurrences in spatial and temporal terms and in the context of EMF exposures, is the key to making the diagnosis. The EMF exposure is usually assessed by EMF measurements at home and at work. Certain types of EMF exposure can be assessed by asking about common EMF sources. It is very important to take the individual susceptibility into account. The primary method of treatment should mainly focus on the prevention or reduction of EMF exposure, that is, reducing or eliminating all sources of high EMF exposure at home and at the workplace. The reduction of EMF exposure should also be extended to public spaces such as schools, hospitals, public transport, and libraries to enable persons with EHS an unhindered use (accessibility measure). If a detrimental EMF exposure is reduced sufficiently, the body has a chance to recover and EHS symptoms will be reduced or even disappear. Many examples have shown that such measures can prove effective. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, the broad range of other environmental factors that contribute to the total body burden should also be addressed. Anything that supports homeostasis will increase a person's resilience against disease and thus against the adverse effects of EMF exposure. There is increasing evidence that EMF exposure has a major impact on the oxidative and nitrosative regulation capacity in affected individuals. This concept also may explain why the level of susceptibility to EMF can change and why the range of symptoms reported in the context of EMF exposures is so large. Based on our current understanding, a treatment approach that minimizes the adverse effects of peroxynitrite - as has been increasingly used in the treatment of multisystem illnesses - works best. This EMF Guideline gives an overview of the current knowledge regarding EMF-related health risks and provides recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and accessibility measures of EHS to improve and restore individual health outcomes as well as for the development of strategies for prevention.
... Many in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation cause oxidative stress in the brain Akdag, 2016, 2020) and can induce oxidative damage to cellular DNA (https:// bioinitiative.org/; Belyaev, 2015;IARC, 2013). However, reports on the effect of RF-EMR exposure on hippocampal neurogenesis are limited and need additional investigation (Kim et al., 2015;Xu et al., 2017). ...
... In line with this fact, we also observed significant DNA damage in the cortex and hippocampus region of the rat brain exposed to RF-EMR. However, earlier studies have reported both DNA damage and no DNA damage in the brain after exposure to varying doses and durations of RF-EMR (Belyaev, 2015;Lagroye et al., 2004;Singh, 1995, 2005;Prihoda, 2019). Few animal studies also reported increased DNA damage with an increase in frequency (Alkis et al., 2019;Deshmukh et al., 2015;Megha et al., 2015) and others did not observe significant DNA damage irrespective of frequencies (Verschaeve et al., 2006). ...
A mobile phone is now a commonly used device for digital media and communication among all age groups. Young adolescents use it for longer durations, which exposes them to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). This exposure can lead to neuropsychiatric changes. The underlying cellular mechanism behind these changes requires detailed investigation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones on young adolescent rat brains. Wistar rats (5 weeks, male) were exposed to RF-EMR signal (2,115 MHz) at a head average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.51 W/kg continuously for 8 h. Higher level of lipid peroxidation, carbon-centered lipid radicals, and single-strand DNA damage was observed in the brain of rat exposed to RF-EMR. The number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) decreased in RF-EMR-exposed rats, indicating reduced neurogenesis. RF-EMR exposure also induced degenerative changes and neuronal loss in DG neurons but had no effect on the CA3 and CA1 neurons of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The activity of Pro-caspase3 did not increase upon exposure in any of the brain regions, pointing out that degeneration observed in the DG region is not dependent on caspase activation. Results indicate that short-term acute exposure to RF-EMR induced the generation of carbon-centered lipid radicals and nuclear DNA damage, both of which likely played a role in the impaired neurogenesis and neuronal degeneration seen in the young brain's hippocampus region. The understanding of RF-EMR-induced alteration in the brain at the cellular level will help develop appropriate interventions for reducing its adverse impact.
... During recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the NT MW bioeffects (Belyaev, 2015a). These NT effects occurred because of oxidative stress, modification in transmembrane processes, changes in gene/protein expression, cell metabolism, transmembrane signal transduction, cell cycle progression, intracellular signaling cascades, and conformational changes (Belyaev, 2015b). ...
An increasing number of investigations has shown that weak ELF alternating (AC) magnetic fields (MF) affect biological systems (Goodman et al., 1995). The effects of AC fields have been observed within relatively narrow frequency bands at so-called resonance frequencies (Smith et al., 1987, Belyaev et al., 1994; Blackman et al., 1994; Prato et al., 1995). Relatively narrow windows were also observed in the amplitude dependencies of the AC field effects (Liboff et al., 1987; Lednev, 1991; Blackman et al., 1994; Prato et al., 1995). It has been found by Blackman et al.(1985) that the ambient static magnetic fields (DC) can significantly influence the effects of alternating magnetic fields. The importance of static MF for the ELF effects was confirmed in several papers (Lednev, 1991; Belyaev et al., 1994; Blackman et al., 1994; Fitzsimmons et al., 1994; Prato et al., 1995). Therefore, the effects of weak ELF are observed under specific combinations of DC/AC exposure. Several physical mechanisms were suggested to explain these observations (Liboff et al., 1987; Chiabrera et al., 1991; Lednev, 1991; Belyaev et al., 1994; Binhi, 1997). The dependence of ELF effects on some physiological factors such as concentration of ions during exposure of cells has been shown (Smith et al., 1987; Karabakhtsian et al., 1994).
The understanding of possible nonthermal bio-effects has been an open question during the last five decades. In this paper, the authors present a critical literature review of the models of the interaction mechanisms, together with an overview of all the publications finding positive results for in vitro and in vivo studies. The systematic approach consisted of pooling together the positive studies on the basis of the endpoints and the biological systems, to identify specific plausible targets of the action of the electromagnetic fields and the related pathways. Such a classification opens the way to the discussion of some hypotheses of interaction mechanisms considered as first transduction step. The authors conclude that only through a multiscale methodology it is possible to perform a comprehensive study of the nonthermal effects, based on affordable and realistic in silico models.
Previous studies have shown a consistent association between long-term use of mobile and cordless phones and glioma and acoustic neuroma, but not for meningioma. When used these phones emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) and the brain is the main target organ for the handheld phone. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified in May, 2011 RF-EMF as a group 2B, i.e. a 'possible' human carcinogen. The aim of this study was to further explore the relationship between especially long-term (>10 years) use of wireless phones and the development of malignant brain tumours. We conducted a new case-control study of brain tumour cases of both genders aged 18-75 years and diagnosed during 2007-2009. One population-based control matched on gender and age (within 5 years) was used to each case. Here, we report on malignant cases including all available controls. Exposures on e.g. use of mobile phones and cordless phones were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, year of diagnosis and socio-economic index using the whole control sample. Of the cases with a malignant brain tumour, 87% (n=593) participated, and 85% (n=1,368) of controls in the whole study answered the questionnaire. The odds ratio (OR) for mobile phone use of the analogue type was 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04‑3.3, increasing with >25 years of latency (time since first exposure) to an OR=3.3, 95% CI=1.6-6.9. Digital 2G mobile phone use rendered an OR=1.6, 95% CI=0.996-2.7, increasing with latency >15-20 years to an OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.6. The results for cordless phone use were OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1-2.9, and, for latency of 15-20 years, the OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.8. Few participants had used a cordless phone for >20-25 years. Digital type of wireless phones (2G and 3G mobile phones, cordless phones) gave increased risk with latency >1-5 years, then a lower risk in the following latency groups, but again increasing risk with latency >15-20 years. Ipsilateral use resulted in a higher risk than contralateral mobile and cordless phone use. Higher ORs were calculated for tumours in the temporal and overlapping lobes. Using the meningioma cases in the same study as reference entity gave somewhat higher ORs indicating that the results were unlikely to be explained by recall or observational bias. This study confirmed previous results of an association between mobile and cordless phone use and malignant brain tumours. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that RF-EMFs play a role both in the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis.
We previously conducted a case-control study of acoustic neuroma. Subjects of both genders aged 20-80 years, diagnosed during 1997-2003 in parts of Sweden, were included, and the results were published. We have since made a further study for the time period 2007-2009 including both men and women aged 18-75 years selected from throughout the country. These new results for acoustic neuroma have not been published to date. Similar methods were used for both study periods. In each, one population-based control, matched on gender and age (within five years), was identified from the Swedish Population Registry. Exposures were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire supplemented by a phone interview. Since the number of acoustic neuroma cases in the new study was low we now present pooled results from both study periods based on 316 participating cases and 3,530 controls. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, year of diagnosis and socio-economic index (SEI). Use of mobile phones of the analogue type gave odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0-4.3, increasing with >20 years latency (time since first exposure) to OR = 7.7, 95% CI = 2.8-21. Digital 2G mobile phone use gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1, increasing with latency >15 years to an OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.8-4.2. The results for cordless phone use were OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1, and, for latency of >20 years, OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 1.7-26. Digital type wireless phones (2G and 3G mobile phones and cordless phones) gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.0 increasing to OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.0-32 with latency >20 years. For total wireless phone use, the highest risk was calculated for the longest latency time >20 years: OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.2-9.0. Several of the calculations in the long latency category were based on low numbers of exposed cases. Ipsilateral use resulted in a higher risk than contralateral for both mobile and cordless phones. OR increased per 100 h cumulative use and per year of latency for mobile phones and cordless phones, though the increase was not statistically significant for cordless phones. The percentage tumour volume increased per year of latency and per 100 h of cumulative use, statistically significant for analogue phones. This study confirmed previous results demonstrating an association between mobile and cordless phone use and acoustic neuroma.
The Escherichia coli cells K12 AB1157 from the stationary stage of growth were exposed to millimeter waves (MMW) at power densities (PD) from 10−8 W/cm2 to 3 × 10−3 W/cm2. Frequency dependencies during exposure within the range of 51.655–51.688 GHz were studied for two cell concentrations (4 × 107 and 4 × 108 cells/ml). The changes in the genome conformational state (GCS) were analyzed by the method of anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD). The resonant effect with the resonance frequency of 51.675 ± 0.001 GHz was observed in the PD range of 10−18-10−8 W/cm2. Left-handed polarized MMW was shown to be more effective than right-handed circular polarization at this resonance. At PDs more than 10−6 W/cm2 the 51.675 GHz resonance effect decreased significantly. As the 51.675 GHz resonance decreased, a statistically significant effect was observed with its maximum at 51.668 ± 0.002 GHz. The results were compared to data of previous studies performed at the resonance frequency of 51.755 GHz. All resonance effects depended on the concentration of cells during exposure, which implies a cell-to-cell interaction during resonance response (cooperativity of resonance response). At all resonance frequencies, an effect was observed at very low nonthermal intensities: 10−18 W/cm2 for 51.755 GHz and 51.675 GHz; 10−14 W/cm2 for 51.668 GHz. The values of three resonance frequencies were stable in wide PD ranges within 10−18-10−3 W/cm2. The half-widths of the resonances showed different dependencies on PD, changing from 2–3 MHz to 16–17 MHz (51.675 GHz, 51.668 GHz) or 100 MHz (51.755 GHz). The significant rearrangement in the spectrum of resonance response was observed in the 10−8-10−4 W/cm2. All three resonances were involved in this rearrangement which can be explained in the framework of the model of electron-conformational interactions.
Cells of Escherichia coli K12 AB1157 were irradiated with millimeter waves (MMW) within the power density (PD) range of 10−20 to 10 4 W/cm2. MMW were applied for 0.5–70 min at 51.76 GHz or 41.32 GHz at which, as had been shown earlier, MMW resonantly changes the genome conformational state (GCS) of E. coli K12 AB1157 cells. The changes in the GCS were tested with the method of anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD). It was demonstrated that the resonance effect of MMW manifests itself at PD up to 10−19 W/cm2. Dependences of MMW effect on power density and time of exposure proved to have distinct characteristics when cells are irradiated during the logarithmic or stationary phases of the culture's growth. It was found that the resonance effect of MMW on the GCS of E. coli cells at the early stationary phase changes the developmental dynamics of the irradiated culture. It was established for the first time that the magnitude of the resonance MMW effect depends on the concentration of irradiated cells. An analysis of the results indicates an electromagnetic rather than diffusion nature of the cells' cooperative responses to millimeter waves.
The method of anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD) was used to study the influence of millimeter electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the genome conformational state (GCS) of Escherichiu coli K12 cells. Strain N99 of wild-type, lysogenic strains N99(A) and N99(λ,λimm434bio10) were used. In the 41.28-41.37 GHz and 51.73-51.79 GHz ranges the resonance effect of low-intensity EMR (10-10 W/cm2) on the GCS of N99 cells was shown. The resonance frequencies were 41.324 ± 0.001 GHz and 51.765 ± 0.002 GHz, respectively. The insertion in bacterial chromosome of prophage λ [strain N99(λ)] and prophage λimm434bio10 [strain N99(λ, λimm434bio10)] reduced both resonance frequencies considerably. The decrease of both resonance frequencies was proportionate to the increase of the haploid genome length. Shifts of the resonance frequency were not accompanied by change in the sign of effective circular EMR polarization. The results indicate that the frequencies of resonance interaction of E. coli cells with low-intensity millimeter waves are determined by the genome structure. A physical model was suggested to describe the observed shift of the resonance frequency.
The aim of our study is to evaluate the possible biological effects of whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure on liver oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in nonpregnant, pregnant New Zealand White rabbits, and in their newly borns. Eighteen nonpregnant and pregnant rabbits were used and randomly divided into four groups which were composed of nine rabbits: (i) Group I (nonpregnant control), (ii) Group II (nonpregnant-RF exposed), (iii) Group III (pregnant control), (iv) Group IV (pregnant-RF exposed). Newborns of the pregnant rabbits were also divided into two groups: (v) Group V (newborns of Group III) and (vi) Group VI (newborns of Group III). 1800 MHz GSM-like RF radiation whole-body exposure (15 min/day for a week) was applied to Group II and Group IV. No significant differences were found in liver 8 OHdG/10(6) dG levels of exposure groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to controls (Group I and Group III). However, in Group II and Group IV malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange (FOX) levels were increased compared to Group I (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney). No significant differences were found in liver tissue of 8 OHdG/10(6) dG and MDA levels between Group VI and Group V (P > 0.05, Mann-Whitney) while liver FOX levels were found significantly increased in Group VI with respect to Group V (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney). Consequently, the whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like RF radiation exposure may lead to oxidative destruction as being indicators of subsequent reactions that occur to form oxygen toxicity in tissues.
Purpose: We aimed to design a prolonged radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure and investigate in an animal model, possible bio-effects of RF radiation on the ongoing developmental stages of children from conception to childhood.
Materials and methods: A total of 72 New Zealand female and male white rabbits aged one month were used. Females were exposed to RF radiation for 15 min/day during 7 days, whereas males were exposed to the same level of radiation for 15 min/day during 14 days. Thirty-six female and 36 male infant rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Group I [Intrauterine (IU) exposure (-); Extrauterine (EU) exposure (-)]: Sham exposure which means rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM)-like RF signals neither in the IU nor in the EU periods. Group II [IU exposure (-); EU exposure (+)]: Infant rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals when they reached one month of age. Group III [IU exposure (+); EU exposure (-)]: Infant rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals in the IU period (between 15th and 22nd days of the gestational period). Group IV [IU exposure (+); EU exposure (+)]: Infant rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals both in the IU period (between 15th and 22nd days of the gestational period) and in the EU period when they reached one month of age. Biochemical analysis for lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were carried out in the livers of all rabbits.
Results: Lipid peroxidation levels in the liver tissues of female and male infant rabbits increased under RF radiation exposure. Liver 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels of female rabbits exposed to RF radiation were also found to increase when compared with the levels of non-exposed infants. However, there were no changes in liver 8-OHdG levels of male rabbits under RF exposure.
Conclusion: Consequently, it can be concluded that GSM-like RF radiation may induce biochemical changes by increasing free radical attacks to structural biomolecules in the rabbit as an experimental animal model.
OBJECTIVES: There is concern regarding the possible health effects of cellular telephone use. We examined whether the source of funding of studies of the effects of low-level radiofrequency radiation is associated with the results of studies. We conducted a systematic review of studies of controlled exposure to radiofrequency radiation with health-related outcomes (electroencephalogram, cognitive or cardiovascular function, hormone levels, symptoms, and subjective well-being). DATA SOURCES: We searched EMBASE, Medline, and a specialist database in February 2005 and scrutinized reference lists from relevant publications. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on the source of funding, study design, methodologic quality, and other study characteristics were extracted. The primary outcome was the reporting of at least one statistically significant association between the exposure and a health-related outcome. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 59 studies, 12 (20%) were funded exclusively by the telecommunications industry, 11 (19%) were funded by public agencies or charities, 14 (24%) had mixed funding (including industry), and in 22 (37%) the source of funding was not reported. Studies funded exclusively by industry reported the largest number of outcomes, but were least likely to report a statistically significant result: The odds ratio was 0.11 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.78), compared with studies funded by public agencies or charities. This finding was not materially altered in analyses adjusted for the number of outcomes reported, study quality, and other factors. CONCLUSIONS: The interpretation of results from studies of health effects of radiofrequency radiation should take sponsorship into account.
The method of anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD) was used to study the influence of nonthermal microwaves on the genome conformational state (GCS) of Escherichia coli cells. 20-Gy X-rayed cells were exposed to circularly polarized microwaves at seven frequencies of the 51.62–51.84 GHz band in which linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation (EMR) resonantly inhibits repair of X-ray-induced changes in the GCS. At all the frequencies that were studied, right-handed-polarized microwaves effectively influenced the GCS of X-rayed cells, whereas left-handed polarization was virtually ineffective. And conversely, right-handed polarization was ineffective and the left-handed polarized EMR effectively influenced the GCS when intact cells were exposed to microwaves. The two resonance dependences of millimeter waves' effect on the GCS of E. coli cells (both preliminarily irradiated and unirradiated by X-rays) had the same resonance frequency of 51.76 GHz, and a half–width of the resonance of about 100 MHz. Relative efficiency of circularly polarized components of EMR at this resonance frequency was studied, depending on the dose of radiation applied to the cells. It was shown that the effects of left-and right-handed EMRs become the same at 50 cGy. This dose is too small to damage any cellular structures except DNA. It was estimated that the dose induces about one single-strand DNA break per genome of the bacterial cell. Seen from the standpoint of the previously suggested physical model, the results suggest that the target of resonant interaction between E. coli cells and millimeter waves appears to be chromosomal DNA.
The significant difference in the effects of right- and left-handed polarized microwaves of millimeter range (MMW) on Escherichia coli cells and rat thymocytes has been shown previously. The helicity of DNA and supercoiling of DNA loops was suggested to cause the observed dependence of effects on polarization. It is known that DNA intercalators such as ethidium bromide (EtBr) are able to change the supercoiling of DNA loops and to affect the DNA helicity. In the present work, the combined effects of EtBr (1 μg/ml) and circularly polarized microwaves were studied in E. coli cells K12 AB1157 at the stationary stage of growth. The method of anomalous viscosity time dependencies (AVTD) was used to measure changes in the conformation of the genome. The cells were exposed to microwaves at 51.755 GHz and 0.1 mW/cm2 for 10 min. Under these conditions of exposure, left-handed microwaves induced changes in the genome conformation, whereas right polarization was almost ineffective. The incubation of cells with EtBr inverted the effective polarization, and right–handed MMW became more effective than left polarization. The data obtained provide new evidence that DNA is a target of MMW effects on cells.
The samples of mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors (N = 16) were exposed to 1300 MHz pulse‐modulated microwaves at 330 pps with 5 μs pulse width. The samples were exposed in an anechoic chamber at the average value of power density of S = 10 W/m2 (1 mW/cm2). The average specific absorption rate (SAR) was measured in rectangular waveguide and the value of SAR = 0.18 W/kg was recorded. Subsequently, the exposed and control cells were assessed in the microculture system for several parameters characterizing their proliferative and immunoregulatory properties. Although the irradiation decreased the spontaneous incorporation of 3H‐thymidine, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and to Con A as well as the T‐cell suppressive activity (SAT index) and the saturation of IL‐2 receptors did not change. Nevertheless, the lymphocyte production of interleukin (IL)‐10 increased (P < .001) and the concentration of IFNγ remained unchanged or slightly decreased in the culture supernatants. Concomitantly, the microwave irradiation modulated the monokine production by monocytes. The production of IL‐1β increased significantly (P < .01), the concentration of its antagonist (IL‐1ra) dropped by half (P < .01) and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) concentration remained unchanged. These changes of monokine proportion (IL‐1β vs. IL‐1ra) resulted in significant increase of the value of LM index (P < .01), which reflects the activation of monocyte immunogenic function. The results indicate that pulse‐modulated microwaves represent the potential of immunotropic influence, stimulating preferentially the immunogenic and proinflammatory activity of monocytes at relatively low levels of exposure.
Human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells were pre-exposed to non-ionizing 900 MHz radiofrequency fields (RF) at 12 µW/cm(2) power density for 1 hour/day for 3 days and then treated with a chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin (DOX, 0.125 mg/L). Several end-points related to toxicity, viz., viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular free calcium (Ca(2+)) and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+) -ATPase activity were measured. The results obtained in un-exposed and sham-exposed control cells were compared with those exposed to RF alone, DOX alone and RF+DOX. The results indicated no significant differences between un-exposed, sham-exposed control cells and those exposed to RF alone while treatment with DOX alone showed a significant decrease in viability, increased apoptosis, decreased MMP, increased Ca(2+) and decreased Ca(2+)-Mg(2+-)ATPase activity. When the latter results were compared with cells exposed RF+DOX, the data showed increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis, increased MMP, decreased Ca(2+) and increased Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. Thus, RF pre-exposure appear to protect the HL-60 cells from the toxic effects of subsequent treatment with DOX. These observations were similar to our earlier data which suggested that pre-exposure of mice to 900 MHz RF at 120 µW/cm(2) power density for 1 hours/day for 14 days had a protective effect in hematopoietic tissue damage induced by subsequent gamma-irradiation.
This population-based case-control study in Taiwan considered incident cases aged 15years or less and admitted in 2003 to 2007 for all neoplasm (ICD-9-CM: 140-239) (n=2606), including 939 leukemia and 394 brain neoplasm cases. Controls were randomly selected, with a case/control ratio of 1:30 and matched on year of birth, from all non-neoplasm children insured in the same year when the index case was admitted. Annual summarized power (ASP, watt-year) was calculated for each of the 71,185 mobile phone base stations (MPBS) in service between 1998 and 2007. Then, the annual power density (APD, watt-year/km(2)) of each township (n=367) was computed as a ratio of the total ASP of all MPBS in a township to the area of that particular township. Exposure of each study subject to radio frequency (RF) was indicated by the averaged APD within 5years prior to the neoplasm diagnosis (cases) or July 1st of the year when the index case was admitted (controls) in the township where the subject lived. Unconditional logistic regression model with generalized estimation equation was employed to calculate the covariate-adjusted odds ratio [AOR] of childhood neoplasm in relation to RF exposure. A higher than median averaged APD (approximately 168WYs/km(2)) was significantly associated with an increased AOR for all neoplasms (1.13; 1.01 to 1.28), but not for leukemia (1.23; 0.99 to 1.52) or brain neoplasm (1.14, 0.83 to 1.55). This study noted a significantly increased risk of all neoplasms in children with higher-than-median RF exposure to MPBS. The slightly elevated risk was seen for leukemia and brain neoplasm, but was not statistically significant. These results may occur due to several methodological limitations.
The usage of mobile phone increases globally. However, there is still a paucity of data about the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health. This study investigated whether EMF radiation would alter the biology of glial cells and act as a tumor-promoting agent. We exposed rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA for 12, 24 and 48 h respectively, and found that EMF exposure had differential effects on rat astroctyes and C6 glioma cells. A 48 h of exposure damaged the mitochondria and induced significant apoptosis of astrocytes. Moreover, caspase-3, a hallmark of apoptosis, was highlighted in astrocytes after 48 h of EMF exposure, accompanied by a significantly increased expression of bax and reduced level of bcl-2. The tumorigenicity assays demonstrated that astrocytes did not form tumors in both control and exposure groups. In contrast, the unexposed and exposed C6 glioma cells show no significant differences in both biological feature and tumor formation ability. Therefore, our results implied that exposure to the EMF of 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA may not promote the tumor formation, but continuous exposure damaged the mitochondria of astrocytes and induce apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway with the involvement of bax and bcl-2.
Purpose:
We aimed to study the oxidative damage induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by mobile telephones and the protective effect of garlic extract used as an anti-oxidant against this damage.
Materials and methods:
A total of 66 albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The first group of rats was given 1.8 GHz, 0.4 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) for 1 h a day for three weeks. The second group was given 500 mg/kg garlic extract in addition to RF-EMR. The third group of rats was used as the control group. At the end of the study, blood and brain tissue samples were collected from the rats.
Results:
After the RF-EMR exposed, the advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels of brain tissue increased compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Garlic administration accompanying the RF-EMR, on the other hand, significantly reduced AOPP levels in brain tissue (p < 0.001). The serum nitric oxide (NO) levels significantly increased both in the first and second group (p < 0.001). However, in the group for which garlic administration accompanied that of RF-EMR, there was no difference in serum NO levels compared with the RF-EMR exposed group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference among the groups with respect to malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in brain tissue and blood samples (p > 0.05). Similarly, no difference was detected among the groups regarding serum paroxonase (PON) levels (p > 0.05). We did not detect any PON levels in the brain tissue.
Conclusions:
The exposure of RF-EMR similar to 1.8 GHz Global system for mobile communication (GSM) leads to protein oxidation in brain tissue and an increase in serum NO. We observed that garlic administration reduced protein oxidation in brain tissue and that it did not have any effects on serum NO levels.
We demonstrate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the process of apoptosis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) which is induced by the radiation of 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RFEMF) at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of ~0.4 W/kg when the exposure lasts longer than two hours. The apoptosis is induced through the mitochondrial pathway and mediated by activating ROS and caspase-3, and decreasing the mitochondrial potential. The activation of ROS is triggered by the conformation disturbance of lipids, protein, and DNA induced by the exposure of GSM RFEMF. Although human PBMC was found to have a self-protection mechanism of releasing carotenoid in response to oxidative stress to lessen the further increase of ROS, the imbalance between the antioxidant defenses and ROS formation still results in an increase of cell death with the exposure time and can cause about 37% human PBMC death in eight hours.
The biological effects of microwaves on living organisms remain highly controversial. Although some reports have suggested that microwaves may be directly or indirectly genotoxic, a direct action is unlikely because the low energy of microwave photons makes them unable to cause single-strand breaks in DNA. In this work, we examined the possible clastogenic properties of microwaves (2.5 and 10.5 GHz) on blood lymphocytes in vitro by monitoring the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. We also investigated whether blood cells showed increased radiosensitivity or radioresistance when pretreated with the microwaves and then irradiated with gamma radiation. There was no significant difference in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations between cells which had or had not been treated with microwaves. Control cells had a mean frequency of 0.013 aberrations per cell compared to 0.010 and 0.011 aberrations per cell in the microwave-exposed samples. Nor was there any alteration in the radiosensitivity of cells pretreated with microwaves. Gamma irradiated cells showed a mean frequency of 0.279 aberrations per cell compared to 0.343 and 0.310 aberrations per cell in samples pretreated with microwaves. However, cell mortality increased markedly after exposure to microwaves. The results suggest that microwaves do not interact directly or indirectly with chromosomes, although they may target other cell structures, such as cell membranes.
Since the late 1980s, our group has examined the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), including pulse-modulated
waves of the type emitted by mobile phones, upon the blood–brain barrier. In more than 2,000 rats, we have repeatedly demonstrated
a passage of the rats’ own albumin from the blood through the brain capillaries into the surrounding brain parenchyma at SAR
values down to 0.1mW/kg. In most of these experiments, the animals were exposed in TEM-cells, ventilated by an external electrical
fan at 50Hz. In the present study, we examined whether the extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields from the fan (50Hz,
0.3–1.5μT) might add to the RF effect. Sixty-four rats were divided into 4 groups: RF only, ELF only and RF+ELF exposure
plus a sham group. The GSM-900MHz RF exposure was at the very low, nonthermal, average whole-body SAR level 0.4mW/kg. Demonstration
of the normally occurring albumin extravasation in the basal hypothalamus is our inbuilt control proving that the staining
is reliable. Two full series of staining of the whole material gave negative results for hypothalamus. Not until we changed
to avidin, biotin, and antibodies from a third supplier, we received an acceptable staining. Twenty-five percent of the RF
animals had a pathological albumin leakage, while the ELF and RF+ELF groups with three and two pathological findings, respectively,
were not significantly different from the control group. We conclude that the use of external fans has had no major influence
upon the result.
KeywordsAlbumin–Blood–brain barrier–Electromagnetic field–Histopathology–Mobile phone–Rat
We have earlier shown that radio frequency electromagnetic fields can cause significant leakage of albumin through the blood–brain
barrier of exposed rats as compared to non-exposed rats, and alsosignificant neuronal damage in rat brains several weeks
after a 2h exposure to a mobile phone, at 915MHz with a global system for mobile communications (GSM) frequency modulation,
at whole-body specific absorption rate values (SAR) of 200, 20, 2, and 0.2mW/kg. We have now studied whether 6h of exposure
to the radiation from a GSM mobile test phone at 1,800MHz (at a whole-body SAR-value of 13mW/kg, corresponding to a brain
SAR-value of 30mW/kg) has an effect upon the gene expression pattern in rat brain cortex and hippocampus—areas where we have
observed albumin leakage from capillaries into neurons and neuronal damage. Microarray analysis of 31,099 rat genes, including
splicing variants, was performed in cortex and hippocampus of 8 Fischer 344 rats, 4 animals exposed to global system for mobile
communications electromagnetic fields for 6h in an anechoic chamber, one rat at a time, and 4 controls kept as long in the
same anechoic chamber without exposure, also in this case one rat at a time. Gene ontology analysis (using the gene ontology
categories biological processes, molecular functions, and cell components) of the differentially expressed genes of the exposed
animals versus the control group revealed the following highly significant altered gene categories in both cortex and hippocampus:
extracellular region, signal transducer activity, intrinsic to membrane, and integral to membrane.The fact that most of these
categories are connected with membrane functions may have a relation to our earlier observation of albumin transport through
brain capillaries.
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of magnetic field via cell phones on some blood parameters and neurons in the brain of rats. Animals have been classified into three groups: control, Magnetic Field (MF), and F2 groups. Throughout this study, cell phones were placed on the wall of the cages. Rats were exposed to the effects of cell phones during prenatal and postnatal periods until they were 80 days old. During the study, the exposure procedure of rats was that the phone was in standby mode for a whole day and in talking mode for 30 min per day. The waves of cell phones caused an increased blood glucose level from 96.52 ± 5.64 mg/dl to 132.14 ± 5.93 mg/dl and an increased serum protein level from 131.14 ± 6.19 mg/dl to 319.29 ± 6.73 mg/dl compared to control. Statistically, significant differences wasn't observed in the blood cholesterol concentration between the groups compared to the control. Weekly weight gain decreased in all groups compared to the control. MF exposure decreased pyramidal neuron numbers 51.15% and increased ischemic neuron numbers 73% at cortex region of brain. In addition, vascular dilatations have increased clearly in group F2.Whereas the procedure of MF did not have any effects on hippocampal pyramidal cell numbers, magnetic fields increased the amount of ischemic neurons three-fold compared to the control. In conclusion, MF affected some biochemical parameters, especially the cortex region of the brain.
The induction of an adaptive response (AR) was examined in human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields (RF). Cells from nine healthy human volunteers were stimulated for 24h with phytohaemagglutinin and then exposed for 20h to an adaptive dose (AD) of a 1950MHz RF UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system) signal used for mobile communications, at different specific absorption rates (SAR) of 1.25, 0.6, 0.3, and 0.15W/kg. This was followed by treatment of the cells at 48h with a challenge dose (CD) of 100ng/ml mitomycin C (MMC). Lymphocytes were collected at the end of the 72h total culture period. The cytokinesis-block method was used to record the frequency of micronuclei (MN) as genotoxicity end-point. When lymphocytes from six donors were pre-exposed to RF at 0.3W/kg SAR and then treated with MMC, these cells showed a significant reduction in the frequency of MN, compared with the cells treated with MMC alone; this result is indicative of induction of AR. The results from our earlier study indicated that lymphocytes that were stimulated for 24h, exposed for 20h to a 900MHz RF GSM (global system for mobile communication) signal at 1.25W/kg SAR and then treated with 100ng/ml MMC, also exhibited AR. These overall data suggest that the induction of AR depends on RF frequency, type of the signal and SAR. Further characterization of RF-induced AR is in progress.
The data on biologic effects of nonthermal microwaves (MWs) from mobile telephones are diverse, and these effects are presently ignored by safety standards of the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). In the present study, we investigated effects of MWs of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) at different carrier frequencies on human lymphocytes from healthy persons and from persons reporting hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). We measured the changes in chromatin conformation, which are indicative of stress response and genotoxic effects, by the method of anomalous viscosity time dependence, and we analyzed tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) and phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX), which have been shown to colocalize in distinct foci with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), using immunofluorescence confocal laser microscopy. We found that MWs from GSM mobile telephones affect chromatin conformation and 53BP1/gamma-H2AX foci similar to heat shock. For the first time, we report here that effects of MWs from mobile telephones on human lymphocytes are dependent on carrier frequency. On average, the same response was observed in lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy subjects.
Objective:
To investigate effects on rat testes of radiofrequency radiation emitted from indoor Wi-Fi Internet access devices using 802.11.g wireless standards.
Methods:
Ten Wistar albino male rats were divided into experimental and control groups, with five rats per group. Standard wireless gateways communicating at 2.437 GHz were used as radiofrequency wave sources. The experimental group was exposed to radiofrequency energy for 24 h a day for 20 weeks. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the study. Intracardiac blood was sampled for serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. Testes were removed and examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Testis tissues were analyzed for malondialdehyde levels and prooxidant-antioxidant enzyme activities.
Results:
We observed significant increases in serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels and 8-hydroxyguanosine staining in the testes of the experimental group indicating DNA damage due to exposure (p < 0.05). We also found decreased levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the experimental group, which may have been due to radiofrequency effects on enzyme activity (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
These findings raise questions about the safety of radiofrequency exposure from Wi-Fi Internet access devices for growing organisms of reproductive age, with a potential effect on both fertility and the integrity of germ cells.
In mammals, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which give rise to all blood cells and their progenies, including immune cells are controlled by special microenvironments, termed niches in the bone marrow during homeostasis and infection. However, the identity, nature and function of these niches remain unclear. It has been reported that HSCs are in contact with osteoblasts lining the bone surface and osteoblasts act as niches for HSCs (termed endosteal niche). However, recent studies suggest that only a small number of HSCs reside in the endosteal niche. In contrast, many HSCs are shown to be in contact with endothelial cells in the marrow. In addition, recent studies suggest that primitive mesenchymal cells, including CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells and Nestin-expressing cells, which have the ability to differentiate into adipocytes as well as osteoblasts act as niches for HSCs. Here we review candidate niches for HSCs in the bone marrow controlling hematopoiesis and chronic inflammation.
The phenomenon of adaptive response (AR) in animal and human cells exposed to ionizing radiation is well documented in scientific literature. We have examined whether such AR could be induced in mice exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields (RF) used for wireless communications. Mice were pre-exposed to 900 MHz RF at 120 µW/cm(2) power density for 4 hours/day for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days and then subjected to an acute dose of 3 Gy γ-radiation. The primary DNA damage in the form of alkali labile base damage and single strand breaks in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was determined using the alkaline comet assay. The results indicated that the extent of damage in mice which were pre-exposed to RF for 1 day and then subjected to γ-radiation was similar and not significantly different from those exposed to γ-radiation alone. However, mice which were pre-exposed to RF for 3, 5, 7 and 14 days showed progressively decreased damage and was significantly different from those exposed to γ-radiation alone. Thus, the data indicated that RF pre-exposure is capable of inducing AR and suggested that the pre-exposure for more than 4 hours for 1 day is necessary to elicit such AR.
To analyze the short-term effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure on genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of human hair root cells.
Hair samples were collected from eight healthy human subjects immediately before and after using a 900-MHz GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phone for 15 and 30 min. Single-strand DNA breaks of hair root cells from the samples were determined using the 'comet assay'.
The data showed that talking on a mobile phone for 15 or 30 min significantly increased (p < 0.05) single-strand DNA breaks in cells of hair roots close to the phone. Comparing the 15-min and 30-min data using the paired t-test also showed that significantly more damages resulted after 30 min than after 15 min of phone use.
A short-term exposure (15 and 30 min) to RFR (900-MHz) from a mobile phone caused a significant increase in DNA single-strand breaks in human hair root cells located around the ear which is used for the phone calls.
The method of viscosity anomalous time dependence (VATD) was applied to study the influence of extremely high frequency (EHF) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the genome conformational state (GCS) of E. coli cells. The cells were exposed to EMR at resonant frequencies of the two earlier discovered frequency bands (41.25-41.50 GHz and 51.62-51.84 GHz) in which non-thermal microwaves suppressed resonantly the reparation of X-ray induced changes in GCS. The use of a unit with quarter-wave plates to obtain circularly polarized EMR confirmed the existence of selection rules on helicity during discrete transitions of GCS in the millimeter range of the electromagnetic field. At the resonant frequency of the second resonance (51.76 GHz) right-handed polarized microwaves effectively influence GCS of X-rayed cells, while left-handed polarized EMR is virtually ineffective and linear polarization’s effectiveness lies between the two circular polarizations. Conversely, left-handed polarized EHF EMR is effective when x-rayed cells are exposed to microwaves at the resonant frequency of the first resonance (41.32 GHz). It was shown that the difference in the effectiveness of the two circularly polarized components of EMR increases when the ellipticity coefficient goes down from 1.2 to 1.05.
It was established that the sign of effective circularly polarized EHF EMR does not depend on the sequence in which the cells are exposed to microwaves and X-rays. Yet when intact cells are exposed to microwaves at each of the two resonant frequencies, the effectiveness of the circularly polarized components is inverted. The registered effects are non-thermal and manifest themselves at the power density of 1 µW/cm2.
The results confirm the role of the cell genome in the resonance response of cells to low-intensity millimeter waves and are described from the standpoint of the physical concept on the role of the electromagnetic field in the functioning of cells.
Purpose:
To study the possible role of microwave (MW) exposure on spatial memory of Swiss albino mice and its relationship to protein concentration in whole brain.
Materials and methods:
Mice were exposed to 10 GHz (Giga Hertz) microwaves with the power density of 0.25 mW/cm(2) (milliwatt per centimeter square) with average whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) 0.1790 W/kg daily for 2 hours per day (h/day) for 30 days. After exposure mice were tested for spatial memory performance using Morris water maze test (MWT). For this purpose mice (6-8 weeks old) were divided into two groups: (i) Sham exposed, and (ii) microwaves exposed. After initial training for two days, MWT was performed for another 6 days. Protein was estimated 48 h after exposure and immediately after completion of MWT.
Results:
Both sham-exposed and microwaves-exposed animals showed a significant decrease in escape time with training. Microwaves-exposed animals had statistically significant higher mean latency to reach the target quadrant compared to sham exposed. A concurrent decrease in protein levels was estimated in whole brain of the exposed mice compared to sham-exposed mice.
Conclusions:
It can be concluded from the current study that exposure to microwave radiation caused decrements in the ability of mice to learn the special memory task, this may be due to simultaneous decrease in protein levels in the brain of mice.
Average levels of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) of the general public in Europe are difficult to summarize, as exposure levels have been reported differently in those studies in which they have been measured, and a large proportion of reported measurements were very low, sometimes falling below detection limits of the equipment used. The goal of this paper is to present an overview of the scientific literature on RF EMF exposure in Europe and to characterize exposure within the European population. A comparative analysis of the results of spot or long-term RF EMF measurements in the EU indicated that mean electric field strengths were between 0.08 V/m and 1.8 V/m. The overwhelming majority of measured mean electric field strengths were <1 V/m. It is estimated that <1% were above 6 V/m and <0.1% were above 20 V/m. No exposure levels exceeding European Council recommendations were identified in these surveys. Most population exposures from signals of radio and television broadcast towers were observed to be weak because these transmitters are usually far away from exposed individuals and are spatially sparsely distributed. On the other hand, the contribution made to RF exposure from wireless telecommunications technology is continuously increasing and its contribution was above 60% of the total exposure. According to the European exposure assessment studies identified, three population exposure categories (intermittent variable partial body exposure, intermittent variable low-level whole-body (WB) exposure and continuous low-level WB exposure) were recognized by the authors as informative for possible future risk assessment.Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology advance online publication, 14 August 2013; doi:10.1038/jes.2013.40.
Personal radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure, or exposimetry, is gaining importance in the bioelectromagnetics community but only limited data on personal exposure is available in indoor areas, namely schools, crèches, homes, and offices. Most studies are focused on adult exposure, whereas indoor microenvironments, where children are exposed, are usually not considered. A method to assess spatial and temporal indoor exposure of children and adults is proposed without involving the subjects themselves. Moreover, maximal possible daily exposure is estimated by combining instantaneous spatial and temporal exposure. In Belgium and Greece, the exposure is measured at 153 positions spread over 55 indoor microenvironments with spectral equipment. In addition, personal exposimeters (measuring EMFs of people during their daily activities) captured the temporal exposure variations during several days up to one week at 98 positions. The data were analyzed using the robust regression on order statistics (ROS) method to account for data below the detection limit. All instantaneous and maximal exposures satisfied international exposure limits and were of the same order of magnitude in Greece and Belgium. Mobile telecommunications and radio broadcasting (FM) were most present. In Belgium, digital cordless phone (DECT) exposure was present for at least 75% in the indoor microenvironments except for schools. Temporal variations of the exposure were mainly due to variations of mobile telecommunication signals. The exposure was higher during daytime than at night due to the increased voice and data traffic on the networks. Total exposure varied the most in Belgian crèches (39.3%) and Greek homes (58.2%).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO evaluation of the carcinogenic effect of RF-EMF on humans took place during a 24-31 May 2011 meeting at Lyon in France. The Working Group consisted of 30 scientists and categorised the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones, and from other devices that emit similar non-ionising electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), as Group 2B, i.e., a 'possible', human carcinogen. The decision on mobile phones was based mainly on the Hardell group of studies from Sweden and the IARC Interphone study. We give an overview of current epidemiological evidence for an increased risk for brain tumours including a meta-analysis of the Hardell group and Interphone results for mobile phone use. Results for cordless phones are lacking in Interphone. The meta-analysis gave for glioma in the most exposed part of the brain, the temporal lobe, odds ratio (OR)=1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04-2.81 in the ≥10 years (>10 years in the Hardell group) latency group. Ipsilateral mobile phone use ≥1640h in total gave OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.56-3.37. The results for meningioma were OR=1.25, 95% CI=0.31-4.98 and OR=1.35, 95% CI=0.81-2.23, respectively. Regarding acoustic neuroma ipsilateral mobile phone use in the latency group ≥10 years gave OR=1.81, 95% CI=0.73-4.45. For ipsilateral cumulative use ≥1640h OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.50-4.40 was obtained. Also use of cordless phones increased the risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma in the Hardell group studies. Survival of patients with glioma was analysed in the Hardell group studies yielding in the >10 years latency period hazard ratio (HR)=1.2, 95% CI=1.002-1.5 for use of wireless phones. This increased HR was based on results for astrocytoma WHO grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme). Decreased HR was found for low-grade astrocytoma, WHO grades I-II, which might be caused by RF-EMF exposure leading to tumour-associated symptoms and earlier detection and surgery with better prognosis. Some studies show increasing incidence of brain tumours whereas other studies do not. It is concluded that one should be careful using incidence data to dismiss results in analytical epidemiology. The IARC carcinogenic classification does not seem to have had any significant impact on governments' perceptions of their responsibilities to protect public health from this widespread source of radiation.
The goal of this study was to compare the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of plutonium-239 alpha particles and GSM 900 modulated mobile phone radiation in the Allium cepa test. Three groups of bulbs were exposed to mobile phone radiation during 0 (sham), 3 and 9h. A positive control group was treated during 20min with plutonium-239 alpha-radiation. Mitotic abnormalities, chromosome aberrations, micronuclei and mitotic index were analyzed. Exposure to alpha-radiation from plutonium-239 and exposure to modulated radiation from mobile phone during 3 and 9h significantly increased the mitotic index. GSM 900 mobile phone radiation as well as alpha-radiation from plutonium-239 induced both clastogenic and aneugenic effects. However, the aneugenic activity of mobile phone radiation was more pronounced. After 9h of exposure to mobile phone radiation, polyploid cells, three-groups metaphases, amitoses and some unspecified abnormalities were detected, which were not registered in the other experimental groups. Importantly, GSM 900 mobile phone radiation increased the mitotic index, the frequency of mitotic and chromosome abnormalities, and the micronucleus frequency in a time-dependent manner. Due to its sensitivity, the A. cepa test can be recommended as a useful cytogenetic assay to assess cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.
Reports of declining male fertility have renewed interest in assessing the role of environmental and occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the aetiology of human infertility. Testicular functions are particularly susceptible to electromagnetic fields. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of 10-GHz EMF on male albino rat's reproductive system and to investigate the possible causative factor for such effect of exposure. The study was carried out in two groups of 70-day old adult male albino rats: a sham-exposed and a 10-GHz-exposed group (2 h a day for 45 days). Immediately after completion of the exposure, animals were sacrificed and sperms were extracted from the cauda and caput part of testis for the analysis of MDA, melatonin, and creatine kinase. Creatine kinase results revealed an increased level of phosphorylation that converts creatine to creatine phosphate in sperms after EMF exposure. EMF exposure also reduced the level of melatonin and MDA. It is concluded that microwave exposure could adversely affect male fertility by reducing availability of the above parameters. These results are indications of deleterious effects of these radiations on reproductive pattern of male rats.
Adult tissue stem cells adjust to environmental changes. A new study in the mouse intestine reveals that caloric restriction causes Paneth cells to repress mTORC1 signaling; this in turn stimulates proliferation of neighboring stem cells.
Human provocation studies that investigate the effects of Global System for Mobiles (GSM) communication systems on the brain
have focused on RF exposure. We wish to further extend such study by investigating the effect of both RF and ELF magnetic
field exposure, the latter being emitted by the GSM handset’s battery switching. The use of a commercial handset as an exposure
source for such investigations is problematic and therefore a simulated exposure source, capable of producing both RF and
ELF components of exposure, is desirable. As a first step in developing such a source, we have quantified and characterized
the ELF radiation from several commercial handsets (the RF characteristics being already well understood). Here we present
experimental results where, field distribution, and pulse waveform characteristics at ELF frequencies are measured. Finally,
an equivalent source suitable for reproducing the ELF component of human exposure to GSM handset radiation is proposed.
Human provocation studies that investigate the effects of Global System for Mobiles (GSM) communication systems on the brain
have focused on Radio Frequency (RF) exposure. We wish to further extend such study by investigating the effect of both RF
and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) field exposure, the latter generated by the GSM handset’s battery switching. The use of
a commercial handset as an exposure source for such investigations is problematic for a number of reasons and therefore a
simulated exposure source, capable of producing both RF and ELF components of exposure, is desirable. As a first step in developing
such a source, we have quantified and characterized the ELF field from several commercial handsets (the RF characteristics
being already well understood). Through experimental measurement we deduce that these fields can be sufficiently simulated
by a 9 mm radius loop residing 10 mm beneath the front surface of the handset device and carrying enough current to generate
peak fields of 25 μT at the surface of the handset.
Key wordsELF-GSM-magnetic field-handset-EEG
Objective:
In the last two decades, the use of mobile phones has increased enormously all over the world. The controversy regarding whether radiofrequency (RF) fields exert effects upon biological systems is a concern for the general population. An evaluation is made of DNA damage and cytokinetic defects, proliferative potential, and cell death because of RF radiation emitted by mobile phones in healthy young users.
Study design:
This cohort study was carried out in 50 Caucasian mobile phone users. We collected two cell samples from each subject (a total of 100 cell samples), corresponding to the right and left cheek mucosa, respectively. Case histories and personal information were assessed, including age, gender, body height and weight, history of cancer, smoking and alcohol consumption, exposure to chemical carcinogens or radiation, and dietary habits. Sampling comprised cell collection from both cheeks with a cytobrush, centrifugation, slide preparation, fixation, and staining, followed by fluorescent microscopic analysis. A total of 2000 exfoliated cells were screened for nuclear abnormalities, especially micronucleus.
Results:
No statistically significant changes were recorded in relation to age, gender, body mass index, or smoking status. A comparison of the results vs the control area according to the side of the face on which the mobile phone was placed, and in relation to the duration of exposure (years) to mobile phone radiation in the total 100 samples, yielded no significant differences.
Conclusions:
No genotoxic effects because of RF exposure were observed in relation to any of the study parameters.
To study the influence of polarized electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the genome conformational state of Escherichia coli cells exposed to X-rays, the method of anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD) was applied. The influence of low level radiation (10–200 μW/cm2) was studied within the ranges 41.25–41.50 GHz and 51.62–51.84 GHz, within which microwaves produce a resonance effect, as had been previously demonstrated. The effectiveness of left- and right-handed polarized radiation was shown to be determined by its frequency. At 41.26, 41.32 and 41.40 GHz, left-handed polarized EMR produced considerable changes in AVTD peaks in lysates of X-rayed cells, while right-handed polarized radiation had no effect at these frequencies. Conversely, right-handed polarized millimetre waves proved to be effective when cells were affected by EMR at 51.76 and 51.78 GHz (from the second resonance studied by us), while left-handed polarization had virtually no effect. Therefore the effective circularly polarized component of EMR within a given resonance remains unchanged and is determined by the resonance frequency. This finding corresponds to the physics of discrete states in living systems, and illustrates the presence of selection rules on helicity during transitions between these states in the millimetre band of electromagnetic field.
Chromosome aberration assays, sister-chromatid exchange techniques and micronucleus assays are commonly used methods for biomonitoring genetic material damaged by chemical or physical agents. On the other hand, their aneugenic activity, which can lead to hypoploidy and may also be associated with carcinogenesis, has not been thoroughly investigated. In our study we chose the micronucleus assay with a new mathematical approach to separate clastogenic from aneugenic activity of three well-known mutagens (vinyl chloride monomer, X-rays and microwaves) on the genome of human somatic cells. The comparison of frequencies of size distribution of micronuclei in the lymphocytes of humans exposed to each of these three mutagens showed that X-rays and microwaves were preferentially clastogens while vinyl chloride monomer showed aneugenic activity as well. Microwave possses some mutagenic characteristics typical of chemical mutagens.
Background:
Little is known about the population's exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in industrialized countries.
Objectives:
To examine levels of exposure and the importance of different RF-EMF sources and settings in a sample of volunteers living in a Swiss city.
Methods:
RF-EMF exposure of 166 volunteers from Basel, Switzerland, was measured with personal exposure meters (exposimeters). Participants carried an exposimeter for 1 week (two separate weeks in 32 participants) and completed an activity diary. Mean values were calculated using the robust regression on order statistics (ROS) method.
Results:
Mean weekly exposure to all RF-EMF sources was 0.13 mW/m(2) (0.22 V/m) (range of individual means 0.014-0.881 mW/m(2)). Exposure was mainly due to mobile phone base stations (32.0%), mobile phone handsets (29.1%) and digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) phones (22.7%). Persons owning a DECT phone (total mean 0.15 mW/m(2)) or mobile phone (0.14 mW/m(2)) were exposed more than those not owning a DECT or mobile phone (0.10 mW/m(2)). Mean values were highest in trains (1.16 mW/m(2)), airports (0.74 mW/m(2)) and tramways or buses (0.36 mW/m(2)), and higher during daytime (0.16 mW/m(2)) than nighttime (0.08 mW/m(2)). The Spearman correlation coefficient between mean exposure in the first and second week was 0.61.
Conclusions:
Exposure to RF-EMF varied considerably between persons and locations but was fairly consistent within persons. Mobile phone handsets, mobile phone base stations and cordless phones were important sources of exposure in urban Switzerland.