Urbinello D, Joseph W, Verloock L, Martens L, Röösli M. · 2014
Measurements of RF-EMF exposure in 11 frequency bands from FM to WLAN were performed in three European cities over one year. Highest exposure levels occurred in public transports with arithmetic means of 0.84 V/m in Brussels, 0.72 V/m in Ghent, and 0.59 V/m in Basel. Outdoor exposure increased by 57.1% in Basel (p<0.001), 20.1% in Ghent (p=0.053), and 38.2% in Brussels (p=0.012) over one year. Exposure increases were most consistent in outdoor areas due to mobile phone base stations. Levels remained far below regulatory limits.
Urbinello D et al. · 2014
Researchers performed measurements in Amsterdam, Basel, Ghent, and Brussels using a portable measurement device. Arithmetic mean values for mobile phone base station exposure ranged from 0.22 V/m in Basel to 0.41 V/m in Amsterdam across all outdoor areas. The 95th percentile for total RF-EMF exposure varied between 0.46 V/m in Basel and 0.82 V/m in Amsterdam, and the 99th percentile between 0.81 V/m in Basel and 1.20 V/m in Brussels. All measured exposure levels were far below the international reference levels proposed by ICNIRP. The study did not find indications that lowering the regulatory limit results in higher mobile phone base station exposure levels.
Urbinello D, Huss A, Beekhuizen J, Vermeulen R, Röösli M. · 2014
Researchers used portable exposure meters to evaluate sources of data variability and repeatability of daily measurements. Exposure from mobile phone base stations ranged from 0.30 to 0.53 V/m in downtown and business areas and from 0.09 to 0.41 V/m in residential areas. Analysis of variance showed measurements were highly reproducible across days, with measurement day explaining 0.6% of variance, measurement time 0.2%, while area type explained 30% and city 50%.
Taberski K et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed 16 male Djungarian hamsters to 900 MHz GSM-modulated RF-EMF at SAR levels of 0, 0.08, 0.4, and 4 W/kg for one week per condition. Only at the highest SAR level did fur temperature increase by about 0.5°C, food consumption decrease, and daytime carbon dioxide production and respiratory quotient decrease.
Margaritis LH et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed newly emerged flies daily for 3-7 days to various EMF sources including mobile phone, DECT, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and others. All EMF sources produced statistically significant effects on fecundity and apoptotic cell death, even at very low intensity levels such as 0.3 V/m from Bluetooth. The study found no linear cumulative effect when increasing exposure duration or combining sources, and discussed the role of average versus peak electric field values.
Le Quément C et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed human skin cell lines to 60.4 GHz millimeter waves at incident power densities ranging from 1 to 20 mW/cm(2). The expression of ER stress sensors BIP and ORP150 was examined by real-time RT-PCR. MMW radiation did not change basal levels of BIP or ORP150 mRNA across any cell line, exposure duration, or power density. At 20 mW/cm(2), MMW exposure inhibited thapsigargin-induced overexpression of BIP and ORP150. This inhibition was attributed to thermal effects from the MMW exposure.
Gryz K, Karpowicz J, Leszko W, Zradziński P. · 2014
Researchers measured electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation exposure in 45 buildings in urban and rural areas across various regions of Poland. The main sources of exposure identified were mobile phone base transceiver stations and radio-television transmitters. Exposure of workers and the general public in locations comparable to offices was found to be well below international limits.
Cam ST, Seyhan N, Kavaklı C, Celikbıçak O. · 2014
The study investigated whether pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation affects hydroxyproline content in rat skin, because skin is described as the first target of external electromagnetic fields. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were exposed to 900 MHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation at an average whole-body SAR of 1.35 W/kg for 20 min/day for 3 weeks. Exposure caused a statistically significant increase in skin hydroxyproline level (p = 0.049), at a SAR below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection safety limit.
Alon L, Cho GY, Yang X, Sodickson DK, Deniz CM. · 2014
Researchers investigated MR temperature mapping and 10-g average specific absorption rate (SAR) computation for safety evaluation of RF-emitting devices. They tested an MRI-compatible dipole antenna and a non-MRI-compatible mobile phone, measuring temperature changes in phantoms and comparing results with physical probe measurements and electromagnetic field simulations. The researchers concluded that MR temperature mapping alongside physical property measurements can assess RF/microwave safety with high resolution and fidelity.
Zong C, Ji Y, He Q, Zhu S, Qin F, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2014
Researchers exposed adult mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields at 120 μW/cm2 power density for 4 hours per day for 7 days, then injected some mice with bleomycin. Radiofrequency exposure alone showed no indications of increased DNA or oxidative damage compared to mice treated with bleomycin alone. Mice exposed to radiofrequency fields and then given bleomycin showed significantly reduced DNA damage at each repair time point measured, as well as decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels.
Ozgur E et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed adult male guinea pigs to GSM-modulated radio frequency radiation at an average whole body SAR of 0.4 W/kg for 10 or 20 minutes daily for seven consecutive days. The study measured protein oxidation, advanced oxidation protein products, and superoxide dismutase activity in liver tissue, and also tested NAC and EGCG as potential protective treatments. SOD activity significantly decreased after radio frequency radiation exposure, but protein damage did not change. NAC treatment alone increased PCO levels, and EGCG treatment alone elevated AOPP levels.
Manta AK, Stravopodis DJ, Papassideri IS, Margaritis LH. · 2014
Researchers measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the bodies and ovaries of 4-day-old Drosophila melanogaster flies after exposing them to DECT base radiation at 1.88–1.90 GHz. Male and female bodies showed a twofold increase in ROS levels after 6 hours of exposure, with ROS levels returning to normal 24 hours after that exposure ended. Ovaries responded more quickly, reaching a 2.5-fold ROS increase after 1 hour of exposure, with levels returning to normal 4 hours after that exposure ended.
Abu Khadra KM, Khalil AM, Abu Samak M, Aljaberi A. · 2014
Researchers evaluated biochemical parameters in the saliva of 12 young males before and after using a mobile phone. The phone emitted radio frequency signals of 1800 MHz with a 1.09 w/kg specific absorption rate, and participants used it for 15 and 30 minutes. SOD levels followed a quadratic trend, rising after 15 minutes of talking but then dropping as talking time increased. The researchers suggested that exposure to electromagnetic radiation may exert an oxidative stress on human cells, as evidenced by the increase in the concentration of the superoxide radical anion released in the saliva of cell phone users.
Wang H et al. · 2014
Eighty Wistar rats were exposed to a 2.856 GHz pulsed microwave source at power densities of 0 mW/cm2 and 50 mW/cm2 for 6 minutes, and then observed at multiple time points up to 18 months after exposure. The microwave-exposed rats showed consistent deficiencies in spatial learning and memory. The level of amino acid neurotransmitters decreased after microwave radiation, and the ratio of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid significantly decreased at 6 months. The hippocampus showed varying degrees of degeneration of neurons, and NR1 and NR2B expression showed a significant decrease, especially NR2B expression.
Maskey D, Kim MJ · 2014
Researchers applied radiofrequency at a specific absorption rate of 1.6 W/kg or 0 W/kg to mice to study the distribution of BDNF and GDNF in the nuclei of the superior olivary complex. In the exposed group, significant reductions in BDNF immunoreactivity were noted in the lateral superior olive, medial superior olive, superior paraolivary nucleus, and medial nucleus of the trapezoid body. GDNF immunoreactivity was also significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in all superior olivary complex nuclei of the exposed group. The researchers suggested that the decrease in these neurotrophic factors in the superior olivary complex suggests a detrimental effect of RF exposure in the auditory nuclei.
Li H et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed Wistar rats to 2.856 GHz microwaves at power densities of 5, 10, 20, or 30 mW/cm2 for 6 minutes three times a week for up to 6 weeks. Spatial learning and memory, hippocampus structure, brain electrical activity, and neurotransmitter levels were assessed at different time points after the last exposure. The study found dose-dependent memory deficits alongside inhibition of brain electrical activity, hippocampus neuron degeneration, and neurotransmitter disturbances. The researchers suggested that the serotonin system may be involved in the cognitive deficits seen after long-term microwave exposure.
Cammaerts M-C, Vandenbosch GAE, Volski V · 2014
Researchers exposed two nests of the ant Myrmica sabuleti to GSM radiation at 1.5 V/m, the legally allowed level in Brussels, for 10 minutes before observing their behavior. After exposure, the ants' locomotion slightly changed, their orientation toward their alarm pheromone became of lower quality, and their trail following behavior was less efficient.
Simon D et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed reconstructed epidermis models with and without melanocytes to 900 MHz GSM radiation at 2 mW/g for 6 hours. No changes were observed in epidermal architecture, epidermal markers, apoptotic cells, p53 induction, melanocyte location, dendricity, or melanin transfer after exposure. Loricrin and cytokeratin 14 decreased significantly at 6 hours, but all marker levels increased at 24 hours compared to 6 hours, alongside decreased 20S proteasome activity. The presence or absence of melanocytes did not affect the response of the reconstructed epidermis to exposure.
Nyakyi CP, Mrutu SI, Sam A, Anatory J · 2013
The aim of the study was to investigate safety zone determination for wireless cellular towers. A model was developed that takes received power, transmitted power, and transmitter gain as inputs to determine safe distance. Power density and geographical location were measured using a selective radiation meter. Transmitted power, transmitter gain, and tower height were obtained from the network operator. Distance from the radiation source was calculated using the haversine formula based on geographical location.
Wu T, Shao Q, Yang L, Qi D, Lin J, Lin X, Yu Z. · 2013
The study conducted a measurement campaign at 827 base station sites with 6207 measurement points in Guangxi, China. The results showed that GSM band EMF levels near the base stations were very low. Measurement results and risk communication procedures positively influenced public perception of RF EMF exposure and promoted knowledge exchange.
Thielens A, Vermeeren G, Kurup D, Joseph W, Martens L. · 2013
Compliance boundaries and allowed output powers were determined for the front, back, and side of antennas based on the root-mean-squared electric field, whole-body averaged SAR, and 10 g averaged SAR in the limbs and head and trunk. The study used ICNIRP basic restrictions and reference levels for both general public and occupational exposure. Antennas were designed for GSM900, GSM1800, HSPA, and LTE with output powers up to 300 W at individual frequencies. Boundaries were estimated using finite-difference time-domain simulations with the Virtual Family Male for three directions at 800, 900, 1800, and 2600 MHz.
Nayyeri V, Hashemi SM, Borna M, Jalilian HR, Soleimani M · 2013
The assessment covered the frequency band from 27 MHz to 3 GHz to account for other RF sources such as broadcasting services. Results were compared with ICNIRP and Iranian guidelines, confirming that exposure levels were satisfactorily below defined limits and non-detrimental.
Nasseri S, Monazzam M, Beheshti M, Zare S, Mahvi A · 2013
The study measured vertical microwave radiation patterns from different BTS antennae in Hashtgerd, Iran. Power density rose with increasing measurement height for both Irancell and Hamrah-e-Aval operators. A significant statistical relationship was found between measurement height and average power density using a mixed model test. The authors noted that installing antennae in crowded areas requires more care due to higher radiation emission, citing rigid surfaces and mobile users as factors increasing wave density.
Meo SA, Al Rubeaan K · 2013
The study aimed to determine the effects of mobile phone radiation on fasting blood glucose in Wistar Albino rats. Rats exposed for more than 15 minutes per day showed significantly higher fasting blood glucose and serum insulin than controls. HOMA-IR was significantly increased in the 15-30 and 46-60 minute per day groups compared with controls.
Markakis I, Samaras T · 2013
Researchers performed indoor measurements using personal dosimeters at 40 locations in urban and suburban Thessaloniki over three days each from July 2010 to January 2012. They found a larger proportion of measurements above detection limits compared to similar European campaigns, with at most 56% for the DCS Rx band. Mean exposure levels in mobile downlink bands were higher than other studies but many times below ICNIRP guidelines. Maximum exposures were of similar magnitude across studies. Base stations dominated in workplaces and schools, while wireless phones and computer networks led in homes, with daytime peaks for the former and evening increases for the latter.
