Berg-Beckhoff G et al. · 2009
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study in 2006 with 3526 participants living mainly in urban regions to test whether low-level RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations was related to health disturbances. Exposure was assessed with a dosimeter measuring different RF-EMF frequencies, and health outcomes were collected via postal questionnaires on sleep disturbances, headaches, health complaints, and mental and physical health. No differences in median health scores were found between exposed and non-exposed participants, and measured RF-EMFs were not associated with adverse health effects.
Adang D, Remacle C, Vorst AV. · 2009
Researchers exposed four-month-old Wistar albino rats to two different microwave frequencies and exposure modes for 2 hours a day, seven days a week, over 21 months. They measured leucocytes, erythrocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mortality rate. After three and eight months, monocytes differed by about 20% in the 970-MHz continuous wave group; after 14 and 18 months, white blood cells increased about 15% and neutrophils about 25%; lymphocytes fell about 15% at 18 months. Mortality in exposed groups increased after 21 months at age 25 months and reached almost twice the sham-exposed value by age 28 months.
Hässig M, Jud F, Naegeli H, Kupper J, Spiess BM. · 2009
Researchers conducted a cohort study tracking the geographical location of each dam and calf from conception through the fetal period to slaughter, with particular emphasis on the first trimester of gestation (organogenesis). Antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were measured in aqueous humor to evaluate redox status. Among 253 calves, 79 (32%) had nuclear cataract and 9 (3.6%) had severe nuclear cataract. Oxidative stress was increased in eyes with cataract, with an odds ratio of 0.80 per kilometer distance from the nearest base station and a 95% confidence interval of 0.62,0.93, and the authors state that it has not been shown that antennas actually affected stress.
Balci M, Namuslu M, Devrim E, Durak I · 2009
Four groups of ten Wistar rats each were studied for three weeks. Rats in the computer and computer plus vitamin C groups were exposed to computer monitors, and vitamin C was given orally at 250 mg/kg/day. In corneal tissue, monitor exposure increased malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity, while vitamin C further raised malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and lowered catalase activity. In lens tissue, monitor exposure raised malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased superoxide dismutase, while vitamin C increased superoxide dismutase and decreased catalase activity.
Viel JF et al. · 2009
Researchers enrolled 200 randomly selected people who were supplied with personal exposure meters for 24 h measurements and kept a time-location-activity diary. They calculated the proportion of measurements above 0.05 V/m and the maximum electric field strength for each radiofrequency. Most measurements were below the detection limit, with FM having 12.3% above threshold, and maximum field strength never exceeded 1.5 V/m. GSM and DCS exposure peaked at 280 m and 1000 m from antennas, FM showed a downward trend within 10 km, while UMTS and TV signals did not vary with distance.
Li X et al. · 2009
Researchers exposed 70 male rats to microwave radiation at average power densities of 0, 10, 30, and 100 mW/cm(2). Rats were sacrificed at 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after exposure. Protein levels of AQP4 increased initially and then recovered at 10 and 30 mW/cm(2), but increased progressively at 100 mW/cm(2) within 14 days. Gene expression of AQP4 increased at 6 hours after 10 mW/cm(2) exposure and returned to baseline, while at 30 and 100 mW/cm(2) it peaked at 7 days and did not return.
Kundi M, Hutter HP. · 2009
Cross-sectional investigations of subjective health as a function of distance or measured field strength found indications for an effect of exposure that is likely independent of concerns and attributions. Experimental studies applying short-term exposure to base station signals gave various results, but there is weak evidence that UMTS and to a lesser degree GSM signals reduce wellbeing in persons that report to be sensitive to such exposures. Two ecological studies of cancer near base stations reported a strong increase in incidence within 350 and 400 meters, but limitations prevent firm conclusions.
Frei P et al. · 2009
Researchers measured RF-EMF exposure of 166 volunteers from Basel, Switzerland, using personal exposure meters carried for one week. Mean weekly exposure across all RF-EMF sources was 0.13 mW/m2, ranging across individuals from 0.014 to 0.881 mW/m2. Exposure varied considerably between persons and locations but was fairly consistent within persons.
Luukkonen J et al. · 2009
Researchers exposed human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to 872 MHz radiofrequency radiation at 5 W/kg for 1 hour, combined with menadione, a chemical that induces intracellular ROS production and DNA damage. Continuous-wave RF radiation increased DNA breakage compared to cells exposed only to menadione, and ROS levels were higher at 30 and 60 minutes after exposure ended. No effects of the GSM signal were seen on either ROS production or DNA damage.
Lerchl A et al. · 2008
Researchers exposed adult male Djungarian hamsters to RF-EMF at 383, 900, and 1800 MHz for 60 days at 80 mW/kg. Pineal and serum melatonin levels and organ weights were not affected in any experiment. Body weight increased transiently up to 4% at 383 MHz, increased up to 6% non-transiently at 900 MHz, and was unchanged at 1800 MHz.
Huang TQ, Lee MS, Oh E, Zhang BT, Seo JS, Park WY. · 2008
They assessed cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, DNA damage, and gene expression. RF exposure did not significantly change cell numbers, cell cycle distribution, or DNA damage levels. Genome-wide analysis found no genes changed more than two-fold, but ten genes changed 1.3- to 1.8-fold, including down-regulation of CXCR3 and IL1R2.
Hirose H et al. · 2008
Researchers continuously exposed BALB/3T3 cells to 2.1425 GHz W-CDMA RF fields at SARs of 80 and 800 mW/kg for 6 weeks. They also tested MCA-treated cells and MCA plus TPA-treated cells for tumor promotion and co-promotion effects. No significant differences in transformation frequency were found between RF-exposed groups and sham-exposed controls in any treatment condition. The results suggest that exposure to low-level RF radiation of up to 800 mW/kg does not induce cell transformation.
Franzellitti S, Valbonesi P, Contin A, Biondi C, Fabbri E. · 2008
Researchers evaluated HSP70 gene and protein expression in human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells after 4 to 24 hours of exposure to 1.8 GHz continuous-wave and GSM signals. Inducible HSP70 protein expression was not modified by any exposure condition. HSP70C transcript levels increased after 24 hours of GSM-217Hz exposure and decreased after 4 and 16 hours of GSM-Talk exposure, while HSP70A, HSP70B, and HSC70 transcripts did not change.
Falzone N et al. · 2008
Researchers exposed ejaculated, density-purified human spermatozoa to pulsed 900 MHz GSM radiation at SAR levels of 2.0 and 5.7 W/kg and compared them with controls over time. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry and showed no effect from the radiation. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis, and all kinematic parameters were unaffected at 2.0 W/kg. At 5.7 W/kg, straight-line velocity and beat-cross frequency were significantly impaired over time (P < 0.05), with no exposure-by-time interaction. The authors state the result should not be ascribed to thermal effects due to cooling methods and temperature control.
Djeridane Y, Touitou Y, de Seze R. · 2008
Researchers exposed 20 healthy men to 900 MHz GSM radiation from a cellular phone for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken hourly at night and every 3 hours during the day across four sessions spaced 15 days apart, using each man's pre-exposure levels as his control. All hormone levels stayed within normal ranges, and circadian patterns of prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropin, and testosterone were not disrupted, while growth hormone and cortisol maximum levels decreased significantly during exposure but returned to baseline afterward.
Yilmaz F, Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Kilinc N · 2008
Researchers investigated anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein in rat brain and testes after whole-body exposure to 900 MHz cellular phone radiation. The results showed that 20 minutes of radiation did not alter bcl-2 protein in the brain and testes of rats. The study used two groups of eight Sprague-Dawley rats each, with the experimental group exposed to phones in speech condition for 20 minutes per day for one month and the sham group exposed to turned-off phones. The authors speculated that bcl-2 may not be involved in radiation effects on the brain and testes of rats.
Sinha RK · 2008
Researchers exposed male rats to 2450 MHz microwave radiation and assessed thyroid hormones and behavior. Exposed rats showed hyperactivity and aggression, with significant changes in open-field and elevated plus-maze tests. Thyroid hormone levels changed, with T3 decreasing and T4 increasing, correlating with behavioral changes.
Roux D et al. · 2008
Researchers investigated the role of extracellular ATP in plant responses to high-frequency, low-amplitude electromagnetic fields. Exposure to low-level 900 MHz EMF evoked accumulation of stress-related transcripts and affected ATP levels. ATP concentration dropped 27% after 30 minutes of exposure, and adenylate energy charge decreased by 18%. The authors discuss whether this reflects increased energy usage or a signaling function for ATP in stress physiology.
Maccà I et al. · 2008
Researchers measured electromagnetic fields from 11 microwave, 4 short-wave diathermy, and 15 magneto therapy devices in eight physiotherapy departments. Levels in front of microwave applicators dropped quickly with distance and lower power, though metal furniture can reflect fields. Measurements at about 50 cm from microwave applicators and near diathermy units exceeded European and ACGIH exposure limits.
Kumar V, Vats RP, Pathak PP. · 2008
The study examined effects of electromagnetic waves at 41 and 202 MHz from a TV tower on human skin, muscles, bone, and fat. Researchers used international SAR exposure limits to calculate safe distances from TV transmission towers for both frequencies. The authors recommended that transmission towers be located away from densely populated areas and that people keep away from towers because they emit radiation harmful to some body tissues.
Zhou ZD et al. · 2008
Human dendritic cells were exposed to intermittent EMF at 4 W/kg SAR for 1, 12, or 24 hours. Surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry, allo-MLR by CCK-8 assay, and cytokine secretion by ELISA. After exposure, HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, and CD40 expression declined, while CD11c did not. Allo-MLR stimulation ability decreased significantly in all exposure groups, most markedly at 24 hours. Secreted IL-12p70 and TNF-alpha levels remained unchanged across exposure groups.
Thomas S et al. · 2008
Researchers randomly selected a population-based sample of children and adolescents from population registries in four Bavarian cities and towns for a study with a 52% response rate. Each participant wore a dosimeter for 24 hours to measure exposure across three mobile phone frequency ranges, and waking-hour exposure was expressed as a percentage of the ICNIRP reference level. The median exposure was 0.18% of the ICNIRP reference level for children and 0.19% for adolescents, and personal dosimetry proved to be a well-accepted tool for such epidemiologic studies.
Roux D et al. · 2008
Researchers exposed tomato plants to 900 MHz, 5 V m(-1) electromagnetic fields for 10 minutes using a Mode Stirred Reverberation Chamber. Within minutes, stress-related mRNAs for calmodulin, calcium-dependent protein kinase, and proteinase inhibitor accumulated in a rapid, large, three-phase pattern typical of an environmental stress response. Transcript accumulation was maximal at normal calcium levels, depressed at higher calcium, and completely suppressed when calcium was removed with chelators or channel blockers. Thirty minutes after exposure, ATP concentration and adenylate energy charge transiently decreased, and the uncoupler CCCP prevented transcript accumulation entirely.
Karinen A, Heinavaara S, Nylund R, Leszczynski D. · 2008
Researchers exposed a small area of forearm skin in 10 female volunteers to RF-EMF at a specific absorption rate of 1.3 W/kg and collected punch biopsies from exposed and non-exposed areas. Analysis identified 8 proteins that were statistically significantly affected, and two of those proteins were present in all 10 volunteers. The researchers described this as the first study showing that molecular level changes might take place in human volunteers in response to exposure to RF-EMF.
Dawe AS et al. · 2008
Researchers exposed a transgenic strain of the nematode C. elegans to radiofrequency fields at 1.8 GHz and a specific absorption rate of approximately 1.8 W/kg. For both continuous wave and Talk-pulsed exposures lasting 2.5 hours, there was no indication that RF exposure could induce reporter expression above sham control levels. When background reporter expression was moderately elevated in sham controls, the researchers found some evidence that reporter expression may be reduced by approximately 15% following exposure to either Talk-pulsed or CW RF fields.
