de Pomerai DI, Dawe A, DjerbibL, Allan, Brunt G, Daniells C. · 2002
Researchers investigated growth rate and maturation proportion in C. elegans exposed to prolonged microwave fields at 25°C in synchronized cultures of wild-type larvae. Microwave exposure significantly increased growth rate by 8–11% and maturation proportion by 28–40%. Mild heat treatment at 28°C decreased growth rate by 10% and almost abolished maturation proportion, showing effects opposite to microwave exposure.
Irgens A, Kruger K, Ulstein M · 1999
The study assessed whether reduced semen quality in infertile couples is associated with occupational exposures known to be hazardous to fertility. Results of the first semen analysis were linked to occupational exposure data from a self-administered questionnaire. Reduced semen quality was found in men exposed to electromagnetic fields with an odds ratio of 3.22 and a confidence interval of 1.46 to 7.09. A tendency toward reduced semen quality was seen in commuters, shift workers, and men exposed to heavy metals. In general, the impact of occupational exposure on semen quality in infertile couples in Norway seemed to be minor, however occupational exposure mapping is still important in individual infertility investigations.
Fink JM, Wagner JP, Congleton JJ, Rock JC · 1999
This study evaluated police officers' exposures to microwaves emitted by traffic radar units, with measurements taken at approximated ocular and testicular levels of officers seated in patrol vehicles. Fifty-four radar units covering 17 different models, 4 frequency bands, and 3 antenna configurations were provided by four speed-enforcement agencies and one transportation research institute. The researchers concluded that police officer exposure to microwave radiation is apparently minimal.
Dasdag et al. · 1999
Schrader et al. · 1998
Researchers conducted a follow-up study of semen quality in soldiers with different military assignments at Fort Hood, Texas. Thirty-three men were exposed to radar in Signal Corps operations, 57 men fired the 155-mm howitzer with potential lead exposure, and 103 men served as controls with neither exposure. Hormone levels and complete semen analyses were measured, and no statistical differences were observed in any semen quality measurement. Results for howitzer firing agreed with previous studies showing no semen quality deficits, but radar exposure results contradicted an earlier report of decreased sperm numbers. The authors concluded that more data are needed to evaluate the relationship between military radar and male reproductive health.
Hardell L, Nasman A, Ohlson CG, Fredrikson M. · 1998
The case-control study enrolled 148 cases (91% response) and 314 controls (87% response), including 101 seminoma and 47 embryonal testicular cancer cases. Occupational plastics work yielded an odds ratio of 2.9 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.3-6.5. Farming (OR 3.1, CI 1.03-9.1) and contact with farm animals (OR 3.3, CI 1.00-10.9) increased risk for embryonal cancer but not for seminoma. Exposure to insect repellents, mostly containing DEET, gave an odds ratio of 1.7 (CI 1.03-2.8) for all testicular cancer with a dose-response effect. Video display unit work gave an odds ratio of 1.5 (CI 0.98-2.3), and for 480 working days (median) the odds ratio increased to 1.8 (CI 1.1-3.2).
Indulski JA, Makowiec-Dabrowska T, Zmyslony M, Siedlecka J · 1997
The authors reviewed epidemiological data on the relationship between reproductive disorders and electromagnetic field exposure from power lines, industrial devices, medical appliances, video display terminals, and household devices. The analyzed studies examined effects on female and male reproduction, including spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, congenital malformations, and progeny gender proportion among occupationally exposed persons.
Magras, IN, Xenos, TD · 1997
Researchers measured RF power densities between 168 nW/cm2 and 1053 nW/cm2 at several locations around an antenna park. Twelve pairs of mice divided into two groups were placed in locations of different power densities and mated five times. The number of newborns per dam decreased progressively until irreversible infertility occurred, but crown-rump length, body weight, and vertebral counts improved.
Jensh RP · 1997
This review examined whether chronic prenatal microwave exposure in rats caused adverse effects at birth or alterations in offspring development and growth. Pregnant rats were exposed throughout pregnancy to continuous wave 915 MHz, 2450 MHz, or 6000 MHz radiation at power density levels of 10, 20, or 35 mW/cm2, respectively. Animals exposed to 915 MHz did not exhibit any consistent significant alterations in any of the parameters measured. Offspring exposed to 6000 MHz showed an initial slight but significant retardation in term weight, delayed eye opening, lower weekly weights that recovered by the fifth week, and changes in water T-maze and open field performance.
Hjollund NH, Bonde JP, Skotte J · 1997
This preliminary survey examined semen quality among Danish military personnel who operated mobile ground-to-air missile units using microwave-emitting radar systems. The median sperm density of the military personnel was significantly low compared to reference values. The researchers noted that the difference could be due to chance, uncontrolled bias, or nonthermal effects of transitory microwaves.
Weyandt, TB, Schrader, SM, Turner, TW, Simon, SD · 1996
Researchers compared semen quality and hormone levels among artillerymen (n=30), radar equipment operators (n=20), and a comparison group (n=31). Questionnaire data showed many initial controls had potential microwave exposure as radar operators, so a comparison group without lead or microwave exposure was selected. Radar equipment operators with potential microwave exposure had significantly lower sperm counts per milliliter (P=0.009) and per ejaculate (P=0.027) than the comparison group. Artillerymen who perceived fertility concerns also had lower sperm counts per ejaculate (P=0.067) and per milliliter (P=0.014) than the comparison group.
Tynes T, Hannevik M, Andersen A, Vistnes AI, Haldorsen T · 1996
The Norwegian cohort consisted of 2,619 women certified as radio and telegraph operators between 1920 and 1980. Cancer incidence was analyzed using the standardized incidence ratio with the Norwegian female population as the comparison group. The standardized incidence ratio for all cancers was 1.2, while breast cancer showed an excess risk with an SIR of 1.5. A nested case-control analysis found an association between breast cancer in women aged 50 and older and shift work. After adjusting for fertility factors, the rate ratio for breast cancer associated with being a radio and telegraph operator was 1.5 compared to all Norwegian women born 1935 or later.
Lokhmatova SA, · 1994
Researchers studied the effect of long-term impulsive electromagnetic irradiation at a power density of 0.25 mW/cm2 for 4 months, 2 hours per day, on rat testes and epididymides. The irradiation was at 3 GHz and the results demonstrated high sensitivity of the rat testes and epididymides, with destructive changes in seminiferous tubules and testicular tissue. Full recovery was not observed even 4 months after irradiation ended.
Larsen AI, Olsen J, Svane O · 1991
Case groups were spontaneous abortions, low birth-weight prematurity, and stillbirth or death within one year, and exposure was assessed by telephone interviews. Highly exposed mothers had only 23.5% male births, a statistically significantly altered gender ratio showing a dose-response pattern. High-frequency electromagnetic radiation was associated with low birthweight, but only for male newborns.
