EMF Research Studies

TYPICAL EXPOSURE OF CHILDREN TO EMF: EXPOSIMETRY AND DOSIMETRY.

Valič B, Kos B, Gajšek P. · 2014

Assessment of nuclear abnormalities in exfoliated cells from the oral epithelium of mobile phone users

Souza LD, Cerqueira ED, Meireles JR · 2014

The study included 45 individuals divided into three groups based on weekly mobile phone use: more than 5 hours, 1 to 5 hours, and 1 hour or less. Oral mucosal cells were examined for micronuclei, broken egg structures, and degenerative nuclear abnormalities indicative of apoptosis or necrosis. Micronuclei and degenerative nuclear abnormalities did not differ between groups, but broken egg structures were significantly higher in the group with more than 5 hours of weekly use.

Long-term Mobile Phone Use and Acoustic Neuroma Risk.

Pettersson D et al. · 2014

Researchers conducted a population-based, nation-wide, case-control study of acoustic neuroma in Sweden. Eligible cases were persons aged 20 to 69 years diagnosed between 2002 and 2007, and controls were randomly selected from the population registry matched on age, sex, and residential area. Ever regular mobile phone use was associated with an odds ratio of 1.18 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.59).

Risk of neuroblastoma, maternal characteristics and perinatal exposures: The SETIL study.

Parodi S et al. · 2014

The SETIL study included 1044 healthy controls and 153 neuroblastoma cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2001. Researchers used a structured questionnaire to collect information on maternal characteristics, reproductive history, and environmental and occupational exposures during pregnancy. They measured extremely low frequency magnetic field home exposure. The study found a twofold risk associated with pregnancy exposure to chemical products for domestic work and hair dye. Risk was increased for preconception maternal exposure to solvents and particularly aromatic hydrocarbons.

Modeling of EEG electrode artifacts and thermal ripples in human radiofrequency exposure studies.

Murbach et al. · 2014

Researchers evaluated three hypotheses about how radiofrequency exposure could affect EEG by using numerical simulations and experimental assessments with phantoms and anatomical human models. They found that induced fields cause less than a 20% increase in 10 g-averaged SAR, that worst-case electrode placement raises skin temperature by at most 0.31 °C and brain temperature by less than 0.1 °C, and that temperature ripples from RF pulses are below 0.001 °C for GSM-like signals and below 0.004 °C for higher pulse energy. These local short-term temperature elevations are unlikely to change brain physiology during the time period from minutes to several hours after exposure. Thus, the mechanism of interaction between RF and changes in the EEG power spectrum remains unknown.

Evaluation of radiofrequency exposure levels from multiple wireless installations in population dense areas in Korea.

Kim BC, Kim W-K, Lee G-T, Choi H-D, Kim N, Pack J-K. · 2014

The study measured simultaneous human exposure to various radiofrequency signals at 1260 positions across Korea. The measured exposure levels were very low compared to international guidelines and Korean protection notice, with the highest total exposure ratio at 5.1 × 10(-3), approximately 7.1% of guideline limits.

Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields From Broadcast Transmitters and Risk of Childhood Cancer: A Census-based Cohort Study.

Hauri DD et al. · 2014

Researchers conducted a time-to-event analysis of children under 16 living in Switzerland on December 5, 2000, with follow-up until December 31, 2008. They also included an incidence density cohort of all children living in Switzerland for some time between 1985 and 2008. In the time-to-event analysis of 997 cancer cases, the adjusted hazard ratio for the highest exposure category was 1.03 for all cancers, 0.55 for childhood leukemia, and 1.68 for childhood CNS tumors. The incidence density analysis of 4,246 cancer cases showed similar results for all cancers and leukemia but did not indicate a CNS tumor risk, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.03.

Increased γ-H2AX by exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic fields combined with ionizing radiation, but not hydrogen peroxide, in non-tumorigenic human cell lines.

Yoon HE, Lee JS, Myung SH, Lee YS · 2014

Researchers exposed human lung fibroblast WI-38 cells and human lung epithelial L132 cells to a 60-Hz magnetic field at 2 mT for 6 hours. The 2 mT exposure increased γ-H2AX expression and foci production, a marker of DNA double-strand breaks. A 1 mT exposure did not produce this effect. The 2 mT field enhanced the DNA damage marker when combined with ionizing radiation but not with hydrogen peroxide.

Absence of DNA damage after 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.

Jin YB et al. · 2014

Researchers assessed DNA damage using comet assays in mouse and human cell lines exposed to 60-Hz, 1 mT ELF-MF for 4 or 16 hours. Cells exposed to ELF-MF alone showed no significant DNA damage compared to unexposed cells. No synergistic or additive DNA damage occurred when ELF-MF was combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc activation.

Neurodegenerative disease and magnetic field exposure in UK electricity supply workers

Sorahan T, Mohammed N · 2014

The mortality experienced by a cohort of 73,051 employees of the former Central Electricity Generating Board of England and Wales was investigated for the period 1973–2010. Poisson regression was used to calculate relative risks (rate ratios) of developing any of the three diseases under investigation for categories of lifetime, distant (lagged) and recent (lugged) exposure. No statistically significant trends were shown for risks of any of these diseases to increase with estimates of lifetime, recent or distant exposure to magnetic fields. There is no convincing evidence that UK electricity generation and transmission workers have suffered elevated risks from neurodegenerative diseases as a consequence of exposure to magnetic fields.

No effects of power line frequency extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on selected neurobehavior tests of workers inspecting transformers and distribution line stations versus controls.

Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. · 2014

Researchers evaluated 50 Hz ELF-EMF occupational exposure on neurobehavior tests of 310 inspection workers and 300 logistics staff. Neurobehavior tests included mental arithmetic, curve coincide, simple visual reaction time, visual retention, auditory digit span and pursuit aiming. No statistically significant changes in neurobehavior scores were found. Results across different age and seniority groups also showed no significant changes.

Multigenerational effects of whole body exposure to 2.14 GHz W-CDMA cellular phone signals on brain function in rats

Shirai T et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to 2.14 GHz W-CDMA signals for 20 hours a day over three generations. No abnormalities were observed in mother rats or offspring across any biological parameters including neurobehavioral function. The study used three SAR levels: high (<0.24 W/kg), low (<0.08 W/kg), and sham exposure. Pregnant rats were exposed from gestational day 7 to weaning, and offspring were continuously exposed until 6 weeks of age.

Effects of early-onset radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure (GSM 900 MHz) on behavior and memory in rats.

Klose M et al. · 2014

Female Wistar rats from 14 days to 19 months were exposed in the head region for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week to a GSM-modulated 900 MHz field at SAR values of 0, 0.7, 2.5, and 10 W/kg. Four behavioral and learning tests (rotarod, Morris water maze, 8-arm radial maze, open field) were performed three times in juvenile, adult, and presenile rats. No profound differences were identified between exposure groups, though rotarod data showed significantly longer holding times for sham-exposed rats on some days, but these findings were not consistent. The results do not indicate harmful effects of long-term RF-EMF exposure begun at an early age on development, learning, and behavior, even at relatively high SAR values.

Effects of combined radiofrequency radiation exposure on levels of reactive oxygen species in neuronal cells.

Kang KA et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed U87, PC12, and SH-SY5Y neuronal cells to combined radiofrequency radiation at 837 MHz CDMA and 1950 MHz WCDMA with a specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg each for 2 hours. They also tested co-exposure with hydrogen peroxide or menadione and measured intracellular reactive oxygen species using flow cytometry with a fluorescent probe. Combined RF radiation alone did not consistently affect ROS levels in a time-dependent manner, and co-exposure with hydrogen peroxide or menadione showed no statistically significant change compared to the chemicals alone.

The risk of subjective symptoms in mobile phone users in Poland - An epidemiological study.

Szyjkowska A, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W, Bortkiewicz A. · 2014

Most respondents used their phones daily or almost daily. Users who talked frequently and for long periods reported headaches (63.2%) and fatigue (45%) significantly more often than other users. Intensive users also reported warmth around the ear (47.3%) and at the auricle (44.6%) more frequently. Most symptoms appeared during or right after a call and disappeared within 2 hours, though 26% reported continuous headache lasting over 6 hours.

EFFECTS OF FREQUENCY, IRRADIATION GEOMETRY AND POLARISATION ON COMPUTATION OF SAR IN HUMAN BRAIN.

Zhou H et al. · 2014

Researchers used the finite-difference time-domain method to compute the specific absorption rate (SAR) of radio frequency (RF) waves in the human brain and to investigate the effects of geometry and polarisation on SAR value. The results suggested that high SAR values were found in the brain at approximately 250 MHz for vertical polarisation and 900-1200 MHz for both vertical and horizontal polarisation, which may be the result of head resonance at these frequencies.

Mobile phones, non-ionizing radiofrequency fieldsand brain cancer: is there an adaptive response?

Vijayalaxmi, Prihoda TJ. · 2014

The study aimed to investigate whether mobile phone radiofrequency fields and brain cancer show an adaptive response. The authors re-examined all odds ratios from the INTERPHONE study published in 2011. Their analysis showed 24.3% decreased and 0.7% increased risk for meningioma and 22.1% decreased and 6.6% increased risk for glioma. They hypothesized that the overwhelming evidence for decreased risk may be due to induction of an adaptive response.

Lack of interaction between concurrent caffeine and mobile phone exposure on visual target detection: An ERP study.

Trunk A et al. · 2014

Researchers recorded EEG and event-related potentials in an oddball paradigm during four sessions combining caffeine and UMTS mobile phone exposure. Caffeine significantly shortened reaction time and decreased the P300 area under the curve compared to control or mobile phone exposure alone. No effects on reaction time or P300 were observed for UMTS mobile phone exposure alone or combined with caffeine. The authors concluded no interactive or synergistic effects of caffeine and UMTS mobile phone exposure on neural or cognitive measures.

Influence of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation on terpene emission and content in aromatic plants.

Soran ML, Stan M, Niinemets U, Copolovici L · 2014

Researchers exposed Petroselinum crispum, Apium graveolens and Anethum graveolens to microwave irradiation at WLAN and GSM frequencies. Exposure resulted in thinner cell walls, smaller chloroplasts and mitochondria, and increased emissions of monoterpenes and green leaf volatiles. The structural and emission changes were stronger for WLAN-frequency microwaves. GSM-frequency microwaves increased essential oil content, while WLAN-frequency microwaves decreased it.

Impact of 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure on main male reproductive hormone levels: a Rattus norvegicus model.

Sepehrimanesh M et al. · 2014

Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMF for 1, 2, or 4 hours per day over 30 days, with a sham-exposed control group. At the end of the experiment, the long-time exposure group showed significantly higher FSH and LH levels than the sham group. The long-time exposure group also had significantly increased activin B and prolactin, decreased inhibin B compared to sham and short-time exposure groups, and decreased testosterone compared to short- and moderate-time exposure groups.

Measurement of the dielectric properties of the epidermis and dermis at frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz.

Sasaki K, Wake K, Watanabe S · 2014

Previous measurements of skin dielectric properties typically included all three skin layers together. This study provides new data for the epidermis and dermis measured in vitro from 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz. The results agreed with Gabriel's data for the dermis up to 20 GHz. For 20 to 100 GHz, experimental results showed larger values than extrapolated Gabriel data. For frequencies over 20 GHz, the parametric model tends toward the experimental results for the epidermis.

A new problem in inflammatory bladder diseases: Use of mobile phones!

Koca O, Gokce AM, Akyuz M, Ercan F, Yurdakul N, Karaman MI. · 2014

Twenty-one adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 was exposed to electromagnetic waves for 8 hours per day for 20 days, Group 2 received the same exposure followed by 20 days without exposure, and Group 3 was not exposed. Microscopic examination showed severe inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria and muscle layer of the first group, mild infiltration in the second group, and mean inflammation scores of 5.5 ± 2.5, 0.8 ± 1.3, and 1.2 ± 1.5 for the three groups respectively, with group 1 significantly higher (p = 0.001).

Risk perception and public concerns of electromagnetic waves from cellular phones in Korea.

Kim K, Kim HJ, Song DJ, Cho YM, Choi JW. · 2014

Researchers analyzed the difference between risk perception of electromagnetic waves from cellular phones and other factors such as environment and food, and also examined psychological and social factors affecting the high risk perception group. A questionnaire survey on risk perception of electromagnetic waves from cellular phones was carried out on 1001 subjects over the age of 20. In the high risk perception group, women had higher risk perception than men. High risk perception was associated with higher personal knowledge (OR: 1.416, 95% CI: 1.216-1.648), higher perceived seriousness of risk to future generations (OR: 1.410, 95% CI: 1.234-1.611), and higher outrage about accidents related to electromagnetic waves (OR: 1.460, 95% CI: 1.264-1.686).

The effects of electromagnetic waves emitted by the cell phones on the testicular tissue.

Karaman MI et al. · 2014

Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland.

Hashemipour MS, Yarbakht M, Gholamhosseinian A, Famori H. · 2014

Researchers collected stimulated salivary samples from both parotid glands of 86 healthy volunteers. They measured salivary flow rate and concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase, C-reactive protein, and immunoglobulin A. In participants who predominantly held phones on the right side, flow rate and protein concentration were significantly higher on the right side, while amylase, lipase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and peroxidase concentrations decreased. The authors noted that although mobile phone use influenced salivary composition, the relationship was not significant.