EMF Research Studies

Mechanism of a short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency

Friedman J, Kraus S, Hauptman Y, Schiff Y, Seger R. · 2007

Effects of prooxidants on human serum exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields

Calota V, Dragoiu S, Meghea A, Giurginca M. · 2007

The study evaluated the effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields at different intensities on chemiluminescence intensity of human serum. Exposure for 1 and 2 h increased chemiluminescence emission, and adding prooxidants FeCl(2) and H(2)O(2) in different concentrations increased chemiluminescence intensity even more.

Mobile phone emission modulates interhemispheric functional coupling of EEG alpha rhythms

Vecchio F et al. · 2007

Ten subjects underwent two EEG recordings separated by one week in a crossover double-blind paradigm. The mobile phone was held on the left side of the head by a modified helmet. Each session lasted 45 minutes with real GSM exposure in one session and sham in the other. GSM stimulation modulated interhemispheric frontal and temporal coherence at alpha2 and alpha3 bands compared to sham.

Electromagnetic fields produced by GSM cellular phones and heart rate variability

Parazzini M et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed 26 healthy young volunteers to 900 MHz GSM phone radiation and sham exposure in separate double-blind sessions. A rest-to-stand protocol assessed autonomic nervous system function during rest and after sympathetic activation. No statistically significant effect of EMF exposure was found on the main RR mean or most other heart rate variability parameters. A weak interaction between some time and frequency domain HRV parameters and RF exposure was observed around the sympathetic response to standing.

Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations

Abdel-Rassoul G et al. · 2007

A cross-sectional study enrolled 85 residents living near a mobile phone base station in Egypt and 80 matched controls. Exposed residents reported significantly higher rates of headache, memory changes, dizziness, tremors, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance than controls. On neurobehavioral testing, exposed residents performed worse on a test of attention and short-term auditory memory but better on tests of visuomotor speed and attention. Residents living opposite the station performed worse on a problem-solving test than those living under the station. Measured radiofrequency radiation levels were below the allowable standard.

Personal digital assistant (PDA) cell phone units produce elevated extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field emissions.

Sage C, Johansson O, Sage SA · 2007

SAR in the mother and foetus for RF plane wave irradiation.

Dimbylow P. · 2007

Researchers used finite-difference time-domain calculations to estimate SAR from 20 MHz to 3 GHz in hybrid voxel-mathematical models of the pregnant female. Mathematical models of the developing foetus at 8-, 13-, 26- and 38-week gestation were converted into voxels and combined with the reference adult female model, NAOMI at a resolution of 2 mm. The study calculated the electric field values needed to produce the ICNIRP public exposure restriction of 2 W kg(-1) when averaged over 10 g of the foetus.

Adaptation of human brain bioelectrical activity to low-level microwave.

Bachmann M et al. · 2007

Researchers studied how the human brain's bioelectrical activity adapted to low-level microwave exposure in a group of 14 healthy volunteers. The volunteers were exposed to 450 MHz microwave radiation modulated at 40 Hz frequencies, with a field power density at the scalp of 0.16 mW/cm(2). Results showed that an initial increase in EEG power was compensated and even overcompensated, with adaptation effects apparent in alpha and beta rhythms.

Evaluating the combinative effects on human lymphocyte DNA damage induced by ultraviolet ray C plus 1.8GHz microwaves using comet assay in vitro.

Baohong W et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed human lymphocytes to 1.8 GHz microwaves at a SAR of 3 W/kg, ultraviolet ray C (UVC), or both, then measured DNA damage using the comet assay. Microwave exposure alone did not produce significantly more DNA damage than the control group. When combined with UVC, microwave exposure was associated with reduced DNA damage at 1.5-hour incubation but increased DNA damage at 4-hour incubation, compared with UVC alone.

Fifty Hertz electromagnetic field exposure stimulates secretion of beta-amyloid peptide in cultured human neuroglioma.

Del Giudice E et al. · 2007

Researchers tested whether low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure could affect amyloid-related processes in cultured cells. The study exposed H4 neuroglioma cells, which overexpress human mutant amyloid precursor protein, to a 3.1 mT 50 Hz electromagnetic field. Overnight exposure led to a significant increase in amyloid-beta peptide secretion, including the isoform Abeta 1-42, without affecting cell survival.

Change of nitric oxide concentration in men exposed to a 1.5 T constant magnetic field

Sirmatel O, Sert C, Tümer C, Oztürk A, Bilgin M, Ziylan Z · 2007

Researchers measured nitric oxide production in 33 healthy young male volunteers aged 18 to 26 years old immediately after a 30-minute exposure to a 1.5 T magnetic field. A control group of 30 healthy male volunteers aged 19 to 26 years old was not exposed to the magnetic field, and their nitric oxide levels were also measured. Total nitrite concentration in post-exposure samples was found to be higher than in pre-exposure samples (P < .05).

Total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index in the men exposed to 1.5 T static magnetic field.

Sirmatel O, Sert C, Sirmatel F, Selek S, Yokus B · 2007

Researchers investigated the effects of a 1.5 T static magnetic field, produced by an MRI apparatus, on oxidative stress markers in 33 male volunteers. Total antioxidant capacity showed a significant increase after exposure compared to before exposure (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress index and total oxidant status showed a significant decrease after exposure compared to before exposure (p < 0.01 for each). The researchers concluded that the 1.5 T static magnetic field produced a positive effect of decreasing oxidative stress in men following short-term exposure.

Affective response to 5 microT ELF magnetic field-induced physiological changes.

Stevens P · 2007

Researchers studied whether exposure to a 0–5 µT magnetic field at EEG alpha-band frequencies (8–12 Hz) would affect emotional state. Participants reported a change in emotional state following exposure, and a decrease in global field power was observed. The frontal alpha-asymmetry that would physiologically indicate a directly induced emotional state was absent, and researchers suggested that participant experiences were due to an interpretation of the effects of MF exposure.

Exposure to an additional alternating magnetic field affects comb building by worker hornets.

Ishay JS et al. · 2007

Researchers kept Oriental hornet workers in an Artificial Breeding Box and exposed them to an AC magnetic field of a magnitude of B = 50-70 mGauss, comparing the combs they built with those from a control group exposed only to the natural terrestrial magnetic field. Exposed hornets built combs with a 35-55% smaller number of cells and fewer eggs, many deformed and imperfectly hexagonal cells, and more delicate and slender comb stems.

Fifty Hertz electromagnetic field exposure stimulates secretion of β-amyloid peptide in cultured human neuroglioma

Del Giudice E et al. · 2007

Researchers tested whether low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure could affect amyloidogenic processes in cultured cells. They exposed H4 neuroglioma cells that stably overexpress human mutant amyloid precursor protein to a 3.1 mT 50 Hz field. Overnight exposure significantly increased secretion of amyloid-beta peptide, including the isoform Aβ 1–42, without affecting cell survival.

Nonlinear EEG activation evoked by low-strength low-frequency magnetic fields.

Carrubba S, Frilot C, Chesson AL, Marino AA. · 2007

Pulsed radio-frequency electromagnetic fields: dose-dependent effects on sleep, the sleep EEG and cognitive performance.

Regel SJ et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed the heads of 15 healthy male subjects for 30 min prior to sleep to a pulse-modulated EMF signal at different intensities or a sham condition, in a double-blind, crossover design. The active exposure levels used peak spatial specific absorption rates of 0.2 W kg–1 and 5 W kg–1. Sleep EEG analysis showed a dose-dependent increase of power in the spindle frequency range in non-REM sleep, while sleep architecture was not affected. Reaction speed slowed with increasing field intensity in the 1-back task, but accuracy in the CRT and N-back tasks was not affected in a dose-dependent manner.

Mobile phone 'talk-mode' signal delays EEG-determined sleep onset.

Hung CS, Anderson C, Horne JA, McEvoy P · 2007

Researchers exposed 10 healthy young adults to talk, listen, standby, or sham signal modes for 30 minutes, then gave them a 90-minute sleep opportunity. Sleep latency after talk mode was markedly and significantly delayed beyond listen and sham modes. This condition effect was also evident in 1–4 Hz EEG frontal power, a frequency range described as particularly sensitive to sleep onset. There was no condition effect for subjective sleepiness.

Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells.

Buttiglione M et al. · 2007

Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation at 1 W/kg to study effects on gene expression and cell-cycle control. Short-term exposures produced a transient increase in Egr-1 mRNA levels along with activation of the MAPK subtypes ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK. Exposure had an anti-proliferative effect, and a significant G2-M cell-cycle arrest was observed, with signs of apoptosis appearing after 24 hours. A significant decrease in mRNA levels of Bcl-2 and survivin genes, both linked to signaling between G2-M arrest and apoptosis, was also observed.

Gene expression analysis of ELF-MF exposed human monocytes indicating the involvement of the alternative activation pathway

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers studied the cell activating capacity of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on human umbilical cord blood-derived monocytes. They confirmed previous findings that ELF-MF at 1.0 mT increased ROS release in human monocytes. Gene expression profiling using a whole-genome cDNA array was performed after 45 minutes of exposure. The exposure altered 986 genes involved in metabolism, cellular physiological processes, signal transduction, and immune response. Significant regulation was found for five genes, including IL15RA, EPS15R, DNMT3A, and DKFZP586J1624.

Effects of pulsed electric fields on DNA of human lymphocytes

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers investigated the effects of pulsed electric fields at 50 Hz on DNA of human lymphocytes using the comet assay. A significant amount of DNA damage was observed after exposure compared to controls. After 2 hours incubation at 37°C, a proportion of the damage was repaired. Hydrogen peroxide and gamma-irradiation increased the damage to lymphocytes exposed to pulsed electric fields according to the dose used, and the amount of repair was proportional to the damage.

Pesticide induced DNA damage and its repair in cultured human cells

Unknown authors · 2006

ROS release and Hsp70 expression after exposure to 1,800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in three model cell lines.

Unknown authors · 2006

PMA treatment significantly increased ROS production in both cell types compared to sham or incubator controls. GSM-DTX exposure showed significantly different ROS production in monocytes compared to sham, but this was due to lowered ROS release during sham exposure. No ROS differences were detected in lymphocytes compared to sham or incubator control. Hsp70 expression in monocytes at 0, 1, and 2 hours post-exposure to GSM-DTX at 2 W/kg for 1 hour did not differ from incubator or sham controls.

Effects of 60-Hz magnetic field exposure on nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, estrogens, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in healthy reproductive-age women: results of a crossover trial

Unknown authors · 2006

The study used a crossover design with healthy premenopausal women exposed to a 60-Hz magnetic field of 5 to 10 mG greater than ambient levels for 5 consecutive nights during the early to midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Magnetic field exposure was associated with decreased 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels, but no changes in reproductive hormone levels were observed. Participants using prescription medications and anovulatory participants had more pronounced decreases in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels with magnetic field exposure.

Consultations in primary care for symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields--a survey among general practitioners

Unknown authors · 2006

Researchers conducted telephone interviews with a random sample of 342 Swiss general practitioners, achieving a 28.2% response rate. 69% of GPs reported at least one consultation due to EMF, with a median of three such consultations per year. The most commonly reported symptoms were sleep disorders, headaches, and fatigue, while the main suspected EMF sources were mobile phone base stations, power lines, and personal mobile phone use. GPs judged the association between EMF and symptoms as plausible in 54% of cases, but no specific symptom-source combination was consistently judged plausible.