EMF Research Studies

Circadian alterations of reproductive functional markers in male rats exposed to 1800-MHz radiofrequency field.

Qin F et al. · 2014

Mobile Phone Radiation Alters Proliferation of Hepatocarcinoma Cells.

Ozgur E, Guler G, Kismali G, Seyhan N · 2014

Researchers exposed Hep G2 hepatocarcinoma cells to intermittent 900- and 1800-MHz radiofrequency radiation at a specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours. Cell viability changed according to the frequency and duration of the exposure. Four-hour exposure produced more pronounced effects than shorter durations. 1800-MHz radiation had a larger impact on cell viability and injury than 900-MHz radiation. Morphological analysis showed irregular nuclei and DNA damage after 4 hours of 1800-MHz exposure.

Effect of a 2.45-GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells.

Koyama S et al. · 2014

Researchers examined the effect of 2.45-GHz radiofrequency fields at SARs of 2 and 10 W/kg for 4 and 24 hours on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells. Neutrophil chemotaxis was not affected by radiofrequency field exposure, and phagocytosis was not affected either compared with sham exposure conditions. Exposure at an SAR under 10 W/kg showed very little or no effects on either chemotaxis or phagocytosis.

Statistical analysis of electromagnetic radiation measurements in the vicinity of GSM/UMTS base station antenna masts.

Koprivica M, Neskovic N, Neskovic A, Paunovic G. · 2014

Researchers carried out electromagnetic field strength measurements at 664 base station locations to determine the level of radio-frequency radiation generated by base stations. Locations were classified into three categories: indoor, masts, and locations with installations on buildings. The total electric field strength near base station antenna masts never exceeded 10 V m−1, which is below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection reference levels. At horizontal distances greater than 50 m from the mast bottom, the median and maximum values were below 1 and 2 V m−1, respectively.

Invitro effects of low intensity 1.8 GHz radiofrequency radiation on human peripheral blood leukocytes from healthy donors: A morphometric and morphological study.

Jirillo E et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed 108 samples of human leukocytes from healthy donors to electromagnetic radiation at different intensities using a reverberation chamber. Exposure times ranged from 5 minutes to 24 hours, and sham-exposed blood samples from the same donors served as controls. In 68% of the 108 cases, an increase in leukocyte cell area was found along with morphological changes, while in 14% a decrease in cell area was observed. In 18% of cases, no effects dependent on the radiation were detected.

Evaluation of exposure to electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation in the indoor workplace accessible to the public by the use of frequency-selective exposimeters.

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.

Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microrna expression in brain.

Dasdag S et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation for 3 hours per day, 7 days a week, for 12 months to study effects on microRNA in brain tissue. The study found that rno-miR107 was decreased in exposed rats, while rno-miR-9-5p, rno-miR-29a-3p, rno-miR-106b-5p, and rno-miR-125a-3p were not altered.

Effect of long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi equipment on testes functions.

Dasdag S, Taş M, Akdag MZ, Yegin K. · 2014

The study used Wistar Albino adult male rats divided into a sham group and an exposure group, with rats in the exposure group exposed to 2.4 GHz radiofrequency radiation for 24 hours a day during 12 months. Sperm head defects increased in the exposed group, and weight of the epididymis and seminal vesicles, seminiferous tubule diameter, and tunica albuginea thickness all decreased. Other measured parameters did not show statistically significant differences between the groups.

Effects of short-term radiation emitted by WCDMA mobile phones on teenagers and adults.

Choi SB, Kwon MK, Chung JW, Park JS, Chung K, Kim DW. · 2014

Two volunteer groups of 26 adults and 26 teenagers were simultaneously investigated by measuring physiological changes in heart rate, respiration rate, and heart rate variability for autonomic nervous system (ANS), eight subjective symptoms, and perception of RF-EMFs during sham and real exposure sessions. Short-term WCDMA RF-EMFs generated no significant changes in ANS, subjective symptoms, or the percentages of those who believed they were being exposed in either group.

Effects of 900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation on Skin Hydroxyproline Contents.

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.

The effect of 900 and 1800MHz GSM-like radiofrequency irradiation and nicotine sulfate administration on the embryonic development of Xenopus laevis.

Boga A et al. · 2014

Researchers investigated the effects of GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and nicotine sulfate exposure on the embryonic development of Xenopus laevis (African clawed frogs). With the exception of the 1800 MHz exposure, radiofrequency radiation alone was not associated with dramatic developmental anomalies. The combined effects of radiofrequency radiation and nicotine sulfate on the embryos were more severe than the effect of either exposure alone.

A method for safety testing of radiofrequency/microwave-emitting devices using MRI.

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.

Adaptive Response in Mice Exposed to 900 MHz Radiofrequency Fields: Bleomycin-induced DNA and Oxidative Damage/Repair.

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.

Effects of 940 MHz EMF on bioluminescence and oxidative response of stable luciferase producing HEK cells.

Sefidbakht Y et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed HEK293T cells carrying a firefly luciferase gene to 940 MHz RF-EMF at a mean specific absorption rate of approximately 0.09 W kg-1. The effects of exposure durations of 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes on luciferase activity and oxidative response elements were investigated. Luciferase activity was reduced after 30 and 45 minutes of continuous exposure, while after 60 minutes the exposed cells showed higher luciferase activity compared with non-exposed controls. ROS generation was highest in the 30-minute exposed cells, followed by a sharp rise in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity and elevation of glutathione during the 45-minute exposure.

The Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Liver Tissue Protein Oxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels After the Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.

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.

The protective effect of autophagy on mouse spermatocyte derived cells exposure to 1800MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

Liu K et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed mouse spermatocyte-derived cells (GC-2) to 1800 MHz GSM signals at SAR values of 1, 2, or 4 w/kg for 24 hours. The expression of LC3-II increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner with RF exposure, and showed a significant change at the SAR value of 4 w/kg. RF exposure did not increase the percentage of apoptotic cells, but inhibition of autophagy could increase the percentage of apoptotic cells. The findings suggested that autophagy flux could be enhanced by 1800 MHz GSM exposure, mediated by ROS generation.

Evaluation of selected biochemical parameters in the saliva of young males using mobile phones

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.

The in vivo effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields on the motor activity of protozoa

Sarapultseva EI, Igolkina JV, Tikhonov VN, Dubrova YE · 2014

Researchers exposed the ciliate Spirostomum ambiguum to 1 GHz and 10 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at power flux densities ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 W/m2 for periods from 0.05 to 10 hours. Exposure to 0.1 W/m2 of either 1 or 10 GHz radiofrequency fields resulted in a significant decrease in the motility of the ciliates. The motility of unexposed offspring of ciliates that had been irradiated with 0.1 W/m2 of 10 GHz radiofrequency fields remained significantly compromised across at least 10 to 15 generations.

Effects of nano-selenium on cognition performance of mice exposed in 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields

Qin F, Yuan H, Nie J, Cao Y, Tong J · 2014

Researchers exposed male mice to 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields at 208 microW/cm2 for 0, 30, or 120 minutes per day for 30 days, while some groups also received nano-selenium by intra-gastric injection. Significant impairments in learning and memory were observed in the RF 120 min group, along with reduced acetylcholine levels and antioxidant enzyme activity and increased GABA, glutamate, and MDA in the brain. Nano-selenium supplementation decreased GABA, glutamate, and MDA levels and increased acetylcholine levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in the exposed mice.

Does Exposure to a Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Modify Thermal Preference in Juvenile Rats?

Pelletier A et al. · 2014

Researchers recorded thermal preference and sleep in 18 young male Wistar rats, with nine exposed to a low-intensity RF-EMF at 900 MHz and nine serving as non-exposed controls. During the light period, exposed rats preferred to sleep at an air temperature of 31°C while controls preferred 28°C. During the dark period, no significant differences between groups were found.

Evaluation of oxidant stress and antioxidant defense in discrete brain regions of rats exposed to 900 MHz radiation.

Narayanan SN, Kumar RS, Kedage V, Nalini K, Nayak S, Bhat PG · 2014

Researchers studied the effects of 900 MHz radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation on oxidant stress and antioxidant defense in discrete brain regions of adolescent rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats aged 6 to 8 weeks were divided into a control group, a sham group, and an RF-EMR-exposed group, with 12 animals in each group. The exposed group received 900 MHz RF-EMR at a peak power density of 146.60 µW/cm2 for one hour per day for four weeks from an activated GSM mobile phone. Elevated TBARS levels were found in all brain regions studied, and altered behavioral performances were found in RF-EMR-exposed rats.

Immunohistochemical localization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the superior olivary complex of mice after radiofrequency exposure

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.

Differential Pro-Inflammatory Responses of Astrocytes and Microglia Involve STAT3 Activation in Response to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Fields.

Lu Y et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed microglial N9 and astroglial C8-D1A cells to 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields to study pro-inflammatory responses and the mechanisms involved. Radiofrequency exposure induced different expression and release profiles of inflammatory markers including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2, nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase 2 in the two cell types. STAT3 was activated by radiofrequency exposure in microglia but not in astrocytes, and the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in microglia but not in astrocytes.

Behavior and memory evaluation of Wistar rats exposed to 1·8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation

Júnior LC et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed male Wistar rats to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from a GSM cell phone (1·8 GHz) for 3 days. After exposure, behavioral tests including the open field and object recognition tests were performed. The exposed animals did not present anxiety patterns or working memory impairment, but stress behavior actions were observed.

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells

Chen C et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at SAR values of 1, 2, and 4 W/kg for 1, 2, and 3 days. RF-EMF exposure did not influence eNSC apoptosis, proliferation, cell cycle, or the ratio of differentiated neurons and astrocytes. However, neurite outgrowth of eNSC-derived neurons was inhibited after 4 W/kg RF-EMF exposure for 3 days. The mRNA and protein expression of proneural genes Ngn1 and NeuroD were decreased after RF-EMF exposure, while expression of their inhibitor Hes1 was upregulated.