EMF Research Studies

Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Automated Blood Cell Measurements.

Vagdatli E et al. · 2014

Effects of 21-kHz intermediate frequency magnetic fields on blood properties and immune systems of juvenile rats.

Ushiyama A et al. · 2014

Hematological parameters, cytotoxic activity, phagocytic activity, and T-cell populations showed no significant differences between exposed and sham groups. A significant difference in inorganic phosphorus levels was found but remained within physiological range and was not considered pathophysiological.

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.

Nanometer-scale elongation rate fluctuations in the Myriophyllum aquaticum (Parrot feather) stem were altered by radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation.

Senavirathna MD, Asaeda T, Thilakarathne BL, Kadono H · 2014

Researchers investigated the effect of EMR on the growth dynamics of Myriophyllum aquaticum by measuring nanometric elongation rate fluctuation using a statistical interferometry technique. Plants were exposed to 2 GHz EMR at a maximum of 1.42 Wm(-2) for 1 hour. After continuous exposure, M. aquaticum plants exhibited a statistically significant 51 ± 16% reduction in NERF standard deviation. Temperature observations revealed that EMR exposure did not cause dielectric heating, so the reduced NERF was due to a non-thermal effect. The alteration in NERF continued for at least 2.5 hours after exposure with no significant recovery during the experimental period.

EFFECT OF DISCONTINUOUS MICROWAVES EXPOSURE (2.45 GHz) ON ESCHERICHIA COLI MEMBRANE: INVESTIGATIONS ON THERMAL VERSUS NON THERMAL EFFECTS.

Rougier C, Prorot A, Chazal P, Leveque P, Leprat P · 2014

Researchers investigated the effects of 2.45 GHz microwave exposure on Escherichia coli cell membranes while maintaining the suspension at an average temperature of 37°C. No effect was detected with conventional heating or 200 W exposure, but membrane integrity was slightly altered at powers from 400 to 2000 W. Thermal characterization indicated the temperature reached was not high enough to explain the membrane changes, suggesting a power-dependent electromagnetic threshold effect. Exposures were discontinuous to keep the average temperature at 37°C, and effects were measured using flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining and intracellular protein release.

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.

Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on electrocardiograms of guinea pigs

Meral I, Tekintangac Y, Demir H · 2014

Researchers used 30 healthy guinea pigs weighing 500-800 g, randomly assigning 10 to a control group and 20 to an EMF-exposed group after a one-week adaptation period. The exposed group received 890-915 MHz EMF with a 217 Hz pulse rate, 2 W maximum peak power, and 0.95 wt kg(-1) specific absorption rate for 12 h per day (11 h 45 min stand-by and 15 min speaking mode) over 30 days. ECGs were recorded at baseline and on days 10, 20, and 30 using leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF, with wave durations and amplitudes measured in lead II. The authors recommended further investigation with longer exposure durations to clarify cardiovascular effects.

Electromagnetic Immunity of Implantable Pacemakers Exposed to Wi-Fi Devices.

Mattei E, Censi F, Triventi M, Calcagnini G · 2014

The study evaluated electromagnetic interference potential and immunity of ten implantable pacemakers from five manufacturers tested in vitro with Wi-Fi signals. The exposure setup reproduced the IEEE 802.11b/g protocol and amplified the Wi-Fi signal to power levels higher than allowed by international regulation. None of the tested pacemakers showed any performance degradation even when exposed to radiofrequency field levels five times higher than the regulatory limit. The researchers concluded that Wi-Fi devices do not pose EMI risks to implantable pacemakers and that modern pacemaker immunity is much higher than the transmitting power of RF devices operating at 2.4 GHz.

Influence of Smartphone Wi-Fi Signals on Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Lee SS, Kim HR, Kim MS, Park S, Yoon ES, Park SH, Kim DW. · 2014

Researchers exposed adipose-derived stem cells to smartphone Wi-Fi signals for 10 hours a day over 5 days. The study used two control groups grown at 37°C and 39°C and measured cell proliferation, apoptosis, flow cytometry, and three growth factors. No harmful effects were found, but proliferation increased in Wi-Fi-exposed and 39°C groups compared to 37°C controls, possibly due to thermal effects.

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.

The incidence rate and mortality of malignant brain tumors after 10 years of intensive cell phone use in Taiwan.

Hsu MH et al. · 2014

Researchers conducted a population-based study using cancer registry data from 2000 to 2009 and cell phone user statistics from the National Communication Commission. The National Cancer Registry recorded 4 incidences and 4 deaths due to malignant neoplasms in Taiwan during 2000-2009. Ten years of observational data showed no significant effect of intensive cell phone use on the incidence rate or mortality of malignant brain tumors in Taiwan. The authors concluded they detected no correlation between cell phone use and malignant brain tumor morbidity or mortality in Taiwan.

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.

Effect of long term 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation on enamel microhardness of rat's teeth.

Dasdag S, Yavuz I1, Bakkal M, Kargul B. · 2014

A control group of 7 rats underwent the same procedure with the generator turned off. Enamel microhardness was measured at the end of the study and showed no significant difference between groups (p>0.05).

Effect of 1800 MHz Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted from Cellular Phones on Fracture Healing.

Aslan A et al. · 2014

The study used 30 Wistar albino rats divided into two equal groups with tibial fractures fixed by K-wire. One group was exposed to 1800 MHz electromagnetic fields for 30 minutes daily, five days a week, while the other group was not exposed. Radiological, histological, and mechanical scores showed no significant differences between groups, and all scores were lower than controls. The researchers concluded that 1800 MHz electromagnetic radiation from cellular phones has no effect on bone fracture healing.

Assessment of oxidant/antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users

Khalil AM, Abu Khadra KM, Aljaberi AM, Gagaa MH, Issa HS. · 2014

The study aimed to examine oxidant and antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users by collecting samples before and after 15- and 30-minute calls. Saliva was analyzed for malondialdehyde, 8-oxo-dG, and antioxidant capacities using ORAC and HORAC assays. Mean 8-oxo-dG and protein concentrations peaked at 15 minutes, while HORAC, ORAC, and MDA levels increased progressively and reached maximum at 30 minutes. Talking time had no significant effect on 8-oxo-dG, MDA, ORAC, or HORAC levels. The authors concluded that there is no relationship between radiofrequency radiation exposure and changes in the salivary oxidant/antioxidant profile.

Effect of 950 MHz UHF electromagnetic radiation on biomarkers of oxidative damage, metabolism of UFA and antioxidants in the livers of young rats of different ages

Furtado-Filho OV et al. · 2014

Researchers assessed the effect of 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation on biomarkers of oxidative damage, unsaturated fatty acid concentrations, and catalase expression in the livers of rats of different ages. Twelve rats per age group were divided into control and exposed groups and exposed for half an hour per day for up to 51 days at a specific absorption rate of 1.3–1.0 W/kg. The radiation did not cause oxidative stress and was not genotoxic in neonates or 6- and 15-day-old rats, but it changed polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in neonates. In 30-day-old rats there was no oxidative stress but the radiation was genotoxic to the livers of exposed rats.

Cell phone use and parotid salivary gland alterations: no molecular evidence

de Souza FT et al. · 2014

Researchers investigated whether cell phone use alters the expression of gene products related to cellular stress in parotid glands. They used saliva from 62 individuals, comparing the gland exposed to cell phone radiation (ipsilateral) to the unexposed contralateral gland. No differences were found in salivary flow, total protein concentration, p53, p21, ROS, GSH, heat shock proteins 27 and 70, or IgA, even when grouping by years of use or monthly call minutes.

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.

Effect of long-term 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes of mice.

Alcaraz M, Olmos E, Alcaraz-Saura M, Achel DG, Castillo J. · 2014

Researchers exposed mice to a 50 Hz ELM-MF for 7, 14, 21, and 28 d and measured the increase in frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte in bone marrow. ELF-EMF exposure increased micronucleated cells more than control but less than X-rays. Antioxidant substances tested did not reduce the genotoxic effect of the ELM-MF, although they reduced damage from ionizing radiation.

Short term effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on Alzheimer's disease in rats.

Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Li N. · 2014

Researchers exposed 20 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats to 100 μT/50 Hz ELF-EMF or sham exposure for 12 weeks. The Morris water maze test showed no cognitive or memory impairment in the exposed rats compared to sham-exposed rats. Body weight, Aβ levels, and neuron morphology showed no significant changes between groups.

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.

Disturbance of the magnetic field did not affect spatial memory.

Li Y, Zhang C, Song T. · 2014

Researchers exposed Sprague-Dawley rats to Morris water maze training, ELF-MF exposure (50 Hz, 100 microT), or combined training and exposure for 90 days, with normal rats as controls. Previous training improved spatial acquisition in the Morris water maze and this effect lasted at least 90 days. However, this improvement was not observed during the probe trial. ELF-MF exposure did not significantly differ from controls and did not interfere with training-related improvements.