EMF Research Studies

Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions of rabbits: comparison of infants versus adults.

Budak GG, Muluk NB, Budak B, Oztürk GG, Apan A, Seyhan N. · 2009

Mobile phone base stations and adverse health effects: Phase 1: A population-based cross-sectional study in Germany.

Blettner M et al. · 2009

The study aimed to investigate whether proximity to mobile phone base stations and risk perception are associated with health complaints. Among 30,047 participants, 18.7% were concerned about adverse health effects and 10.3% attributed personal health effects to base station exposure. Participants concerned about or attributing health effects to base stations and those living within 500 meters reported slightly more health complaints than others. The slightly higher prevalence of health complaints near base stations could not be fully explained by attributions or concerns.

Mobile phone base stations and adverse health effects: phase 2 of a cross-sectional study with measured radio frequency electromagnetic fields.

Berg-Beckhoff G et al. · 2009

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study in 2006 with 3526 participants living mainly in urban regions to test whether low-level RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations was related to health disturbances. Exposure was assessed with a dosimeter measuring different RF-EMF frequencies, and health outcomes were collected via postal questionnaires on sleep disturbances, headaches, health complaints, and mental and physical health. No differences in median health scores were found between exposed and non-exposed participants, and measured RF-EMFs were not associated with adverse health effects.

Microwaves from UMTS/GSM mobile phones induce long-lasting inhibition of 53BP1/gamma-H2AX DNA repair foci in human lymphocytes.

Belyaev IY, Markovà E, Hillert L, Malmgren LO, Persson BR. · 2009

The study investigated microwaves from UMTS and GSM mobile phones on human lymphocytes. UMTS microwaves inhibited the formation of DNA repair foci in lymphocytes from both hypersensitive and healthy individuals. The inhibition persisted for up to 72 h after exposure, longer than the stress response to heat shock. Effects of GSM microwaves depended on carrier frequency. No significant differences were found between hypersensitive and healthy groups, except for specific responses to UMTS and GSM-915 MHz microwaves.

Are people living next to mobile phone base stations more strained? Relationship of health concerns, self-estimated distance to base station, and psychological parameters.

Augner C, Hacker GW. · 2009

The study examined whether people who believe they live close to mobile phone base stations show greater psychological or psychobiological strain. Fifty-seven participants completed questionnaires and provided saliva samples for alpha-amylase, cortisol, immunoglobulin A, and substance P. Self-declared base station neighbors (within 100 meters) had higher salivary alpha-amylase and higher scores on several symptom checklist subscales and the global strain index, but no difference in EMF-related health concerns.

Effect of electromagnetic field induced by radio frequency waves at 900 to 1800 MHz on bone mineral density of iliac bone wings.

Atay T et al. · 2009

Researchers investigated the effects of electromagnetic waves from cellular phones operating at 900 to 1800 MHz on bone mineral density of the human iliac bone wings in 150 male volunteers. Participants were divided into two groups based on the iliac side exposed to electromagnetic waves (group 1) and the unexposed side (group 2). The mean daily phone carriage duration was 14.7 hours and the mean duration of phone use was 6.2 years. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements showed slightly lower values on the exposed side but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), and values were not as low as in osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Aluminum, calcium ion and radiofrequency synergism in acceleration of lymphomagenesis.

Anghileri LJ, Mayayo E, Domingo JL. · 2009

The study found a synergism between aluminum and radiofrequency that increased early mortality in lymphoma-bearing mice. This synergism was stronger with aluminum lactate than with aluminum citrate due to higher ionization at physiological pH. The dissociation of aluminum complexes appears to induce a remarkable acceleration of mortality and lymphoid-related hypertrophy of the spleen and liver at an early age. Calcium chloride overload had no effect when cellular calcium homeostasis was functional. The researchers measured organ hypertrophy using the organ-to-body-weight ratio and histopathological examination.

Results of a long-term low-level microwave exposure of rats.

Adang D, Remacle C, Vorst AV. · 2009

Researchers exposed four-month-old Wistar albino rats to two different microwave frequencies and exposure modes for 2 hours a day, seven days a week, over 21 months. They measured leucocytes, erythrocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mortality rate. After three and eight months, monocytes differed by about 20% in the 970-MHz continuous wave group; after 14 and 18 months, white blood cells increased about 15% and neutrophils about 25%; lymphocytes fell about 15% at 18 months. Mortality in exposed groups increased after 21 months at age 25 months and reached almost twice the sham-exposed value by age 28 months.

Thermal effects of mobile phones on facial nerves and surrounding soft tissue.

Acar GO, Yener HM, Savrun FK, Kalkan T, Bayrak I, Enver O. · 2009

Tissue temperature around the facial nerve was measured with a four-channel Luxtron fiber optic system and rose by 0.39 K during and immediately after exposure, returning to baseline after 25 minutes. Facial nerve compound muscle action potential amplitudes decreased significantly after exposure but returned to normal at the 25-minute measurement.

Mobile telephone use is associated with changes in cognitive function in young adolescents.

Abramson MJ et al. · 2009

Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from GSM (0.9/1.8GHz) mobile phones induces oxidative stress and reduces sperm motility in rats.

Mailankot M et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed male albino Wistar rats to RF-EMR from an active GSM mobile phone for one hour daily over 28 days. Exposed rats had significantly reduced sperm motility but no change in total sperm count. RF-EMR exposure also increased lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione levels in the testis and epididymis. Facial temperature did not change significantly during exposure.

Prevalence of nuclear cataract in Swiss veal calves and its possible association with mobile telephone antenna base stations.

Hässig M, Jud F, Naegeli H, Kupper J, Spiess BM. · 2009

Researchers conducted a cohort study tracking the geographical location of each dam and calf from conception through the fetal period to slaughter, with particular emphasis on the first trimester of gestation (organogenesis). Antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were measured in aqueous humor to evaluate redox status. Among 253 calves, 79 (32%) had nuclear cataract and 9 (3.6%) had severe nuclear cataract. Oxidative stress was increased in eyes with cataract, with an odds ratio of 0.80 per kilometer distance from the nearest base station and a 95% confidence interval of 0.62,0.93, and the authors state that it has not been shown that antennas actually affected stress.

Effects of computer monitor-emitted radiation on oxidant/antioxidant balance in cornea and lens from rats

Balci M, Namuslu M, Devrim E, Durak I · 2009

Four groups of ten Wistar rats each were studied for three weeks. Rats in the computer and computer plus vitamin C groups were exposed to computer monitors, and vitamin C was given orally at 250 mg/kg/day. In corneal tissue, monitor exposure increased malondialdehyde levels and catalase activity, while vitamin C further raised malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and lowered catalase activity. In lens tissue, monitor exposure raised malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased superoxide dismutase, while vitamin C increased superoxide dismutase and decreased catalase activity.

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study

Agarwal A et al. · 2009

After liquefaction, neat semen samples were divided into two aliquots, with one exposed to cellular phone radiation in talk mode for 1 hour and the other serving as an unexposed control under identical conditions. Exposed samples showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability, an increase in ROS level, and a decrease in ROS-TAC score. Levels of total antioxidant capacity and DNA damage showed no significant differences between exposed and unexposed samples.

Does exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields produce functional changes in human brain?

Capone F et al. · 2009

Researchers used transcranial brain stimulation to study the effect of PEMFs on cortical excitability in 22 healthy volunteers. After 45 minutes of PEMF exposure, intracortical facilitation increased by about 20% while other cortical excitability parameters remained unchanged. Sham field exposure produced no effects. The increase in paired-pulse facilitation suggests PEMFs may enhance cortical excitatory neurotransmission.

Derangement of chick embryo retinal differentiation caused by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

Zareen N, Khan MY, Ali Minhas L · 2009

Embryos exposed for 10 post-incubation days showed decreased retinal growth and mild epithelial pigmentation. Extending exposure to 15 post-incubation days reversed growth retardation to enhancement and shifted pigmentation from mild to intense. The authors concluded that mobile phone EMF causes derangement of chicken embryo retinal differentiation. Retinal thickness and epithelial pigmentation grades were statistically compared between control and experimental groups.

Radio frequency magnetic fields disrupt magnetoreception in American cockroach.

Vácha M, Puzová T, Kvícalová M · 2009

Researchers tested how weak radio frequency magnetic fields affect the American cockroach's ability to sense the geomagnetic field. A 1.2 MHz field disrupted this sense at intensities between 12 nT and 18 nT, while a 2.4 MHz field required between 18 nT and 44 nT. A 7 MHz field had no effect even at the highest tested intensity of 44 nT. The disruptive effect was strongest at the Larmor frequency of 1.2 MHz. The researchers measured the rise in locomotor activity induced by periodic changes in the geomagnetic North position by 60 degrees.

Mobile and cordless telephones, serum transthyretin and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier: a cross-sectional study

Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L · 2009

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 1000 adults aged 18–65 to test whether wireless telephone use was associated with changes in serum transthyretin. Logistic regression found increased but non-significant odds ratios for dichotomized transthyretin levels. Linear regression showed that in men, longer use of analogue or combined mobile and cordless desktop phones was associated with higher transthyretin, while longer UMTS use was associated with lower levels. In women, shorter time since the most recent call was associated with higher transthyretin concentrations. Time since first use of mobile phones and DECT combined was associated with higher transthyretin regardless of usage fractions.

Spatial memory performance of Wistar rats exposed to mobile phone.

Narayanan SN, Kumar RS, Potu BK, Nayak S, Mailankot M · 2009

Researchers exposed male Wistar rats to 50 missed calls per day for four weeks from a GSM mobile phone in vibratory mode. After exposure, the rats were tested for spatial memory using the Morris water maze test. Both exposed and control rats decreased their escape time with training. Phone-exposed rats had about three times higher mean latency to reach the target quadrant and spent about two times less time in it than controls.

Cognitive effects of radiation emitted by cellular phones: The influence of exposure side and time

Luria R, Eliyahu I, Hareuveny R, Margaliot M, Meiran N. · 2009

The study examined time-dependent effects of GSM phone radiation on human cognitive function. Forty-eight healthy right-handed men performed a spatial working memory task while exposed to phones on the left, right, or sham. Right-hand responses were slower during left-side exposure in the first two blocks compared to right-side and sham. Researchers concluded exposure duration, responding hand, and exposure side may affect detectability of RFR effects.

Hypoactivity of Wistar rats exposed to mobile phone on elevated plus maze.

Kumar RS, Sareesh NN, Nayak S, Mailankot M. · 2009

The study aimed to determine whether mobile phone exposure causes changes in rat behavior on the elevated plus maze. Rats were divided into control and exposure groups of six each. Exposed rats were tested at one hour and 24 hours after exposure, while controls were tested with the 24-hour group. The researchers stated that preliminary results indicate mobile phone exposure induced a deficit in open arm exploration on the elevated plus maze.

Influence of 1.8-GHz (GSM) radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on DNA damage and repair induced by X-rays in human leukocytes in vitro.

Zhijian C et al. · 2009

Researchers used the in vitro comet assay to determine whether 1.8-GHz radiofrequency radiation can influence DNA repair in human leukocytes exposed to X-rays. Leukocytes from four young healthy donors were intermittently exposed to RFR at a SAR of 2 W/kg for 24 hours with fields on for 5 minutes and off for 10 minutes, then irradiated with X-rays at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 Gy. DNA damage was measured at 0, 15, 45, 90, 150 and 240 minutes after X-rays using percent tail DNA, and repair speed was assessed via DNA repair percentage. The results showed individual differences in DNA repair speeds among the four donors. Intermittent RFR exposure did not directly induce DNA damage or show synergistic effects with X-rays.

[Radiation protection and possible mechanisms for low intensity microwave.]

Xu Q, Tong J, Jin ZD, Lu MX, DU HB, Cao Y. · 2009

Researchers randomly assigned 96 healthy Kunming mice to four groups: normal control, microwave (120 microW/cm(2), 900 MHz), gamma-ray irradiation (5 Gy), and combined microwave plus gamma-ray (120 microW/cm(2) + 5 Gy). The microwave and combined groups were exposed to 120 microW/cm(2) microwave for 1 h/d for 14 days before the gamma-ray and combined groups received 5 Gy (60)Co gamma-ray irradiation on the 15th day. Bone marrow pathology in the combined exposure group was milder and recovered faster than in the gamma-ray only group. Splenic cell apoptosis was significantly lower in the combined group on days 6 and 9 after irradiation (23.02% +/- 15.18% and 25.37% +/- 11.62%). Serum superoxide dismutase increased and lipid peroxide decreased significantly in the combined group (P < 0.05).

Residential exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile phone base stations, and broadcast transmitters: a population-based survey with personal meter.

Viel JF et al. · 2009

Researchers enrolled 200 randomly selected people who were supplied with personal exposure meters for 24 h measurements and kept a time-location-activity diary. They calculated the proportion of measurements above 0.05 V/m and the maximum electric field strength for each radiofrequency. Most measurements were below the detection limit, with FM having 12.3% above threshold, and maximum field strength never exceeded 1.5 V/m. GSM and DCS exposure peaked at 280 m and 1000 m from antennas, FM showed a downward trend within 10 km, while UMTS and TV signals did not vary with distance.

Radiofrequency exposure in the French general population: band, time, location and activity variability.

Viel JF, Cardis E, Moissonnier M, de Seze R, Hours M. · 2009