Whole Body / General

Cancer in Radar Technicians Exposed to Radiofrequency/Microwave Radiation: Sentinel Episodes.

Richter E, Berman T, Ben-Michael E, Laster R, Westin JB · 2000

[Changes in gastric electric activity and serum catecholamine level under the influence of electromagnetic microwaves].

Kulkybaev GA, Pospelov NI · 2000

The study aimed to investigate changes in gastric electric activity and serum catecholamine levels under the influence of electromagnetic microwaves. Chronic experiments on 17 dogs revealed that ultrahigh-frequency electromagnetic waves applied to the epigastric area and head induced a double-phase response. During exposure, gastric electric activity was depressed and total catecholamines increased. After exposure, gastric activity was higher and epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were lower at 24 hours after each of 10 procedures and during 7 days after the 10 procedures.

Heating and pain sensation produced in human skin by millimeter waves: comparison to a simple thermal model.

Walters TJ, Blick DW, Johnson LR, Adair ER, Foster KR · 2000

Researchers measured cutaneous thermal pain thresholds in 10 human subjects during 3-second exposures to 94 GHz continuous wave microwave energy at intensities up to approximately 1.8 W/cm². Skin surface temperature increases were measured by infrared thermography during each exposure. The pricking pain threshold was 43.9°C, corresponding to an increase of approximately 9.9°C from a baseline of 34.0°C. The measured temperature increases agreed well with a simple thermal model accounting for heat conduction and microwave penetration depth. The results support using the model to predict thermal pain thresholds at other millimeter wave frequencies.

Inhibitory action of microwave radiation on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in liver of rats treated with hydrocortisone.

Olchowik G, Maj JG · 2000

Researchers investigated the influence of microwave irradiation on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity induced by hydrocortisone in rat liver. Rats received hydrocortisone at 20 mg/kg for 60 days and were exposed to microwave radiation at 53.57 GHz with power densities of 10 mW/cm2 and 1 mW/cm2 during and after treatment. The results indicate that microwave radiation may block the hydrocortisone-induced effect on GGT activity, and this blocking effect depends on the power density of the millimetre microwaves.

Do cellular phones alter blood parameters and birth weight of rats?

Dasdag S; Akdag MZ; Ayy ld z O et al. · 2000

Researchers studied the effects of microwaves emitted by cellular phones on peripheral blood parameters and birth weights of rats. The birth weight of offspring in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the sham-exposed group (p < 0.001). No blood parameters differed following exposure, and rectal temperatures showed no significant differences between groups. All parameters investigated were normal in the next generation of rats.

Corona ions from powerlines and increased exposure to pollutant aerosols

Unknown authors · 1999

Researchers used a DC field mill meter to map DC fields near 132, 275 and 400 kV powerlines. The Earth's natural DC field of around approximately 100 Vm(-1) was significantly modified near powerlines in 8 out of 14 cases. In one case the effect extended more than 500 m from a 275 kV line.

Reduced excretion of a melatonin metabolite in workers exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields

Unknown authors · 1999

Increased exposure to pollutant aerosols under high voltage power lines

Unknown authors · 1999

Researchers modeled and measured how 222Rn decay product aerosols behave in the 50 Hz electric field under high voltage power lines to assess increased exposure to airborne pollutants. The model predicted a two- to three-fold increase in aerosol deposition on spherical surfaces mimicking the human head. Experimental measurements using detectors on grounded metal spheres confirmed enhanced deposition of both 218Po and 214Po aerosols. Enhanced 218Po deposition on 400 kV lines ranged from 1.96 to 2.86 times, while 214Po deposition on 275 kV and 132 kV lines was 1.43 and 1.11 times, with the latter not significant.

Absence of ocular effects after either single or repeated exposure to 10 mW/cm(2) from a 60 GHz CW source.

Kues HA, D'Anna SA, Osiander R, Green WR, Monahan JC · 1999

Researchers examined ocular effects of 60 GHz millimeter-wave exposure at 10 mW/cm(2) in rabbits and nonhuman primates. Acute exposure consisted of a single 8 h exposure, and repeated exposure consisted of five separate 4 h exposures on consecutive days. One eye in each animal was exposed and the contralateral eye served as the sham-exposed control. No ocular changes attributable to exposure were found in either species after microscopic and diagnostic examinations. The researchers concluded that such exposure does not result in detectable ocular damage.

Lack of effects on heart rate and blood pressure in ketamine-anesthetized rats briefly exposed to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses.

Jauchem JR, Frei MR, Ryan KL, Merritt JH, Murphy MR · 1999

The study investigated the lack of effects on heart rate and blood pressure in ketamine-anesthetized rats briefly exposed to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses. Exposures at a repetition frequency of 1 kHz for 0.5 s or to repetitive pulse trains for a total of 2 min resulted in no significant changes in heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure. These results suggest that acute whole-body exposure to UWB pulses does not have a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular system.

Microwave emission from police radar.

Fink JM, Wagner JP, Congleton JJ, Rock JC · 1999

This study evaluated police officers' exposures to microwaves emitted by traffic radar units, with measurements taken at approximated ocular and testicular levels of officers seated in patrol vehicles. Fifty-four radar units covering 17 different models, 4 frequency bands, and 3 antenna configurations were provided by four speed-enforcement agencies and one transportation research institute. The researchers concluded that police officer exposure to microwave radiation is apparently minimal.

Whole-body microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats.

Dasdag et al. · 1999

Human exposure at two radio frequencies (450 and 2450 MHz): similarities and differences in physiological response.

Adair ER, Cobb BL, Mylacraine KS, Kelleher SA, · 1999

Researchers measured thermoregulatory responses in two groups of seven adult volunteers exposed for 45 minutes to whole-body radio-frequency fields at either 450 or 2450 MHz. At each frequency, two power densities were tested at each of three ambient temperatures (24, 28, and 31 degrees C), along with no-RF control conditions. No change in metabolic heat production occurred under any exposure conditions at either frequency. At both frequencies, normalized peak SARs in excess of ANSI/IEEE C95.1 guidelines were easily counteracted by normal thermophysiological mechanisms.

Deposition of charged particles on lung airways

Unknown authors · 1998

Researchers investigated the effect of a single electric charge on the deposition efficiency of ultrafine particles in human airways. They measured and compared deposition of singly charged, charge-neutralized, and zero-charge 20-nm and 125-nm particles in hollow-cast models of human airways. Singly charged 20-nm particles deposited 3.4 times more than charge-neutralized aerosols and 5.3 times more than zero-charged particles, while 125-nm particles showed ratios of 2.3 and 6.2 respectively. The authors concluded that because most ambient particles are charged, this effect must be considered when models predict dose from inhaled ultrafine particles.

Biological effects of prolonged exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields in rats: III. 50 Hz electromagnetic fields

Unknown authors · 1998

Nocturnal excretion of a urinary melatonin metabolite among electric utility workers

Unknown authors · 1998

Researchers studied the effects of 60-Hz magnetic field and ambient light exposures on the pineal hormone melatonin among electric utility workers. Personal exposure was measured at 15-second intervals over 3 consecutive 24-hour periods. Magnetic field intensity, intermittence, or cumulative exposure had little influence on nocturnal 6-OHMS excretion. Residential RCMS magnetic field exposures were associated with lower nocturnal 6-OHMS/cr concentrations. The greatest reductions occurred when RCMS exposures both at work and at home were combined.

Ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses and morphine-induced changes in nociception and activity in mice.

Seaman RL, Belt ML, Doyle JM, Mathur SP · 1998

Researchers exposed CF-1 and C57BL/6 mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses and then tested nociception and locomotor activity. No effect of the pulses was found on nociception or activity in CF-1 mice after exposures of 15, 30, or 45 minutes at 600 pulses per second or 30 minutes at 60 pulses per second. Similarly, no effect was seen in C57BL/6 mice after 30 minutes at 60 or 600 pulses per second. Morphine-modified nociception and activity also showed no significant change after UWB exposure.

The 1.5 GHz electromagnetic near-field used for cellular phones does not promote rat liver carcinogenesis in a medium-term liver bioassay.

Imaida et al. · 1998

Researchers exposed male F344 rats to a 1.439 GHz TDMA electromagnetic near-field for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over 6 weeks. The rats were initiated with diethylnitrosamine and underwent partial hepatectomy at week 3. Peak liver SARs ranged from 1.91 to 0.937 W/kg and whole-body average SARs from 0.680 to 0.453 W/kg at 0.33 W antenna power. Exposure did not significantly alter the numbers or areas of GST-P-positive foci in the liver compared to sham-exposed rats. Serum levels of corticosterone, ACTH, and melatonin were increased in exposed rats.

GSM radiocellular telephones do not disturb the secretion of antepituitary hormones in humans.

de Seze R, Fabbro-Peray P, Miro L · 1998

Researchers measured adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin, growth hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone in nine weekly blood samples taken from three weeks before exposure to two weeks after. Five of the six hormones showed no difference across samples, while thyrotropin decreased 21% on the seventh sample but returned to baseline afterward.

Radiofrequency (RF) sickness in the Lilienfeld Study: an effect of modulated microwaves?

Johnson Liakouris AG · 1998

In this study, the controversy was evaluated with a methodology adapted from case studies. A review of the Lilienfeld Study found that disregarded health conditions match the radiofrequency sickness syndrome cluster, establishing a possible correlation with chronic exposure to low-intensity modulated microwave radiation. The author reviewed U.S. literature and found research results sufficiently consistent to warrant further inquiry.

[Effect of mobile phone on life-saving and life-sustaining systems].

Irnich W, Tobisch R · 1998

Researchers investigated the influence of mobile telephones on life-saving and life-support systems in hospitals to establish rules for their use. They tested phones from C-, D-, and E-networks and a DECT cordless phone against 224 medical devices of 23 types using nine transmission conditions for a total of 2016 tests. The authors found that hazardous situations are very rare because they require four simultaneous coincidences and the fail-safe feature of medical devices. They recommended making life-support systems mobile phone-proof, keeping mobile phones at least one metre from medical devices, and keeping emergency telephones at least 1.5 metres away.

Preliminary report: symptoms associated with mobile phone use.

Hocking, B · 1998

Researchers conducted a survey to characterize symptoms associated with mobile phone usage. Forty respondents from diverse occupations described unpleasant sensations such as a burning feeling or a dull ache mainly occurring in the temporal, occipital or auricular areas. The symptoms often began minutes after beginning a call and usually ceased within an hour after the call, though they could last until evening. Seventy-five per cent of cases were associated with digital mobile phones. Most of the respondents obtained relief by altering their patterns of telephone usage or type of phone.

Odontologic survey of referred patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display units.

Bergdahl J, Tillberg A, Stenman E. · 1998

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display units were odontologically investigated using a specially designed registration form. The most common oral and general symptoms reported were burning mouth, craniomandibular dysfunction symptoms, skin complaints, and fatigue. Urinary mercury analysis showed a mean concentration of 8.5 nmol Hg/L urine, with no patient exceeding 50 nmol Hg/L. Urinary mercury concentration correlated positively with the number of amalgam fillings and with craniomandibular disorders. No or low secretion of the minor mucous glands was found in 43% of the patients.

Alteration of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate to workers exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

Szmigielski et al. · 1998

The study enrolled 61 workers exposed to radiofrequency EMF (0.738-1.503 Mhz) and 42 unexposed controls, all following identical 12-24-12-48 hour shift schedules. Exposed workers were divided into low-intensity (20-180 V/m, 38 subjects) and high-intensity (200-550 V/m, 23 subjects) groups. Exposed workers had significantly reduced rhythm amplitudes (P < 0.01) and an earlier acrophase at 1100-1200 h (P < 0.05) for blood pressure and heart rate, with more pronounced effects in the high-intensity group. Diurnal rhythm parameters were derived from 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure recordings using cosinor analysis. The authors conclude that occupational RF EMF exposure can alter diurnal cardiovascular rhythms, but clinical relevance needs further investigation.

Extraordinary behavior disorders in cows in proximity to transmission stations.

Loscher W, Kas G, · 1998

Researchers observed behavioral abnormalities, reduced milk yield, and increased health problems in a herd of cows near a TV and cell phone transmitting antenna over two years. Evaluation of possible factors found no explanation other than high-frequency electromagnetic fields. In an experiment, a cow with abnormal behavior was moved 20 km from the antenna and normalized completely within five days, but symptoms returned when the cow was brought back. The researchers suggested the abnormalities might be related to electromagnetic field exposure, with power densities measured at 0.02-7 mW/m2.