June 2010

Study finds that the perceived benefits of mobile phone technology outweigh the risks.

The objective of the study was to determine factors that influence Bangladeshi citizens to make choices between risks and benefits of mobile phone technology and related health concerns. A small qualitative study of 13 Bangladeshi citizens was conducted to identify issues of importance, followed by a survey with a sample of 500 Bangladeshi citizens. The results of this survey indicate that the perceived benefits of mobile phone technology outweigh the risks. Perceived benefits identified were social and personal advantages of using a mobile phone. The results also indicate that overall risk perceptions are relatively low.

van Kleef E, Fischer AR, Khan M, Frewer LJ. Risk and Benefit Perceptions of Mobile Phone and Base Station Technology in Bangladesh. Risk Anal. April 8, 2010 Ahead of print.

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EMF-related health concerns cannot explain findings in people living next to mobile phone base stations

The objective of the study was to find out if individuals who think that they live close to base stations have psychological or psychobiological differences that would show as more strain or stress. A total of 57 subjects were asked to complete both the standardized and non-standardized questionnaire of specific parameters investigated. The authors also collected saliva samples, an indication of psychobiological strain. Results indicate that neighbors who self-declared living close to base stations showed significantly higher concentrations of alpha-amylase in their saliva and also higher rates in the symptom checklist subscales. The authors concluded that self-declared base station neighbors were more strained than participants and that EMF-related health concerns did not confirm these results.

Augner C, Hacker GW. (2009). Are people living next to mobile phone base stations more strained? Relationship of health concerns, self-estimated distance to base station, and psychological parameters. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 13(3):141-5.

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Patterns of the P600 waveform and radiofrequency fields and gender effects

The objective of the study was to look at the different activation examples of the P600 waveform of event-related potentials (ERP) and whether the different activation patterns are radiofrequency fields (RF) and gender dependent. In 39 subjects ERP’s were measured during an auditory memory task in the presence and absence of RF. The two method of analysis (PCA and ANOVA) produced the same results. Without RF exposure, female subjects had significantly lower amplitudes at anterior electrodes and earlier latencies at central electrodes compared to male participants. These differences were not noted in RF exposure scenarios. The authors concluded that the principal component analysis (PCA) method was considered an adequate model.

Argiro ME, Chrissanthi HD, Charalambos PC, Miltiades KA, Andreas RD, Christos CN. Principal component analysis of the P600 waveform: RF and gender effects. Neurosci Lett. Apr 29, 2010 Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – clinical – cognitive function”
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GSM exposure affects resting alpha activity only in young adults

The objective of the study was to evaluate whether adolescents/elderly are more sensitive to mobile phone’s (GSM and W-CDMA) biological effects compared to young adults. Resting alpha activity was assessed by an electroencephalogram (EEG). A total of 41 participants aged 13-15 years, 42 participants aged 19-40 years, and 20 participants aged 55-70 years were included in a double-blind crossover study; each subject received sham, 2G (2nd generation mobile phones=GSM) and 3G (W-CDMA) exposure. Results indicate that young adults' alpha activity was greater in the 2G GSM compared to sham exposure. No effect was noted for adolescent or the elderly, and also 3G exposure did not affect alpha activity in all three aged groups. The authors concluded that their results support an effect of 2G exposure on resting alpha activity in young adults. The study failed to support changes in alpha activity in adolescents or the elderly.

Croft RJ, Leung S, McKenzie RJ, Loughran SP, Iskra S, Hamblin DL, Cooper NR. Effects of 2G and 3G mobile phones on human alpha rhythms: Resting EEG in adolescents, young adults, and the elderly. Bioelectromagnetics April 28, 2010 Ahead of print.

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Whole-head and peak 10-g average SAR showed less than 20% change with and without EEG electrodes/leads

The objective of the study was to do an electromagnetic analysis of a human head with EEG electrodes and leads which was exposed to radiofrequency field sources. Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations were used on a 1-mm3 MRI-based human head model. RF-field source models included a half-wave dipole, a patch antenna, and mobile phone at 915 MHz and 1748 MHz. Results indicate that whole-head and peak 10-g average specific absorption rate (SAR) varied by less than 20% with and without EEG electrode leads. Also, the study found that peak 1-g and 10-g average SARs were both below the ICNIRP and IEEE guideline limits. The authors concluded that their study confirms the validity of the uncertainty, whether observed effects of EEG recordings during RF exposure studies are directly related to the RF fields, or indirectly to the RF-field-induced currents cause by EEG electrode/leads.

Angelone LM, Bit-Babik G, Chou CK. Computational Electromagnetic Analysis in a Human Head Model with EEG Electrodes and Leads Exposed to RF-Field Sources at 915 MHz and 1748 MHz. Radiation Research. January 7, 2010 Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – exposure assessment”
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Systematic review of childhood leukemia and EMF

The objective of the systematic review was to synthesize the scientific literature on the association between environmental exposure to non-ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood leukemia. Results of this systematic review indicate that research has not yet fully confirmed or ruled out an association between non-ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood leukemia. The authors’ conclusion is that there is an urgent need to reconsider exposure limits for low frequency and static magnetic fields.

Calvente I, Fernandez MF, Villalba J, Olea N, Nuñez MI. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (non-ionizing radiation) and its relationship with childhood leukemia: A systematic review. Sci Total Environ. May 5, 2010 Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – bibliography – review papers – cancer”
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RF radiation does not affect reactive oxygen species and DNA in human neuroblastoma cells

The objective of the study was to investigate potential combined effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields and ferrous chloride (FeCl2) on reactive oxygen species production and its DNA damage in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The experiments were conducted with RF exposures to 872 MHz at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 5 W/kg using continuous waves (CW) or a modulated signal used in GSM mobile phones. A total of four groups were included: sham exposure (control), RF group, chemical treatment (FeCl2), and chemical treatment + RF group. The results indicate chemical treatment responses were statistically significant. RF did not produce any effects from either CW or modulated RF from GSM, on reactive oxygen species production, DNA damage or cell viability.

Luukkonen J, Juutilainen J, Naarala J. Combined effects of 872 MHz radiofrequency radiation and ferrous chloride on reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Bioelectromagnetics April 28, 2010 Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – laboratory – cancer studies” and “Research – laboratory – other – free oxygen radicals”
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Thun MJ. Jury still out on cell phone - Cancer connection. Cancer 116(9):2067 April 20, 2010 Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – epidemiological – cell phone studies”
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Linet MS, Inskip PD. Cellular (mobile) telephone use and cancer risk. Rev Environ Health. 2010 25(1):51-5.

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It seems unlikely that radiofrequency exposure modulates the protein expression profile

In this study, MCF7 cells were exposed to 849 MHz radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day for three consecutive days at specific absorption rates (SARs) of either 2 W/Kg or 10 W/kg. There was no alteration in their mRNA and protein levels and no significant and reproducible changes in the protein expression profiles.

Kim KB, Byun HO, Han NK, Ko YG, Choi HD, Kim N, Pack JK, Lee JS. (2010). Two-Dimensional Electrophoretic Analysis of Radio Frequency Radiation-Exposed MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. J Radiat Res (Tokyo). 51(2):205-13.

For more see “Research – laboratory – other – heat-shock response”
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DNA breaks in rat brain cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation

This study investigated the effect of radiofrequency radiation (2.45 and 16.5 GHz) on developing rat brain. The results showed that the chronic exposure to RF radiation under these experimental conditions caused a statistically significant increase in DNA single-strand breaks in brain cells of rats.

Kesari KK, Behari J, Kumar S. Mutagenic response of 2.45 GHz radiation exposure on rat brain. Int J Radiat Biol. 86(4):334-43.

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Effect of radiofrequency radiation on pregnant women and their developing fetuses

In this study, oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in the brain tissue of pregnant and non-pregnant New Zealand White rabbits and their newborns exposed to radiofrequency radiation (1800 MHz GSM; 14 V/m as reference level) for 15 minutes per day during 7 days ) were investigated. No difference was found in the newborns.

Guler G, Tomruk A, Ozgur E, Seyhan N. (2010). The effect of radiofrequency radiation on DNA and lipid damage in non-pregnant and pregnant rabbits and their newborns. Gen Physiol Biophys. 29(1):59-66.

For more see “Research – laboratory – cancer studies”
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Effect of radiofrequency radiation on reproductive ability in insects.

This study investigated whether the recorded window effect (decreased reproductive capacity of insects) of a previous study due to the fact that the wavelengths of 900 and 1800 MHz were as long as the distances from the antenna (33 cm and 17 cm, respectively) where the window effect appeared (30 cm for 900 MHz and 20 cm for 1800 MHz) or due to the power density of 10 µW/cm². The authors conclude that the bioactivity window effect seemed to be due to the intensity of the incident field at 30 or 20 cm from the GSM 900 or 1800 mobile phone antenna, respectively.

Panagopoulos DJ, Margaritis LH. The identification of an intensity 'window' on the bioeffects of mobile telephony radiation. Int J Radiat Biol. 2010 May;86(5):358-66.

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Does radiofrequency signal affect rat brain?

This study aims at measuring the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in 48 male rat brains to evaluate reactive astrocytosis exposed to a 900 MHz radiofrequency signal. Results show that sub-chronic exposures to a 900 MHz signal for two months could adversely affect rat brain.

Ammari M, Gamez C, Lecomte A, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H, De Seze R.(2010). GFAP expression in the rat brain following sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field signal. Int J Radiat Biol. 86(5):367-75.

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Effect of radiofrequency radiation on reproductive capacity of the insect Drosophila Melanogaster

This study investigated the effects of radiofrequency radiation on reproductive capacity of the insect Drosophila Melanogaster. The radiation decreased the reproductive capacity by cell death induction at all the different distances tested. The effect diminished with the distance from the antenna.

Panagopoulos DJ, Margaritis LH. The effect of exposure duration on the biological activity of mobile telephony radiation. Mutat Res. Apr 15, 2010 Ahead of print.

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Effect of short-term exposure to radiofrequency fields on living organisms

This study investigated the effect of different durations of a single (continuous) daily exposure, ranging from 1 minute up to 21 minutes, to GSM 900MHz and DCS 1800 MHz on the reproductive capacity of the insect Drosophila Melanogaster. The results show that the reproductive capacity decreases almost linearly with increasing exposure duration to both GSM 900 and DCS 1800 radiation, suggesting that short-term exposures to these radiations have cumulative effects on living organisms.

Panagopoulos DJ, Chavdoula ED, Margaritis LH. (2010). Bioeffects of mobile telephony radiation in relation to its intensity or distance from the antenna. Int J Radiat Biol. 86(5):345-57.

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Effect of radiofrequency radiation on sperm fertilization potential.

This study evaluated the effect of radiofrequency (RF) radiation on sperm-specific characteristics to assess the fertilizing competence of sperm. The results show that although RF exposure did not adversely affect the acrosome reaction, it had a significant effect on sperm morphometry. Also, a significant decrease in sperm binding to the hemizona was observed. These results could indicate a significant effect of RF fields on sperm fertilization potential.

Falzone N, Huyser C, Becker P, Leszczynski D, Franken DR. The effect of pulsed 900-MHz GSM mobile phone radiation on the acrosome reaction, head morphometry and zona binding of human spermatozoa. Int J Androl. Mar 7, 2010 Ahead of print.

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No effect of radiofrequency radiation on protein expression of Hsp27 or Hsp70

This study compares the effects of radiofrequency exposure on expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp) in three human glioma cell lines. The data showed no significant differences in protein expression of Hsp27 or Hsp70 between sham exposed and exposed cell lines.

Ding GR, Wang XW, Li KC, Qiu LB, Xu SL, Tan J, Guo GZ. (2009) Comparison of Hsps expression after radio-frequency field exposure in three human glioma cell lines. Biomed Environ Sci. 22(5):374-80.

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No significant differences in cell growth due to radiofrequency radiation

This study investigates changes in cell proliferation and gene expression profile in three human cell lines following exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile phone base station at three specific absorption rates. No significant differences in cell growth or cell viability were found between any groups exposed to both sources.

Sekijima M, Takeda H, Yasunaga K, Sakuma N, Hirose H, Nojima T, Miyakoshi J. 2-GHz Band CW and W-CDMA Modulated Radiofrequency Fields Have No Significant Effect on Cell Proliferation and Gene Expression Profile in Human Cells. J Radiat Res (Tokyo). Mar 9, 2010. Ahead of print.

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