RF absorption involving biological macromolecules

Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G

In the late-1990s, the FCC and ICNIRP adopted radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure limits to protect the public and workers from adverse effects of RFR. These limits were based on results from behavioral studies conducted in the 1980s involving 40-60-minute exposures in 5 monkeys and 8 rats, and then applying arbitrary safety factors to an apparent threshold specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg. The limits were also based on two major assumptions: any biological effects were due to excessive tissue heating and no effects would occur below the putative threshold SAR, as well as twelve assumptions that were not specified by either the FCC or ICNIRP. In this paper, we show how the past 25 years of extensive research on RFR demonstrates that the assumptions underlying the FCC's and ICNIRP's exposure limits are invalid and continue to present a public health harm. Adverse effects observed at exposures below the assumed threshold SAR include non-thermal induction of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, cardiomyopathy, carcinogenicity, sperm damage, and neurological effects, including electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Also, multiple human studies have found statistically significant associations between RFR exposure and increased brain and thyroid cancer risk. Yet, in 2020, and in light of the body of evidence reviewed in this article, the FCC and ICNIRP reaffirmed the same limits that were established in the 1990s. Consequently, these exposure limits, which are based on false suppositions, do not adequately protect workers, children, hypersensitive individuals, and the general population from short-term or long-term RFR exposures. Thus, urgently needed are health protective exposure limits for humans and the environment. These limits must be based on scientific evidence rather than on erroneous assumptions, especially given the increasing worldwide exposures of people and the environment to RFR, including novel forms of radiation from 5G telecommunications for which there are no adequate health effects studies.

Non-thermal membrane effects of electromagnetic fields and therapeutic applications in oncology

The temperature-independent effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been controversial for decades. Here, we critically analyze the available literature on non-thermal effects of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave EMF. We present a literature review of preclinical and clinical data on non-thermal antiproliferative effects of various EMF applications, including conventional RF hyperthermia (HT, cRF-HT). Further, we suggest and evaluate plausible biophysical and electrophysiological models to decipher non-thermal antiproliferative membrane effects. Available preclinical and clinical data provide sufficient evidence for the existence of non-thermal antiproliferative effects of exposure to cRF-HT, and in particular, amplitude modulated (AM)-RF-HT. In our model, transmembrane ion channels function like RF rectifiers and low-pass filters. cRF-HT induces ion fluxes and AM-RF-HT additionally promotes membrane vibrations at specific resonance frequencies, which explains the non-thermal antiproliferative membrane effects via ion disequilibrium (especially of Ca²⁺) and/or resonances causing membrane depolarization, the opening of certain (especially Ca²⁺) channels, or even hole formation. AM-RF-HT may be tumor-specific owing to cancer-specific ion channels and because, with increasing malignancy, membrane elasticity parameters may differ from that in normal tissues. Published literature suggests that non-thermal antiproliferative effects of cRF-HT are likely to exist and could present a high potential to improve future treatments in oncology.

Radiofrequency radiation: A possible threat to male fertility

Radiofrequency exposure from man-made sources has increased drastically with the era of advanced technology. People could not escape from such RF radiations as they have become the essential part of our routine life such as Wi-Fi, microwave ovens, TV, mobile phones, etc. Although non-ionizing radiations are less damaging than ionizing radiations but its long term exposure effect cannot be avoided. For fertility to be affected, either there is an alteration in germ cell, or its nourishing environment, and RF affects both the parameters subsequently, leading to infertility. This review with the help of in vitro and in vivo studies shows that RF could change the morphology and physiology of germ cells with affected spermatogenesis, motility and reduced concentration of male gametes. RF also results in genetic and hormonal changes. In addition, the contribution of oxidative stress and protein kinase complex after RFR exposure is also summarized which could also be the possible mechanism for reduction in sperm parameters. Further, some preventative measures are described which could help in reverting the radiofrequency effects on germ cells.

Low-Level Radiofrequency Exposure Does Not Induce Changes in MSC Biology: An in vitro Study for the Prevention of NIR-Related Damage

Background

The ubiquitous diffusion of radiofrequency (RF) radiation across human living environments has attracted the attention of scientists. Though the adverse health effects of RF exposure remain debatable, it has been reported that the interaction of such radiation with biological macromolecular structures can be deleterious for stem cells, inducing impairment of their main functions involving self-renewal and differentiation.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to RF of 169 megahertz (MHz) that is part of very high radiofrequency (VHF) range 30–300 MHz, could cause damage to stem cells by inducing senescence and loss of regenerative and DNA repair capacity.

Methods

The study was conducted on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) containing a subpopulation of stem cells. The MSCs were exposed to RFs of 169 MHz administered via an open meter 2G “Smart Meter” for different durations of time.

Result

We did not observe modifications in MSC biology as a result of the RF exposure conducted in our experiments.

Conclusion

We concluded that MSCs are insensitive to RF radiation exposure at 169 MHz for various time intervals, including longer durations.

The Contribution of In Vivo Mammalian Studies to the Knowledge of Adverse Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation on Human Health

The proliferation of cellular antennas and other radiofrequency radiation (RFR) generating devices of the last decades has led to more and more concerns about the potential health effects from RFR exposure. Since the 2011 classification as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), more experimental studies have been published that support a causal association between RFR exposure and health hazards. As regard cancer risk, two long-term experimental studies have been recently published by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Italian Ramazzini Institute (RI). Despite important experimental differences, both studies found statistically significant increases in the development of the same type of very rare glial malignant tumors. In addition to carcinogenicity, reproductive organs might be particularly exposed, as well as sensitive to RFR. In this work, we reviewed the currently available evidence from in vivo studies on carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity studies in order to summarize the contribution of experimental research to the prevention of the adverse effects of RFR on human health.

Real-time assessment of possible electromagnetic-field-induced changes in protein conformation and thermal stability

Previous studies on possible interactions of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) with proteins have suggested that RF EMFs might affect protein structure and folding kinetics. In this study, the isolated thermosensor protein GrpE of the Hsp70 chaperone system of Escherichia coli was exposed to EMFs of various frequencies and field strengths under strictly controlled conditions. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to monitor possible structural changes. Simultaneously, temperature was recorded at each point of observation. The coiled-coil part of GrpE has been reported to undergo a well-defined and fully reversible folding/unfolding transition, thus facilitating the differentiation between thermal and non-thermal effects of RF EMFs. Any direct effect of EMF on the conformation and/or stability would result in a shift of the conformational equilibrium of the protein at a given temperature. Possible immediate (t ≤ 0.1 s) and delayed (t ≥ 30 s) effects of RF EMFs were investigated with sinusoidal signals of 0.1, 1.0, and 1.9 GHz at various field strengths up to 5.0 kV/m and with GSM signals at 0.3 kV/m in the protein solution. Taking the overall uncertainty of the experimental system into account, possible RF EMF-induced shifts in the conformational equilibrium of less than 1% of its total range might have been detected. The results obtained with the different experimental protocols indicate, however, that the conformational equilibrium of GrpE is insensitive to electromagnetic fields in the tested range of frequency and field strength.

Experimental system for real-time assessment of potential changes in protein conformation induced by electromagnetic fields

A novel experimental system to distinguish between potential thermal and non-thermal effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the conformational equilibrium and folding kinetics of proteins is presented. The system comprises an exposure chamber installed within the measurement compartment of a spectropolarimeter and allows real-time observation of the circular dichroism (CD) signal of the protein during EMF exposure. An optical temperature probe monitors the temperature of the protein solution at the site of irradiation. The electromagnetic, thermal, and fluid-dynamic behavior of the system is characterized by numerical and experimental means. The number of repeated EMF on/off cycles needed for achieving a certain detection limit is determined on the basis of the experimentally assessed precision of the CD measurements. The isolated thermosensor protein GrpE of the Hsp70 chaperone system of Eschericha coli serves as the test protein. Long-term experiments show high thermal reproducibility as well as thermal stability of the experimental setup.

Quantitative evaluations of mechanisms of radiofrequency interactions with biological molecules and processes

The complexity of interactions of electromagnetic fields up to 10(12) Hz with the ions, atoms, and molecules of biological systems has given rise to a large number of established and proposed biophysical mechanisms applicable over a wide range of time and distance scales, field amplitudes, frequencies, and waveforms. This review focuses on the physical principles that guide quantitative assessment of mechanisms applicable for exposures at or below the level of endogenous electric fields associated with development, wound healing, and excitation of muscles and the nervous system (generally, 1 to 10(2) V m(-1)), with emphasis on conditions where temperature increases are insignificant (<<1 K). Experiment and theory demonstrate possible demodulation at membrane barriers for frequencies < or =10 MHz, but not at higher frequencies. Although signal levels somewhat below system noise can be detected, signal-to-noise ratios substantially less than 0.1 cannot be overcome by cooperativity, signal averaging, coherent detection, or by nonlinear dynamical systems. Sensory systems and possible effects on biological magnetite suggest paradigms for extreme sensitivity at lower frequencies, but there are no known radiofrequency (RF) analogues. At the molecular level, vibrational modes are so overdamped by water molecules that excitation of molecular modes below the far infrared cannot occur. Two RF mechanisms plausibly may affect biological matter under common exposure conditions. For frequencies below approximately 150 MHz, shifts in the rate of chemical reactions can be mediated by radical pairs and, at all frequencies, dielectric and resistive heating can raise temperature and increase the entropy of the affected biological system.

Low-frequency electrophoretic actuation of nanoscale optoentropic transduction mechanisms

Inherent bistabilities within DNA-assembled fluorescent resonant energy transfer systems demonstrated time-varying optical signals in response to an electrophoretic driving force. Frequency responses of electrophoretically driven FRET systems were shown to be sequence specific. Integration of these signals over time gave near single-molecule sensitivity within a high background of autofluorescence. This research suggests that externally driven nanoscale mechanical systems may help improve information flow within morphologically intact specimens.

Evidence for a specific microwave radiation effect on the green fluorescent protein

We have compared the effect of microwave irradiation and of conventional heating on the fluorescence of solution-based green fluorescent protein. A specialized near-field 8.5 GHz microwave applicator operating at 250 mW input microwave power was used. The solution temperature, the intensity, and the spectrum of the green fluorescent protein fluorescence 1), under microwave irradiation and 2), under conventional heating, were measured. In both cases the fluorescence intensity decreases and the spectrum becomes red-shifted. Although the microwave irradiation heats the solution, the microwave-induced changes in fluorescence cannot be explained by heating alone. Several possible scenarios are discussed.

Mechanical resonances of bacteria cells

The quality of the natural vibrations of specific bacteria is investigated using a shell model which accounts for the elastic properties of the membrane and the associated viscosities of the cytoplasma and the surrounding fluid. The motion of the membrane is approximated in terms of the distribution of internal forces over the shell thickness, which is assumed to be much less than the size of the cell. Flexural moments and intersecting stresses are neglected. Using experimentally obtained values for the membrane properties, high-quality resonances are predicted for several types of bacteria which have radii greater than 5 microm. Viscous shear waves are the main source of energy dissipation as has been previously reported in other studies on the natural oscillations of red blood cells, drops, and bubbles. Implications for the acoustic mediated destruction of bacteria are discussed.