1
|
van der Meer JN, Eisma YB, Meester R, Jacobs M, Nederveen AJ. Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on brain waves in healthy volunteers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21758. [PMID: 38066035 PMCID: PMC10709380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48561-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between biological tissue and electromagnetic fields (EMF) is a topic of increasing interest due to the rising prevalence of background EMF in the past decades. Previous studies have attempted to measure the effects of EMF on brainwaves using EEG recordings, but are typically hampered by experimental and environmental factors. In this study, we present a framework for measuring the impact of EMF on EEG while controlling for these factors. A Bayesian statistical approach is employed to provide robust statistical evidence of the observed EMF effects. This study included 32 healthy participants in a double-blinded crossover counterbalanced design. EEG recordings were taken from 63 electrodes across 6 brain regions. Participants underwent a measurement protocol comprising two 18-min sessions with alternating blocks of eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions. Group 1 (n = 16) had EMF during the first session and sham during the second session; group 2 (n = 16) had the opposite. Power spectral density plots were generated for all sessions and brain regions. The Bayesian analysis provided statistical evidence for the presence of an EMF effect in the alpha band power density in the EO condition. This measurement protocol holds potential for future research on the impact of novel transmission protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johan N van der Meer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yke B Eisma
- Cognitive Robotics, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE), TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Meester
- Department of Mathematics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Jacobs
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aart J Nederveen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hinrikus H, Koppel T, Lass J, Orru H, Roosipuu P, Bachmann M. Possible health effects on the human brain by various generations of mobile telecommunication: a review based estimation of 5G impact. Int J Radiat Biol 2022; 98:1210-1221. [PMID: 34995145 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2026516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The deployment of new 5G NR technology has significantly raised public concerns in possible negative effects on human health by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF). The current review is aimed to clarify the differences between possible health effects caused by the various generations of telecommunication technology, especially discussing and projecting possible health effects by 5G. The review of experimental studies on the human brain over the last fifteen years and the discussion on physical mechanisms and factors determining the dependence of the RF EMF effects on frequency and signal structure have been performed to discover and explain the possible distinctions between health effects by different telecommunication generations. CONCLUSIONS The human experimental studies on RF EMF effects on the human brain by 2G, 3G and 4G at frequencies from 450 to 2500 MHz were available for analyses. The search for publications indicated no human experimental studies by 5G nor at the RF EMF frequencies higher than 2500 MHz. The results of the current review demonstrate no consistent relationship between the character of RF EMF effects and parameters of exposure by different generations (2G, 3G, 4G) of telecommunication technology. At the RF EMF frequencies lower than 10 GHz, the impact of 5G NR FR1 should have no principal differences compared to the previous generations. The radio frequencies used in 5G are even higher and the penetration depths of the fields are smaller, therefore the effect is rather lower than at previous generations. At the RF EMF frequencies higher than 10 GHz, the mechanism of the effects might differ and the impact of 5G NR FR2 becomes unpredictable. Existing knowledge about the mechanism of RF EMF effects at millimeter waves lacks sufficient experimental data and theoretical models for reliable conclusions. The insufficient knowledge about the possible health effects at millimeter waves and the lack of in vivo experimental studies on 5G NR underline an urgent need for the theoretical and experimental investigations of health effects by 5G NR, especially by 5G NR FR2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiie Hinrikus
- Department of Health Technologies, School of Information Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tarmo Koppel
- Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jaanus Lass
- Department of Health Technologies, School of Information Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Hans Orru
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Priit Roosipuu
- Thomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics, School of Information Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Maie Bachmann
- Department of Health Technologies, School of Information Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Malik S, Pati AK, Parganiha A. Short- and long-duration exposures to cell-phone radiofrequency waves produce dichotomous effects on phototactic response and circadian characteristics of locomotor activity rhythm in zebrafish, Danio rerio. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1665942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Malik
- Chronobiology and Animal Behavior Laboratory, School of Studies in Life Science, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India
| | - Atanu Kumar Pati
- Chronobiology and Animal Behavior Laboratory, School of Studies in Life Science, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India
- School of Zoology, Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, India
- Center for Translational Chronobiology, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India
| | - Arti Parganiha
- Chronobiology and Animal Behavior Laboratory, School of Studies in Life Science, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India
- Center for Translational Chronobiology, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hinrikus H, Lass J, Bachmann M. Threshold of radiofrequency electromagnetic field effect on human brain. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:1505-1515. [PMID: 34402382 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1969055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review aims to estimate the threshold of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) effects on human brain based on analyses of published research results. To clarify the threshold of the RF EMF effects, two approaches have been applied: (1) the analyses of restrictions in sensitivity for different steps of the physical model of low-level RF EMF mechanism and (2) the analyses of experimental data to clarify the dependence of the RF EMF effect on exposure level based on the results of published original neurophysiological and behavioral human studies for 15 years 2007-2021. CONCLUSIONS The analyses of the physical model of nonthermal mechanisms of RF EMF effect leads to conclusion that no principal threshold of the effect can be determined. According to the review of experimental data, the rate of detected RF EMF effects is 76.7% in resting EEG studies, 41.7% in sleep EEG and 38.5% in behavioral studies. The changes in EEG probably appear earlier than alterations in behavior become evident. The lowest level of RF EMF at which the effect in EEG was detected is 2.45 V/m (SAR = 0.003 W/kg). There is a preliminary indication that the dependence of the effect on the level of exposure follows rather field strength than SAR alterations. However, no sufficient data are available for clarifying linearity-nonlinearity of the dependence of effect on the level of RF EMF. The finding that only part of people are sensitive to RF EMF exposure can be related to immunity to radiation or hypersensitivity. The changes in EEG caused by RF EMF appeared similar in the majority of analyzed studies and similar to these in depression. The possible causal relationship between RF EMF effect and depression among young people is highly important problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaanus Lass
- Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dalecki A, Verrender A, Loughran SP, Croft RJ. The Effect of GSM Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Waking Electroencephalogram: Methodological Influences. Bioelectromagnetics 2021; 42:317-328. [PMID: 33847008 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although there is consistent evidence that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) increases the spontaneous resting alpha spectral power of the electroencephalogram (EEG), the reliability of this evidence is uncertain as some studies have also failed to observe this effect. The present study aimed to determine whether the effect of RF-EMF exposure on EEG alpha power depends on whether EEG is derived from eyes open or closed conditions and assessed earlier (<5-min) versus later (>25-min) in the exposure interval. Thirty-six adults participated in three experimental sessions, each involving one exposure: "Sham," "Low," and "High" RF-EMF corresponding to peak spatial specific absorption rates averaged over 10 g of 0, 1, and 2 W/kg, respectively. Resting EEG was recorded at baseline (no exposure), during, and after exposure. Alpha power increase was found to be greater for the eyes open than eyes closed EEG during both the High (P = 0.04) and Low (P = 0.04) RF-EMF exposures. There was also a trend toward it being larger at the end, versus the start of the "High" 30-min exposure (P < 0.01; eyes open condition). This suggests that the use of eyes closed conditions, and insufficient RF-EMF exposure durations, are likely explanations for the failure of some studies to detect an RF-EMF exposure-related increase in alpha power, as such methodological choices decrease signal-to-noise ratios and increase type II error.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dalecki
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam Verrender
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah P Loughran
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rodney J Croft
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.,Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tafakori S, Farrokhi A, Shalchyan V, Daliri MR. Investigating the impact of mobile range electromagnetic radiation on the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat during working memory. Behav Brain Res 2020; 391:112703. [PMID: 32461126 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Research has been focused on the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted from a mobile phone on general health, especially the nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of RF-EMR on the brain mechanism of rats by recording local field potentials (LFPs) signals during working memory (WM) task. Subjects were exposed to 900 MHz from a dipole antenna daily for three hours. Exposure was applied, first on a short term base (1 week) and then on a long term base (4 weeks). Behavioral parameters were measured weekly while rats performed T-maze tasks in two types of normal and delayed. LFPs signals were simultaneously recorded by implanted microelectrode arrays on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rats. Results showed a significant increase (*p < 0.05) in the task completion time of exposed rats which vanished shortly after the end of short term RF-EMR exposure. Before exposure, during correctly performed delayed tasks, an increase (peak) in power changes of theta band (4-12 Hz) was observed. But during correctly performed normal tasks, an increase appeared only by applying RF-EMR exposure. The similarity in power changes pattern of theta band in both types of tasks was observed after long term exposure. Classification accuracy of LFPs in truly done normal and delayed tasks was compared in pre and post-exposure states. Initial classification accuracy was 84.2 % which decreased significantly (*P < 0.05) after exposure. These observations indicated that RF-EMR may cause unusual brain functioning which is temporary at least for short term exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Tafakori
- Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Research Lab., Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, 16846-13114, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashkan Farrokhi
- Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Research Lab., Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, 16846-13114, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Shalchyan
- Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Research Lab., Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, 16846-13114, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Daliri
- Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Research Lab., Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, 16846-13114, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fang Y. 3D Magnetopneumography Magnetic Dipole Model and Its Application Using Fluxgate Gradiometers. Bioelectromagnetics 2019; 40:472-487. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.22216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Fang
- Department of Intelligent MedicalTianjin Huizhixi Information TechnologyTianjin China
- Department of Intelligent Medical, State Grid Info & Telecom GroupState Grid Corporation of China Tianjin China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vecsei Z, Knakker B, Juhász P, Thuróczy G, Trunk A, Hernádi I. Short-term radiofrequency exposure from new generation mobile phones reduces EEG alpha power with no effects on cognitive performance. Sci Rep 2018; 8:18010. [PMID: 30573783 PMCID: PMC6301959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36353-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mobile phone (MP) use has been steadily increasing in the last decades and similar positive trends are expected for the near future, systematic investigations on neurophysiological and cognitive effects caused by recently developed technological standards for MPs are scarcely available. Here, we investigated the effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields emitted by new-generation mobile technologies, specifically, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE), on intrinsic scalp EEG activity in the alpha band (8–12 Hz) and cognitive performance in the Stroop test. The study involved 60 healthy, young-adult university students (34 for UMTS and 26 for LTE) with double-blind administration of Real and Sham exposure in separate sessions. EEG was recorded before, during and after RF exposure, and Stroop performance was assessed before and after EEG recording. Both RF exposure types caused a notable decrease in the alpha power over the whole scalp that persisted even after the cessation of the exposure, whereas no effects were found on any aspects of performance in the Stroop test. The results imply that the brain networks underlying global alpha oscillations might require minor reconfiguration to adapt to the local biophysical changes caused by focal RF exposure mimicking MP use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Vecsei
- Department of Non-ionizing Radiation, National Public Health Institute, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Knakker
- Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Hungary and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Juhász
- Department of Non-ionizing Radiation, National Public Health Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Thuróczy
- Department of Non-ionizing Radiation, National Public Health Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Trunk
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Hungary and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Sensorimotor Group, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - István Hernádi
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. .,Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Hungary and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. .,Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Béres S, Németh Á, Ajtay Z, Kiss I, Németh B, Hejjel L. Cellular Phone Irradiation of the Head Affects Heart Rate Variability Depending on Inspiration/Expiration Ratio. In Vivo 2018; 32:1145-1153. [PMID: 30150437 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile phones may have harmful health effects and clinical examinations report ambiguous results of exposure concerning neurophysiological and cardiovascular actions. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study investigated heart rate asymmetry (HRA) and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters with 1:2 and 1:1 metronome-paced inspiration/expiration ratios during short-term 1,800MHz GSM cellular phone exposure in 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS Significant HRA changes by Porta and Guzik indices were not found on exposure compared to sham exposure. Time-domain HRV parameters on exposure showed significant differences at 1:1 paced, but not at 1:2 paced breathing compared to sham exposure. A mild post-exposure effect was observed regarding root mean square of successive RR-differences. CONCLUSION The findings reflect persisting acute effects of GSM handset emission on the autonomic nervous system. Exploring its influences on health status and survival needs further studies. Symmetrical breathing can be used as a sensitizing factor in other HRV/HRA analysis studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ádám Németh
- Heart Institute, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zénó Ajtay
- Heart Institute, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Kiss
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Balázs Németh
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bachmann M, Päeske L, Ioannides AA, Lass J, Hinrikus H. After-effect induced by microwave radiation in human electroencephalographic signal: a feasibility study. Int J Radiat Biol 2018; 94:896-901. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1478164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maie Bachmann
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Health Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Laura Päeske
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Health Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Andreas A. Ioannides
- Laboratory for Human Brain Dynamics, AAI Scientific Cultural Services Ltd, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Jaanus Lass
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Health Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Hiie Hinrikus
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Health Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hinrikus H, Bachmann M, Lass J. Understanding physical mechanism of low-level microwave radiation effect. Int J Radiat Biol 2018; 94:877-882. [PMID: 29775391 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1478158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This topic review aims to explain the mechanism of low-level microwave (MW) radiation effect based on published research results. The review presents the analysis of theoretical and experimental results comprising underlying physics and derived biological-physiological consequences supported by experimental data. CONCLUSIONS The rotation of dipolar molecules causes polarization of dielectric medium and restructuring of hydrogen bonds between these molecules. The weakened hydrogen bonds decrease viscosity and enhance diffusion at constant temperature. All steps of proposed model have no critical frequency restrictions at MW frequencies and have been confirmed by electromagnetic field (EMF) theory and/or published experimental results. The synchronous cumulative impact of coherent MW electric field makes possible the field-induced effect despite the field strengths are much weaker than intermolecular fields. The rotation of dipolar molecules results in restructuring hydrogen bonds between the molecules despite the energy of MW radiation is much less than the energy of bonding. The cumulative impact of coherent MW field in a medium has been convincingly confirmed by the measurable dielectric permittivity of the medium. The described mechanism of MW field-induced effect confirms that the nature of the effect differs from the thermal effect and that the exposure by MW radiation can create the specific consequences in biology and materials not characteristic for conventional heating.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiie Hinrikus
- a Department of Health Technologies, Centre for Biomedical Engineering , Tallinn University of Technology , Tallinn , Estonia
| | - Maie Bachmann
- a Department of Health Technologies, Centre for Biomedical Engineering , Tallinn University of Technology , Tallinn , Estonia
| | - Jaanus Lass
- a Department of Health Technologies, Centre for Biomedical Engineering , Tallinn University of Technology , Tallinn , Estonia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Köhler T, Wölfel M, Ciba M, Bochtler U, Thielemann C. Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) exposure of neuronal in vitro networks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 162:1-7. [PMID: 29272813 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) is a worldwide common mobile communication standard, used by authorities and organizations with security tasks. Previous studies reported on health effects of TETRA, with focus on the specific pulse frequency of 17.64Hz, which affects calcium efflux in neuronal cells. Likewise among others, it was reported that TETRA affects heart rate variability, neurophysiology and leads to headaches. In contrast, other studies conclude that TETRA does not affect calcium efflux of cells and has no effect on people's health. In the present study we examine whether TETRA short- and long-term exposure could affect the electrophysiology of neuronal in vitro networks. Experiments were performed with a carrier frequency of 395MHz, a pulse frequency of 17.64Hz and a differential quaternary phase-shift keying (π/4 DQPSK) modulation. Specific absorption rates (SAR) of 1.17W/kg and 2.21W/kg were applied. In conclusion, the present results do not indicate any effect of TETRA exposure on electrophysiology of neuronal in vitro networks, neither for short-term nor long-term exposure. This applies to the examined parameters spike rate, burst rate, burst duration and network synchrony.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Köhler
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Wölfel
- Laboratory for EMC, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Manuel Ciba
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Bochtler
- Laboratory for EMC, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| | - Christiane Thielemann
- BioMEMS Lab, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Würzburger Straße 45, D-63743 Aschaffenburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Panagopoulos DJ, Balmori A. On the biophysical mechanism of sensing atmospheric discharges by living organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:2026-2034. [PMID: 28558424 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric electrical discharges during thunderstorms, and the related electromagnetic fields (EMFs)/waves called sferics, can be sensed by humans at long distances through a variety of symptoms, mainly headache, fatigue, etc. Up to today there is no explanation for this association. Sferics consist of partially polarized electromagnetic pulses with an oscillating carrier signal in the very low frequency (VLF) band and a pulse repetition frequency in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band. Their ELF intensity may reach ~5mV/m at global ranges, and ~0.5V/m at ~1000km from the lightning. The health symptoms associated with sferics are also associated with antennas of mobile telephony base stations and handsets, which emit radio frequency (RF) radiation pulsed on ELF, and expose humans at similar or stronger electric field intensities with sferics. According to the Ion Forced-Oscillation mechanism, polarized ELF EMFs of intensities down to 0.1-1mV/m are able to disrupt any living cell's electrochemical balance and function by irregular gating of electro-sensitive ion channels on the cell membranes, and thus initiate a variety of health symptoms, while VLF EMFs need to be thousands of times stronger in order to be able to initiate health effects. We examine EMFs from sferics in terms of their bioactivity on the basis of this mechanism. We introduce the hypothesis that stronger atmospheric discharges may reasonably be considered to be ~70% along a straight line, and thus the associated EMFs (sferics) ~70% polarized. We find that sferics mainly in the ELF band have adequate intensity and polarization to cause biological/health effects. We provide explanation for the effects of sferics on human/animal health on the basis of this mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris J Panagopoulos
- National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece; Radiation and Environmental Biophysics Research Centre, Greece; Department of Biology, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Alfonso Balmori
- Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Castilla y León, C/Rigoberto Cortejoso, 14, 47071 Valladolid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Altuntas G, Sadoglu D, Ardic S, Yilmaz H, Imamoglu M, Turedi S. Acute effects of the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones on attention in emergency physicians. Am J Emerg Med 2017; 36:455-460. [PMID: 29157789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of the electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted by mobile phones on attention in emergency physicians. METHODS This single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical study was performed among emergency physicians in a tertiary hospital. Thirty emergency physicians were enrolled in the study. Initial d2 test was applied in the evaluation of attention and concentration of all the physicians, who were randomly assigned into one of two groups. The control group members hold mobile phones in 'off' mode to their left ears for 15min. The members of the intervention group hold mobile phones in 'on' mode to their left ears for 15min, thus exposing them to 900-1800MHz EMW. The d2 test was re-applied to both groups after this procedure. Differences in attention and concentration levels between the groups were compared. RESULTS Difference between initial and final d2 test in total performance (TN-E, p=0.319), in total number of figures marked (TN, p=0.177), in test performance percentile (PR, p=0.619) and in attention fluctuation (FR, p=0.083) were similar between the groups. However, difference in the number of figures missed (E1 selective attention, p=0.025), difference between numbers of incorrectly marked figures (E2, p=0,018) and difference in focus levels (E, p=0.016) were significantly in favor of the intervention group. CONCLUSION According to our study findings, the EMW emitted by mobile phones has no deleterious effect on the attention and concentration levels of emergency physicians, and even has a positive impact on selective attention levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gurkan Altuntas
- Rize Public Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Davut Sadoglu
- University of Health Science, Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Senol Ardic
- University of Health Science, Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Hakan Yilmaz
- University of Health Science, Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Department of Psychology, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Melih Imamoglu
- Rize Public Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Rize, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Turedi
- Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Durusoy R, Hassoy H, Özkurt A, Karababa AO. Mobile phone use, school electromagnetic field levels and related symptoms: a cross-sectional survey among 2150 high school students in Izmir. Environ Health 2017; 16:51. [PMID: 28577556 PMCID: PMC5455117 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0257-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health outcomes of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from mobile phones and their base stations are of concern. Conducting multidisciplinary research, targeting children and exploring dose-response are recommended. Our objectives were to describe the mobile phone usage characteristics of high school students and to explore the association between mobile phone usage characteristics, high school EMF levels and self-reported symptoms. METHODS This cross-sectional study's data were collected by a survey questionnaire and by measuring school EMF levels between November 2009 and April 2011. A sample size of 2530 was calculated from a total of 20,493 students in 26 high schools and 2150 (85.0%) were included in the analysis. The frequencies of 23 symptoms were questioned and analysed according to 16 different aspects of mobile phone use and school EMF levels, exploring also dose-response. School EMF levels were measured with Aaronia Spectran HF-4060 device. Chi square and trend tests were used for univariate and logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. RESULTS Among participants, 2021 (94.0%) were using mobile phones and 129 (6.0%) were not. Among users, 49.4% were speaking <10 min and 52.2% were sending/receiving 75 or more messages per day. Headache, fatigue and sleep disturbances were observed respectively 1.90 (95% CI 1.30-2.77), 1.78 (1.21-2.63) and 1.53 (1.05-2.21) times more among mobile phone users. Dose-response relationships were observed especially for the number of calls per day, total duration of calls per day, total number of text messages per day, position and status of mobile phone at night and making calls while charging as exposures and headache, concentration difficulties, fatigue and sleep disturbances as general symptoms and warming of the ear and flushing as local symptoms. CONCLUSIONS We found an association between mobile phone use and especially headache, concentration difficulties, fatigue, sleep disturbances and warming of the ear showing also dose-response. We have found limited associations between vicinity to base stations and some general symptoms; however, we did not find any association with school EMF levels. Decreasing the numbers of calls and messages, decreasing the duration of calls, using earphones, keeping the phone away from the head and body and similar precautions might decrease the frequencies or prevalence of the symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raika Durusoy
- Department of Public Health, Ege University Medical School, Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı A.D., 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hür Hassoy
- Department of Public Health, Ege University Medical School, Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı A.D., 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Özkurt
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Engineering, Buca, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ali Osman Karababa
- Department of Public Health, Ege University Medical School, Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı A.D., 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Xie Y, Szeto G, Dai J. Prevalence and risk factors associated with musculoskeletal complaints among users of mobile handheld devices: A systematic review. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2017; 59:132-142. [PMID: 27890121 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review aimed at evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints associated with mobile handheld device use. Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL and Embase were searched. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed. Strength of evidence for risk factors was determined based on study designs, methodological quality and consistency of results. Five high-quality, eight acceptable-quality and two low-quality peer-reviewed articles were included. This review demonstrates that the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among mobile device users ranges from 1.0% to 67.8% and neck complaints have the highest prevalence rates ranging from 17.3% to 67.8%. This study also finds some evidence for neck flexion, frequency of phone calls, texting and gaming in relation to musculoskeletal complaints among mobile device users. Inconclusive evidence is shown for other risk factors such as duration of use and human-device interaction techniques due to inconsistent results or a limited number of studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Xie
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Grace Szeto
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jie Dai
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mobile phone use and risk of brain tumours: a systematic review of association between study quality, source of funding, and research outcomes. Neurol Sci 2017; 38:797-810. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-017-2850-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
18
|
Zubko O, Gould RL, Gay HC, Cox HJ, Coulson MC, Howard RJ. Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM phones on working memory: a meta-analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2017; 32:125-135. [PMID: 27645289 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Current treatments for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) do not affect the course of the illness and brain stimulation techniques are increasingly promoted as potential therapeutic interventions for AD. This study reviews the effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure versus sham exposure on working memory (WM) performance of healthy human participants. METHOD Online literature databases and previous systematic reviews were searched for studies of EMF and WM in participants without reported memory problems. Two thousand eight hundred and fifty seven studies were identified, and 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. An assessment of study quality was completed, and separate, random effects meta-analyses were conducted for each of the three WM tasks included: n-back, substitution and digit span forward. RESULTS No differences were found between participants exposed to active EMF versus sham conditions in any of the three working memory tasks examined. CONCLUSION Results indicate that EMF does not affect WM during the n-back, substitution and digit-span tasks. Future studies should focus on the possible effects of chronic exposure to EMF in older adults with AD using a battery of comparable WM and attention tasks, before EMF can be seriously considered as a potential modulator of WM in AD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O Zubko
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
| | - R L Gould
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
| | - H C Gay
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
| | - H J Cox
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
| | - M C Coulson
- Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, UK
| | - R J Howard
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.,Division of Psychiatry, University College London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hinrikus H, Bachmann M, Karai D, Lass J. Mechanism of low-level microwave radiation effect on nervous system. Electromagn Biol Med 2016; 36:202-212. [DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2016.1251451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
20
|
2100-MHz electromagnetic fields have different effects on visual evoked potentials and oxidant/antioxidant status depending on exposure duration. Brain Res 2016; 1635:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
21
|
Lv B, Shao Q, Chen Z, Ma L, Wu T. Effects of acute electromagnetic fields exposure on the interhemispheric homotopic functional connectivity during resting state. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2015:1813-6. [PMID: 26736632 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7318732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we aimed to investigate the possible effects of acute radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the interhemispheric homotopic functional connectivity with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. We designed a controllable LTE-related EMF exposure environment at 2.573 GHz and performed the 30 min real/sham exposure experiments on human brain under the safety limits. The resting state fMRI signals were collected before and after EMF exposure. Then voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity method was utilized to evaluate the acute effects of LTE EMF exposure on the homotopic functional connectivity between two human hemispheres. Based on our previous research, we further demonstrated that the 30 min short-term LTE EMF exposure would modulate the interhemispheric homotopic functional connectivity in resting state around the medial frontal gyrus and the paracentral lobule during the real exposure.
Collapse
|
22
|
Valbonesi P, Franzellitti S, Bersani F, Contin A, Fabbri E. Activity and expression of acetylcholinesterase in PC12 cells exposed to intermittent 1.8 GHz 217-GSM mobile phone signal. Int J Radiat Biol 2015; 92:1-10. [PMID: 26630175 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2016.1114188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Due to its role in learning, memory and in many neurodegenerative diseases, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) represents an interesting endpoint to assess possible targets of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) generated by mobile phones. We investigated possible alterations of enzymatic activity, gene and protein expression of AChE in neuronal-like cells exposed to a 1.8 GHz Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) modulated signal (217-GSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat PC12 cells were exposed for 24 h to 1.8 GHz 217-GSM signal. Specific adsorption rate (SAR) was 2 W/kg. AChE enzyme activity was assessed spectrophotometrically by Ellman's method, mRNA expression level was evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS AChE enzymatic activity increased of 1.4-fold in PC12 cells exposed to 217-GSM signal for 24 h, whilst AChE transcriptional or translational pathways were not affected. CONCLUSION Our results provide the first evidence of effects on AChE activity after in vitro exposure of mammalian cells to the RF-EMF generated by GSM mobile phones, at the SAR value 2 W/kg. The obtained evidence promotes further investigations on AChE as a possible target of RF-EMF and confirm the ability of 1.8 GHz 217-GSM signal to induce biological effects in different mammalian cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Valbonesi
- a Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna , Campus of Ravenna , Italy ;,b Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Silvia Franzellitti
- a Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna , Campus of Ravenna , Italy ;,b Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | | | - Andrea Contin
- a Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna , Campus of Ravenna , Italy ;,c Department of Physics , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Elena Fabbri
- a Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna , Campus of Ravenna , Italy ;,b Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Roggeveen S, van Os J, Viechtbauer W, Lousberg R. EEG Changes Due to Experimentally Induced 3G Mobile Phone Radiation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129496. [PMID: 26053854 PMCID: PMC4459698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether a 15-minute placement of a 3G dialing mobile phone causes direct changes in EEG activity compared to the placement of a sham phone. Furthermore, it was investigated whether placement of the mobile phone on the ear or the heart would result in different outcomes. Thirty-one healthy females participated. All subjects were measured twice: on one of the two days the mobile phone was attached to the ear, the other day to the chest. In this single-blind, cross-over design, assessments in the sham phone condition were conducted directly preceding and following the mobile phone exposure. During each assessment, EEG activity and radiofrequency radiation were recorded jointly. Delta, theta, alpha, slowbeta, fastbeta, and gamma activity was computed. The association between radiation exposure and the EEG was tested using multilevel random regression analyses with radiation as predictor of main interest. Significant radiation effects were found for the alpha, slowbeta, fastbeta, and gamma bands. When analyzed separately, ear location of the phone was associated with significant results, while chest placement was not. The results support the notion that EEG alterations are associated with mobile phone usage and that the effect is dependent on site of placement. Further studies are required to demonstrate the physiological relevance of these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Roggeveen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- King’s College London, King’s Health Partners, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wolfgang Viechtbauer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Richel Lousberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Roggeveen S, van Os J, Lousberg R. Does the Brain Detect 3G Mobile Phone Radiation Peaks? An Explorative In-Depth Analysis of an Experimental Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125390. [PMID: 25962168 PMCID: PMC4427287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate whether third generation mobile phone radiation peaks result in event related potentials. Thirty-one healthy females participated. In this single-blind, cross-over design, a 15 minute mobile phone exposure was compared to two 15 minute sham phone conditions, one preceding and one following the exposure condition. Each participant was measured on two separate days, where mobile phone placement was varied between the ear and heart. EEG activity and radiofrequency radiation were recorded jointly. Epochs of 1200 ms, starting 200 ms before and lasting until 1000 ms after the onset of a radiation peak, were extracted from the exposure condition. Control epochs were randomly selected from the two sham phone conditions. The main a-priori hypothesis to be tested concerned an increase of the area in the 240-500 ms post-stimulus interval, in the exposure session with ear-placement. Using multilevel regression analyses the placement*exposure interaction effect was significant for the frontal and central cortical regions, indicating that only in the mobile phone exposure with ear-placement an enlarged cortical reactivity was found. Post-hoc analyses based on visual inspection of the ERPs showed a second significantly increased area between 500-1000 ms post-stimulus for almost every EEG location measured. It was concluded that, when a dialing mobile phone is placed on the ear, its radiation, although unconsciously, is electrically detected by the brain. The question of whether or not this cortical reactivity results in a negative health outcome has to be answered in future longitudinal experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Roggeveen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands
- King’s College London, King’s Health Partners, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richel Lousberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Curcio G, Mazzucchi E, Marca GD, Vollono C, Rossini PM. Electromagnetic fields and EEG spiking rate in patients with focal epilepsy. Clin Neurophysiol 2015; 126:659-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
|
26
|
Zhang Y, Li Z, Gao Y, Zhang C. Effects of fetal microwave radiation exposure on offspring behavior in mice. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2015; 56:261-268. [PMID: 25359903 PMCID: PMC4380045 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rru097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The recent rapid development of electronic communication techniques is resulting in a marked increase in exposure of humans to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This has raised public concerns about the health hazards of long-term environmental EMF exposure for fetuses and children. Some studies have suggested EMF exposure in children could induce nervous system disorders. However, gender-dependent effects of microwave radiation exposure on cognitive dysfunction have not previously been reported. Here we investigated whether in utero exposure to 9.417-GHz microwave throughout gestation (Days 3.5-18) affected behavior, using the open field test (OFT), elevated-plus maze (EPM), tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST) and Morris water maze (MWM). We found that mice showed less movement in the center of an open field (using the OFT) and in an open arm (using the EPM) after in utero exposure to 9.417-GHz radiation, which suggested that the mice had increased anxiety-related behavior. Mice demonstrated reduced immobility in TST and FST after in utero exposure to 9.417-GHz radiation, which suggested that the mice had decreased depression-related behavior. From the MWM test, we observed that male offspring demonstrated decreased learning and memory, while females were not affected in learning and memory, which suggested that microwaves had gender-dependent effects. In summary, we have provided the first experimental evidence of microwaves inducing gender-dependent effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanchun Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Cognitive and Mental Health Research Center of the PLA, Taiping Road 27, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Cognitive and Mental Health Research Center of the PLA, Taiping Road 27, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Cognitive and Mental Health Research Center of the PLA, Taiping Road 27, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Chenggang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Cognitive and Mental Health Research Center of the PLA, Taiping Road 27, Haidian District, Beijing 100850, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Health Implications of Electromagnetic Fields, Mechanisms of Action, and Research Needs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/198609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been implicated to influence a range of bodily functions. Given their ubiquitous nature, widespread applications, and capability to produce deleterious effects, conclusive investigations of the health risks are critical. Accordingly, this paper has been constructed to weigh the bioeffects, possible biointeraction mechanisms, and research areas in bioelectromagnetics seeking immediate attention. The several gaps in the existing knowledge do not permit one to reach a concrete conclusion but possibility for harmful effects cannot be underestimated in absence of consistent findings and causal mechanisms. Several studies with appropriate methodologies reflect the capacity of electromagnetic radiations to cause adverse health effects and there are several credible mechanisms that can account for the observed effects. Hence, need of the hour is to activate comprehensive well-coordinated blind scientific investigations, overcoming all limitations and demerits of previous investigations especially replication studies to concretize the earlier findings. Furthermore, appropriate exposure assessment is crucial for identification of dose-response relation if any, and the elucidation of biological interaction mechanism. For the time being, the public should follow the precautionary principle and limit their exposure as much as possible.
Collapse
|
28
|
Hinrikus H, Lass J, Karai D, Pilt K, Bachmann M. Microwave effect on diffusion: a possible mechanism for non-thermal effect. Electromagn Biol Med 2014; 34:327-33. [DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2014.921195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
29
|
The alteration of spontaneous low frequency oscillations caused by acute electromagnetic fields exposure. Clin Neurophysiol 2014; 125:277-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2013.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 07/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
30
|
Thielens A, Vermeeren G, Joseph W, Martens L. Stochastic method for determination of the organ-specific averaged SAR in realistic environments at 950 MHz. Bioelectromagnetics 2013; 34:549-62. [PMID: 23754459 DOI: 10.1002/bem.21799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The organ-specific averaged specific absorption rate (SARosa ) in a heterogeneous human body phantom, the Virtual Family Boy, is determined for the first time in five realistic electromagnetic environments at the Global System for Mobile Communications downlink frequency of 950 MHz. We propose two methods based upon a fixed set of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations for generating cumulative distribution functions for the SARosa in a certain environment: an accurate vectorial cell-wise spline interpolation with an average error lower than 1.8%, and a faster scalar linear interpolation with a maximal average error of 14.3%. These errors are dependent on the angular steps chosen for the FDTD simulations. However, it is demonstrated that both methods provide the same shape of the cumulative distribution function for the studied organs in the considered environments. The SARosa depends on the considered organ and the environment. Two factors influencing the SARosa are investigated for the first time: conductivity over the density ratio of an organ, and the distance of the organ's center of gravity to the body's surface and exterior of the phantom. A non-linear regression with our model provides a correlation of 0.80. The SARosa due to single plane-wave exposure is also investigated; a worst-case single plane-wave exposure is determined for all studied organs and has been compared with realistic SARosa values. There is no fixed worst-case polarization for all organs, and a single plane-wave exposure condition that exceeds 91% of the SARosa values in a certain environment can always be found for the studied organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Tombini M, Pellegrino G, Pasqualetti P, Assenza G, Benvenga A, Fabrizio E, Rossini PM. Mobile Phone Emissions Modulate Brain Excitability in Patients with Focal Epilepsy. Brain Stimul 2013; 6:448-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2012] [Revised: 06/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
|
32
|
Pelletier A, Delanaud S, Décima P, Thuroczy G, de Seze R, Cerri M, Bach V, Libert JP, Loos N. Effects of chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on energy balance in developing rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:2735-46. [PMID: 23143821 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-1266-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the control of body energy balance in developing organisms have not been studied, despite the involvement of energy status in vital physiological functions. We examined the effects of chronic RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz, 1 V m(-1)) on the main functions involved in body energy homeostasis (feeding behaviour, sleep and thermoregulatory processes). Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats were exposed to continuous RF-EMF for 5 weeks at 24 °C of air temperature (T a) and compared with 11 non-exposed animals. Hence, at the beginning of the 6th week of exposure, the functions were recorded at T a of 24 °C and then at 31 °C. We showed that the frequency of rapid eye movement sleep episodes was greater in the RF-EMF-exposed group, independently of T a (+42.1 % at 24 °C and +31.6 % at 31 °C). The other effects of RF-EMF exposure on several sleep parameters were dependent on T a. At 31 °C, RF-EMF-exposed animals had a significantly lower subcutaneous tail temperature (-1.21 °C) than controls at all sleep stages; this suggested peripheral vasoconstriction, which was confirmed in an experiment with the vasodilatator prazosin. Exposure to RF-EMF also increased daytime food intake (+0.22 g h(-1)). Most of the observed effects of RF-EMF exposure were dependent on T a. Exposure to RF-EMF appears to modify the functioning of vasomotor tone by acting peripherally through α-adrenoceptors. The elicited vasoconstriction may restrict body cooling, whereas energy intake increases. Our results show that RF-EMF exposure can induce energy-saving processes without strongly disturbing the overall sleep pattern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Pelletier
- PériTox Laboratory (EA 4285-UMI01), Faculty of Medicine, Jules Verne University of Picardy, 3 rue des Louvels, CS 13602, 80036, Amiens cedex 1, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Analysis of emotionality and locomotion in radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation exposed rats. Neurol Sci 2012; 34:1117-24. [PMID: 22976773 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-012-1189-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In the current study the modulatory role of mobile phone radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on emotionality and locomotion was evaluated in adolescent rats. Male albino Wistar rats (6-8 weeks old) were randomly assigned into the following groups having 12 animals in each group. Group I (Control): they remained in the home cage throughout the experimental period. Group II (Sham exposed): they were exposed to mobile phone in switch-off mode for 28 days, and Group III (RF-EMR exposed): they were exposed to RF-EMR (900 MHz) from an active GSM (Global system for mobile communications) mobile phone with a peak power density of 146.60 μW/cm(2) for 28 days. On 29th day, the animals were tested for emotionality and locomotion. Elevated plus maze (EPM) test revealed that, percentage of entries into the open arm, percentage of time spent on the open arm and distance travelled on the open arm were significantly reduced in the RF-EMR exposed rats. Rearing frequency and grooming frequency were also decreased in the RF-EMR exposed rats. Defecation boli count during the EPM test was more with the RF-EMR group. No statistically significant difference was found in total distance travelled, total arm entries, percentage of closed arm entries and parallelism index in the RF-EMR exposed rats compared to controls. Results indicate that mobile phone radiation could affect the emotionality of rats without affecting the general locomotion.
Collapse
|
34
|
Vecchio F, Tombini M, Buffo P, Assenza G, Pellegrino G, Benvenga A, Babiloni C, Rossini PM. Mobile phone emission increases inter-hemispheric functional coupling of electroencephalographic alpha rhythms in epileptic patients. Int J Psychophysiol 2012; 84:164-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|
35
|
Lu Y, Xu S, He M, Chen C, Zhang L, Liu C, Chu F, Yu Z, Zhou Z, Zhong M. Glucose administration attenuates spatial memory deficits induced by chronic low-power-density microwave exposure. Physiol Behav 2012; 106:631-7. [PMID: 22564535 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Extensive evidence indicates that glucose administration attenuates memory deficits in rodents and humans, and cognitive impairment has been associated with reduced glucose metabolism and uptake in certain brain regions including the hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated whether glucose treatment attenuated memory deficits caused by chronic low-power-density microwave (MW) exposure, and the effect of MW exposure on hippocampal glucose uptake. We exposed Wistar rats to 2.45 GHz pulsed MW irradiation at a power density of 1 mW/cm(2) for 3 h/day, for up to 30 days. MW exposure induced spatial learning and memory impairments in rats. Hippocampal glucose uptake was also reduced by MW exposure in the absence or presence of insulin, but the levels of blood glucose and insulin were not affected. However, these spatial memory deficits were reversed by systemic glucose treatment. Our results indicate that glucose administration attenuates the spatial memory deficits induced by chronic low-power-density MW exposure, and reduced hippocampal glucose uptake may be associated with cognitive impairment caused by MW exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Lu
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Effects of long-term electromagnetic field exposure on spatial learning and memory in rats. Neurol Sci 2012; 34:157-64. [PMID: 22362331 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-012-0970-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
With the development of communications industry, mobile phone plays an important role in daily life. Whether or not the electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone causes any adverse effects on brain function has become of a great concern. This paper investigated the effect of electromagnetic field on spatial learning and memory in rats. 32 trained Wistar rats were divided into two groups: exposure group and control group. The exposure group was exposed to 916 MHz, 10w/m2 mobile phone electromagnetic field (EMF) 6 h a day, 5 days a week, 10 weeks. The completion time, number of total errors and the neuron discharge signals were recorded while the rats were searching for food in an eight-arm radial maze at every weekend. The neuron signals of one exposed rat and one control rat in the maze were obtained by the implanted microelectrode arrays in their hippocampal regions. It can be seen that during the weeks 4-5 of the experiment, the average completion time and error rate of the exposure group were longer and larger than that of control group (p < 0.05). During the weeks 1-3 and 6-9, they were close to each other. The hippocampal neurons showed irregular firing patterns and more spikes with shorter interspike interval during the whole experiment period. It indicates that the 916 MHz EMF influence learning and memory in rats to some extent in a period during exposure, and the rats can adapt to long-term EMF exposure.
Collapse
|
37
|
Vecchio F, Buffo P, Sergio S, Iacoviello D, Rossini PM, Babiloni C. Mobile phone emission modulates event-related desynchronization of alpha rhythms and cognitive–motor performance in healthy humans. Clin Neurophysiol 2012; 123:121-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2011] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
38
|
Curcio G, Nardo D, Perrucci MG, Pasqualetti P, Chen TL, Del Gratta C, Romani GL, Rossini PM. Effects of mobile phone signals over BOLD response while performing a cognitive task. Clin Neurophysiol 2012; 123:129-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
39
|
Hinrikus H, Bachmann M, Lass J. Parametric mechanism of excitation of the electroencephalographic rhythms by modulated microwave radiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2011; 87:1077-85. [DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2011.620063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
40
|
Zandi AS, Dumont GA, Yedlin MJ, Lapeyrie P, Sudre C, Gaffet S. Scalp EEG Acquisition in a Low-Noise Environment: A Quantitative Assessment. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2011; 58. [DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2011.2158647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
41
|
Rubin GJ, Hillert L, Nieto-Hernandez R, van Rongen E, Oftedal G. Do people with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields display physiological effects when exposed to electromagnetic fields? A systematic review of provocation studies. Bioelectromagnetics 2011; 32:593-609. [PMID: 21769898 DOI: 10.1002/bem.20690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2010] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) is a controversial illness in which people report symptoms that they believe are triggered by exposure to EMF. Double-blind experiments have found no association between the presence of EMF and self-reported outcomes in people with IEI-EMF. No systematic review has assessed whether EMF exposure triggers physiological or cognitive changes in this group. Using a systematic literature search, we identified 29 single or double-blind experiments in which participants with IEI-EMF were exposed to different EMF levels and in which objectively measured outcomes were assessed. Five studies identified significant effects of exposure such as reduced heart rate and blood pressure, altered pupillary light reflex, reduced visual attention and perception, improved spatial memory, movement away from an EMF source during sleep and altered EEG during sleep. In most cases, these were isolated results that other studies failed to replicate. For the sleep EEG findings, the results reflected similar changes in the IEI-EMF participants and a non-IEI-EMF control group. At present, there is no reliable evidence to suggest that people with IEI-EMF experience unusual physiological reactions as a result of exposure to EMF. This supports suggestions that EMF is not the main cause of their ill health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G James Rubin
- King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Spichtig S, Scholkmann F, Chin L, Lehmann H, Wolf M. Assessment of intermittent UMTS electromagnetic field effects on blood circulation in the human auditory region using a near-infrared system. Bioelectromagnetics 2011; 33:40-54. [PMID: 21695708 DOI: 10.1002/bem.20682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 02/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the potential effects of intermittent Universal Mobile Telecommunications System electromagnetic fields (UMTS-EMF) on blood circulation in the human head (auditory region) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on two different timescales: short-term (effects occurring within 80 s) and medium-term (effects occurring within 80 s to 30 min). For the first time, we measured potential immediate effects of UMTS-EMF in real-time without any interference during exposure. Three different exposures (sham, 0.18 W/kg, and 1.8 W/kg) were applied in a controlled, randomized, crossover, and double-blind paradigm on 16 healthy volunteers. In addition to oxy-, deoxy-, and total haemoglobin concentrations ([O(2) Hb], [HHb], and [tHb], respectively), the heart rate (HR), subjective well-being, tiredness, and counting speed were recorded. During exposure to 0.18 W/kg, we found a significant short-term increase in Δ[O(2) Hb] and Δ[tHb], which is small (≈17%) compared to a functional brain activation. A significant decrease in the medium-term response of Δ[HHb] at 0.18 and 1.8 W/kg exposures was detected, which is in the range of physiological fluctuations. The medium-term ΔHR was significantly higher (+1.84 bpm) at 1.8 W/kg than for sham exposure. The other parameters showed no significant effects. Our results suggest that intermittent exposure to UMTS-EMF has small short- and medium-term effects on cerebral blood circulation and HR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Spichtig
- Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, Division of Neonatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
SCHMID MARCR, LOUGHRAN SARAHP, REGEL SABINEJ, MURBACH MANUEL, BRATIC GRUNAUER ALEKSANDRA, RUSTERHOLZ THOMAS, BERSAGLIERE ALESSIA, KUSTER NIELS, ACHERMANN PETER. Sleep EEG alterations: effects of different pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields. J Sleep Res 2011; 21:50-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2011.00918.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
44
|
Hinrikus H, Bachmann M, Karai D, Klonowski W, Lass J, Stepien P, Stepien R, Tuulik V. Higuchi’s fractal dimension for analysis of the effect of external periodic stressor on electrical oscillations in the brain. Med Biol Eng Comput 2011; 49:585-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s11517-011-0768-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
45
|
DANKER-HOPFE HEIDI, DORN HANS, BAHR ACHIM, ANDERER PETER, SAUTER CORNELIA. Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones (GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS) on the macrostructure of sleep. J Sleep Res 2011; 20:73-81. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2010.00850.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
46
|
Regel SJ, Achermann P. Cognitive performance measures in bioelectromagnetic research--critical evaluation and recommendations. Environ Health 2011; 10:10. [PMID: 21266038 PMCID: PMC3041732 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-10-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The steady increase of mobile phone usage has led to a rising concern about possible adverse health effects of radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposure at intensities even below the existing safety limits. Accumulating evidence suggests that pulse-modulated RF EMF may alter brain physiology. Yet, whereas effects on the human electroencephalogram in waking and sleep have repeatedly been shown in recent years, results on cognitive performance are inconsistent. METHODS This review compares 41 provocation studies regarding the effects of RF EMF exposure similar to mobile telephones on cognitive performance measures in humans. The studies were identified via systematic searches of the databases Pub Med and ISI Web of Science and were published in peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and the end of 2009. RESULTS Based on a critical discussion within the scope of methodological standards it is concluded that state-of-the-art-methods in bio-electromagnetic research on RF EMF effects and cognition have neither been specified nor fully implemented over the last 10-11 years. The lack of a validated tool, which reliably assesses changes in cognitive performance caused by RF EMF exposure, may contribute to the current inconsistencies in outcomes. The high variety of findings may also be due to methodological issues such as differences in sample size and the composition of study groups, experimental design, exposure setup as well as the exposure conditions, and emphasizes the need for a standardized protocol in bioelectromagnetic research. CONCLUSIONS At present, no underlying biological mechanism has been identified which mediates the effects on brain functioning as observed in electroencephalographic (EEG) studies. A future aim must be to identify this mechanism as well as a reliable exposure protocol in order to gain more insights into possible behavioral and related health consequences of high-frequency EMF exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine J Regel
- University of Zurich, Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Achermann
- University of Zurich, Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Danker-Hopfe H, Dorn H, Bornkessel C, Sauter C. Do mobile phone base stations affect sleep of residents? Results from an experimental double-blind sham-controlled field study. Am J Hum Biol 2011; 22:613-8. [PMID: 20737608 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.21053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present double-blind, sham-controlled, balanced randomized cross-over study was to disentangle effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and non-EMF effects of mobile phone base stations on objective and subjective sleep quality. METHODS In total 397 residents aged 18-81 years (50.9% female) from 10 German sites, where no mobile phone service was available, were exposed to sham and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications, 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz) base station signals by an experimental base station while their sleep was monitored at their homes during 12 nights. Participants were randomly exposed to real (GSM) or sham exposure for five nights each. Individual measurement of EMF exposure, questionnaires on sleep disorders, overall sleep quality, attitude towards mobile communication, and on subjective sleep quality (morning and evening protocols) as well as objective sleep data (frontal EEG and EOG recordings) were gathered. RESULTS Analysis of the subjective and objective sleep data did not reveal any significant differences between the real and sham condition. During sham exposure nights, objective and subjective sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, and subjective sleep latency were significantly worse in participants with concerns about possible health risks resulting from base stations than in participants who were not concerned. CONCLUSIONS The study did not provide any evidence for short-term physiological effects of EMF emitted by mobile phone base stations on objective and subjective sleep quality. However, the results indicate that mobile phone base stations as such (not the electromagnetic fields) may have a significant negative impact on sleep quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Danker-Hopfe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Sleep Medicine Competence Center, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Effect of Exposure to 1,800 MHz Electromagnetic Fields on Heat Shock Proteins and Glial Cells in the Brain of Developing Rats. Neurotox Res 2010; 20:109-19. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-010-9225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2010] [Revised: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 09/29/2022]
|
49
|
Sauter C, Dorn H, Bahr A, Hansen ML, Peter A, Bajbouj M, Danker-Hopfe H. Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects. Bioelectromagnetics 2010; 32:179-90. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.20623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 09/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
50
|
Röösli M, Frei P, Mohler E, Hug K. Systematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations. Bull World Health Organ 2010; 88:887-896F. [PMID: 21124713 DOI: 10.2471/blt.09.071852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2009] [Revised: 05/06/2010] [Accepted: 05/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to review and evaluate the recent literature on the health effects of exposure to mobile phone base station (MPBS) radiation. METHODS we performed a systematic review of randomized human trials conducted in laboratory settings and of epidemiological studies that investigated the health effects of MPBS radiation in the everyday environment. FINDINGS we included in the analysis 17 articles that met our basic quality criteria: 5 randomized human laboratory trials and 12 epidemiological studies. The majority of the papers (14) examined self-reported non-specific symptoms of ill-health. Most of the randomized trials did not detect any association between MPBS radiation and the development of acute symptoms during or shortly after exposure. The sporadically observed associations did not show a consistent pattern with regard to symptoms or types of exposure. We also found that the more sophisticated the exposure assessment, the less likely it was that an effect would be reported. Studies on health effects other than non-specific symptoms and studies on MPBS exposure in children were scarce. CONCLUSION the evidence for a missing relationship between MPBS exposure up to 10 volts per metre and acute symptom development can be considered strong because it is based on randomized, blinded human laboratory trials. At present, there is insufficient data to draw firm conclusions about health effects from long-term low-level exposure typically occurring in the everyday environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and University of Basel, Socinstrasse 59, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|