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Pophof B, Kuhne J, Schmid G, Weiser E, Dorn H, Henschenmacher B, Burns J, Danker-Hopfe H, Sauter C. The effect of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cognitive performance in human experimental studies: Systematic review and meta-analyses. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 191:108899. [PMID: 39265322 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this review is to evaluate the associations between short-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and cognitive performance in human experimental studies. METHODS Online databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and EMF-Portal) were searched for studies that evaluated effects of exposure to RF-EMF on seven domains of cognitive performance in human experimental studies. The assessment of study quality was based on the Risk of Bias (RoB) tool developed by the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT). Random effects meta-analyses of Hedges's g were conducted separately for accuracy- and speed-related performance measures of various cognitive domains, for which data from at least two studies were available. Finally, the certainty of evidence for each identified outcome was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS 57,543 records were identified and 76 studies (80 reports) met the inclusion criteria. The included 76 studies with 3846 participants, consisting of humans of different age, sex and health status from 19 countries, were conducted between 1989 and 2021. Quantitative data from 50 studies (52 reports) with 2433 participants were included into the meta-analyses. These studies were performed in 15 countries between 2001 and 2021. The majority of the included studies used head exposure with GSM 900 uplink. None of the meta-analyses observed a statistically significant effect of RF-EMF exposure compared to sham on cognitive performance as measured by the confidence interval surrounding the Hedges's g or the significance of the z-statistic. For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Attentional Capacity RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.024, 95 % CI [-0.10; 0.15], I2 = 28 %, 473 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Concentration / Focused Attention RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.005, 95 % CI [-0.17; 0.18], I2 = 7 %, 132 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy; it does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.097, 95 % CI [-0.05; 0.24], I2 = 0 %, 217 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Vigilance RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.118, 95 % CI [-0.04; 0.28], I2 = 41 %, 247 participants) and results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.042, 95 % CI, [-0.09; 0.18], I2 = 0 %, 199 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Selective Attention RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.080, 95 % CI [-0.09; 0.25], I2 = 63 %, 452 participants); it may result in little to no difference in accuracy, but it probably does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.178, 95 % CI [-0.02; 0.38], I2 = 68 %, 480 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Attention - Divided Attention RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.010, 95 % CI [-0.14; 0.12], I2 = 5 %, 307 participants) and may result in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.089, 95 % CI [-0.35; 0.18], I2 = 53 %, 167 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - Simple Reaction Time Task RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.069, 95 % CI [-0.02; +0.16], I2 = 29 %, 820 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - 2-Choice Reaction Time Task RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.023, 95 % CI [-0.13; 0.08], I2 = 0 %, 401 participants), and may result in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.063, 95 % CI [-0.38; 0.25], I2 = 63 %, 117 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - >2-Choice Reaction Time Task RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.054, 95 % CI [-0.14; 0.03], I2 = 0 %, 544 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.129, 95 % CI [-0.30; 0.04], I2 = 0 %, 131 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Processing Speed - Other Tasks RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.067, 95 % CI [-0.12; 0.26], I2 = 38 %, 249 participants); it results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.036, 95 % CI [-0.08; 0.15], I2 = 0 %, 354 participants). For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Working Memory - n-back Task (0-3-back) we found Hedges's g ranging from -0.090, 95 % CI [-0.18; 0.01] to 0.060, 95 % CI [-0.06; 0.18], all I2 = 0 %, 237 to 474 participants, and conclude that RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in both speed and accuracy. For the domain Orientation and Attention, subclass Working Memory - Mental Tracking RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.047, 95 % [CI -0.15; 0.05], I2 = 0 %, 438 participants). For the domain Perception, subclass Visual and Auditory Perception RF-EMF exposure may result in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g -0.015, 95 % CI [-0.23; 0.195], I2 = 0 %, 84 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g 0.035, 95 % CI [-0.13; 0.199], I2 = 0 %, 137 participants). For the domain Memory, subclass Verbal and Visual Memory RF-EMF exposure probably results in little to no difference in speed and does not reduce speed (Hedges's g 0.042, 95 % CI [-0.15; 0.23], I2 = 0 %, 102 participants); it may result in little to no difference in accuracy (Hedges's g -0.087, 95 % CI [-0.38; 0.20], I2 = 85 %, 625 participants). For the domain Verbal Functions and Language Skills, subclass Verbal Expression, a meta-analysis was not possible because one of the two included studies did not provide numerical values. Results of both studies did not indicate statistically significant effects of RF-EMF exposure on both speed and accuracy. For the domain Construction and Motor Performance, subclass Motor Skills RF-EMF exposure may reduce speed, but the evidence is very uncertain (Hedges's g -0.919, 95 % CI [-3.09; 1.26], I2 = 96 %, 42 participants); it probably results in little to no difference in accuracy and does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.228, 95 % CI [-0.01; 0.46], I2 = 0 %, 109 participants). For the domain Concept Formation and Reasoning, subclass Reasoning RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.010, 95 % CI [-0.11; 0.13], I2 = 0 %, 263 participants) and probably results in little to no difference in accuracy and does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.051, 95 % CI [-0.14; 0.25], I2 = 0 %, 100 participants). For the domain Concept Formation and Reasoning, subclass Mathematical Procedures RF-EMF exposure results in little to no difference in speed (Hedges's g 0.033, 95 % CI [-0.12; 0.18], I2 = 0 %, 168 participants) and may result in little to no difference in accuracy but probably does not reduce accuracy (Hedges's g 0.232, 95 % CI [-0.12; +0.59], I2 = 86 %, 253 participants). For the domain Executive Functions there were no studies. DISCUSSION Overall, the results from all domains and subclasses across their speed- and accuracy-related outcome measures according to GRADE provide high to low certainty of evidence that short-term RF-EMF exposure does not reduce cognitive performance in human experimental studies. For 16 out of 35 subdomains some uncertainty remains, because of limitations in the study quality, inconsistency in the results or imprecision of the combined effect size estimate. Future research should focus on construction and motor performance, elderly, and consideration of both sexes. OTHER This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme. The protocol for this review was registered in Prospero reg. no. CRD42021236168 and published in Environment International (Pophof et al. 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanka Pophof
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Competence Centre EMF, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Jens Kuhne
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Competence Centre EMF, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | - Evelyn Weiser
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Competence Centre EMF, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Hans Dorn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Competence Centre of Sleep Medicine, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Henschenmacher
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Optical Radiation, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Jacob Burns
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Heidi Danker-Hopfe
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Competence Centre of Sleep Medicine, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelia Sauter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Competence Centre of Sleep Medicine, 12203 Berlin, Germany
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Lu Z, Li Y, Yan Z, Sang Q, Sun W. The Effect of Perceived Stress on Insomnia Symptoms Among College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:3021-3032. [PMID: 39185321 PMCID: PMC11344549 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s471776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background College students' insomnia symptoms is a topic of growing interest and studies have begun to explore the factors that influence college students' insomnia symptoms. This study investigated the relationship between perceived stress and college students' insomnia symptoms, as well as the chain mediating roles of fear of missing out and mobile phone dependence, and the moderating roles of environmental sensitivity. Methods In this study, 748 college students (M = 20.59, SD = 2.65) as a sample for cross-sectional study. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Brief Fear of Missing Out Scale, Self-Rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use, Athens Insomnia Scale and Highly Sensitive Child Scale were used. Results (1) Perceived stress significantly positively predicts the insomnia symptoms of college students; (2) Fear of missing out and mobile phone dependence play a chain mediating role between perceived stress and the insomnia symptoms of college students; (3) environmental sensitivity moderated the pathways of mobile phone dependence on insomnia symptoms. Conclusion We revealed the underlying mechanisms between perceived stress and insomnia symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of interventions for fear of missing out and mobile phone dependence, as well as the role of environmental sensitivity in influencing insomnia symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengyan Lu
- College of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yangjin Li
- College of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihao Yan
- College of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingsong Sang
- College of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenqiang Sun
- College of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China
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Elyasi H, Ghanbari M, Nadri F. Investigation of the Adverse Health Effects of Cell Phone Radiation and Propose Solutions to Minimize Them: A Systematic Review. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2024; 28:18-22. [PMID: 38783888 PMCID: PMC11111148 DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_89_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Today, mobile phones are one of the most common devices emitting electromagnetic radiation and are available to more than seven billion people in different age groups around the world. The effects of electromagnetic radiation on biological systems have been studied for several years. In this systematic review to find relevant articles, international databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane were used since 2007-2022 by selecting appropriate keywords. The result revealed that exposure to cell phone radiation can lead to disturb in the metabolic activity of the cerebellum by increasing the migration of granulosa cells, decrease the water around the fetus in pregnant women, decrease in the number of blood plates, increasing levels of ALT and AST that they are the key biomarkers of liver damage, decrease of phagocytosis and induced apoptosis of neutrophils, changes at the level of glucose and even at the microscopic level of pancreas this may be a predisposing factor for diabetes, increment in tissue temperature in all depth of the brain tissue, EMF increase the volume, weight, and atresia follicles of the ovaries of the children, also it can cause oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, etc. Mobile phone radiation is harmful and depends on its intensity, frequency, wave type, and exposure duration. It can cause different biological effects in humans. Due to the uncertainty of the results and mechanism of the effect of these waves, research in this field is still ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadis Elyasi
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Masoud Ghanbari
- Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Farshad Nadri
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah, Iran
- Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Bai S, Yin Y, Chen S. The impact of physical activity on electronic media use among chinese adolescents and urban-rural differences. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1264. [PMID: 37386377 PMCID: PMC10308688 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16103-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With the prevalence of electronic media use among Chinese adolescents and concerns regarding its potential negative consequences on their health and development, this study investigated the relationship between physical exercise and electronic media use. Utilizing data from the China Education Panel Survey, we examine the impact of physical activity on adolescents' electronic media use. METHODS A simultaneous equation model, including two-stage least square and three-stage least square, was employed to estimate the impact of physical activity on electronic media use among adolescents. Self-control theory and media addiction theory were also used to analyze electronic media use in adolescents. Descriptive statistics were used to analyzed the data. RESULTS Chinese adolescents dedicated a substantial amount of time, averaging 2.95 hours per day, to electronic media activities. Increasing physical activity demonstrated an effective means to reduce electronic media use. Furthermore, the impact of physical activity on electronic media use exhibited urban-rural stratification, with family factors related to social class status primarily influencing electronic media use among urban students, while physical activity has a more pronounced influence among rural students. CONCLUSIONS Promoting physical activity represents a compelling and effective strategy for curbing excessive electronic media use among Chinese adolescents, particularly in rural areas where physical activity has a stronger influence. In addition, controlling media entertainment and recreation time and enhancing social cohesion can help to weaken media interest. While changing the social class status of families in urban areas may be difficult in the short term, parents should be aware that physical exercise is an effective way to reduce their children's use of electronic media. Our findings suggested that promoting physical activity may be a promising strategy for reducing excessive electronic media use among Chinese adolescents, particularly in rural areas where physical activity has a stronger influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengchao Bai
- Department of Physical Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Yutong Yin
- Department of Physical Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Shengju Chen
- Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China.
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Zhang C, Hao J, Liu Y, Cui J, Yu H. Associations Between Online Learning, Smartphone Addiction Problems, and Psychological Symptoms in Chinese College Students After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:881074. [PMID: 35602144 PMCID: PMC9114473 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.881074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Smartphone-based online education gained popularity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although recent studies have highlighted the association between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and mental health symptoms, the potential role of online learning in this relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between higher education modes, PSU, and related psychological symptoms in university students. Methods A total of 1,629 Chinese university students from five provinces completed a web-based questionnaire survey between March 2020 and October 2021. Demographic characteristics and learning conditions were recorded. All participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Athens Insomnia Scale. Multiple regressions models and stratified analyses were used to examine the association between online education mode, PSU, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Results The prevalence of PSU was 58.5%. Students who relied primarily on online learning had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (29.95% vs. 22.24%), anxiety symptoms (25.13% vs. 18.91%), and insomnia symptoms (75.89% vs. 70.27%) than those who relied on traditional face-to-face learning (Ps < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, subjects with PSU were more likely to report depressive symptoms (AdjOR = 3.14, 95% CI = 2.26–4.37), anxiety symptoms (AdjOR = 3.73, 95% CI = 2.13–4.59), and insomnia symptoms (AdjOR = 2.96, 95% CI = 2.23–3.92) than those without PSU. Furthermore, the associations of PSU with depressive symptoms (OR = 4.66 vs. 2.33, P for interaction = 0.015) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 6.05 vs. 2.94, P for interaction = 0.021) were more pronounced in the online learning group. Conclusion Our study provides preliminary evidence that Chinese university students have serious smartphone addiction problems, which are associated with depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms. Online learning is found to exacerbate PSU and mental health problems. Our findings provide valuable information for targeted psychological interventions in the post-COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjuan Hao
- Hospital Administration Office, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatrics Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Ju Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, China
- Ju Cui
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Education, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatrics Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Yu
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Mobile phone electromagnetic radiation and the risk of headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1587-1601. [DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01835-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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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.
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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
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaanus Lass
- Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
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Chowdhury A, Singh Y, Das U, Waghmare D, Dasgupta R, Majumder SK. Effects of mobile phone emissions on human red blood cells. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2021; 14:e202100047. [PMID: 33871929 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202100047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy was performed on GSM 900 and 1800 MHz mobile phone signal exposed red blood cells (RBCs). The observed changes in the Raman spectra of mobile signal exposed RBCs compared to unexposed control suggest reduced hemoglobin-oxygen affinity for the exposed cells. The possible mechanism may involve activation of the voltage gated membrane Ca2+ channels by the mobile phone emissions resulting in an increase in the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in cells via altered metabolic activities. Further studies carried out with fluorescent Ca2+ indicator confirmed increased intracellular Ca2+ level in the exposed cells. Since intracellular ATP level influences the shape and mechanics of RBCs, exposed cells were studied using diffraction phase microscopy and optical tweezers. Detectable changes in shape and mechanical properties were observed due to mobile signal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket Chowdhury
- Laser Biomedical Applications Division, Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Yashveer Singh
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Uttam Das
- Laser Biomedical Applications Division, Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Deepak Waghmare
- School of Physics, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Raktim Dasgupta
- Laser Biomedical Applications Division, Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shovan Kumar Majumder
- Laser Biomedical Applications Division, Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Toffa DH, Sow AD. The enigma of headaches associated with electromagnetic hyperfrequencies: Hypotheses supporting non-psychogenic algogenic processes. Electromagn Biol Med 2020; 39:196-205. [PMID: 32401641 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2020.1762638] [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: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Although an electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is reported in numerous studies, some authors associate hyperfrequencies (HF)-related pains with a nocebo effect while others suggest a biological effect. Therefore, we aimed to suggest hypotheses about the complex mechanisms of headaches related to HF-exposure. We crossed basic features of headaches with relevant studies (from the year 2000 up to 2018) emphasizing on the HF effects that may lead to pain genesis: neuroglial dysmetabolism, neuroinflammation, changes in cerebral blood perfusion, blood-brain barrier dysfunction and electrophysiological evidences of hyperexcitability. We privileged studies implying a sham exposure (for in vivo studies) and a specific absorption rate lower than 4 W/Kg. HF-induced headaches may involve an indirect inflammatory process (neurogenic, magnetogenic or thermogenic) as well as a direct biophysical effect (thermogenic or magnetogenic). We linked inflammatory processes to meningeal dysperfusion or primary neuroglial dysfunction triggered by non-thermal irradiation or HF-induced heating at thermal powers. In the latter case, HF-induced excitoxicity and oxidative stress probably play a crucial role. Such disorders may lead to vascular-trigeminal activation in predisposed people. Interestingly, an abnormal oxidative stress predisposition had been demonstrated in overall 80% of EHS self-reporting patients. In the case of direct effects, pain pathways' activation may be directly triggered by HF-irradiation (heating and/or transcranial HF-induced ectopic action potentials). Further research on HF-related headaches is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Toffa
- Division of Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal , Montreal, Canada
| | - A D Sow
- Division of Neurology, CHUN Fann, Université Cheikh Anta Diop , Dakar, Senegal
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Ahmed NA, Radwan NM, Aboul Ezz HS, Khadrawy YA, Salama NA. The chronic effect of pulsed 1800 MHz electromagnetic radiation on amino acid neurotransmitters in three different areas of juvenile and young adult rat brain. Toxicol Ind Health 2018; 34:860-872. [DOI: 10.1177/0748233718798975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The extensive use of mobile phones worldwide has raised increasing concerns about the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on the brain due to the proximity of the mobile phone to the head and the appearance of several adverse neurological effects after mobile phone use. It has been hypothesized that the EMR-induced neurological effects may be mediated by amino acid neurotransmitters. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, modulated at 217 Hz) on the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, gamma aminobutyric acid, glycine, taurine, and the amide glutamine) in the hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus of juvenile and young adult rats. The juvenile and young adult animals were each divided into two groups: control rats and rats exposed to EMR 1 h daily for 1, 2, and 4 months. A subgroup of rats were exposed daily to EMR for 4 months and then left without exposure for 1 month to study the recovery from EMR exposure. Amino acid neurotransmitters were measured in the hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus using high-performance liquid chromatography. Exposure to EMR induced significant changes in amino acid neurotransmitters in the studied brain areas of juvenile and young adult rats, being more prominent in juvenile animals. It could be concluded that the alterations in amino acid neurotransmitters induced by EMR exposure of juvenile and young adult rats may underlie many of the neurological effects reported after EMR exposure including cognitive and memory impairment and sleep disorders. Some of these effects may persist for some time after stopping exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal A Ahmed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nasr M Radwan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Heba S Aboul Ezz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Yasser A Khadrawy
- Medical Division, Department of Medical Physiology, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Noha A Salama
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Curcio G. Exposure to Mobile Phone-Emitted Electromagnetic Fields and Human Attention: No Evidence of a Causal Relationship. Front Public Health 2018. [PMID: 29527523 PMCID: PMC5829032 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past 20 years of research regarding effects of mobile phone-derived electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human cognition, attention has been one of the first and most extensively investigated functions. Different domains investigated covered selective, sustained, and divided attention. Here, the most relevant studies on this topic have been reviewed and discussed. A total of 43 studies are reported and summarized: of these, 31 indicated a total absence of statistically significant difference between real and sham signal, 9 showed a partial improvement of attentional performance (mainly increase in speed of performance and/or improvement of accuracy) as a function of real exposure, while the remaining 3 showed inconsistent results (i.e., increased speed in some tasks and slowing in others) or even a worsening in performance (reduced speed and/or deteriorated accuracy). These results are independent of the specific attentional domain investigated. This scenario allows to conclude that there is a substantial lack of evidence about a negative influence of non-ionizing radiations on attention functioning. Nonetheless, published literature is very heterogeneous under the point of view of methodology (type of signal, exposure time, blinding), dosimetry (accurate evaluation of specific absorption rate-SAR or emitted power), and statistical analyses, making arduous a conclusive generalization to everyday life. Some remarks and suggestions regarding future research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Curcio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Othman H, Ammari M, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H. Effects of repeated restraint stress and WiFi signal exposure on behavior and oxidative stress in rats. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:1459-1469. [PMID: 28451780 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0016-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Today, due to technology development and aversive events of daily life, Human exposure to both radiofrequency and stress is unavoidable. This study investigated the co-exposure to repeated restraint stress and WiFi signal on cognitive function and oxidative stress in brain of male rats. Animals were divided into four groups: Control, WiFi-exposed, restrained and both WiFi-exposed and restrained groups. Each of WiFi exposure and restraint stress occurred 2 h (h)/day during 20 days. Subsequently, various tests were carried out for each group, such as anxiety in elevated plus maze, spatial learning abilities in the water maze, cerebral oxidative stress response and cholinesterase activity in brain and serum. Results showed that WiFi exposure and restraint stress, alone and especially if combined, induced an anxiety-like behavior without impairing spatial learning and memory abilities in rats. At cerebral level, we found an oxidative stress response triggered by WiFi and restraint, per se and especially when combined as well as WiFi-induced increase in acetylcholinesterase activity. Our results reveal that there is an impact of WiFi signal and restraint stress on the brain and cognitive processes especially in elevated plus maze task. In contrast, there are no synergistic effects between WiFi signal and restraint stress on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifa Othman
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Ammari
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisia.
- Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 9, Rue Zouhair Essafi, 1006, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Mohsen Sakly
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Hafedh Abdelmelek
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Integrative Physiology, University of Carthage, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisia
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Abstract
This study concerns the effects of microwave on health because they pervade diverse fields of our lives. The brain has been recognized as one of the organs that is most vulnerable to microwave radiation. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed recent studies that have explored the effects of microwave radiation on the brain, especially the hippocampus, including analyses of epidemiology, morphology, electroencephalograms, learning and memory abilities and the mechanisms underlying brain dysfunction. However, the problem with these studies is that different parameters, such as the frequency, modulation, and power density of the radiation and the irradiation time, were used to evaluate microwave radiation between studies. As a result, the existing data exhibit poor reproducibility and comparability. To determine the specific dose-effect relationship between microwave radiation and its biological effects, more intensive studies must be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jia Zhi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Li-Feng Wang
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Xiang-Jun Hu
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
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15
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Warille AA, Altun G, Elamin AA, Kaplan AA, Mohamed H, Yurt KK, El Elhaj A. Skeptical approaches concerning the effect of exposure to electromagnetic fields on brain hormones and enzyme activities. J Microsc Ultrastruct 2017; 5:177-184. [PMID: 30023252 PMCID: PMC6025782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmau.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the effects of various frequencies of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on brain hormones and enzyme activity. In this context, the mechanism underlying the effects of EMF exposure on tissues generally and cellular pathway specifically has been discussed. The cell membrane plays important roles in mediating enzymatic activities as to response and reacts with extracellular environment. Alterations in the calcium signaling pathways in the cell membrane are activated in response to the effects of EMF exposure. Experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that no changes occur in serum prolactin levels in humans following short-term exposure to 900 Mega Hertz (MHz) EMF emitted by mobile phones. The effects of EMF on melatonin and its metabolite, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, in humans have also been investigated in the clinical studies to show a disturbance in metabolic activity of melatonin. In addition, although 900 MHz EMF effects on NF-κB inflammation, its effects on NF-κB are not clear. Abbreviations: ELF-EMF, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields; EMF, electromagnetic fields; RF, Radiofrequency; ROS, reactive oxygen species; VGCCs, voltage-gated calcium channels; MAPK, mitogen-activated phosphokinase; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa B; ERK-1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; GSH-Px, glutathione peroxidase; JNK, Jun N-terminal kinases; SOD, superoxide dismutase; MnSOD, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase; GLUT1, glucose transporter 1; GSSG-Rd, glutathione reductase MDA malondialdehyde; NO, nitric oxide; LH, luteinizing hormone; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymen A Warille
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Gamze Altun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Abdalla A Elamin
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Arife Ahsen Kaplan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Hamza Mohamed
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Kıymet Kübra Yurt
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Abubaker El Elhaj
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Parham F, Portier CJ, Chang X, Mevissen M. The Use of Signal-Transduction and Metabolic Pathways to Predict Human Disease Targets from Electric and Magnetic Fields Using in vitro Data in Human Cell Lines. Front Public Health 2016; 4:193. [PMID: 27656641 PMCID: PMC5013261 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Using in vitro data in human cell lines, several research groups have investigated changes in gene expression in cellular systems following exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF). For ELF EMF, we obtained five studies with complete microarray data and three studies with only lists of significantly altered genes. Likewise, for RF EMF, we obtained 13 complete microarray datasets and 5 limited datasets. Plausible linkages between exposure to ELF and RF EMF and human diseases were identified using a three-step process: (a) linking genes associated with classes of human diseases to molecular pathways, (b) linking pathways to ELF and RF EMF microarray data, and (c) identifying associations between human disease and EMF exposures where the pathways are significantly similar. A total of 60 pathways were associated with human diseases, mostly focused on basic cellular functions like JAK–STAT signaling or metabolic functions like xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes. ELF EMF datasets were sporadically linked to human diseases, but no clear pattern emerged. Individual datasets showed some linkage to cancer, chemical dependency, metabolic disorders, and neurological disorders. RF EMF datasets were not strongly linked to any disorders but strongly linked to changes in several pathways. Based on these analyses, the most promising area for further research would be to focus on EMF and neurological function and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred Parham
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park , Durham, NC , USA
| | | | - Xiaoqing Chang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park , Durham, NC , USA
| | - Meike Mevissen
- Division of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vetsuisse Faculty , University of Bern, Bern , Switzerland
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Belyaev I, Dean A, Eger H, Hubmann G, Jandrisovits R, Kern M, Kundi M, Moshammer H, Lercher P, Müller K, Oberfeld G, Ohnsorge P, Pelzmann P, Scheingraber C, Thill R. EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2016; 31:363-397. [PMID: 27454111 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2016-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic diseases and illnesses associated with non-specific symptoms are on the rise. In addition to chronic stress in social and work environments, physical and chemical exposures at home, at work, and during leisure activities are causal or contributing environmental stressors that deserve attention by the general practitioner as well as by all other members of the health care community. It seems necessary now to take "new exposures" like electromagnetic fields (EMF) into account. Physicians are increasingly confronted with health problems from unidentified causes. Studies, empirical observations, and patient reports clearly indicate interactions between EMF exposure and health problems. Individual susceptibility and environmental factors are frequently neglected. New wireless technologies and applications have been introduced without any certainty about their health effects, raising new challenges for medicine and society. For instance, the issue of so-called non-thermal effects and potential long-term effects of low-dose exposure were scarcely investigated prior to the introduction of these technologies. Common electromagnetic field or EMF sources: Radio-frequency radiation (RF) (3 MHz to 300 GHz) is emitted from radio and TV broadcast antennas, Wi-Fi access points, routers, and clients (e.g. smartphones, tablets), cordless and mobile phones including their base stations, and Bluetooth devices. Extremely low frequency electric (ELF EF) and magnetic fields (ELF MF) (3 Hz to 3 kHz) are emitted from electrical wiring, lamps, and appliances. Very low frequency electric (VLF EF) and magnetic fields (VLF MF) (3 kHz to 3 MHz) are emitted, due to harmonic voltage and current distortions, from electrical wiring, lamps (e.g. compact fluorescent lamps), and electronic devices. On the one hand, there is strong evidence that long-term exposure to certain EMFs is a risk factor for diseases such as certain cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and male infertility. On the other hand, the emerging electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is more and more recognized by health authorities, disability administrators and case workers, politicians, as well as courts of law. We recommend treating EHS clinically as part of the group of chronic multisystem illnesses (CMI), but still recognizing that the underlying cause remains the environment. In the beginning, EHS symptoms occur only occasionally, but over time they may increase in frequency and severity. Common EHS symptoms include headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. A comprehensive medical history, which should include all symptoms and their occurrences in spatial and temporal terms and in the context of EMF exposures, is the key to making the diagnosis. The EMF exposure is usually assessed by EMF measurements at home and at work. Certain types of EMF exposure can be assessed by asking about common EMF sources. It is very important to take the individual susceptibility into account. The primary method of treatment should mainly focus on the prevention or reduction of EMF exposure, that is, reducing or eliminating all sources of high EMF exposure at home and at the workplace. The reduction of EMF exposure should also be extended to public spaces such as schools, hospitals, public transport, and libraries to enable persons with EHS an unhindered use (accessibility measure). If a detrimental EMF exposure is reduced sufficiently, the body has a chance to recover and EHS symptoms will be reduced or even disappear. Many examples have shown that such measures can prove effective. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, the broad range of other environmental factors that contribute to the total body burden should also be addressed. Anything that supports homeostasis will increase a person's resilience against disease and thus against the adverse effects of EMF exposure. There is increasing evidence that EMF exposure has a major impact on the oxidative and nitrosative regulation capacity in affected individuals. This concept also may explain why the level of susceptibility to EMF can change and why the range of symptoms reported in the context of EMF exposures is so large. Based on our current understanding, a treatment approach that minimizes the adverse effects of peroxynitrite - as has been increasingly used in the treatment of multisystem illnesses - works best. This EMF Guideline gives an overview of the current knowledge regarding EMF-related health risks and provides recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and accessibility measures of EHS to improve and restore individual health outcomes as well as for the development of strategies for prevention.
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Bhargav H, N K M, Varambally S, Mooventhan A, Bista S, Singh D, Chhabra H, Venkatasubramanian G, T M S, H R N. Acute effects of 3G mobile phone radiations on frontal haemodynamics during a cognitive task in teenagers and possible protective value of Om chanting. Int Rev Psychiatry 2016; 28:288-98. [PMID: 27266893 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2016.1188784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mobile phone induced electromagnetic field (MPEMF) as well as chanting of Vedic mantra 'OM' has been shown to affect cognition and brain haemodynamics, but findings are still inconclusive. Twenty right-handed healthy teenagers (eight males and 12 females) in the age range of 18.25 ± 0.44 years were randomly divided into four groups: (1) MPONOM (mobile phone 'ON' followed by 'OM' chanting); (2) MPOFOM (mobile phone 'OFF' followed by 'OM' chanting); (3) MPONSS (mobile phone 'ON' followed by 'SS' chanting); and (4) MPOFSS (mobile phone 'OFF' followed by 'SS' chanting). Brain haemodynamics during Stroop task were recorded using a 64-channel fNIRS device at three points of time: (1) baseline, (2) after 30 min of MPON/OF exposure, and (3) after 5 min of OM/SS chanting. RM-ANOVA was applied to perform within- and between-group comparisons, respectively. Between-group analysis revealed that total scores on incongruent Stroop task were significantly better after OM as compared to SS chanting (MPOFOM vs MPOFSS), pre-frontal activation was significantly lesser after OM as compared to SS chanting in channel 13. There was no significant difference between MPON and MPOF conditions for Stroop performance, as well as brain haemodynamics. These findings need confirmation through a larger trial in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemant Bhargav
- a Anvesana Research Laboratories, Division of Yoga and Life Sciences , S-VYASA Yoga University , Bangalore , India
| | - Manjunath N K
- a Anvesana Research Laboratories, Division of Yoga and Life Sciences , S-VYASA Yoga University , Bangalore , India
| | - Shivarama Varambally
- b Department of Psychiatry , National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) , Bangalore , India
| | - A Mooventhan
- a Anvesana Research Laboratories, Division of Yoga and Life Sciences , S-VYASA Yoga University , Bangalore , India
| | - Suman Bista
- a Anvesana Research Laboratories, Division of Yoga and Life Sciences , S-VYASA Yoga University , Bangalore , India
| | - Deepeshwar Singh
- a Anvesana Research Laboratories, Division of Yoga and Life Sciences , S-VYASA Yoga University , Bangalore , India
| | - Harleen Chhabra
- b Department of Psychiatry , National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) , Bangalore , India
| | - Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
- b Department of Psychiatry , National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) , Bangalore , India
| | - Srinivasan T M
- a Anvesana Research Laboratories, Division of Yoga and Life Sciences , S-VYASA Yoga University , Bangalore , India
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Shekoohi Shooli F, Mortazavi SAR, Jarideh S, Nematollahii S, Yousefi F, Haghani M, Mortazavi SMJ, Shojaei-Fard MB. Short-Term Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields Generated by Mobile Phone Jammers Decreases the Fasting Blood Sugar in Adult Male Rats. J Biomed Phys Eng 2016; 6:27-32. [PMID: 27026952 PMCID: PMC4795326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial evidence indicates that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) above certain levels can affect human health through triggering some biological responses. According to WHO, short-term exposure to EMF at the levels present in the home/environment do not cause any apparent detrimental effects in healthy individuals. However, now, there is a debate on whether long-term exposure to low level EMF can evoke detrimental biological responses. Although based on the Communications Act of 1934, selling, advertising, using, or importing mobile jammers which block cell phone calls and text messages are illegal acts, in some countries these devices are being used for security purpose and for prevention of cheating during examinations. METHODS In this study 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 each. The control group received no radiation. The sham exposure group was exposed to a switched-off jammer device. After fasting for 12 hours, the exposure group was exposed to EMFs at a distance of 50 cm from the jammer. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein after 24, 48 and72 hours and fasting blood sugar was measured by using a common blood glucose monitor (BIONIME GM110, Taiwan). The significance level was considered 5% and SPSS Ver. 21 was used for statistical analysis. The data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was observed between blood sugar level in the control and exposure groups after 24, 48 and 72 hours of continuous irradiation (p values were <0.001, <0.001 and 0.002, respectively). No significant difference was found between the level of fasting blood sugar in control and sham groups. CONCLUSION Short-term exposure to electromagnetic field generated by mobile phone jammer can reduce blood sugar level in adult male rats. These findings, in contrast with our previous results, lead us to this conclusion that the use of these signal blocking devices in very specific circumstances may have some therapeutic effects. However, further studies have to be performed to find out the exact mechanism by which Jammer EMFs reduce fasting blood sugar.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Shekoohi Shooli
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - S A R Mortazavi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - S Jarideh
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - S Nematollahii
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - F Yousefi
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - M Haghani
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - S M J Mortazavi
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran ; Professor of Medical Physics, Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - M B Shojaei-Fard
- Department of Physiology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran ; Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Radiofréquences et santé. ARCH MAL PROF ENVIRO 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.admp.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Abstract
Autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) are defined behaviorally, but they also involve multileveled disturbances of underlying biology that find striking parallels in the physiological impacts of electromagnetic frequency and radiofrequency radiation exposures (EMF/RFR). Part I (Vol 776) of this paper reviewed the critical contributions pathophysiology may make to the etiology, pathogenesis and ongoing generation of behaviors currently defined as being core features of ASCs. We reviewed pathophysiological damage to core cellular processes that are associated both with ASCs and with biological effects of EMF/RFR exposures that contribute to chronically disrupted homeostasis. Many studies of people with ASCs have identified oxidative stress and evidence of free radical damage, cellular stress proteins, and deficiencies of antioxidants such as glutathione. Elevated intracellular calcium in ASCs may be due to genetics or may be downstream of inflammation or environmental exposures. Cell membrane lipids may be peroxidized, mitochondria may be dysfunctional, and various kinds of immune system disturbances are common. Brain oxidative stress and inflammation as well as measures consistent with blood-brain barrier and brain perfusion compromise have been documented. Part II of this paper documents how behaviors in ASCs may emerge from alterations of electrophysiological oscillatory synchronization, how EMF/RFR could contribute to these by de-tuning the organism, and policy implications of these vulnerabilities. It details evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction, immune system dysregulation, neuroinflammation and brain blood flow alterations, altered electrophysiology, disruption of electromagnetic signaling, synchrony, and sensory processing, de-tuning of the brain and organism, with autistic behaviors as emergent properties emanating from this pathophysiology. Changes in brain and autonomic nervous system electrophysiological function and sensory processing predominate, seizures are common, and sleep disruption is close to universal. All of these phenomena also occur with EMF/RFR exposure that can add to system overload ('allostatic load') in ASCs by increasing risk, and can worsen challenging biological problems and symptoms; conversely, reducing exposure might ameliorate symptoms of ASCs by reducing obstruction of physiological repair. Various vital but vulnerable mechanisms such as calcium channels may be disrupted by environmental agents, various genes associated with autism or the interaction of both. With dramatic increases in reported ASCs that are coincident in time with the deployment of wireless technologies, we need aggressive investigation of potential ASC-EMF/RFR links. The evidence is sufficient to warrant new public exposure standards benchmarked to low-intensity (non-thermal) exposure levels now known to be biologically disruptive, and strong, interim precautionary practices are advocated.
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Sharma A, Sisodia R, Bhatnagar D, Saxena VK. Spatial memory and learning performance and its relationship to protein synthesis of Swiss albino mice exposed to 10 GHz microwaves. Int J Radiat Biol 2013; 90:29-35. [PMID: 23952535 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2013.835883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the possible role of microwave (MW) exposure on spatial memory of Swiss albino mice and its relationship to protein concentration in whole brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice were exposed to 10 GHz (Giga Hertz) microwaves with the power density of 0.25 mW/cm(2) (milliwatt per centimeter square) with average whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) 0.1790 W/kg daily for 2 hours per day (h/day) for 30 days. After exposure mice were tested for spatial memory performance using Morris water maze test (MWT). For this purpose mice (6-8 weeks old) were divided into two groups: (i) Sham exposed, and (ii) microwaves exposed. After initial training for two days, MWT was performed for another 6 days. Protein was estimated 48 h after exposure and immediately after completion of MWT. RESULTS Both sham-exposed and microwaves-exposed animals showed a significant decrease in escape time with training. Microwaves-exposed animals had statistically significant higher mean latency to reach the target quadrant compared to sham exposed. A concurrent decrease in protein levels was estimated in whole brain of the exposed mice compared to sham-exposed mice. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded from the current study that exposure to microwave radiation caused decrements in the ability of mice to learn the special memory task, this may be due to simultaneous decrease in protein levels in the brain of mice.
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Kim HS, An YS, Paik MJ, Lee YS, Choi HD, Kim BC, Pack JK, Kim N, Ahn YH. The effects of exposure to 915 MHz radiofrequency identification on cerebral glucose metabolism in rat: a [F-18] FDG micro-PET study. Int J Radiat Biol 2013; 89:750-5. [PMID: 23581879 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2013.791756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the effect of whole-body exposure to 915-MHz radiofrequency identification (RFID) on rat cortical glucose metabolism by using (18)F-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Cage-control, sham-exposed and RFID-exposed groups. Rats were exposed to the 915-MHz RFID for 8 h daily, 5 days per week, for 2 or 16 weeks. The whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) was 4 W/kg for the field of the 915 MHz RFID signal. FDG-PET images were obtained the day after RFID exposure, using micro-PET with a FDG tracer. With a Xeleris functional imaging workstation, absolute values in regions of interest (ROI) in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortexes and cerebellum were measured. Cortical ROI values were normalized to the cerebellar value and compared. RESULTS The data showed that the relative cerebral glucose metabolic rate was unchanged in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortexes of the 915 MHz RFID-exposed rats, compared with rats in cage-control and sham-exposed groups. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that 915 MHz RFID radiation exposure did not cause a significant long lasting effect on glucose metabolism in the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Sun Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Lu
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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