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de Vocht F. Misinterpretations in inferences on the causal contribution of cell phones to brain tumour incidence in South Korea: Response to Moon (2023). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116813. [PMID: 37543132 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frank de Vocht
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
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Ramirez-Vazquez R, Escobar I, Moreno JJH, Martínez-Plaza A, Maffey S, Arribas E. Personal exposure from free Wi-Fi hotspots in downtown Mexico City. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:91216-91225. [PMID: 37474852 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28839-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
In 2019, the Government of Mexico City implemented actions that allowed citizens to approach a free Wi-Fi hotspot, where more than 13000 points have been installed throughout the city. In this work, we present the results of the measurements of personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields carried out in Plaza de la Constitución, better known as Zócalo located in the center of Mexico City. The measurements were taken by one of the researchers while walking on a weekday morning and afternoon, in different microenvironments (on the street, on public transport: subway, at the Zócalo, and finally, at home). We also carry out spot measurements in the center of the Zócalo. Subsequently, we carried out a comparative analysis of the different microenvironments, through box plot and violin plot, and we elaborate georeferenced and interpolated maps with intensity levels through the Kriging method, using the Geographic Information System. The Kriging interpolation gives us a good visualization of the spatial distribution of RF-EMF exposure in the study area, showing the highest and lowest intensity levels. The mean values recorded at the measured points in the Zócalo were 326 μW/m2 in the 2.4- to 2.5-GHz Wi-Fi band and 2370 μW/m2 in the 5.15- to 5.85-GHz Wi-Fi band. In the case of the mean values recorded on the street, they were 119 μW/m2 in the 2.4- to 2.5-GHz frequency band and 31.8 μW/m2 in the 5.15- to 5.85-GHz frequency band, like the values recorded at home, 122 μW/m2 and 33.9 μW/m2, respectively. All values are well below the reference levels established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ramirez-Vazquez
- Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, Applied Physics Department, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, University Campus, 02071, Albacete, Spain
- ESAT-WaveCoRE, Department of Electrical Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Box 2444, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Escobar
- Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, Applied Physics Department, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, University Campus, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - Juan José Hurtado Moreno
- Sección de Estudiantes de Posgrado e Investigación, UPIICSA-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Martínez-Plaza
- Mathematics Department, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, University Campus, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | | | - Enrique Arribas
- Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, Applied Physics Department, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, University Campus, 02071, Albacete, Spain.
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Bodewein L, Dechent D, Graefrath D, Kraus T, Krause T, Driessen S. Systematic review of the physiological and health-related effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure from wireless communication devices on children and adolescents in experimental and epidemiological human studies. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268641. [PMID: 35648738 PMCID: PMC9159629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For more than 20 years, the potential health risks of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposure from mobile communication devices on children and adolescents have been examined because they are considered sensitive population groups; however, it remains unclear whether such exposure poses any particular risk to them. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to systematically analyze and evaluate the physiological and health-related effects of RF EMF exposures from wireless communication devices (mobile phones, cordless phones, Bluetooth, etc.) on children and adolescents. METHODS This review was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Methodological limitations in individual studies were assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Risk-of-Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies. RESULTS A total of 42 epidemiological and 11 experimental studies were eligible for this review. Most of the studies displayed several methodological weaknesses that limited the internal validity of the results. Due to a lack of consistency regarding the outcomes as well as the lack of scientific rigor in most reviewed studies, the body of evidence for the effects of RF EMF of mobile communication devices on subjective symptoms, cognition, and behavior in children and adolescents was low to inadequate. Evidence from the studies investigating early childhood development, brain activity, cancer, and physiological parameters was considered inadequate for drawing conclusions about possible effects. DISCUSSION Overall, the body of evidence allows no final conclusion on the question whether exposure to RF EMF from mobile communication devices poses a particular risk to children and adolescents. There has been rapid development in technologies generating RF EMF, which are extensively used by children and adolescents. Therefore, we strongly recommend high-quality systematic research on children and adolescents, since they are generally considered as sensitive age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lambert Bodewein
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Dechent
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - David Graefrath
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tobias Krause
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Driessen
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Choi KH, Ha J, Bae S, Lee AK, Choi HD, Ahn YH, Ha M, Joo H, Kwon HJ, Jung KW. Mobile Phone Use and Time Trend of Brain Cancer Incidence Rate in Korea. Bioelectromagnetics 2021; 42:629-648. [PMID: 34541704 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the time trends in mobile phone subscriber number by mobile network generation (G) and brain cancer incidence by type in Korea. We obtained data from the Information Technology Statistics of Korea (1984-2017) and Korea Central Cancer Registry (1999-2017). The average annual percent change was estimated using Joinpoint regression analysis. We evaluated 29,721 brain cancer cases with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of 2.89/100,000 persons. The glioma and glioblastoma annual ASR significantly increased in 2.6% and 3.9% of males and 3.0% and 3.8% of females, respectively. The ASR for frontal lobe involvement was the highest. The ASR of gliomas of unspecified grade annually increased by 7.8%; those for unspecified topology and histology decreased. The incidence of glioma, glioblastoma, frontal, temporal, and high-grade glioma increased among those aged ≥60 years. No association was observed between the mobile phone subscriber number and brain cancer incidence in Korea. Furthermore, long-term research is warranted because of the latency period of brain cancer. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Hwa Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Johyun Ha
- Division of Cancer Registration and Surveillance, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyuk Bae
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ae-Kyoung Lee
- Radio Technology Research Department, ETRI, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Do Choi
- Radio Technology Research Department, ETRI, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hwan Ahn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Joo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Jang Kwon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Won Jung
- Division of Cancer Registration and Surveillance, National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
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Ramirez-Vazquez R, Gonzalez-Rubio J, Escobar I, Suarez Rodriguez CDP, Arribas E. Personal Exposure Assessment to Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Mexican Microenvironments. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041857. [PMID: 33673014 PMCID: PMC7918906 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) has substantially increased, and most studies about RF-EMF with volunteers have been developed in Europe. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out in Mexico with personal exposimeters. The main objective was to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF from Wireless Fidelity or wireless Internet connection (Wi-Fi) frequency bands in Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to compare results with maximum levels permitted by international recommendations and to find if there are differences in the microenvironments subject to measurements. The study was conducted with 63 volunteers in different microenvironments: home, workplace, outside, schools, travel, and shopping. The mean minimum values registered were 146.5 μW/m2 in travel from the Wi-Fi 2G band and 116.8 μW/m2 at home from the Wi-Fi 5G band, and the maximum values registered were 499.7 μW/m2 and 264.9 μW/m2 at the workplace for the Wi-Fi 2G band and the Wi-Fi 5G band, respectively. In addition, by time period and type of day, minimum values were registered at nighttime, these values being 129.4 μW/m2 and 93.9 μW/m2, and maximum values were registered in the daytime, these values being 303.1 μW/m2 and 168.3 μW/m2 for the Wi-Fi 2G and Wi-Fi 5G bands, respectively. In no case, values exceeded limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Of the study participants (n = 63), a subgroup (n = 35) answered a survey on risk perception. According to these results, the Tamazunchale (Mexico) population is worried about this situation in comparison with several European cities; however, the risk perception changes when they are informed about the results for the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ramirez-Vazquez
- Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, Campus Universitario, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.E.); (E.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02071 Albacete, Spain;
| | - Isabel Escobar
- Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, Campus Universitario, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.E.); (E.A.)
| | - Carmen del Pilar Suarez Rodriguez
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Academic Coordination of the Huasteca South Region, Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi 79960, Mexico;
| | - Enrique Arribas
- Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, Campus Universitario, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.E.); (E.A.)
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Negi P, Singh R. Association between reproductive health and nonionizing radiation exposure. Electromagn Biol Med 2021; 40:92-102. [PMID: 33471575 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1874973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a decreasing rate of fertility has to be credited to an array of factors such as environmental, health and lifestyle. Male infertility is likely to be affected by the strong exposure to heat and radiations. The most common sources of nonionizing radiations are cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, which may participate to the cause of male infertility. One of the major sources of daily exposure to non-ionizing radiation is mobile phones. A mobile phone is now basically dominating our daily life through better services such as connectivity, smartphone devices. However, the health consequences are linked with their usage are frequently ignored. Constant exposure to non-ionizing radiations produced from a cell phone is one of the possible reasons for growing male infertility. Recently, several studies have shown that cell phone users have altered sperm parameters causing declining reproductive health. Cell phone radiation harms male fertility by affecting the different parameters like sperm motility, sperm count, sperm morphology, semen concentration, morphometric abnormalities, increased oxidative stress along with some hormonal changes. This review is focusing on the prevailing literature from in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting that non-ionizing exposure negatively affects human male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Negi
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi , Ashok Vihar, Delhi, India
| | - Rajeev Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi , Ashok Vihar, Delhi, India
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Okechukwu C. Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on neurophysiology. ADVANCES IN HUMAN BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_96_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Azimzadeh M, Jelodar G. Alteration of testicular regulatory and functional molecules following long-time exposure to 900 MHz RFW emitted from BTS. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13372. [PMID: 31347712 DOI: 10.1111/and.13372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to evaluate changes in testosterone and some of the functional and regulatory molecules of testis such as P450scc, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nerve growth factor (NGF) following exposure to 900 MHz radio frequency (RF). Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats (190 ± 20 g BW) were randomly classified in three equal groups, control (sham, without any exposure), short-time exposure (2 hr) (STE) and long-time exposure (4 hr) (LTE). The exposure was performed for 30 consecutive days. The testosterone level in both exposed groups was significantly less than control (p < .05). Level of TNF-α in both exposed groups was significantly greater than control (p < .05). IL-1α and NGF levels in LTE were significantly higher than the STE and control groups (p < .05). Level of IL-1β in LTE was significantly higher than control (p < .05). Expression of both P450scc and StAR mRNA was significantly down-regulated in both exposed groups compared to control (p < .05). Our results showed that RFW can affect testis and reproductive function through changes in factors, which are important during steroidogenesis, and also through changes in inflammatory factors, which regulate Leydig cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Azimzadeh
- Department of Basic Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamali Jelodar
- Department of Basic Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Röösli M, Lagorio S, Schoemaker MJ, Schüz J, Feychting M. Brain and Salivary Gland Tumors and Mobile Phone Use: Evaluating the Evidence from Various Epidemiological Study Designs. Annu Rev Public Health 2019; 40:221-238. [PMID: 30633716 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mobile phones (MPs) are the most relevant source of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure to the brain and the salivary gland. Whether this exposure implies a cancer risk has been addressed in several case-control and few cohort studies. A meta-analysis of these studies does not show increased risks for meningioma, pituitary, and salivary gland tumors. For glioma and acoustic neuroma, the results are heterogeneous, with few case-control studies reporting substantially increased risks. However, these elevated risks are not coherent with observed incidence time trends, which are considered informative for this specific topic owing to the steep increase in MP use, the availability of virtually complete cancer registry data from many countries, and the limited number of known competing environmental risk factors. In conclusion, epidemiological studies do not suggest increased brain or salivary gland tumor risk with MP use, although some uncertainty remains regarding long latency periods (>15 years), rare brain tumor subtypes, and MP usage during childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland;
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Susanna Lagorio
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Minouk J Schoemaker
- Division of Genetics and Epidemiology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Maria Feychting
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Karipidis K, Elwood M, Benke G, Sanagou M, Tjong L, Croft RJ. Mobile phone use and incidence of brain tumour histological types, grading or anatomical location: a population-based ecological study. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e024489. [PMID: 30530588 PMCID: PMC6292417 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Some studies have reported increasing trends in certain brain tumours and a possible link with mobile phone use has been suggested. We examined the incidence time trends of brain tumour in Australia for three distinct time periods to ascertain the influence of improved diagnostic technologies and increase in mobile phone use on the incidence of brain tumours. DESIGN In a population-based ecological study, we examined trends of brain tumour over the periods 1982-1992, 1993-2002 and 2003-2013. We further compared the observed incidence during the period of substantial mobile phone use (2003-2013) with predicted (modelled) incidence for the same period by applying various relative risks, latency periods and mobile phone use scenarios. SETTING National Australian incidence registration data on primary cancers of the brain diagnosed between 1982 and 2013. POPULATION 16 825 eligible brain cancer cases aged 20-59 from all of Australia (10 083 males and 6742 females). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Annual percentage change (APC) in brain tumour incidence based on Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS The overall brain tumour rates remained stable during all three periods. There was an increase in glioblastoma during 1993-2002 (APC 2.3, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.7) which was likely due to advances in the use of MRI during that period. There were no increases in any brain tumour types, including glioma (-0.6, -1.4 to 0.2) and glioblastoma (0.8, -0.4 to 2.0), during the period of substantial mobile phone use from 2003 to 2013. During that period, there was also no increase in glioma of the temporal lobe (0.5, -1.3 to 2.3), which is the location most exposed when using a mobile phone. Predicted incidence rates were higher than the observed rates for latency periods up to 15 years. CONCLUSIONS In Australia, there has been no increase in any brain tumour histological type or glioma location that can be attributed to mobile phones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Karipidis
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Yallambie, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Elwood
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Geza Benke
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Masoumeh Sanagou
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Yallambie, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lydiawati Tjong
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Yallambie, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rodney J Croft
- Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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Vijayalaxmi. Biological and health effects of radiofrequency fields: Good study design and quality publications. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2016; 810:6-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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12
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Makale M, Kesari S. Cell Phones and Glioma Risk: An Update. Neurooncol Pract 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/nop/npv045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Vijayalaxmi, Scarfi MR. International and national expert group evaluations: biological/health effects of radiofrequency fields. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:9376-408. [PMID: 25211777 PMCID: PMC4199025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110909376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The escalated use of various wireless communication devices, which emit non-ionizing radiofrequency (RF) fields, have raised concerns among the general public regarding the potential adverse effects on human health. During the last six decades, researchers have used different parameters to investigate the effects of in vitro and in vivo exposures of animals and humans or their cells to RF fields. Data reported in peer-reviewed scientific publications were contradictory: some indicated effects while others did not. International organizations have considered all of these data as well as the observations reported in human epidemiological investigations to set-up the guidelines or standards (based on the quality of published studies and the "weight of scientific evidence" approach) for RF exposures in occupationally exposed individuals and the general public. Scientists with relevant expertise in various countries have also considered the published data to provide the required scientific information for policy-makers to develop and disseminate authoritative health information to the general public regarding RF exposures. This paper is a compilation of the conclusions, on the biological effects of RF exposures, from various national and international expert groups, based on their analyses. In general, the expert groups suggested a reduction in exposure levels, precautionary approach, and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalaxmi
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78299, USA.
| | - Maria R Scarfi
- CNR-Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of Environment, Napoli 80124, Italy.
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Vijayalaxmi, Prihoda TJ. Mobile phones, non-ionizing radiofrequency fields and brain cancer: is there an adaptive response? Dose Response 2014; 12:509-14. [PMID: 25249839 DOI: 10.2203/dose-response.14-012.vijayalaxmi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is widespread concern among the general public regarding the ever increasing use of mobile phones. The concern is mainly because the antenna which transmits nonionizing radiofrequency fields is held close to the head during use and thus might cause brain cancer. By far, the largest epidemiological study was conducted by the INTER-PHONE study group and the results were published in 2011. The author's conclusions were (i) no increased risk of meningioma and glioma in mobile phone users and (ii) there were suggestions of an increased risk for glioma at the highest exposure levels but, bias and error prevented a causal interpretation. We have carefully examined all of the odd ratios presented in the INTERPHONE study publication: our results showed 24.3% decreased and 0.7% increased risk for meningioma and 22.1% decreased and 6.6% increased risk for glioma. Hence, we hypothesize that the overwhelming evidence for the decreased risk for both diseases may be due to the induction of 'adaptive response' which is well-documented in scientific literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalaxmi
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Thomas J Prihoda
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center
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Vijayalaxmi, Cao Y, Scarfi MR. Adaptive response in mammalian cells exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields: A review and gaps in knowledge. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2014; 760:S1383-5742(14)00004-0. [PMID: 24548818 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2013] [Revised: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive response is a phenomenon in which cells which were pre-exposed to extremely low and non-toxic doses of a genotoxic agent became resistant to the damage induced by subsequent exposure to a higher and toxic dose of the same, similar (in action) or another genotoxic agent. Such response has been well documented in scientific literature in cells exposed in vitro and in vivo to low doses of physical (especially, ionizing radiation) and chemical mutagens. The existence of similar phenomenon in mammalian cells exposed in vitro and in vivo to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields has been reported in several research publications. In in vitro studies, human blood lymphocytes exposed to radiofrequency fields and then treated with a genotoxic mutagen or subjected to ionizing radiation showed significantly decreased genetic damage. Similar studies in tumor cells showed significantly increased viability, decreased apoptosis, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased intracellular free Ca2+ and, increased Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activity. In in vivo studies, exposure of rodents to radiofrequency fields and then to lethal/sub-lethal doses of γ-radiation showed survival advantage, significantly decreased damage in hematopoietic tissues, decreased genetic damage in blood leukocytes and bone marrow cells, increased numbers of colony forming units in bone marrow, increased levels of colony stimulating factor and interleukin-3 in the serum and increased expression of genes related to cell cycle. These observations suggested the ability of radiofrequency fields to induce adaptive response and also indicated some potential mechanisms for the induction of such response. Several gaps in knowledge that need to be investigated were discussed.
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Agarwal A, Singh A, Hamada A, Kesari K. Cell phones and male infertility: a review of recent innovations in technology and consequences. Int Braz J Urol 2012; 37:432-54. [PMID: 21888695 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-55382011000400002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell phones have become a vital part of everyday life. However, the health risks associated with their usage are often overlooked. Recently, evidence from several studies supports a growing claim that cell phone usage may have a detrimental effect on sperm parameters leading to decreased male fertility. Nonetheless, other studies showed no conclusive link between male infertility and cell phone usage. The ambiguity of such results is attributed to the lack of a centralized assay for measuring inflicted damage caused by cell phones. Study design, ethics, and reproducibility are all aspects which must be standardized before any conclusions can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Swerdlow AJ, Feychting M, Green AC, Leeka Kheifets LK, Savitz DA. Mobile phones, brain tumors, and the interphone study: where are we now? ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:1534-8. [PMID: 22171384 PMCID: PMC3226506 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1103693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past 15 years, mobile telephone use has evolved from an uncommon activity to one with > 4.6 billion subscriptions worldwide. However, there is public concern about the possibility that mobile phones might cause cancer, especially brain tumors. OBJECTIVES We reviewed the evidence on whether mobile phone use raises the risk of the main types of brain tumor—glioma and meningioma—with a particular focus on the recent publication of the largest epidemiologic study yet: the 13-country Interphone Study. DISCUSSION Methodological defcits limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the Interphone study, but its results, along with those from other epidemiologic, biological, and animal studies and brain tumor incidence trends, suggest that within about 10–15 years after first use of mobile phones there is unlikely to be a material increase in the risk of brain tumors in adults. Data for childhood tumors and for periods beyond 15 years are currently lacking. CONCLUSIONS Although there remains some uncertainty, the trend in the accumulating evidence is increasingly against the hypothesis that mobile phone use can cause brain tumors in adults.
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Repacholi MH, Lerchl A, Röösli M, Sienkiewicz Z, Auvinen A, Breckenkamp J, d'Inzeo G, Elliott P, Frei P, Heinrich S, Lagroye I, Lahkola A, McCormick DL, Thomas S, Vecchia P. Systematic review of wireless phone use and brain cancer and other head tumors. Bioelectromagnetics 2011; 33:187-206. [PMID: 22021071 DOI: 10.1002/bem.20716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Accepted: 09/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a systematic review of scientific studies to evaluate whether the use of wireless phones is linked to an increased incidence of the brain cancer glioma or other tumors of the head (meningioma, acoustic neuroma, and parotid gland), originating in the areas of the head that most absorb radiofrequency (RF) energy from wireless phones. Epidemiology and in vivo studies were evaluated according to an agreed protocol; quality criteria were used to evaluate the studies for narrative synthesis but not for meta-analyses or pooling of results. The epidemiology study results were heterogeneous, with sparse data on long-term use (≥ 10 years). Meta-analyses of the epidemiology studies showed no statistically significant increase in risk (defined as P < 0.05) for adult brain cancer or other head tumors from wireless phone use. Analyses of the in vivo oncogenicity, tumor promotion, and genotoxicity studies also showed no statistically significant relationship between exposure to RF fields and genotoxic damage to brain cells, or the incidence of brain cancers or other tumors of the head. Assessment of the review results using the Hill criteria did not support a causal relationship between wireless phone use and the incidence of adult cancers in the areas of the head that most absorb RF energy from the use of wireless phones. There are insufficient data to make any determinations about longer-term use (≥ 10 years).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Repacholi
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
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Frei P, Poulsen AH, Johansen C, Olsen JH, Steding-Jessen M, Schüz J. Use of mobile phones and risk of brain tumours: update of Danish cohort study. BMJ 2011; 343:d6387. [PMID: 22016439 PMCID: PMC3197791 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d6387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk of tumours in the central nervous system among Danish mobile phone subscribers. DESIGN Nationwide cohort study. SETTING Denmark. PARTICIPANTS All Danes aged ≥ 30 and born in Denmark after 1925, subdivided into subscribers and non-subscribers of mobile phones before 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Risk of tumours of the central nervous system, identified from the complete Danish Cancer Register. Sex specific incidence rate ratios estimated with log linear Poisson regression models adjusted for age, calendar period, education, and disposable income. RESULTS 358,403 subscription holders accrued 3.8 million person years. In the follow-up period 1990-2007, there were 10,729 cases of tumours of the central nervous system. The risk of such tumours was close to unity for both men and women. When restricted to individuals with the longest mobile phone use--that is, ≥ 13 years of subscription--the incidence rate ratio was 1.03 (95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.27) in men and 0.91 (0.41 to 2.04) in women. Among those with subscriptions of ≥ 10 years, ratios were 1.04 (0.85 to 1.26) in men and 1.04 (0.56 to 1.95) in women for glioma and 0.90 (0.57 to 1.42) in men and 0.93 (0.46 to 1.87) in women for meningioma. There was no indication of dose-response relation either by years since first subscription for a mobile phone or by anatomical location of the tumour--that is, in regions of the brain closest to where the handset is usually held to the head. CONCLUSIONS In this update of a large nationwide cohort study of mobile phone use, there were no increased risks of tumours of the central nervous system, providing little evidence for a causal association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Frei
- Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Aydin D, Feychting M, Schüz J, Tynes T, Andersen TV, Schmidt LS, Poulsen AH, Johansen C, Prochazka M, Lannering B, Klæboe L, Eggen T, Jenni D, Grotzer M, Von der Weid N, Kuehni CE, Röösli M. Mobile phone use and brain tumors in children and adolescents: a multicenter case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2011; 103:1264-76. [PMID: 21795665 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djr244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that children and adolescents might be more vulnerable to possible health effects from mobile phone exposure than adults. We investigated whether mobile phone use is associated with brain tumor risk among children and adolescents. METHODS CEFALO is a multicenter case-control study conducted in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland that includes all children and adolescents aged 7-19 years who were diagnosed with a brain tumor between 2004 and 2008. We conducted interviews, in person, with 352 case patients (participation rate: 83%) and 646 control subjects (participation rate: 71%) and their parents. Control subjects were randomly selected from population registries and matched by age, sex, and geographical region. We asked about mobile phone use and included mobile phone operator records when available. Odds ratios (ORs) for brain tumor risk and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS Regular users of mobile phones were not statistically significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with brain tumors compared with nonusers (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 0.92 to 2.02). Children who started to use mobile phones at least 5 years ago were not at increased risk compared with those who had never regularly used mobile phones (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.70 to 2.28). In a subset of study participants for whom operator recorded data were available, brain tumor risk was related to the time elapsed since the mobile phone subscription was started but not to amount of use. No increased risk of brain tumors was observed for brain areas receiving the highest amount of exposure. CONCLUSION The absence of an exposure-response relationship either in terms of the amount of mobile phone use or by localization of the brain tumor argues against a causal association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Aydin
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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Doré JF, Boniol M, Telle-Lamberton M. Re: Time trends in brain tumor incidence rates in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, 1974-2003. J Natl Cancer Inst 2010; 102:741-2; author reply 742-3. [PMID: 20403846 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djq124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Arnold LD, Patel AV, Yan Y, Jacobs EJ, Thun MJ, Calle EE, Colditz GA. Are racial disparities in pancreatic cancer explained by smoking and overweight/obesity? Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009; 18:2397-405. [PMID: 19723915 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-09-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Between 2001 and 2005, Blacks from the United States experienced a 32% higher pancreatic cancer death rate than Whites. Smoking, diabetes, and family history might explain some of this disparity, but prospective analyses are warranted. From 1984 to 2004, there were 6,243 pancreatic cancer deaths among Blacks (n = 48,525) and Whites (n = 1,011,864) in the Cancer Prevention Study II cohort. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models yielded hazards ratios (HR) for known and suspected risk factors. Population attributable risks were computed and their effect on age-standardized mortality rates were evaluated. Blacks in this cohort had a 42% increased risk of pancreatic cancer mortality compared with Whites (HR, 1.42; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.28-1.58). Current smoking increased risk by >60% in both races; although Blacks smoked less intensely, risks were similar to Whites (HR(Black), 1.67; 95% CI, 1.28-2.18; HR(White), 1.82; 95% CI, 1.7-1.95). Obesity was significantly associated with pancreatic cancer mortality in Black men (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.05-2.63), White men (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.25-1.60), and White women (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.22-1.54); results were null in Black women. The population attributable risk due to smoking, family history, diabetes, cholecystectomy, and overweight/obesity was 24.3% in Whites and 21.8% in Blacks. Smoking and overweight/obesity play a substantial a role in pancreatic cancer. Variation in the effect of these factors underscores the need to evaluate disease on the race-sex level. The inability to attribute excess disease in Blacks to currently known risk factors, even when combined with suspected risks, points to yet undetermined factors that play a role in the disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren D Arnold
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63100, USA.
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Croft RJ, McKenzie RJ, Inyang I, Benke GP, Anderson V, Abramson MJ. Mobile phones and brain tumours: a review of epidemiological research. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 31:255-67. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03178595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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