Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Automated Blood Cell Measurements

The HL-60 human promyelocytic cell line constitutes an effective in vitro model for evaluating toxicity, oxidative stress and necrosis/apoptosis after exposure to black carbon particles and 2.45 GHz radio frequency

The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which atmospheric pollution from particulate matter and/or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may prove harmful to human health have not been extensively researched. We analyzed whether the combined action of EMFs and black carbon (BC) particles induced cell damage and a pro-apoptotic response in the HL-60 promyelocytic cell line when exposed to 2.45 GHz radio frequency (RF) radiation in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber at sub-thermal specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. RF and BC induced moderately significant levels of cell damage in the first 8 or 24 h for all exposure times/doses and much greater damage after 48 h irradiation and the higher dose of BC. We observed a clear antiproliferative effect that increased with RF exposure time and BC dose. Oxidative stress or ROS production increased with time (24 or 48 h of radiation), BC dose and the combination of both. Significant differences between the proportion of damaged and healthy cells were observed in all groups. Both radiation and BC participated separately and jointly in triggering necrosis and apoptosis in a programmed way. Oxidative-antioxidant action activated mitochondrial anti-apoptotic BCL2a gene expression after 24 h irradiation and exposure to BC. After irradiation of the cells for 48 h, expression of FASR cell death receptors was activated, precipitating the onset of pro-apoptotic phenomena and expression and intracellular activity of caspase-3 in the mitochondrial pathways, all of which can lead to cell death. Our results indicate that the interaction between BC and RF modifies the immune response in the human promyelocytic cell line and that these cells had two fates mediated by different pathways: necrosis and mitochondria-caspase dependent apoptosis. The findings may be important in regard to antimicrobial, inflammatory and autoimmune responses in humans.

Mobile phone induced EMF stress is reversed upon the use of protective devices: results from two experiments testing different boundary conditions

This work examines (a) the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on heart rate variability (HRV), saliva cortisol, arterial blood oxygenation, and tympanic temperature, and (b) the potential effect of protective devices developed to counter EMF-induced stress. In a pilot study, recordings were taken during a 15-min mobile phone call emitting a high burden of EMF (electric, magnetic, high frequency) after a baseline measurement at rest with very low EMF. In a second visit, this was repeated with participants using three protective devices (insoles, pendant, mobile phone chip). In the main study, four experimental arms were employed, two of which replicated the experimental setup of the pilot study, and two of which examined the effect of only one mobile phone chip in an open-hidden-paradigm. In both experiments, exposure to EMF decreased HRV and increased salivary cortisol. In the protective experimental condition, HRV increased above and cortisol decreased below the level of the baseline measures. All differences were large and specific and not modulated by non-specific effects like placebo effects.

Radiofrequency Interference in the Clinical Laboratory

Objectives

Radiofrequency interference (RFI) is a known medical device safety issue, but there are no documented cases of interference resulting in erroneous laboratory results.

Methods

We investigated unexpected failure of a hematology analyzer resulting in erroneous WBC counts. Hardware failure was initially suspected, but temporal association with increased power output from a nearby antenna prompted investigation for RFI.

Results

Power output from an antenna located approximately 4 feet from the analyzer was increased to ensure sufficient signal for emergency communications in the building. Interference from the antenna resulted in aberrant side scatter and abnormal WBC counts. Powering down the antenna returned the instrument to normal working conditions.

Conclusions

We have shown RFI as the root cause of erroneous WBC counts in a hematology analyzer. We propose that RFI should be on the list of potential interfering mechanisms when clinical laboratory instruments generate inconsistent or unreliable results.