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Benke G, Abramson MJ, Brzozek C, McDonald S, Kelsall H, Sanagou M, Zeleke BM, Kaufman J, Brennan S, Verbeek J, Karipidis K. The effects of radiofrequency exposure on cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 188:108779. [PMID: 38821015 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to assess evidence of long-term effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on indicators of cognition, including domains of learning and memory, executive function, complex attention, language, perceptual motor ability and social cognition, and of an exposure-response relationship between RF-EMF and cognition. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and the EMF-Portal on September 30, 2022 without limiting by date or language of publication. We included cohort or case-control studies that evaluated the effects of RF exposure on cognitive function in one or more of the cognitive domains. Studies were rated for risk of bias using the OHAT tool and synthesised using fixed effects meta-analysis. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach and considered modification by OHAT for assessing evidence of exposures. RESULTS We included 5 studies that reported analyses of data from 4 cohorts with 4639 participants consisting of 2808 adults and 1831 children across three countries (Australia, Singapore and Switzerland) conducted between 2006 and 2017. The main source of RF-EMF exposure was mobile (cell) phone use measured as calls per week or minutes per day. For mobile phone use in children, two studies (615 participants) that compared an increase in mobile phone use to a decrease or no change were included in meta-analyses. Learning and memory. There was little effect on accuracy (mean difference, MD -0.03; 95% CI -0.07 to 0.02) or response time (MD -0.01; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.02) on the one-back memory task; and accuracy (MD -0.02; 95%CI -0.04 to 0.00) or response time (MD -0.01; 95%CI -0.04 to 0.03) on the one card learning task (low certainty evidence for all outcomes). Executive function. There was little to no effect on the Stroop test for the time ratio ((B-A)/A) response (MD 0.02; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.04, very low certainty) or the time ratio ((D-C)/C) response (MD 0.00; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.05, very low certainty), with both tests measuring susceptibility to interference effects. Complex attention. There was little to no effect on detection task accuracy (MD 0.02; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.08), or response time (MD 0.02;95% CI 0.01 to 0.03), and little to no effect on identification task accuracy (MD 0.00; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.05) or response time (MD 0.00;95% CI -0.01 to 0.02) (low certainty evidence for all outcomes). No other cognitive domains were investigated in children. A single study among elderly people provided very low certainty evidence that more frequent mobile phone use may have little to no effect on the odds of a decline in global cognitive function (odds ratio, OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.58, 649 participants) or a decline in executive function (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.37 to 3.05, 146 participants), and may lead to a small, probably unimportant, reduction in the odds of a decline in complex attention (OR 0.67;95%CI 0.27 to 1.68, 159 participants) and a decline in learning and memory (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.29 to 1.99, 159 participants). An exposure-response relationship was not identified for any of the cognitive outcomes. DISCUSSION This systematic review and meta-analysis found only a few studies that provided very low to low certainty evidence of little to no association between RF-EMF exposure and learning and memory, executive function and complex attention. None of the studies among children reported on global cognitive function or other domains of cognition. Only one study reported a lack of an effect for all domains in elderly persons but this was of very low certainty evidence. Further studies are needed to address all types of populations, exposures and cognitive outcomes, particularly studies investigating environmental and occupational exposure in adults. Future studies also need to address uncertainties in the assessment of exposure and standardise testing of specific domains of cognitive function to enable synthesis across studies and increase the certainty of the evidence. OTHER This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme and prospectively registered on PROSPERO CRD42021257548.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geza Benke
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jos Verbeek
- University Medical Centers Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Wang H, Zhao H, Li C, Dong J, Zhao J, Yue H, Lai Y, Zhao L, Wang H, Zhang J, Xu X, Yao B, Zhou H, Nie B, Du X, Peng R. Disrupted Topological Organization of Brain Network in Rats with Spatial Memory Impairments Induced by Acute Microwave Radiation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1006. [PMID: 37508937 PMCID: PMC10377161 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that microwave (MW) radiation with certain parameters can induce spatial memory deficits. However, the effect of MW on the topological organization of the brain network is still unknown. This work aimed to investigate the topological organization of the brain network in rats with spatial memory impairments induced by acute microwave (MW) radiation. The Morris water maze (MWM) test and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were performed to estimate the spatial memory ability and brain network topological organization of the rats after MW exposure. Compared with the sham group, the rats exposed to 30 mW/cm2 1.5 GHz MW radiation exhibited a significantly decreased normalized clustering coefficient (γ) (p = 0.002) 1 d after the exposure and a prolonged average escape latency (AEL) (p = 0.014) 3 d after the exposure. Moreover, after 10 mW/cm2 1.5 GHz MW radiation, a significantly decreased γ (p = 0.003) was also observed in the rats, without any changes in AEL. In contrast, no adverse effects on AEL or topological parameters were observed after 9.375 GHz MW radiation. In conclusion, the rats with spatial memory deficits induced by MW radiation exhibited disruptions in the topological organization of the brain network. Moreover, these topological organization disruptions emerged earlier than behavioral symptom onset and could even be found in the rats without a decline in the performance of the spatial memory task. Therefore, it is possible to use the topological parameters of the brain network as early and sensitive indicators of the spatial memory impairments induced by acute MW radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Wang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Haixia Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Chunfang Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
- Department of Radiology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Ji Dong
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Jianghao Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hanlin Yue
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yunfei Lai
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xinping Xu
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Binwei Yao
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiumin Du
- College of Education, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Ruiyun Peng
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
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Eeftens M, Pujol S, Klaiber A, Chopard G, Riss A, Smayra F, Flückiger B, Gehin T, Diallo K, Wiart J, Mazloum T, Mauny F, Röösli M. The association between real-life markers of phone use and cognitive performance, health-related quality of life and sleep. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116011. [PMID: 37127107 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The real-life short-term implications of electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on cognitive performance and health-related quality of life have not been well studied. The SPUTNIC study (Study Panel on Upcoming Technologies to study Non-Ionizing radiation and Cognition) aimed to investigate possible correlations between mobile phone radiation and human health, including cognition, health-related quality of life and sleep. METHODS Adult participants tracked various daily markers of RF-EMF exposures (cordless calls, mobile calls, and mobile screen time 4 h prior to each assessment) as well as three health outcomes over ten study days: 1) cognitive performance, 2) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and 3) sleep duration and quality. Cognitive performance was measured through six "game-like" tests, assessing verbal and visuo-spatial performance repeatedly. HRQoL was assessed as fatigue, mood and stress on a Likert-scale (1-10). Sleep duration and efficiency was measured using activity trackers. We fitted mixed models with random intercepts per participant on cognitive, HRQoL and sleep scores. Possible time-varying confounders were assessed at daily intervals by questionnaire and used for model adjustment. RESULTS A total of 121 participants ultimately took part in the SPUTNIC study, including 63 from Besancon and 58 from Basel. Self-reported wireless phone use and screen time were sporadically associated with visuo-spatial and verbal cognitive performance, compatible with chance findings. We found a small but robust significant increase in stress 0.03 (0.00-0.06; on a 1-10 Likert-scale) in relation to a 10-min increase in mobile phone screen time. Sleep duration and quality were not associated with either cordless or mobile phone calls, or with screen time. DISCUSSION The study did not find associations between short-term RF-EMF markers and cognitive performance, HRQoL, or sleep duration and quality. The most consistent finding was increased stress in relation to more screen time, but no association with cordless or mobile phone call time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sophie Pujol
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Aaron Klaiber
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gilles Chopard
- Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, Université Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Service de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, France
| | - Andrin Riss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Smayra
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Flückiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gehin
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Kadiatou Diallo
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Joe Wiart
- Chair C2M, LTCI Télecom ParisTech, Université Paris Saclay, 46 Rue Barrault, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Taghrid Mazloum
- Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Service de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, France
| | - Frédéric Mauny
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Davis D, Birnbaum L, Ben-Ishai P, Taylor H, Sears M, Butler T, Scarato T. Wireless technologies, non-ionizing electromagnetic fields and children: Identifying and reducing health risks. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2023; 53:101374. [PMID: 36935315 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Children today are conceived and live in a sea of wireless radiation that did not exist when their parents were born. The launch of the digital age continues to transform the capacity to respond to emergencies and extend global communications. At the same time that this increasingly ubiquitous technology continues to alter the nature of commerce, medicine, transport and modern life overall, its varied and changing forms have not been evaluated for their biological or environmental impacts. Standards for evaluating radiation from numerous wireless devices were first set in 1996 to avoid heating tissue and remain unchanged since then in the U.S. and many other nations. A wide range of evidence indicates that there are numerous non-thermal effects from wireless radiation on reproduction, development, and chronic illness. Many widely used devices such as phones and tablets function as two-way microwave radios, sending and receiving various frequencies of information-carrying microwave radiation on multiple simultaneously operating antennas. Expert groups advising governments on this matter do not agree on the best approaches to be taken. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limited screen time for children under the age of two, but more than half of all toddlers regularly have contact with screens, often without parental engagement. Young children of parents who frequently use devices as a form of childcare can experience delays in speech acquisition and bonding, while older children report feelings of disappointment due to 'technoference'-parental distraction due to technology. Children who begin using devices early in life can become socially, psychologically and physically addicted to the technology and experience withdrawal upon cessation. We review relevant experimental, epidemiological and clinical evidence on biological and other impacts of currently used wireless technology, including advice to include key questions at pediatric wellness checkups from infancy to young adulthood. We conclude that consistent with advice in pediatric radiology, an approach that recommends that microwave radiation exposures be As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) seems sensible and prudent, and that an independently-funded training, research and monitoring program should be carried out on the long term physical and psychological impacts of rapidly changing technological milieu, including ways to mitigate impacts through modifications in hardware and software. Current knowledge of electrohypersensitivity indicates the importance of reducing wireless exposures especially in schools and health care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devra Davis
- Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey; Environmental Health Trust, Teton Village, WY, USA.
| | - Linda Birnbaum
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, Scholar in Residence, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, USA
| | | | - Hugh Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meg Sears
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Prevent Cancer Now, Ottawa, Canada
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Eeftens M, Shen C, Sönksen J, Schmutz C, van Wel L, Liorni I, Vermeulen R, Cardis E, Wiart J, Toledano M, Röösli M. Modelling of daily radiofrequency electromagnetic field dose for a prospective adolescent cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107737. [PMID: 36709672 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107737] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields originate from a variety of wireless communication sources operating near and far from the body, making it challenging to quantify daily absorbed dose. In the framework of the prospective cohort SCAMP (Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones), we aimed to characterize RF-EMF dose over a 2-year period. METHODS The SCAMP cohort included 6605 children from greater London, UK at baseline (age 12.1 years; 2014-2016) and 5194 at follow-up (age 14.2; 2016-2018). We estimated the daily dose of RF-EMF to eight tissues including the whole body and whole brain, using dosimetric algorithms for the specific absorption rate transfer into the body. We considered RF-EMF dose from 12 common usage scenarios such as mobile phone calls or data transmission. We evaluated the association between sociodemographic factors (gender, ethnicity, phone ownership and socio-economic status), and the dose change between baseline and follow-up. RESULTS Whole body dose was estimated at an average of 170 mJ/kg/day at baseline and 178 mJ/kg/day at follow-up. Among the eight tissues considered, the right temporal lobe received the highest daily dose (baseline 1150 mJ/kg/day, follow-up 1520 mJ/kg/day). Estimated daily dose [mJ/kg/day] increased between baseline and follow-up for head and brain related tissues, but remained stable for the whole body and heart. Doses estimated at baseline and follow-up showed low correlation among the 3384 children who completed both assessments. Asian ethnicity (compared to white) and owning a bar phone or no phone (as opposed to a smartphone) were associated with lower estimated whole-body and whole-brain RF-EMF dose, while black ethnicity, a moderate/low socio-economic status (compared to high), and increasing age (at baseline) were associated with higher estimated RF-EMF dose. CONCLUSION This study describes the first longitudinal exposure assessment for children in a critical period of development. Dose estimations will be used in further epidemiological analyses for the SCAMP study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Chen Shen
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Jana Sönksen
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Schmutz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ilaria Liorni
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS Foundation), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joe Wiart
- Chair C2M, LTCI Télecom ParisTech, Université Paris Saclay, 46 rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mireille Toledano
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Acute radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure impairs neurogenesis and causes neuronal DNA damage in the young rat brain. Neurotoxicology 2023; 94:46-58. [PMID: 36336097 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A mobile phone is now a commonly used device for digital media and communication among all age groups. Young adolescents use it for longer durations, which exposes them to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR). This exposure can lead to neuropsychiatric changes. The underlying cellular mechanism behind these changes requires detailed investigation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones on young adolescent rat brains. Wistar rats (5 weeks, male) were exposed to RF-EMR signal (2115 MHz) at a head average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.51 W/kg continuously for 8 h. Higher level of lipid peroxidation, carbon-centered lipid radicals, and single-strand DNA damage was observed in the brain of rat exposed to RF-EMR. The number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) decreased in RF-EMR-exposed rats, indicating reduced neurogenesis. RF-EMR exposure also induced degenerative changes and neuronal loss in DG neurons but had no effect on the CA3 and CA1 neurons of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The activity of Pro-caspase3 did not increase upon exposure in any of the brain regions, pointing out that degeneration observed in the DG region is not dependent on caspase activation. Results indicate that short-term acute exposure to RF-EMR induced the generation of carbon-centered lipid radicals and nuclear DNA damage, both of which likely played a role in the impaired neurogenesis and neuronal degeneration seen in the young brain's hippocampus region. The understanding of RF-EMR-induced alteration in the brain at the cellular level will help develop appropriate interventions for reducing its adverse impact.
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McCredden JE, Cook N, Weller S, Leach V. Wireless technology is an environmental stressor requiring new understanding and approaches in health care. Front Public Health 2022; 10:986315. [PMID: 36605238 PMCID: PMC9809975 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.986315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Electromagnetic signals from everyday wireless technologies are an ever-present environmental stressor, affecting biological systems. In this article, we substantiate this statement based on the weight of evidence from papers collated within the ORSAA database (ODEB), focusing on the biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields and radiation. More specifically, the experiments investigating exposures from real-world devices and the epidemiology studies examining the effects of living near mobile phone base stations were extracted from ODEB and the number of papers showing effects was compared with the number showing no effects. The results showed that two-thirds of the experimental and epidemiological papers found significant biological effects. The breadth of biological and health categories where effects have been found was subsequently explored, revealing hundreds of papers showing fundamental biological processes that are impacted, such as protein damage, biochemical changes and oxidative stress. This understanding is targeted toward health professionals and policy makers who have not been exposed to this issue during training. To inform this readership, some of the major biological effect categories and plausible mechanisms of action from the reviewed literature are described. Also presented are a set of best practice guidelines for treating patients affected by electromagnetic exposures and for using technology safely in health care settings. In conclusion, there is an extensive evidence base revealing that significant stress to human biological systems is being imposed by exposure to everyday wireless communication devices and supporting infrastructure. This evidence is compelling enough to warrant an update in medical education and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E. McCredden
- Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association (ORSAA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Naomi Cook
- Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association (ORSAA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Steven Weller
- Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association (ORSAA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Environmental and Population Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Victor Leach
- Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association (ORSAA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Schmutz C, Bürgler A, Ashta N, Soenksen J, Bou Karim Y, Shen C, Smith RB, Jenkins RH, Mireku MO, Mutz J, Maes MJA, Hirst R, Chang I, Fleming C, Mussa A, Kesary D, Addison D, Maslanyj M, Toledano MB, Röösli M, Eeftens M. Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure of adolescents in the Greater London area in the SCAMP cohort and the association with restrictions on permitted use of mobile communication technologies at school and at home. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113252. [PMID: 35421393 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Personal measurements of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have been used in several studies to characterise personal exposure in daily life, but such data are limitedly available for adolescents, and not yet for the United Kingdom (UK). In this study, we aimed to characterise personal exposure to RF-EMF in adolescents and to study the association between exposure and rules applied at school and at home to restrict wireless communication use, likely implemented to reduce other effects of mobile technology (e.g. distraction). We measured exposure to RF-EMF for 16 common frequency bands (87.5 MHz-3.5 GHz), using portable measurement devices (ExpoM-RF), in a subsample of adolescents participating in the cohort Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP) from Greater London (UK) (n = 188). School and home rules were assessed by questionnaire and concerned the school's availability of WiFi and mobile phone policy, and parental restrictions on permitted mobile phone use. Adolescents recorded their activities in real time using a diary app on a study smartphone, while characterizing their personal RF-EMF exposure in daily life, during different activities and times of the day. Data analysis was done for 148 adolescents from 29 schools who recorded RF-EMF data for a median duration of 47 h. The majority (74%) of adolescents spent part of their time at school during the measurement period. Median total RF-EMF exposure was 40 μW/m2 at home, 94 μW/m2 at school, and 100 μW/m2 overall. In general, restrictions at school or at home made little difference for adolescents' measured exposure to RF-EMF, except for uplink exposure from mobile phones while at school, which was found to be significantly lower for adolescents attending schools not permitting phone use at all, compared to adolescents attending schools allowing mobile phone use during breaks. This difference was not statistically significant for total personal exposure. Total exposure to RF-EMF in adolescents living in Greater London tended to be higher compared to exposure levels reported in other European countries. This study suggests that school policies and parental restrictions are not associated with a lower RF-EMF exposure in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Schmutz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Bürgler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Narain Ashta
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Soenksen
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yasmin Bou Karim
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Chen Shen
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel B Smith
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary H Jenkins
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Campus, The Reynolds Building, St Dunstan's Road, London, W6 8RP, United Kingdom
| | - Michael O Mireku
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; University of Lincoln, School of Psychology, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Mutz
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Mikaël J A Maes
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Department of Geography, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Rosi Hirst
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Chang
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Fleming
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Aamirah Mussa
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Daphna Kesary
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Darren Addison
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Centre for Chemical, Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Harwell Campus, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Myron Maslanyj
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Centre for Chemical, Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Harwell Campus, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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9
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Schmid J, Thraen T, Hensinger P. Kritik am Artikel zu 5G: Aussagen entsprechen nicht dem Stand der
Forschung. AKTUELLE KARDIOLOGIE 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1786-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Schmid
- Ärzte-Arbeitskreis digitale Medien, Stuttgart,
Deutschland
| | - Thomas Thraen
- Ärzte-Arbeitskreis digitale Medien, Stuttgart,
Deutschland
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10
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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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11
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Tangermann L, Vienneau D, Hattendorf J, Saucy A, Künzli N, Schäffer B, Wunderli JM, Röösli M. The association of road traffic noise with problem behaviour in adolescents: A cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 207:112645. [PMID: 34979122 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The findings of environmental noise exposure and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents are inconclusive, and longitudinal studies are scarce. We studied the response of behaviour and behavioural change within one year in a cohort of 886 adolescents in Switzerland aged 10-17 years in response to road traffic noise exposure. Participants filled in a comprehensive questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. It included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which measures self-rated positive and negative behaviours in five scales. We modelled road traffic noise for participants' most exposed facade at home and school addresses in various metrics (Lden, Lnight, Lday, Intermittency Ratio and Number of events). We addressed missing data with multiple imputation and performed mixed linear cross-sectional analyses and longitudinal change score analyses. In cross-sectional analyses, peer relationship problems increased by 0.15 units (95%CI: 0.02, 0.27; scale range: 0-10) per 10 dB road traffic noise increase. In longitudinal analyses, increases in SDQ scales between baseline and follow-up were not related to noise exposure. This study suggests subtle associations between road traffic noise exposure and behaviour problems in adolescents, but longer follow-up times may be needed to observe longitudinal changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Tangermann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Vienneau
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Apolline Saucy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Doctor Aiguader, 88, ES-08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nino Künzli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beat Schäffer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jean Marc Wunderli
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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12
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Pophof B, Burns J, Danker-Hopfe H, Dorn H, Egblomassé-Roidl C, Eggert T, Fuks K, Henschenmacher B, Kuhne J, Sauter C, Schmid G. The effect of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cognitive performance in human experimental studies: A protocol for a systematic review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106783. [PMID: 34333292 PMCID: PMC8485020 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently assessing the potential health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) in the general and working population. Related to one such health effect, there is a concern that RF-EMFs may affect cognitive performance in humans. The systematic review (SR) aims to identify, summarize and synthesize the evidence base related to this question. Here, we present the protocol for the planned SR. OBJECTIVES The main objective is to present a protocol for a SR which will evaluate the associations between short-term exposure to RF-EMFs and cognitive performance in human experimental studies. DATA SOURCES We will search the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the EMF-Portal. The reference lists of included studies and retrieved review articles will be manually searched. STUDY ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA We will include randomized human experimental studies that assess the effects of RF-EMFs on cognitive performance compared to no exposure or lower exposure. We will include peer-reviewed articles of any publication date in any language that report primary data. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS Data will be extracted according to a pre-defined set of forms developed and piloted by the review author team. To assess the risk of bias, we will apply the Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies developed by NTP/OHAT, supplemented with additional questions relevant for cross-over studies. Where sufficiently similar studies are identified (e.g. the heterogeneity concerning population, exposure and outcome is low and the studies can be combined), we will conduct random-effects meta-analysis; otherwise, we will conduct a narrative synthesis. ASSESSMENT OF CERTAINTY OF EVIDENCE The certainty of evidence for each identified outcome will be assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Performing the review according to this protocol will allow the identification of possible effects of RF-EMFs on cognitive performance in humans. The protocol has been registered in PROSPERO, an open-source protocol registration system, to foster transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanka Pophof
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Competence Centre EMF, 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.
| | - Hans Dorn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Competence Centre of Sleep Medicine, 12203 Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Torsten Eggert
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Competence Centre of Sleep Medicine, 12203 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Kateryna Fuks
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Bernd Henschenmacher
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Competence Centre EMF, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Jens Kuhne
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Competence Centre EMF, Oberschleißheim, 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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13
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The Role of NMDAR and BDNF in Cognitive Dysfunction Induced by Different Microwave Radiation Conditions in Rats. RADIATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/radiation1040023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To investigate the effects of different levels of microwave radiation on learning and memory in Wistar rats and explore the underlying mechanisms of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR/NR) and Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF); Methods: A total of 140 Wistar rats were exposed to microwave radiation levels of 0, 10, 30 or 50 mW/cm2 for 6 min. Morris Water Maze Test, high-performance liquid chromatography, Transmission Electron Microscope and Western blotting were used; Results: The 30 and 50 mW/cm2 groups exhibited longer average escape latencies and fewer platform crossings than the 0 mW/cm2 group from 6 h to 3 d after microwave radiation. Alterations in the amino acid neurotransmitters of the hippocampi were shown at 6 h, 3 d and 7 d after exposure to 10, 30 or 50 mW/cm2 microwave radiation. The length and width of the Postsynaptic density were increased. The expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B increased from day 1 to day 7; Postsynaptic density protein-95 and cortactin expression increased from day 3 to day 7; BDNF and Tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) expression increased between 6 h and 1 d after 30 mW/cm2 microwave radiation exposure, but they decreased after 50mW/cm2 exposure. Conclusions: Microwave exposure (30 or 50 mW/cm2, for 6 min) may cause abnormalities in neurotransmitter release and synaptic structures, resulting in impaired learning and memory; BDNF and NMDAR-related signaling molecules might contribute differently to these alterations.
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14
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Abstract
Limited evidence exists regarding the association between dietary calcium intake and risk of glioma. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between dietary calcium intake and risk of glioma in Iranian adults. In this hospital-based case-control study, we enrolled 128 newly-diagnosed cases of glioma and 256 age- and sex-matched controls. Patients with pathologically confirmed glioma (without any other cancers) were selected. Dietary intakes of study participants were collected through a validated 126-item food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary calcium intake was computed from dairy products in the questionnaire. Participants were categorized into quartiles of dietary calcium intake. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between dietary calcium intake and glioma. Higher dietary intake of calcium was associated with younger age, long duration of cell phone use, and frequent canned foods intake. After taking age, sex, and energy intake into account, participants with the greatest dietary calcium intake had 84% lower odds of glioma than those with the lowest intake [odds ratio (OR): 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.07-0.37]. Further adjustment for other potential confounders including nutrient intakes did not significantly alter the association (OR: 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08-0.64). Even after additional adjustment for BMI, we found a significant inverse association between dietary calcium intake and odds of glioma (OR: 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.65). We found an inverse protective association between high dietary calcium intake and odds of glioma. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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15
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Kishi R, Ikeda-Araki A, Miyashita C, Itoh S, Kobayashi S, Ait Bamai Y, Yamazaki K, Tamura N, Minatoya M, Ketema RM, Poudel K, Miura R, Masuda H, Itoh M, Yamaguchi T, Fukunaga H, Ito K, Goudarzi H. Hokkaido birth cohort study on environment and children's health: cohort profile 2021. Environ Health Prev Med 2021; 26:59. [PMID: 34022817 PMCID: PMC8141139 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-021-00980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health is an ongoing study consisting of two birth cohorts of different population sizes: the Sapporo cohort and the Hokkaido cohort. Our primary objectives are to (1) examine the effects that low-level environmental chemical exposures have on birth outcomes, including birth defects and growth retardation; (2) follow the development of allergies, infectious diseases, and neurobehavioral developmental disorders, as well as perform a longitudinal observation of child development; (3) identify high-risk groups based on genetic susceptibility to environmental chemicals; and (4) identify the additive effects of various chemicals, including tobacco. METHODS The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of the Hokkaido Study, summarize recent results, and suggest future directions. In particular, this report provides the latest details from questionnaire surveys, face-to-face examinations, and a collection of biological specimens from children and measurements of their chemical exposures. RESULTS The latest findings indicate different risk factors of parental characteristics on birth outcomes and the mediating effect between socioeconomic status and children that are small for the gestational age. Maternal serum folate was not associated with birth defects. Prenatal chemical exposure and smoking were associated with birth size and growth, as well as cord blood biomarkers, such as adiponectin, leptin, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. We also found significant associations between the chemical levels and neuro development, asthma, and allergies. CONCLUSIONS Chemical exposure to children can occur both before and after birth. Longer follow-up for children is crucial in birth cohort studies to reinforce the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. In contrast, considering shifts in the exposure levels due to regulation is also essential, which may also change the association to health outcomes. This study found that individual susceptibility to adverse health effects depends on the genotype. Epigenome modification of DNA methylation was also discovered, indicating the necessity of examining molecular biology perspectives. International collaborations can add a new dimension to the current knowledge and provide novel discoveries in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan. .,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Atsuko Ikeda-Araki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naomi Tamura
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Machiko Minatoya
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Rahel Mesfin Ketema
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kritika Poudel
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryu Miura
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Masuda
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mariko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamaguchi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hisanori Fukunaga
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Ito
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Houman Goudarzi
- Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Center for Medical Education and International Relations, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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16
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Tsai LH, Lin JW, Lue KH. Study protocol to investigate the correlation between Tourette syndrome and allergy in children and adolescents. J Int Med Res 2021; 48:300060520973921. [PMID: 33275474 PMCID: PMC7720316 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520973921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Noting that the usefulness of cases diagnosed in administrative registers is dependent on diagnostic validity, in this study, we aim to elucidate the correlation between Tourette syndrome and allergy in children and adolescents, specifically with regard to incidence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis. Methods Based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, we intend to enroll 200 children and adolescents aged 18 years and younger, accompanied by their parents, for a duration of 2 years. We will administer an anonymous questionnaire in a case–control study. We will use the chi-squared test to evaluate differences between cases and controls. Results According to the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, the proportion of allergic diseases expected in patients with Tourette syndrome is 53.1% (17/32) and 22.9% (8/35) in the controls. Setting the type 1 error to 0.05 and the power to 0.8, we will ensure a 1:2 case-to-control ratio. Conclusions This study protocol describes our analysis of anonymous questionnaire responses. Comorbidity rates, environmental factors, and genetic factors for various allergens, allergies, and other neuropsychiatric disorders will be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee-Hou Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Wen Lin
- Department of Civil Engineering, Feng Chia University; Research Center for Information Technology Innovation, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Huang Lue
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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17
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Zhu R, Wang H, Xu X, Zhao L, Zhang J, Dong J, Yao B, Wang H, Zhou H, Gao Y, Peng R. Effects of 1.5 and 4.3 GHz microwave radiation on cognitive function and hippocampal tissue structure in Wistar rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10061. [PMID: 33980913 PMCID: PMC8115682 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89348-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that single-frequency microwave radiation can lead to cognitive decline in rats. However, few studies have focused on the combined effects of irradiation with different frequencies of microwaves. Our research aimed to investigate the effects of 1.5 GHz and 4.3 GHz microwave radiation, singly and in combination, on cognitive function and hippocampal tissue structure in rats. A total of 140 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the S group (sham radiation group), L10 group (10 mW/cm2 1.5 GHz group), C10 group (10 mW/cm2 4.3 GHz band group) and LC10 group (10 mW/cm2 1.5 and 4.3 GHz multi-frequency radiation group). For 1–28 days after microwave radiation, we analyzed the average escape latency for the Morris water maze task, electroencephalograms, change in hippocampal tissue structure and ultrastructure, content of the Nissl body in the hippocampus, and activities of lactate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase. Compared to the S group, all exposure groups showed varying degrees of learning and memory decline and hippocampal structural damage. The results showed that 1.5 GHz and 4.3 GHz microwave radiation was able to induce cognitive impairment and hippocampal tissue damage in rats and combined radiation with both frequencies caused more serious injuries, but none of these damaging effects varied with microwave frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Zhu
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Xinping Xu
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ji Dong
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Binwei Yao
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yabing Gao
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ruiyun Peng
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
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18
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Chen C, Ma Q, Deng P, Lin M, Gao P, He M, Lu Y, Pi H, He Z, Zhou C, Zhang Y, Yu Z, Zhang L. 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Impairs Neurite Outgrowth Through Inhibiting EPHA5 Signaling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:657623. [PMID: 33912567 PMCID: PMC8075058 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.657623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing intensity of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) has increased public concern about its health effects. Of particular concern are the influences of RF-EMF exposure on the development of the brain. The mechanisms of how RF-EMF acts on the developing brain are not fully understood. Here, based on high-throughput RNA sequencing techniques, we revealed that transcripts related to neurite development were significantly influenced by 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure during neuronal differentiation. Exposure to RF-EMF remarkably decreased the total length of neurite and the number of branch points in neural stem cells-derived neurons and retinoic acid-induced Neuro-2A cells. The expression of Eph receptors 5 (EPHA5), which is required for neurite outgrowth, was inhibited remarkably after RF-EMF exposure. Enhancing EPHA5 signaling rescued the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth. Besides, we identified that cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and RhoA were critical downstream factors of EPHA5 signaling in mediating the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth. Together, our finding revealed that RF-EMF exposure impaired neurite outgrowth through EPHA5 signaling. This finding explored the effects and key mechanisms of how RF-EMF exposure impaired neurite outgrowth and also provided a new clue to understanding the influences of RF-EMF on brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhai Chen
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Qinglong Ma
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Deng
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Lin
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Mindi He
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Yonghui Lu
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Huifeng Pi
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhixin He
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanwen Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengping Yu
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
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19
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Velghe M, Aerts S, Martens L, Joseph W, Thielens A. Protocol for personal RF-EMF exposure measurement studies in 5th generation telecommunication networks. Environ Health 2021; 20:36. [PMID: 33794922 PMCID: PMC8017841 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00719-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The general population is exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMFs) used by telecommunication networks. Previous studies developed methods to assess this exposure. These methods will be inadequate to accurately assess exposure in 5G technologies or other wireless technologies using adaptive antennas. This is due to the fact that 5G NR (new radio) base stations will focus actively on connected users, resulting in a high spatio-temporal variations in the RF-EMFs. This increases the measurement uncertainty in personal measurements of RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, a user's exposure from base stations will be dependent on the amount of data usage, adding a new component to the auto-induced exposure, which is often omitted in current studies. GOALS The objective of this paper is to develop a general study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure research adapted to 5G technologies. This protocol will include the assessment of auto-induced exposure of both a user's own devices and the networks' base stations. METHOD This study draws from lessons learned from previous RF-EMF exposure research and current knowledge on 5G technologies, including studies simulating 5G NR base stations and measurements around 5G NR test sites. RESULTS To account for auto-induced exposure, an activity-based approach is introduced. In survey studies, an RF-EMF sensor is fixed on the participants' mobile device(s). Based on the measured power density, GPS data and movement and proximity sensors, different activities can be clustered and the exposure during each activity is evaluated. In microenvironmental measurements, a trained researcher performs measurements in predefined microenvironments with a mobile device equipped with the RF-EMF sensor. The mobile device is programmed to repeat a sequence of data transmission scenarios (different amounts of uplink and downlink data transmissions). Based on simulations, the amount of exposure induced in the body when the user device is at a certain location relative to the body, can be evaluated. CONCLUSION Our protocol addresses the main challenges to personal exposure measurement introduced by 5G NR. A systematic method to evaluate a user's auto-induced exposure is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Velghe
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University / IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, 126, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sam Aerts
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University / IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, 126, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Martens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University / IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, 126, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University / IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, 126, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University / IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, 126, Ghent, Belgium
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20
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Birks LE, van Wel L, Liorni I, Pierotti L, Guxens M, Huss A, Foerster M, Capstick M, Eeftens M, El Marroun H, Estarlich M, Gallastegi M, Safont LG, Joseph W, Santa-Marina L, Thielens A, Torrent M, Vrijkotte T, Wiart J, Röösli M, Cardis E, Vermeulen R, Vrijheid M. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile communication: Description of modeled dose in brain regions and the body in European children and adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 193:110505. [PMID: 33245886 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF) from mobile technology and resulting dose in young people. We describe modeled integrated RF dose in European children and adolescents combining own mobile device use and surrounding sources. METHODS Using an integrated RF model, we estimated the daily RF dose in the brain (whole-brain, cerebellum, frontal lobe, midbrain, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobes) and the whole-body in 8358 children (ages 8-12) and adolescents (ages 14-18) from the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland during 2012-2016. The integrated model estimated RF dose from near-field sources (digital enhanced communication technology (DECT) phone, mobile phone, tablet, and laptop) and far-field sources (mobile phone base stations via 3D-radiowave modeling or RF measurements). RESULTS Adolescents were more frequent mobile phone users and experienced higher modeled RF doses in the whole-brain (median 330.4 mJ/kg/day) compared to children (median 81.8 mJ/kg/day). Children spent more time using tablets or laptops compared to adolescents, resulting in higher RF doses in the whole-body (median whole-body dose of 81.8 mJ/kg/day) compared to adolescents (41.9 mJ/kg/day). Among brain regions, temporal lobes received the highest RF dose (medians of 274.9 and 1786.5 mJ/kg/day in children and adolescents, respectively) followed by the frontal lobe. In most children and adolescents, calling on 2G networks was the main contributor to RF dose in the whole-brain (medians of 31.1 and 273.7 mJ/kg/day, respectively). CONCLUSION This first large study of RF dose to the brain and body of children and adolescents shows that mobile phone calls on 2G networks are the main determinants of brain dose, especially in temporal and frontal lobes, whereas whole-body doses were mostly determined by tablet and laptop use. The modeling of RF doses provides valuable input to epidemiological research and to potential risk management regarding RF exposure in young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ellen Birks
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ilaria Liorni
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Livia Pierotti
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Milena Foerster
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Myles Capstick
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hanan El Marroun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies - Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marisa Estarlich
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Spain
| | - Mara Gallastegi
- BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, Dr. Begiristain Pasealekua, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Llúcia González Safont
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark 126, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, Dr. Begiristain Pasealekua, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Health of the Basque Government, Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark 126, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Maties Torrent
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tanja Vrijkotte
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joe Wiart
- Télécom ParisTech, LTCI University Paris Saclay, Chair C2M, Paris, France
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands; School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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21
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Okechukwu C. Smartphone Use and Child Neurology. Neurol India 2021; 69:1896-1897. [DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.333470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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22
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Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in the High-Frequency Band and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17249179. [PMID: 33302600 PMCID: PMC7764655 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
With increasing use of mobile phones, exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) in the high-frequency band associated with mobile phones has become a public concern, with potentially adverse effects on cognitive function in children and adolescents. However, findings regarding the relation of RF-EMF and cognitive function in children and adolescents have been inconsistent due to a number of study design-related factors, such as types of exposure and outcome measures, age of participants, and the era of study conduction. The present literature review focused on these possible factors that could explain this inconsistency. This review identified 12 eligible studies (participants ages 4 to 17 years) and extracted a total 477 relations. In total, 86% of the extracted relations were not statistically significant; in the remaining 14%, a negative relation between RF-EMF and cognitive performance was detected under limited conditions: when (1) RF-EMF was assessed using objective measurement not subjective measurement (i.e., questionnaire), (2) participants were relatively older (12 years and above) and had greater opportunity of exposure to RF-EMF, and (3) the collection of cognitive function data was conducted after 2012. Given that 86% of the extracted relations in this analysis were not statistically significant, the interpretation should be approached with caution due to the possibility of the 14% of significant relationships, extracted in this review, representing chance findings.
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23
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Al-Khlaiwi TM, Habib SS, Meo SA, Alqhtani MS, Ogailan AA. The association of smart mobile phone usage with cognitive function impairment in Saudi adult population. Pak J Med Sci 2020; 36:1628-1633. [PMID: 33235587 PMCID: PMC7674882 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.36.7.2826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Excessive use of mobile phones has raised a great concern about adverse health effects on human health. The present study’s aim was to investigate the association of the usage of smartphones with cognitive function impairment in the Saudi adult population. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during September 2019 to January 2020. A total of 251 Saudi adults who were using mobile phones were recruited, and knowledge, attitude and practices were assessed by interview using a predesigned proforma. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) tool was employed to assess the cognitive functions, comparison was made between daily mobile phone usage group and their correlated Montreal Cognitive Score (MOCA). Results: The mean age for 251 Saudi adult participants was 32.43 ± 12.8 years. More than 80% of the participants used their mobile phone for more than two hours daily. About 61% of the participants were not aware of the side effect of the radiation generated from mobile phone. The participants showed a decrease in MOCA score with increased daily mobile phone usage (MOCA=26.8 for <1 hour daily usage, 26.1 for 1-2 hours, and 24.6 for >2 hours with P< 0.05). In addition, participants showed decreased MOCA score by keeping their mobile phone near their pillow while sleeping; MOCA=24.35 for near pillow groups and >25.5 for the groups that placed their mobile phone away from the pillow. Conclusions: Excessive use of mobile phones can cause cognitive function impairment. Strict policies must be implemented to control the use of smartphones in order to minimize the effects on mobile phone radiation on cognition. The media has to be on the forefront in educating the public about the proper usage of mobile phones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamir M Al-Khlaiwi
- Thamir M. Al-Khlaiwi Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Shahid Habib
- Syed Shahid Habib Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Ayoub Meo
- Sultan Ayoub Meo Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Alqhtani
- Mohammed S Alqhtani Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Saud University
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24
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Cabré-Riera A, van Wel L, Liorni I, Thielens A, Birks LE, Pierotti L, Joseph W, González-Safont L, Ibarluzea J, Ferrero A, Huss A, Wiart J, Santa-Marina L, Torrent M, Vrijkotte T, Capstick M, Vermeulen R, Vrijheid M, Cardis E, Röösli M, Guxens M. Association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields dose and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 231:113659. [PMID: 33221634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) dose, using an improved integrated RF-EMF exposure model, and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis in preadolescents aged 9-11 years and adolescents aged 17-18 years from the Dutch Amsterdam Born Children and their Development Study (n = 1664 preadolescents) and the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente Project (n = 1288 preadolescents and n = 261 adolescents), two population-based birth cohort studies. Overall whole-brain RF-EMF doses (mJ/kg/day) were estimated for several RF-EMF sources together including mobile and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications phone calls (named phone calls), other mobile phone uses than calling, tablet use, laptop use (named screen activities), and far-field sources. We also estimated whole-brain RF-EMF doses in these three groups separately (i.e. phone calls, screen activities, and far-field) that lead to different patterns of RF-EMF exposure. We assessed non-verbal intelligence in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents, information processing speed, attentional function, and cognitive flexibility in the Spanish preadolescents, and working memory and semantic fluency in the Spanish preadolescents and adolescents using validated neurocognitive tests. RESULTS Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 90.1 mJ/kg/day (interquartile range (IQR) 42.7; 164.0) in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents and 105.1 mJ/kg/day (IQR 51.0; 295.7) in the Spanish adolescents. Higher overall estimated whole-brain RF-EMF doses from all RF-EMF sources together and from phone calls were associated with lower non-verbal intelligence score in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents (-0.10 points, 95% CI -0.19; -0.02 per 100 mJ/kg/day increase in each exposure). However, none of the whole-brain RF-EMF doses was related to any other cognitive function outcome in the Spanish preadolescents or adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that higher brain exposure to RF-EMF is related to lower non-verbal intelligence but not to other cognitive function outcomes. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, the small effect sizes, and the unknown biological mechanisms, we cannot discard that our resultsare due to chance finding or reverse causality. Longitudinal studies on RF-EMF brain exposure and cognitive function are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Cabré-Riera
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ilaria Liorni
- IT'IS Foundation, Zeughausstrasse 43, CH-8004 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark 126, 9052, Gent, Belgium
| | - Laura Ellen Birks
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Livia Pierotti
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark 126, 9052, Gent, Belgium
| | - Llúcia González-Safont
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Avinguda de Cataluya 21, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health, Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, Avenida de Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Berio Pasealekua, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Amparo Ferrero
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Avinguda de Cataluya 21, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joe Wiart
- LTCI, Telecom Paris, Chaire C2M France, 19 Place Marguerite Perey, 91120, Palaiseau, France
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health, Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, Avenida de Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maties Torrent
- ib-Salut, Area de Salud de Menorca, Carrer Sant Josep 5, 07720, Santa Ana, Spain
| | - Tanja Vrijkotte
- Department of Public and Occipational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Myles Capstick
- IT'IS Foundation, Zeughausstrasse 43, CH-8004 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin Röösli
- Departement of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Dr. Molenwaterplein 50, 3015GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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25
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Liorni I, Capstick M, van Wel L, Wiart J, Joseph W, Cardis E, Guxens M, Vermeulen R, Thielens A. EVALUATION OF SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE IN THE FAR-FIELD, NEAR-TO-FAR FIELD AND NEAR-FIELD REGIONS FOR INTEGRATIVE RADIOFREQUENCY EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 190:459-472. [PMID: 32990753 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The specific absorption rate (SAR) induced by wireless radiofrequency (RF) systems depends on different parameters. Previously, SAR was mainly assessed under conditions of a single frequency and technology and for a limited number of localized RF sources. The current and emerging mobile systems involve a wider range of usage scenarios and are frequently used simultaneously, leading to combined exposures for which almost no exposure evaluation exists. The aim and novelty of this study is to close this gap of knowledge by developing new methods to rapidly evaluate the SAR induced by RF systems in such scenarios at frequencies from 50 MHz to 5.5 GHz. To this aim, analytical methods for SAR estimation in several usage scenarios were derived through a large-scale numerical study. These include subject-specific characteristics, properties of the RF systems and provide an estimation of the SAR in the whole body, tissues and organs, and different brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Liorni
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zeughausstrasse 43, 8004 Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Myles Capstick
- Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT'IS), Zeughausstrasse 43, 8004 Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, 3508 TD, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joe Wiart
- Chaire C2M LTCI, Telecom ParisTech Universitè Paris Saclay, 46 Rue Barrault, 75013 Paris, Paris, France
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè, 10-12, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè, 10-12, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, 3508 TD, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, London, UK
| | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 126, 9052 Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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Cabré-Riera A, Marroun HE, Muetzel R, van Wel L, Liorni I, Thielens A, Birks LE, Pierotti L, Huss A, Joseph W, Wiart J, Capstick M, Hillegers M, Vermeulen R, Cardis E, Vrijheid M, White T, Röösli M, Tiemeier H, Guxens M. Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 142:105808. [PMID: 32554140 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association between estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) doses, using an improved integrated RF-EMF exposure model, and brain volumes in preadolescents at 9-12 years old. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis in preadolescents aged 9-12 years from the Generation R Study, a population-based birth cohort set up in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (n = 2592). An integrated exposure model was used to estimate whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses (mJ/kg/day) from different RF-EMF sources including mobile and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phone calls, other mobile phone uses than calling, tablet use, laptop use, and far-field sources. Whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were estimated for all RF-EMF sources together (i.e. overall) and for three groups of RF-EMF sources that lead to a different pattern of RF-EMF exposure. Information on brain volumes was extracted from magnetic resonance imaging scans. RESULTS Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 84.3 mJ/kg/day. The highest overall lobe-specific dose was estimated in the temporal lobe (307.1 mJ/kg/day). Whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses from all RF-EMF sources together, from mobile and DECT phone calls, and from far-field sources were not associated with global, cortical, or subcortical brain volumes. However, a higher whole-brain RF-EMF dose from mobile phone use for internet browsing, e-mailing, and text messaging, tablet use, and laptop use while wirelessly connected to the internet was associated with a smaller caudate volume. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were not related to brain volumes in preadolescents at 9-12 years old. Screen activities with mobile communication devices while wirelessly connected to the internet lead to low RF-EMF dose to the brain and our observed association may thus rather reflect effects of social or individual factors related to these specific uses of mobile communication devices. However, we cannot discard residual confounding, chance finding, or reverse causality. Further studies on mobile communication devices and their potential negative associations with brain development are warranted, regardless whether associations are due to RF-EMF exposure or to other factors related to their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Cabré-Riera
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands
| | - Hanan El Marroun
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences - Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands
| | - Ryan Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Ellen Birks
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joe Wiart
- LTCI, Telecom Paris, Chaire C2M, France
| | | | - Manon Hillegers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands; School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tonya White
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Kinder Neuroimaging Centrum Rotterdam (KNICR), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Röösli
- Departement of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4051, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands.
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Halgamuge MN. Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Bioelectromagnetics: Prediction Models and Feature Selection Techniques Using Data from Weak Radiofrequency Radiation Effect on Human and Animals Cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4595. [PMID: 32604814 PMCID: PMC7345599 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of new technologies to incorporate and analyze data with high-performance computing has expanded our capability to accurately predict any incident. Supervised Machine learning (ML) can be utilized for a fast and consistent prediction, and to obtain the underlying pattern of the data better. We develop a prediction strategy, for the first time, using supervised ML to observe the possible impact of weak radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on human and animal cells without performing in-vitro laboratory experiments. We extracted laboratory experimental data from 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications (1990-2015) describing 1127 experimental case studies of human and animal cells response to RF-EMF. We used domain knowledge, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and the Chi-squared feature selection techniques to select six optimal features for computation and cost-efficiency. We then develop grouping or clustering strategies to allocate these selected features into five different laboratory experiment scenarios. The dataset has been tested with ten different classifiers, and the outputs are estimated using the k-fold cross-validation method. The assessment of a classifier's prediction performance is critical for assessing its suitability. Hence, a detailed comparison of the percentage of the model accuracy (PCC), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), precision, sensitivity (recall), 1 - specificity, Area under the ROC Curve (AUC), and precision-recall (PRC Area) for each classification method were observed. Our findings suggest that the Random Forest algorithm exceeds in all groups in terms of all performance measures and shows AUC = 0.903 where k-fold = 60. A robust correlation was observed in the specific absorption rate (SAR) with frequency and cumulative effect or exposure time with SAR×time (impact of accumulated SAR within the exposure time) of RF-EMF. In contrast, the relationship between frequency and exposure time was not significant. In future, with more experimental data, the sample size can be increased, leading to more accurate work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malka N Halgamuge
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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28
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Chetty-Mhlanga S, Fuhrimann S, Eeftens M, Basera W, Hartinger S, Dalvie MA, Röösli M. Different aspects of electronic media use, symptoms and neurocognitive outcomes of children and adolescents in the rural Western Cape region of South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 184:109315. [PMID: 32172071 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electronic media use is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, thus we aim to investigate the prevalence of different aspects of e-media use and its association to symptoms and neurocognitive outcomes in rural South Africa. METHODS In the cohort study, "Child health Agricultural Pesticide study in South Africa (CapSA)", of 1001 children and adolescents, aged 9-16 years, we enquired at baseline about the following aspects of e-media use: (1) call duration (2) total screen time (3) night-time awakenings from mobile phone use, and (4) Mobile Phone Problematic Use. Four health outcomes were included: sleep disturbance, health related quality of life (HRQoL), headaches and cognitive performance, assessed through six tests on domains of attention, memory and processing speed, using the iPad-based software, CAmbridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Linear regression analysis adjusted for relevant confounders was conducted with categorized exposure variables low, medium and high use. RESULTS One third of the cohort (31.8%) are mobile phone users reporting average duration of calls per day up to 75 min (mean = 2.5 mins; SD = 8.9 mins). Amongst 46% of the cohort who report e-media device use, total screen time ranged from 1 min to 441 min (mean = 28.3; SD = 53.0). Findings Amongst those reporting regular night-time awakenings (≥1 times per week) from mobile phones, HRQol declined by 2.9 (95% CI: -6.1, 0.3), the sleep disturbance score increased by 2.0 (1.1, 2.9) units and headache impact score significantly increased by 5.4 (2.6; 8.2) units compared to non-exposed. Cognitive performance scores tended to be slightly improved mostly in moderate e-media users. The reaction response speed was consistently improved amongst all four exposure groups compared to non-users. CONCLUSION These results are among the first from Africa on benefits and risks associated with e-media use. Our findings imply that with regard to the education of adolescents, a vigilant balance is needed to profit from the beneficial effects of moderate e-media use on cognition, while preventing the negative side effects for HRQoL, sleep disturbance and headache severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shala Chetty-Mhlanga
- Centre for Environment and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Samuel Fuhrimann
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, 3584, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Wisdom Basera
- Centre for Environment and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Stella Hartinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland; School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Ave Honorio Delgado 43C0, San Martín de Porres, Lima 31, Peru Shala Chetty-Mhlanga, South Africa.
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Centre for Environment and Occupational Health Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Switzerland.
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Liu X, Luo Y, Liu ZZ, Yang Y, Liu J, Jia CX. Prolonged Mobile Phone Use Is Associated with Poor Academic Performance in Adolescents. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2020; 23:303-311. [DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xianchen Liu
- Center for Public Health Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yachen Luo
- Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Zhen-Zhen Liu
- Shandong University School of Public Health, Jinan, China
| | - Yanyun Yang
- Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Jianghong Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cun-Xian Jia
- Shandong University School of Public Health, Jinan, China
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Pasqual E, Bosch de Basea M, López-Vicente M, Thierry-Chef I, Cardis E. Neurodevelopmental effects of low dose ionizing radiation exposure: A systematic review of the epidemiological evidence. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 136:105371. [PMID: 32007921 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurodevelopmental effects of high doses of ionizing radiation (IR) in children are well established. To what extent such effects exist at low-to-moderate doses is unclear. Considering the increasing exposure of the general population to low-to-moderate levels of IR, predominantly from diagnostic procedures, the study of these effects has become a priority for radiation protection. OBJECTIVES We conducted a systematic review of the current evidence for possible effects of low-to-moderate IR doses received during gestation, childhood and adolescence on different domains of neurodevelopment. DATA SOURCES Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and Psychinfo on the 6th of June 2017 and repeated in December 2018. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included studies evaluating the association between low-to-moderate IR doses received during gestation, childhood and adolescence, and neurodevelopmental functions. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS Studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool adapted to environmental sciences. A qualitative synthesis was performed. RESULTS A total of 26 manuscripts were finally selected. Populations analyzed in these publications were exposed to the following sources of IR: atomic bomb (Hiroshima and Nagasaki), diagnostic/therapeutic radiation, and Chernobyl and nuclear weapon testing fallout. There was limited evidence for an association between low-to-moderate doses of IR and a decrease in general cognition and language abilities, that is, a causal interpretation is credible, but chance or confounding cannot not be ruled out with reasonable confidence. Evidence for a possible stronger effect when exposure occurred early in life, in particular, during the fetal period, was inadequate. Evidence for an association between IR and other specific domains, including attention, executive function, memory, processing speed, visual-spatial abilities, motor and socio-emotional development, was inadequate, due to the very limited number of studies found. LIMITATIONS, CONCLUSIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS Overall, depending on the domain, there was limited to inadequate evidence for an effect of low-to-moderate IR doses on neurodevelopment. Heterogeneity across studies in terms of outcome and exposure assessment hampered any quantitative synthesis and any stronger conclusion. Future research with adequate dosimetry and covering a range of specific neurodevelopmental outcomes would likely contribute to improve the body of evidence. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42018091902).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pasqual
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Magda Bosch de Basea
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica López-Vicente
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabelle Thierry-Chef
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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31
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Jalilian H, Eeftens M, Ziaei M, Röösli M. Public exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in everyday microenvironments: An updated systematic review for Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108517. [PMID: 31202043 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Communication technologies are rapidly changing and this may affect public exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). This systematic review of literature aims to update a previous review on public everyday RF-EMF exposure in Europe, which covered publications until 2015. From 144 eligible records identified by means of a systematic search in PubMed, Embase and Web of Knowledge databases, published between May 2015 and 1 July 2018, 26 records met the inclusion criteria. We extracted quantitative data on public exposure in different indoors, outdoors and transport environments. The data was descriptively analyzed with respect to the exposure patterns between different types of environments. Mean RF-EMF exposure in homes, schools and offices were between 0.04 and 0.76 V/m. Mean outdoor exposure values ranged from 0.07 to 1.27 V/m with downlink signals from mobile phone base stations being the most relevant contributor. RF-EMF levels tended to increase with increasing urbanity. Levels in public transport (bus, train and tram) and cars were between 0.14 and 0.69 V/m. The highest levels, up to 1.97 V/m, were measured in public transport stations with downlink as the most relevant contributor. In line with previous studies, RF-EMF exposure levels were highest in the transportation systems followed by outdoor and private indoor environments. This review does not indicate a noticeable increase in everyday RF-EMF exposure since 2012 despite increasing use of wireless communication devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Jalilian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mansour Ziaei
- School of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Miller AB, Sears ME, Morgan LL, Davis DL, Hardell L, Oremus M, Soskolne CL. Risks to Health and Well-Being From Radio-Frequency Radiation Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices. Front Public Health 2019; 7:223. [PMID: 31457001 PMCID: PMC6701402 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation exposure has long been a concern for the public, policy makers, and health researchers. Beginning with radar during World War II, human exposure to radio-frequency radiation (RFR) technologies has grown substantially over time. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the published literature and categorized RFR as a "possible" (Group 2B) human carcinogen. A broad range of adverse human health effects associated with RFR have been reported since the IARC review. In addition, three large-scale carcinogenicity studies in rodents exposed to levels of RFR that mimic lifetime human exposures have shown significantly increased rates of Schwannomas and malignant gliomas, as well as chromosomal DNA damage. Of particular concern are the effects of RFR exposure on the developing brain in children. Compared with an adult male, a cell phone held against the head of a child exposes deeper brain structures to greater radiation doses per unit volume, and the young, thin skull's bone marrow absorbs a roughly 10-fold higher local dose. Experimental and observational studies also suggest that men who keep cell phones in their trouser pockets have significantly lower sperm counts and significantly impaired sperm motility and morphology, including mitochondrial DNA damage. Based on the accumulated evidence, we recommend that IARC re-evaluate its 2011 classification of the human carcinogenicity of RFR, and that WHO complete a systematic review of multiple other health effects such as sperm damage. In the interim, current knowledge provides justification for governments, public health authorities, and physicians/allied health professionals to warn the population that having a cell phone next to the body is harmful, and to support measures to reduce all exposures to RFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony B. Miller
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret E. Sears
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Prevent Cancer Now, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - L. Lloyd Morgan
- Environmental Health Trust, Teton Village, WY, United States
| | - Devra L. Davis
- Environmental Health Trust, Teton Village, WY, United States
| | - Lennart Hardell
- The Environment and Cancer Research Foundation, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Mark Oremus
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Colin L. Soskolne
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Thielens A, Bockstael A, Declerck S, Aminzadeh R, Aerts S, Botteldooren D, Martens L, Joseph W. Mobile phones: A trade-off between speech intelligibility and exposure to noise levels and to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:1-10. [PMID: 31096087 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
When making phone calls, cellphone and smartphone users are exposed to radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and sound pressure simultaneously. Speech intelligibility during mobile phone calls is related to the sound pressure level of speech relative to potential background sounds and also to the RF-EMF exposure, since the signal quality is correlated with the RF-EMF strength. Additionally, speech intelligibility, sound pressure level, and exposure to RF-EMFs are dependent on how the call is made (on speaker, held at the ear, or with headsets). The relationship between speech intelligibility, sound exposure, and exposure to RF-EMFs is determined in this study. To this aim, the transmitted RF-EMF power was recorded during phone calls made by 53 subjects in three different, controlled exposure scenarios: calling with the phone at the ear, calling in speaker-mode, and calling with a headset. This emitted power is directly proportional to the exposure to RF EMFs and is translated into specific absorption rate using numerical simulations. Simultaneously, sound pressure levels have been recorded and speech intelligibility has been assessed during each phone call. The results show that exposure to RF-EMFs, quantified as the specific absorption in the head, will be reduced when speaker-mode or a headset is used, in comparison to calling next to the ear. Additionally, personal exposure to sound pressure is also found to be highest in the condition where the phone is held next to the ear. On the other hand, speech perception is found to be the best when calling with a phone next to the ear in comparison to the other studied conditions, when background noise is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium; Berkeley Wireless Research Center, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 2108 Allston Way, Suite 200, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
| | - Annelies Bockstael
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium; École d'orthophonie et d'audiologie, Université de Montréal, 7077 Av du Parc, Montréal, QC H3N1X7, Canada
| | - Sofie Declerck
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Reza Aminzadeh
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Sam Aerts
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Dick Botteldooren
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Luc Martens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
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Abstract
AbstractNo study is available that has assessed the association of dietary diversity score (DDS) and alternative healthy eating index (AHEI) with glioma. The present study aimed to assess this association in Iranian adults. Overall, 128 pathologically confirmed cases of glioma were enrolled from hospitals and 256 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited from other wards of the hospital between 2009 and 2011. Dietary assessment was done using a validated block-format 123-item semi-quantitative FFQ. Dietary indices including DDS and AHEI-2010 were constructed according to standard methods. After controlling for potential confounders, a significant inverse association was found between DDS and risk of glioma (OR 0·42, 95 % CI 0·19, 0·94). Such finding was also seen when further adjustment was made for BMI; such that participants in the highest quartile of DDS were 56 % less likely to have glioma compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR 0·44, 95 % CI, 0·20, 0·97). In addition, a significant inverse association was found between adherence to AHEI and glioma; such that in the fully adjusted model, participants in the fourth quartile of AHEI had 74 % lower risk of glioma compared with those in the first quartile (OR 0·26, 95 % CI 0·12, 0·56). In conclusion, we found that greater adherence to the healthy, as measured by AHEI, and diverse, as measured by DDS, diets was associated with decreased odds of glioma.
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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: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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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Pritchard C, Silk A, Hansen L. Are rises in Electro-Magnetic Field in the human environment, interacting with multiple environmental pollutions, the tripping point for increases in neurological deaths in the Western World? Med Hypotheses 2019; 127:76-83. [PMID: 31088653 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Whilst humans evolved in the earth's Electro-Magnetic-Field (EMF) and sun-light, both being essential to life but too much sun and we burn. What happens if background EMF rise to critical levels, coinciding with increasing environmental pollutants? Two of the authors can look back over 50 clinical years and appreciate the profound changes in human morbidity across a range of disparate conditions - autoimmune diseases, asthma, earlier cancer incidence and reduced male sperm counts. In particular have been increased autism, dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and neurological diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Early Onset Dementia, Multiple System Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. What might have caused these changes-whilst genetic factors are taken as given, multiple environmental pollutants are associated with neurological disease although the mechanisms are unclear. The pace of increased neurological deaths far exceeds any Gompertzian explanation - that because people are living longer they are more likely to develop more age-related problems such as neurological disease. Using WHO global mortality categories of Neurological Disease Deaths (NDD) and Alzheimer's and Dementia deaths (Alz), updated June 2018, together they constitute Total Neurological Mortality (TNM), to calculate mortality rates per million for people aged 55-74 and for the over-75's in twenty-one Western countries. Recent increases in American people aged over-75's rose 49% from 1989 to 2015 but US neurological deaths increased five-fold. In 1989 based on Age-Standardised-Deaths-Rates America USA was 17th at 324 pm but rising to 539 pm became second highest. Different environmental/occupational factors have been found to be associated with neuro-degenerative diseases, including background EMF. We briefly explore how levels of EMF interact upon the human body, which can be described as a natural antennae and provide new evidence that builds upon earlier research to propose the following hypothesis. Based upon recent and new evidence we hypothesise that a major contribution for the relative sudden upsurge in neurological morbidity in the Western world (1989-2015), is because of increased background EMF that has become the tipping point-impacting upon any genetic predisposition, increasing multiple-interactive pollutants, such as rises in petro-chemicals, hormone disrupting chemicals, industrial, agricultural and domestic chemicals. The unprecedented neurological death rates, all within just twenty-five years, demand a re-examination of long-term EMF safety related to the increasing background EMF on human health. We do not wish to 'stop the modern world', only make it safer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Pritchard
- Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.
| | - Anne Silk
- Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Hansen
- Southern Health, Dept of Psychiatry, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
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