August 2010

US incidence data do not provide overall support: mobile phone use and brain cancer

There are today more than 279 million mobile phone subscribers in the United States, and prevalent exposure if linked to brain cancer would be reflected in general population incidence rates. Induction period could be very long or confined to very long-term users and not apparent in current brain cancer incidence rates. The objective of the study was to examine temporal trends in US brain cancer incidence, using information in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. The methodology used was log-linear models to calculate annual percent change in rates among whites. Results indicate that the brain cancer trends for period 1992 to 2006 were downward or no trend. But, those aged 20-29 years, they found a statistically significant increased brain cancer trend between 1992 and 2006 only among females. The authors concluded that overall their results using incidencerate data do not support the theory that mobile phone use causes brain cancer.

Inskip PD, Hoover RN, Devesa SS. Brain cancer incidence trends in relation to cellular telephone use in the United States. Neuro Oncol. Jul 16, 2010 Ahead of print.

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Linear relationship between mobile phone usage and brain tumour incidence found in US study

The objective of the study was to analyze data for brain tumours (Statistical Report: Primary Brain Tumors in the United States, 2000-2004) and its correlation with 2007 mobile phone subscription data (Governing State and Local Sourcebook). Results indicate that a significant correlation between the number of mobile phone subscriptions and brain tumours was found in 19 US states (r = 0.950, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression was also performed: dependant variable was number of brain tumors; independent variables were mobile phone subscriptions, population, average family income and average age. Results from the linear regression showed that effect of mobile phone subscriptions was significant (P = 0.017), and independent of the effect of mean family income (P = 0.894), population (P = 0.003) and age (0.499). The authors concluded that linear relationship between mobile phone use and number of brain tumours found in the study is important enough to be investigated further.

Lehrer S, Green S, Stock RG. Association between number of cell phone contracts and brain tumor incidence in nineteen U.S. States. J Neurooncol. Jun 30 2010. Ahead of print.

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Review of epidemiological research on health effects from mobile phone base stations

The objective of the paper was to review the epidemiological data on possible health effects of mobile phone base stations. The methodology was to identify relevant papers in the database ‘PubMed’. The authors identified 10 studies that evaluated potential health effects (neurobehavioral and cancer) of base stations. Their review found that 8 studies reported an increased prevalence of adverse neurobehavioral symptoms or cancer in those who lived less than 500 meters from base stations. The authors concluded that future epidemiological studies of long-term base station exposure could help understand its health impact and should be undertaken relatively soon.

Khurana VG, Hardell L, Everaert J, Bortkiewicz A, Carlberg M, Ahonen M. (2010). Epidemiological Evidence for a Health Risk from Mobile Phone Base Stations. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. 16(3).

For more see “Research – epidemiological – cell phone studies” -“Bibliography – review papers – general”
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Commentary on results of the Interphone study

Peres J. (2010). One conclusion emerges from Interphone study: controversy will continue. J Natl Cancer Inst. 02(13):928-31.

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No association between measured exposure to RF and chronic well-being in children and adolescents

The objective of the study was to determine, using personal dosimetry for exposure assessment, the possible association between radiofrequency fields (RF) and chronic well-being in young individuals. Participants were 3,022 children and adolescents randomly selected from the population registries in Germany. Data were collected during a personal interview and included chronic symptoms, socio-demographic characteristics, and potential confounders. Exposure to RF was measured with a personal exposimeter for a 24 hour period exposure profile. Results indicate that all measured exposures were far below the current ICNIRP reference levels. No statistically significant association between measured exposure and chronic symptoms was observed. The authors concluded that their results do not show an association between measured exposure to RF and chronic well-being in children and adolescents.

Heinrich S, Thomas S, Heumann C, von Kries R, Radon K. The impact of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields on chronic well-being in young people - A cross-sectional study based on personal dosimetry. Environ Int. Jul 8, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Laypeople's knowledge of base stations varied considerably and affected siting preferences

The objective of the survey was to explore people’s knowledge about mobile base stations and how they influence their perceptions and preferences in terms of location in Switzerland. To study perceptions, a mail-surveyed questionnaire based on mental models was sent to 765 people (response rate=41%), and was designed to collect information on people's knowledge, intuitive understanding, exposure awareness, and base station siting preferences. Results indicate that laypeople's knowledge varied across knowledge areas and was affected by demographic characteristics. Participants also had limited knowledge about interaction scenarios between mobile phones and base stations, misjudged the importance of exposure magnitudes which had an impact on respondents' preferences regarding base station siting.

Cousin ME, Siegrist M. (2010). The public's knowledge of mobile communication and its influence on base station siting preferences.  Health, Risk & Society. 12(3):231–250.

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Clinical study of concentration of beta-trace protein in blood and sleep disturbances in relation to EMF exposure

The objective of the study was to determine the concentration of beta-trace protein, a key enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandin D2 (endogenous sleep-promoting neurohormone in the brain), in blood of 62 individuals (18-30 years) in relation to self-reported mobile and cordless phone use. Results indicate that the concentration of beta-trace protein decreased with increasing number of years of mobile phone use.  An experimental study was also conducted with 40 participants exposed for 30 minutes to 890-MHz GSM frequency signal. No statistically significant change of beta-trace protein was found in the experimental component. A similar study of the remaining 22 participants with no exposure, beta-trace protein did increase significantly over time, which could be due to a relaxed situation. The authors concluded that EMF emissions may down-regulate the synthesis of beta-trace protein and could be the reason for reported sleep disturbances in persons exposed to radiofrequency fields.

Hardell L, Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Zetterberg H, Mild KH. (2010). Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum beta-trace protein. Int J Mol Med. 26(2):301-6.

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Mean total personal RF-EMF exposure levels similar between 5 European countries; well below the international exposure limits

The objective of the study was to compare mean radiofrequency field (RF) EMF exposure levels in five countries (Belgium, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, and the Netherlands). Also, contributions of different sources of RF in micro-environments were investigated between countries. Exposure measurement studies with personal exposure meters allowed for pooled country data to be analyzed with robust regression on order statistics (ROS). The study design made it possible to compare mean exposure levels between homes, public transports, and outdoor environment. Results indicate that exposure levels were comparable in all countries and considerably below the standard set by the International agency. In general, the highest total exposure mostly emitted from mobile phones was measured in transport vehicles (trains, car, and busses). The authors concluded that the highest total personal RF-EMF exposure was measured inside transport vehicles and mobile telecommunication devices were the most important contributor to total RF-EMF exposure in all microenvironments.

Joseph W, Frei P, Roösli M, Thuróczy G, Gajsek P, Trcek T, Bolte J, Vermeeren G, Mohler E, Juhász P, Finta V, Martens L. Comparison of personal radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in different urban areas across Europe. Environ Res. Jul 16, 2010. Ahead of print.

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RF exposure in Stockholm dominated by GSM and UMTS-HSPA; long-term evolution (LTE) (4G radio) contributes 4%

The objective of the survey was to determine a range of exposure values from typical long term evolution (LTE), a fourth generation (4G) of radio technologies, and compare the contribution of LTE with other radiofrequency fields (RF) sources. Compliance with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for general public exposure in 30 different locations in Stockholm, Sweden was also verified. All measured electric field values (0.2-2.6 V/m) satisfied the International guidelines. The maximal total field value was 2.6 V/m and is 17 times below the ICNIRP guidelines. The average of the total values for all 30 locations was 1.11 V/m. LTE exposures range from 0.02 to 0.8 V/m (mean=0.2 V/m) and the average contribution of the LTE signal to RF-EMF exposure was 4.1%. The authors concluded that, in general, RF exposure in Stockholm is dominated by GSM and UMTS-High Speed Packet Access (HSPA).

Joseph W, Verloock L, Goeminne F, Vermeeren G, Martens L. Assessment of general public exposure to LTE and RF sources present in an urban environment. Bioelectromagnetics. Jul 6, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Results do not support hypothesis that living cells could demodulate RF energy

The objective of the experiment was to test whether the electric and magnetic structures of biological cells exhibit the nonlinear responses necessary for demodulation. The authors used a doubly resonant cavity due to its high sensitivity to search for nonlinear radiofrequency field (RF) energy conversion in a range of biological preparations. The biological samples chosen had a range of degrees of electrical excitability. Cancer as well as non cancer cell lines and samples reported to show responses to low-level RF fields were tested. More than 500 samples were placed within the resonant cavity and exposed to 880–890MHz band continuous wave (CW). Results indicate that the value of resonant frequency (f) varied from 882.594 to 883.890 MHz. No second harmonic was observed above the noise floor for any sample type or phase of the study. The authors concluded that their experimental study did not demonstrate nonlinear conversion of RF energy by biological materials. The results indicate that biological systems do not seem to act as effective radio receivers at frequencies above a few hundred MHz.

Kowalczuk C, Yarwood G, Blackwell R, Priestner M, Sienkiewicz Z, Bouffler S, Ahmed I, Abd-Alhameed R, Excell P, Hodzic V, Davis C, Gammon R, Balzano Q. Absence of nonlinear responses in cells and tissues exposed to RF energy at mobile phone frequencies using a doubly resonant cavity. Bioelectromagnetics. Jul 6, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Good accuracy on radar signals produced by air traffic control (ATC) achieved in laboratory and in situ measurements

Air traffic control (ATC) radar ground station includes two radar systems; a primary surveillance radar (PSR) and a secondary surveillance radar (SSR). Peak power transmitted by SSRs is usually less than one thousandth than irradiated by PSRs. ATC primary radars use radiofrequency (RF) pulses from aircraft to locate it. Long-range PSRs use a frequency band between 1 and 2 GHz. High-power pulses radiated from PSR antennas may produce high electromagnetic field (EMF) levels in the vicinity. High-power RF pulses radiated from radar antennas may produce high electromagnetic field levels in the surrounding area. The objective of the study was to measure EMF produced by RF-pulsed radar by means of a swept-tuned spectrum analyser method. The measurements were conducted in the laboratory and in situ and compared with expected ones. Results indicate a deviation up to 0.5 dB in the laboratory and 0.7 dB in situ in both in line spectrum and pulse spectrum modalities. The authors concluded that their results represent a good accuracy for both modalities.

Barellini A, Bogi L, Licitra G, Silvi AM, Zari A. (2009). Measurement of electromagnetic fields generated by air traffic control radar systems with spectrum analysers. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 137(3-4):210-3.

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Analysis of RF radiation in the vicinity of broadcasting antennas

The aim of this study is to analyze RF radiation levels and exposure quotients for exposure to multiple-frequency sources in the vicinity of medium wave radio broadcasting antennas. The results showed that the exposure quotient criterion based on electrical stimulation effects to be more stringent than those based on thermal effects or power density levels.

Paniagua JM, Rufo M, Jiménez A, Antolín A, Pinar I. Medium wave exposure characterization using exposure quotients. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. Feb 16, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Development of surface-based anatomical models

The objective of this study is to develop anatomically correct whole-body human models of adult male and female and two children for the optimized evaluation of electromagnetic exposure. The four models are provided for free to the scientific community.

Christ A, Kainz W, Hahn EG, Honegger K, Zefferer M, Neufeld E, Rascher W, Janka R, Bautz W, Chen J, Kiefer B, Schmitt P, Hollenbach HP, Shen J, Oberle M, Szczerba D, Kam A, Guag JW, Kuster N. (2010). The Virtual Family--development of surface-based anatomical models of two adults and two children for dosimetric simulations. Phys Med Biol. 55(2):N23-38.

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RF fields have no adverse effects on the male reproductive system

This study investigated if radiofrequency fields (RF) which do not induce thermal effects but produce a relatively high dose rate, negatively affect spermatogenesis in rats. Results indicate that no significant differences in any parameters investigated were noted during spermatogenesis in rats exposed to 12 weeks of RF fields at 848.5 MHz with a SAR of 2 W/kg.

Lee HJ, Pack JK, Kim TH, Kim N, Choi SY, Lee JS, Kim SH, Lee YS. The lack of histological changes of CDMA cellular phone-based radio frequency on rat testis. Bioelectromagnetics. Jul 6, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Possible effects of RF exposure on estrogenic activity in rats

This study investigated the possible effects of short-term exposure to a 1439 MHz TDMA signal on estrogenic activity in rats. The short-term exposure to a 1439 MHz radiofrequency fields (RF), as used in Japanese mobile phones, altered neither the serum estrogen concentration nor estrogenic activity in female ovariectomized rats.

Yamashita H, Hata K, Yamaguchi H, Tsurita G, Wake K, Watanabe S, Taki M, Ueno S, Nagawa H. Short-term exposure to a 1439-MHz TDMA signal exerts no estrogenic effect in rats. Bioelectromagnetics. Jul 6, 2010. Ahead of print.

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No non-thermal damage in enzymes due to exposure to radiofrequency radiation

This study aims to determine whether radiofrequency field (RF) radiation non-thermally affects enzymes and live bacterial and human cells using three most commonly used frequencies. Enzymatic activities of horseradish peroxidase and beta-galactosidase in aqueous solution exhibited no statistically discernable consequences of even very intense RF radiation.

Fortune JA, Wu BI, Klibanov AM. Radio frequency radiation causes no nonthermal damage in enzymes and living cells. Biotechnol Prog. Jun 1, 2010. Ahead of print.

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