Diciembre 2009

No change in incidence trends in brain tumor in four Scandinavian countries.

The objective of the study was to investigate time trends in brain tumor incidence between 1974 and 2003 in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The study was performed by collecting data on incidence of gliomaand meningioma from national cancer registries. Results indicate that a total of 59 984 individuals between 20 and 79 years were diagnosed with either type of brain tumor out of 16 million inhabitants. The incidence rate of glioma increased by 0.5% per year (men) and by 0.2% per year (women). Meningioma increased by 0.8% per year (men), and following the early 1990s, by 3.8% per year (women). The authors concluded that they found no change in incidence trends from 1998 to 2003 which could suggest that (1) induction periods for brain tumors and mobile phone use are greater than 5-10 years, (2) or the risk is too small to detect, (3) or the risk is restricted to subgroups of users, or (4) that there is no increased risk.

Deltour I, Johansen C, Auvinen A, Feychting M, Klaeboe L, Schüz J. Time Trends in Brain Tumor Incidence Rates in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, 1974–2003. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Ahead of print. December 3, 2009

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EMF exposures from base stations in Ghana lower than ICNIRP but higher than other places

The objective of the survey was to measure electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by base station antennas owned by the Ghana Telecommunications Company. Measurements were done with a hand-held spectrum analyzer which produced electric field level for the 900 and 1800 MHz frequency bands. The results showed that power densities were as low as 0.01 microW m2 to a high of 10 microW m2 for the 900 MHz band, and power densities changed from 0.01 to 100 microW m2 for the 1800 MHz band. It was found that results were compliant with the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiological Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines although they were 20 times higher than the other results in similar environments. The authors concluded that there is a need to re-evaluate the measures to reduce the actual levels of exposure as mobile phone use is expected to increase in the future.

Amoako JK, Fletcher JJ, Darko EO. (2009). Measurement and analysis of radiofrequency radiations from some mobile phone base stations in Ghana. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 135(4):256-60.

For more see “Research – exposure assessment”
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Practical guidelines for EMF exposure in the workplace

Since employers are soon to be made responsible of electromagnetic field exposure in the workplace due to a new European Commission guideline, scientists are establishing practical guidelines that could be followed in such cases. The objective of the paper is to improve these practical guidelines of dosimetric issues: (1) the dosimetric parameter dependence on the shape and the inner characterisation of exposed subjects, (2) the numerical algorithm chosen, (3) and the correlation between established limits and basic restriction. The results indicate that for some cases there is a need for complex interpretation of the results.

Catarinucci L, Tarricone L. On the use of advanced numerical models for the evaluation of dosimetric parameters and the verification of exposure limits at workplace. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. Oct 21, 2009. Ahead of print.

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Applicability of EMF exposure assessment methods and instruments

The objective of the study was to determine the applicability of traditional and new methods for exposure assessment of electromagnetic field emitted from wireless devices. The most recent analyses on methodology for EMF exposure assessment are looked at for their applicability to different scenarios and wireless networking applications such as broadcasting services, mobile cellular networks and data access provisioning infrastructures. The author concludes that measuring wideband digitally modulated signals can only be properly done with the use of advanced exposure assessment techniques, the most accurate is a vector signal analyser equipped with digital demodulators.
Trinchero D. Exposure assessment procedures in presence of wideband digital wireless networks. Rad Prot Dos. Nov 13, 2009 Ahead of print.

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Validity of shielding device to reduce non-ionizing radiation exposures.

Stefanelli R, Trinchero D. Frequency selective solutions for an efficient non-ionising radiation protection in the radiofrequency and microwave ranges. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. Nov 13, 2009. Ahead of print.

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The objective of the study was to discuss an efficient solution for the realisation of frequency-selective devices. The solution can shield electromagnetic field (EMF) in the radiofrequency and microwave wavelengths. The hardware is transparent to visible light and can be successfully applied on windows. The solution performed well and can be rapidly analyzed with exact numerical techniques. An example has been designed, analyzed, and applied to wideband access base stations.

Effect of mobile phone irradiation on protein expression in a human endothelial cell line

This study investigates the effects of 1800 MHz GSM mobile phone irradiation on the protein expression in a human endothelial cell line. Investigation of protein expression changes were replicated in 10 experiments. Results were compared with the data of an earlier study that used 900 MHz GSM irradiation. The data suggest that the radiofrequency field (RF) exposures might affect the expression of some proteins.

Nylund R, Tammio H, Kuster N, Leszczynski D. (2009). Proteomic Analysis of the Response of Human Endothelial Cell Line EA.hy926 to 1800 GSM Mobile Phone Radiation. J Proteomics Bioinform. 2:455-462.

For more see “Research – laboratory – other – heat shock response”
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Can radiofrequency radiation cause oxidative damage to mtDNA?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiofrequency field (RF) radiation can cause oxidative damage to mtDNA. Primary cultured cortical neurons were exposed to pulsed RF fields at a frequency of 1800 MHz modulated by 217 Hz at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg. The results suggested that RF radiation could cause oxidative damage to mtDNA in primary cultured neurons.

Xu S, Zhong M, Zhang L, Zhou Z, Zhang W, Wang Y, Wang X, Li M, Chen Y, Chen C, He M, Zhang G, Yu Z. Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation induces oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA in primary cultured neurons. Brain Res. Oct 30 2009. Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – laboratory – brain function”
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Teratogenic effects of multi-signal radiofrequency fields on mouse fetuses

This study investigates the teratogenic effects of multi-signal radiofrequency fields (RF) on mouse fetuses. Mice received were exposed to two 45-min sessions separated by a 15minutes each day of the gestation period. Simultaneous experimental exposure to CDMA and WCDMA RF fields did not cause any observable adverse effects on mouse fetuses.

Lee HJ, Lee JS, Pack JK, Choi HD, Kim N, Kim SH, Lee YS. (2009). Lack of teratogenicity after combined exposure of pregnant mice to CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Radiat Res. 172(5):648-52.

For more see “Research – laboratory – reproduction”
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Foetal development following exposure of pregnant mice to mobile phone radiation

This study focuses on foetal development following mild daily exposure of pregnant mice to near field radiofrequency field (RF) GSM 900 MHz radiation emitted by a mobile phone. The results show that mild exposure to mobile phone radiation may affect mouse foetal development.

Fragopoulou AF, Koussoulakos SL, Margaritis LH. Cranial and postcranial skeletal variations induced in mouse embryos by mobile phone radiation. Pathophysiology. Oct 23, 2009. Ahead of print.

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Oxidative destruction of whole-body radiofrequency exposure

This study evaluates the possible biological effects of whole-body 1800 MHz GSM-like radiofrequency field (RF) radiation on liver oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in nonpregnant, pregnant New Zealand White rabbits, and in newborns. The results show that RF radiation exposure may lead to oxidative destruction as being indicators of subsequent reactions that occur to form oxygen toxicity in tissues.

Tomruk A, Guler G, Dincel AS. The Influence of 1800 MHz GSM-like Signals on Hepatic Oxidative DNA and Lipid Damage in Nonpregnant, Pregnant, and Newly born Rabbits. Cell Biochem Biophys. Oct 23, 2009. Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – laboratory – other – free oxygen radicals”
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Effects of radiofrequency radiation on neurological system

This study investigates whether acute or long-term exposure to mobile phone radiofrequency fields (RF) produce up-regulation of the water channel protein, aquaporin-4. The results show no increase in aquaporin-4 expression in mouse brains exposed to mobile phone radiation compared to controls.

Finnie JW, Blumbergs PC, Cai Z, Manavis J. Expression of the water channel protein, aquaporin-4, in mouse brains exposed to mobile telephone radiofrequency fields. Pathology. Apr 26, 2009. Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – laboratory – brain function”
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Effects of radiofrequency radiation on immunological system

The objective of this study was to confirm previous data on effects of 2450 MHz radiofrequency field (RF) exposure on immunological processes and teratology in rats. All results were negative. The authors concluded that 2450 MHz RF radiation exposure did not affect several immune and degenerative parameters or prenatal development.

Poulletier de Gannes F, Taxile M, Duleu S, Hurtier A, Haro E, Geffard M, Ruffié G, Billaudel B, Lévêque P, Dufour P, Lagroye I, Veyret B. A Confirmation Study of Russian and Ukrainian Data on Effects of 2450 MHz Microwave Exposure on Immunological Processes and Teratology in Rats. Rad Resear 172(5):617-624.

For more see “Research – laboratory – reproduction” and “Research – laboratory – other – immune system”
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Kundi M, Hardell L, Sage C, Sobel E. Letter: EMF and the Precautionary Principle Environ Health Perspect. Oct 26, 2009 Ahead of print.
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Dolan M, Rowley, J. Response to: EMF and the Precautionary Principle: Dolan and Rowley Respond Environ Health Perspect. Oct 26, 2009 Ahead of print.
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Review of health effects of mobile phone on brain electrical activity

The objective of the review was to analyze reports on human brain electrical activity and radiofrequency and low frequency fields emitted by mobile phones. A total of 55 reports were identified, 37 of them being positive and 18 being negative in terms of electromagnetic field (EMF) health effects on electroencephalogram or cognitive processing. The authors concluded that the hypothesis of the pathophysiology of mobile phone EMFs of brain electrical activity is still to be proven.

Marino AA, Carrubba S. (2009). The effects of mobile-phone electromagnetic fields on brain electrical activity: A critical analysis of the literature. Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. 28(3):250-274.

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Review: plasma membrane might be the target of cell phone radiation

The review of the literature is on the effects of mobile phone non-ionizing radiation on human health including fertility and cancer.  The authors suggest that prolonged exposure can cause DNA damage by prolonged oxidative stress and could accelerate neuronal and spermatozoal cell death, promote neurodegenerative processes, and brain and testicular carcinogenesis. Also the review indicates that mobile phone non-ionizing radiation might affect the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa. The authors suggest that specific absorption rate (SAR) limit should be lowered for cellular phones but more studies are needed.

Desai NR, Kesari KK, Agarwal A. Pathophysiology of cell phone radiation: oxidative stress and carcinogenesis with focus on male reproductive system. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 7(1):114. Oct 22, 2009. Ahead of print.

For more see “Research – bibliography – review papers”
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