September 2010

Design of the cohort study of mobile phone use and health (Cosmos)

The authors describe the Cohort Study of Mobile use and health (Cosmos)  which is a large prospective cohort study of mobile phone users in five European countries (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK). Projected recruitment is 250,000 men and women aged 18 years and over who will be followed up more than 25 years. The researchers will collect information on mobile phone use prospectively with questionnaires and network operators’ billing record data. They will look at a number of potential associations with disease by using existing disease registries. Differences in symptoms such as headache, sleep quality, and of well-being will be determined by baseline and subsequent administered questionnaires.

Schüz J, Elliott P, Auvinen A, Kromhout H, Poulsen AH, Johansen C, Olsen JH, Hillert L, Feychting M, Fremling K, Toledano M, Heinävaara S, Slottje P, Vermeulen R, Ahlbom A. An international prospective cohort study of mobile phone users and health (Cosmos): Design considerations and enrolment. Cancer Epidemiol. Aug 30, 2010.  Ahead of print.

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No evidence for short-term physiological effects of EMF by base stations sleep quality.

The objective of the study was to investigate the health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and non-EMF effects of mobile phone base stations on sleep quality - objective and subjective. A double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized cross-over study of 397 residents from Germany was conducted where subjects were exposed to sham and GSM base station signals during 12 nights. Data were collected on EMF exposure, questionnaires on sleep disorders, overall sleep quality, attitude towards mobile communication, subjective sleep quality, and objective sleep data EEG and EOG recordings. Results indicate that no significant differences were found for subjective and objective sleep between the EMF and sham exposures. During sham exposure nights, a number of measured sleep parameters were significantly worse in subjects who worried about possible base stations than those not concerned at all. The authors concluded that results of their study don’t indicate any short-term physiological effects of EMF emitted by base stations on either objective or subjective sleep quality.

Danker-Hopfe H, Dorn H, Bornkessel C, Sauter C. (2010). Do mobile phone base stations affect sleep of residents? Results from an experimental double-blind sham-controlled field study. Am J Hum Biol. 22(5):613-8.

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Examples of risk governance deficits in experiences from EMF and power lines and how can it help risk management of RF-EMF’s

The objective of the review paper was to discuss issues related to EMF emitted from cellular communications and other radio-frequency technologies and then identify problems in risk governance. No convincing data exist of a health risk, and RF research and exposure assessment need to be explored further. The main governance issue presented in the article was “responding to uncertainty and low scientific evidence which is a public concern for some individuals”. For example, RF-EMF could have important consequences if ignored and also it greatly concerns the public but very little scientific evidence is currently available. Example of deficits in problem framing noted by the authors include (1) both overstatement and understatement of the scientific evidence and of the consequences of taking precautionary measures, (2) limited capacity to identify early warnings signs, and (3) also attempts to reassure those concerned have been negatively received sometimes. Other examples described include - limited public involvement mechanisms, and flaws in the identification and evaluation of tradeoffs in the selection of appropriate management strategies. The authors concluded that risk management of EMFs has certainly not been without problems and some lessons taken from past experiences could help the risk governance of the RF-EMF’s.

Kheifets L, Swanson J, Kandel S, Malloy TF. Risk Governance for Mobile Phones, Power Lines, and Other EMF Technologies. Risk Anal. Aug 17, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Study suggests that exposure to GSM mobile phone has some effects on central nervous system

The objective of the study was to determine the health effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted from GSM mobile phone on human brain function. A total of 15 participants were assessed based on event related potentials (ERPs); P300 latency, amplitude, and latency of the N1, N2, P2 waves were analyzed. Results indicate that EMF exposure had an effect on P300 amplitude. Also, no statistically significant changes were found in the latencies of the N1, N2, P2, and P300 wave. The authors concluded that the results indicate that exposure to GSM mobile phone has some biological effects on the central nervous system such as on long latency ERPs.

Bak M, Dudarewicz A, Zmyślony M, Sliwinska-Kowalska M. (2010). Effects of GSM signals during exposure to event related potentials (ERPs). Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 23(2):191-9.

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RF-EMF could affect some psychobiological stress markers

The objective of the study was to assess whether exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phone base stations could change salivary alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and cortisol levels. A total of 57 subjects randomly exposed to one of three different experimental 50 minute scenarios repeated five times. The RF-EMF source was a GSM-900-MHz antenna. In scenarios 1 and 2, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th sessions were "low" exposure. The second session was "high", and the fourth session was "medium" in scenario 1, and the opposite in scenario 2. Scenario 3 had four "low" exposure conditions, followed by a "high" exposure. Parameters were measured from three saliva samples each session. Results indicate that in scenario 3, from "low" to "high" exposure, an increase of cortisol was measured. A higher concentration of alpha-amylase compared to baseline values was measured in scenario 3 compared to the other two scenarios. It was noted that IgA concentration was not affected by exposure scenarios. The authors concluded that RF-EMF of lower field densities could potentially change some psychobiological stress markers.

Augner C, Hacker GW, Oberfeld G, Florian M, Hitzl W, Hutter J, Pauser G. (2010). Effects of Exposure to GSM Mobile Phone Base Station Signals on Salivary Cortisol, Alpha-Amylase, and Immunoglobulin A. Biomed Environ Sci. 23(3):199-207.

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Study shows that cochlear implant as negligible effect in the average SAR values both in the cochlea and head

The objective of the study was to assess the effect on the electromagnetic field distribution and the specific absorption rate (SAR) from the presence of a cochlear implant in a head model exposed to far-field Wi-Fi frequencies. Experiments with and without cochlear implant were compared. The results indicate that local differences in the field distribution close to the cochlear implant were found when comparing the head models with or without the cochlear implant. Negligible variations in the average SAR values in the cochlea and head were found in the presence of a cochlear implant. The conclusions of the experiments are that a cochlear implant brings only small differences in the average SAR values both in the cochlea and head which are not related to the frequency and wave polarization.

Parazzini M, Sibella F, Paglialonga A, Ravazzani P. Assessment of the exposure to WLAN frequencies of a head model with a cochlear implant. Bioelectromagnetics. Aug 3, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Development of an electromagnetic environmental impact factor

The objective of the study was to develop an electromagnetic environmental impact factor. The authors stated that the impact factor would estimate the level of electromagnetic impact in an area which includes EMF sources such as mobile phone base stations. The impact factor was calculated from electromagnetic field intensity. The authors described the important parameters of the field distribution and inherent assumptions used to calculate the impact factor. The impact factor is a tool to characterize electromagnetic pollution level in an urban area. It was concluded that the impact factor was appropriate for the evaluation of the electromagnetic impact of existing EMF environmental sources and could be used to compare different mobile phone base station locations when a new design is needed for new base stations.

Russo P, Cerri G, Vespasiani V. A numerical coefficient for evaluation of the environmental impact of electromagnetic fields radiated by base stations for mobile communications. Bioelectromagnetics. Aug 5, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Exposure to GSM signal does not affect cellular calcium homeostasis

Few previous studies have suggested that cellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is affected by the types of radiofrequency fields emitted by mobile phones. However, results from this study indicate that 900 MHz GSM fields do not affect either basal Ca2+ homeostasis or provoked Ca2+ signals even at the highest field strengths applied.

O'Connor RP, Madison SD, Leveque P, Roderick HL, Bootman MD. (2010). Exposure to GSM RF fields does not affect calcium homeostasis in human endothelial cells, rat pheocromocytoma cells or rat hippocampal neurons. PLoS One. 5(7):e11828.

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Cellular phones and their base stations do not produce carcinogenic changes

This study evaluates the effects of mobile phone base stations on the micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations in blood of people who were living close to base stations. The results did not show any significant differences in micronucleus frequency and chromosome aberrations.

Yildirim MS, Yildirim A, Zamani AG, Okudan N. (2010). Effect of mobile phone station on micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations in human blood cells. Genet Couns. 21(2):243-51.

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Exposure to electromagnetic fields decreases Purkinje cell numbers in female rat cerebellum

In this paper, the effects on the number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of 16-week old female rats were investigated following exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field. Rats were divided in 3 different groups: a control group, sham exposed group, and an electromagnetic field group. Results suggested that long duration exposure to electromagnetic fields decrease Purkinje cell numbers in the female rat cerebellum. The authors concluded that their results showed for the first time a cell loss in the female rat cerebellum after exposure to 900 MHz EMF for 28 days. They also mention that the results indicated that chronic exposure to 900 MHz EMF does not lead to body or brain weight loss following postnatal exposure.

Sonmez OF, Odaci E, Bas O, Kaplan S. Purkinje cell number decreases in the adult female rat cerebellum following exposure to 900MHz electromagnetic field. Brain Res. Aug 4, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Effects of mobile phone exposure on brain tissue

This study investigates the effects of mobile phone exposure on brain tissue and a possible protective role of vitamin C. Results show that the exposure caused an inhibition in 5'-nucleotidase and catalase enzyme activities. The authors concluded that their results propose that vitamin C could have a protective role against adverse health effects of mobile phone radiation in brain tissue.

Imge EB, Kiliçoğlu B, Devrim E, Cetin R, Durak I. Effects of mobile phone use on brain tissue from the rat and a possible protective role of vitamin C - a preliminary study. Int J Radiat Biol. Aug 10, 2010. Epub ahead of print.

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No significant effect of radiofrequency radiation on bladder cells of rats

This study investigated if there is any effect of 1800 MHz GSM modulated radiofrequency radiation on the number of micronucleus in exfoliated bladder cells of rat which will be informative about the genotoxic damage. 1800 MHz radiation did not show a significant effect in rat bladder cells when compared with the control group.

Gurbuz N, Sirav B, Yuvaci HU, Turhan N, Coskun ZK, Seyhan N. (2010). Is there any possible genotoxic effect in exfoliated bladder cells of rat under the exposure of 1800 MHz GSM-like modulated radio frequency radiation (RFR)? Electromagn Biol Med. 29(3):98-104.

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Effect of electromagnetic fields on serum testosterone levels in rats

This study investigated the effects of electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones on serum testosterone levels in rats. The data showed that exposure to mobile phones for 60 minutes each day for a total period of 3 months significantly decreased the serum testosterone level in rats. The authors concluded that long-term exposure to radiofrequency fields emitted by mobile phones decreased serum testosterone levels which could affect reproductive and general health.

Meo SA, Al-Drees AM, Husain S, Khan MM, Imran MB. (2010). Effects of mobile phone radiation on serum testosterone in Wistar albino rats. Saudi Med J. 30(8):869-73.

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Effect of microwave exposure on male fertility of rats

This study assessed the effect of microwave exposure on male fertility of rats (70-day-old male rats exposed for 2 hour per day for 45 days at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.014 W/kg and a power density of 0.21 mW/cm2). The data showed significant changes in the level of reactive oxygen species, histone kinase, enzyme activity, and apoptotic cells in the exposed group compared with the sham exposed group. The authors concluded that there was a significant effect of microwave radiations on the reproductive pattern in male rats. They noted it is a causative factor of male infertility.

Kumar S, Kesari KK, Behari J. Influence of microwave exposure on fertility of male rats. Fertil Steril. Jun 17, 2010. Ahead of print.

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Tumor promotion as a result of radiofrequency radiation

This study investigated the genetic effect of radiofrequency radiation on male Wistar rats. Results indicate that significant changes occurred in oxidative stress parameters after radiofrequency field exposure in exposed vs sham-exposed rats. The authors concluded that microwave radiation could affect the genetic level, produce effect on micronuclei formation and an overproduction of reactive oxygen species.

Kumar S, Kesari KK, Behari, J. (2010). Evaluation of genotoxic effects in male Wistar rats following microwave exposure. IJEB. 48(06):586-592.

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Review of the cancer risk from radiofrequency fields emitted from mobile telephone

In this review, the latest epidemiological studies of mobile phone use and base stations and risk of tumours are discussed. The authors state that the results question the adequacy of current safety limits of electromagnetic fields exposure for humans since they are based only on thermal mechanism of biological effects. The latest experimental data are presented and the review indicates significant metabolic changes in living cell under the low-intensive (non-thermal) EMR exposure; reactive oxygen species overproduction, heat shock proteins expression, DNA damages, and apoptosis. The authors conclude that steps must be taken in order to limit excessive EMF exposure.

Yakymenko I, Sidorik E. (2010). Risks of carcinogenesis from electromagnetic radiation of mobile telephony devices. Exp Oncol. 32(2):54-60.

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