I have been circulating abstracts of newly-published scientific papers on radio frequency and other non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) about once a month since 2016. Several hundred EMF scientists around the world receive these updates.
The complete collection contains more than 1,600 abstracts and links to more than 1,800 papers.
You can download the complete collection of abstracts, a 1,355-page document (pdf) by clicking on the following link:
Protocol
for a systematic review of the in vivo studies on radiofrequency
(100 kHz–300 GHz) electromagnetic field exposure and cancer
Pinto
R, Ardoino L Giardullo P, Villani P, Marino C. Protocol for a
systematic review of the in vivo studies on radiofrequency
(100 kHz–300 GHz) electromagnetic field exposure and cancer. Syst Rev
11, 29 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/
Abstract
Background An
Italian project aims to review the scientific literature on the
possible carcinogenicity of radiofrequency (100 kHz–300 GHz)
electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure. The ENEA team has to carry out a
systematic review of the in vivo studies on this topic.
Objectives Development
of a protocol for a systematic review (meta-analysis included) to
investigate the potential carcinogenic risk following RF-EMF in vivo
exposure to doses above or within legal limits. The aims of this review
are (1) to provide a descriptive and, if possible, a quantitative
summary of the results of the examined RF-EMF in vivo studies, together
with an assessment of the consistency of observations and of the causes
of heterogeneity, and (2) to assess the weight of evidence to support or
refute the hypothesis of carcinogenic effects caused by RF-EMF exposure
and to draw conclusions about the potential for carcinogenicity of
RF-EMF exposure.
Methods We
will search for relevant studies in electronic academic databases and
in the reference list of selected papers and reviews on the topic,
including the descriptive reviews on RF-EMF carcinogenic effect carried
out by international panels of experts since 2011. The following
elements of the PECO question were defined: experimental studies
on rodents of both sexes, all ages and species, all genetic backgrounds
(Population) exposed to RF-EMF alone, or in combination with other
physical or chemical agents (Exposure); only studies reporting outcome
data in exposed and sham control groups (Comparison); and all types of
cancer with all tumor-related outcome measures (Outcome) will be
included.
Only peer-reviewed articles written in English will be considered without limit in the publication date.
Eligibility
criteria were defined for papers to be included. A risk of bias
assessment will be performed using a tool specifically developed for
animal studies. A meta-analysis will be performed, if feasible, for all
outcome measures; for subgroup analysis, a minimum of 3 studies per
subgroup will be required. If meta-analysis will not be possible, a
narrative synthesis of the results will be reported.
Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020191105
Open access paper: https://
--
Base transceiver station antenna exposure and workers’ health
Hosseinali
Rangkooy, Afshin Rahmati, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi. Base transceiver
station antenna exposure and workers’ health. International Journal of
Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 04 Aug 2022. doi:
10.1080/10803548.2022.2085892.
Abstract
Objectives. With the rapid development of technologies related to the communications industry, human exposure to electromagnetic fields has increased during recent decades. The study aimed at investigating the effect of exposure to waves emitted from the base transceiver stations (BTS) on workers' health.
Methods. 240 workers participated in the study. In order to determine the general health conditions in two groups, along with electromagnetic waves exposure measurement, the general health questionnaire (GHQ) was completed and the data on blood parameters were assessed.
Results. The mean age and job experience in the case and control groups were 34.1 ± 4.8 and 10.1 ± 6 years and 31.6 ± 5.5 and 8.8 ± 7 years, respectively. According to the GHQ results, only anxiety and insomnia subscales showed a significant difference between the two groups. The white blood cell and red blood cell counts in the case and control groups were 6715.6 ± 1591 and 7594 ± 2416, 5.3 × 106 ± 4.6 × 105 and 5.05 × 106 ± 5.39 × 105 per ml, respectively. Analysis of the results showed that the difference between the two groups was significant.
Conclusion. The results revealed that blood parameters in the BTS operators showed more changes. Thus, it can be concluded that these health impacts result from occupational exposure to BTS waves.
Abstract
Objectives. With the rapid development of technologies related to the communications industry, human exposure to electromagnetic fields has increased during recent decades. The study aimed at investigating the effect of exposure to waves emitted from the base transceiver stations (BTS) on workers' health.
Methods. 240 workers participated in the study. In order to determine the general health conditions in two groups, along with electromagnetic waves exposure measurement, the general health questionnaire (GHQ) was completed and the data on blood parameters were assessed.
Results. The mean age and job experience in the case and control groups were 34.1 ± 4.8 and 10.1 ± 6 years and 31.6 ± 5.5 and 8.8 ± 7 years, respectively. According to the GHQ results, only anxiety and insomnia subscales showed a significant difference between the two groups. The white blood cell and red blood cell counts in the case and control groups were 6715.6 ± 1591 and 7594 ± 2416, 5.3 × 106 ± 4.6 × 105 and 5.05 × 106 ± 5.39 × 105 per ml, respectively. Analysis of the results showed that the difference between the two groups was significant.
Conclusion. The results revealed that blood parameters in the BTS operators showed more changes. Thus, it can be concluded that these health impacts result from occupational exposure to BTS waves.
--
Simulating the Dispersion of the Energy
Flux Density of the Electromagnetic Field Generated by Antennas for
Mobile Communications
Buckus R, Chlebnikovas A, Strukcinskiene B, Stukas R, Austys D, Caban J,
Bogucki M, Sidlauskiene A, Seleviciene V, Kilikevičius A, Matijošius J,
Kilikevičienė K, Vainorius D. Simulating the Dispersion of the Energy
Flux Density of the Electromagnetic Field Generated by Antennas for
Mobile Communications. Electronics. 2022; 11(15):2431.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
Abstract
The last two decades have faced a significantly increased number of
telecommunication antennas emitting electromagnetic radiation in
residential areas. The theoretical simulation of the dispersion of the
energy flux density of the electromagnetic field has been performed
applying the physical peculiarities of the waves generating
electromagnetic radiation. Having evaluated studies on simulation, the
visual representation of the spread of electromagnetic radiation has
been carried out according to the results obtained applying the AutoCad
package. A comparison of the simulated value of the energy flux density
radiated from antennas for mobile telecommunications with the measured
one has disclosed an overlap of 30%. The simulation of the energy flux
density showed that, in the close proximity zone (under a distance of 30
m), antennas radiate values within the range 10–10,000 µW/cm2. At a distance larger than 30 m, the values of energy flux density fluctuate from 10 to 0.001 µW/cm2.
Conclusions
The
simulation of the energy flux density of the electromagnetic field
allows estimating electromagnetic radiation emitted by antennas for
mobile telecommunications, which results in the termination of the
conducted experiments. A comparison of the simulated value of the energy
flux density radiated from antennas for cell telecommunications with
the measured one point to an overlap of 30%, because simulation
encounters difficulties in precisely measuring a variety of natural and
human-made obstacles and reflections. Thus, the properly selected
simulation software allows understanding and preliminarily estimating
the electromagnetic fields of mobile telecommunications as well as
visually determining places where electromagnetic radiation exceeds the
established standards.
The simulation of the
energy flux density of the electromagnetic field of antennas for mobile
telecommunications showed that, in the close proximity zone (under a
distance of 30 m), antennas radiate values from 10 to 10,000 µW/cm2, whereas the values fluctuate between 10 and 0.001 µW/cm2
at a distance larger than 30 m. The values of the energy flux density
of the electromagnetic field decrease according to square dependence in
free space, while at distances exceeding 100 m fluctuate in the range
from 0.01 to 1 µW/cm2. The maximum density was equal to 10–100 µW/cm2 under the distance less than 25 m from the antenna in the direction of the most intensive radiation.
The
examination of the upcoming or available antenna or other powerful
source of radio waves includes calculating the theoretical parameters of
the density taking into account the qualities of the antenna and
accepting surrounding terrain as an area with no significant unevenness.
Similar places have most frequently installed antennas, and, although
the obtained measurement results are satisfactory enough, in order to
determine necessary safety requirements, the impact of land relief is
unnecessarily downgraded. The wave propagated outwards the antenna is
dispersed and, having reflected from terrain, is summed up with the
previous one, thus creating a maximum. Uneven terrain changes the
maximum position of this electromagnetic field, which needs further
examination. Thus, if the simulated values are lower than the
established standard, it is still advisable to check them
experimentally.
Open access paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-
--
Microwave Radiation and the Brain: Mechanisms, Current Status, and Future Prospects
Mumtaz S, Rana JN, Choi EH, Han I. Microwave Radiation and the Brain: Mechanisms, Current Status, and Future Prospects. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(16):9288.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
Modern humanity wades daily through various radiations, resulting in frequent exposure and causing potentially important biological effects. Among them, the brain is the organ most sensitive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure. Despite numerous correlated studies, critical unknowns surround the different parameters used, including operational frequency, power density (i.e., energy dose), and irradiation time that could permit reproducibility and comparability between analyses. Furthermore, the interactions of EMR with biological systems and its precise mechanisms remain poorly characterized. In this review, recent approaches examining the effects of microwave radiations on the brain, specifically learning and memory capabilities, as well as the mechanisms of brain dysfunction with exposure as reported in the literature, are analyzed and interpreted to provide prospective views for future research directed at this important and novel medical technology for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies on brain degeneration caused by microwave radiation. Additionally, the interactions of microwaves with biological systems and possible mechanisms are presented in this review. Treatment with natural products and safe techniques to reduce harm to organs have become essential components of daily life, and some promising techniques to treat cancers and their radioprotective effects are summarized as well. This review can serve as a platform for researchers to understand the mechanism and interactions of microwave radiation with biological systems, the present scenario, and prospects for future studies on the effect of microwaves on the brain.
Open access paper: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-
--
Specific Absorption Rate Analysis of Smartphone
M. Garvanova, I. Garvanov, D. Borissova. Specific Absorption Rate Analysis of Smartphone. 2022 22nd International Symposium on Electrical Apparatus and Technologies (SIELA), 2022, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/SIELA54794.2022.
Abstract
This paper discusses and analyzes the process of absorbing
electromagnetic energy emitted by a smartphone. The study of the
specific absorption rate (SAR) at the depth of the human head was
carried out using a computer model simulated with COMSOL Multiphysics
software. The computer model takes into account the technical parameters
of a working smartphone and the biological characteristics of the human
head. The model simulates the absorption process, depending on the type
of radiation pattern of the antenna on a smartphone. To validate the
results of the model in depth of the human head, an analysis of the
brain activity of a person, using a smartphone, was performed.
Excerpts
This study confirms the hypothesis that prolonged use of mobile phones
changes a person's brain activity, which may be a prerequisite for
fatigue, distraction and stress of the body. This study largely confirms
the assumption that SAR affects brain activity, but further research is
needed in this direction....
In the places with the greatest absorption of electromagnetic energy,
the most significant change in brain activity is observed. Here,
statistically significant differences in the theta, alpha and beta
ranges of the EEG signal were obtained, established by paired samples
t-test. The results with p-values less than 0.05 indicate statistically
significant differences in EEG power in T3 (θ, a, and β), T5 (θ and a), and F7 (θ and a) points as shown in Figure 6.
From the computer model for SAR (Fig. 7),
it can be seen that the locations with the highest absorption levels of
the electromagnetic field coincide with the locations of the most
significant change in the spectrum of the EEG signals. Due to the
computer model for simulating SAR from an EMF, it can be physically
explained why a change in the signal spectrum occurs at several points
in the human head. With the help of the computer model it is possible to
study the effects of elevated values of electromagnetic radiation,
which can be harmful to human health. Through the model it is also
possible to visualize invisible processes that predict various negative
effects from prolonged use of a mobile phone....
Conclusions
This article examines the SAR caused by the use of a smartphone. The EMF
absorption level at the depth of the human head is simulated using a
computer model. Depending on the parameters of the smartphone and the
characteristics of the tissues of the human head, different SAR results
are obtained. The computer model was tested by processing the EEG
signals and analyzing the spectra of the EEG signals from all
electrodes. It is interesting that the results of the model coincide
with the results of the EEG analysis. The places with the highest EMF
absorption values coincided with the places of greatest change in brain
activity induced by smartphone operation. In our future research, we
will focus on the analysis of the excessive use of smartphones by
children and adolescents.
--
Interference With
Implanted Upper Airway Stimulation Device by Phones With Magnet
Technology (iPhones 12 and 13)
Plawecki A, Tripathi N, Tovar Torres M, Yaremchuk K. Interference With
Implanted Upper Airway Stimulation Device by Phones With Magnet
Technology. Laryngoscope. 2022 Aug 17. doi: 10.1002/lary.30348.
Abstract
Newer iPhone models [12 and 13] with MagSafe magnetic technology can cause
electromagnetic interference with the Inspire upper airway stimulator
device (a surgical implant for the treatment of obstructive sleep
apnea).
--
Simulating the Dispersion of the Energy
Flux Density of the Electromagnetic Field Generated by Antennas for
Mobile Communications
My note: The FCC exposure limit is 1 mW/cm2
or 1000 µW/cm2 which means within 30 meters of a cellular
antenna the electromagnetic field could be up to 10 times the limit at
some locations.
Buckus R, Chlebnikovas A, Strukcinskiene B, Stukas R, Austys D, Caban J,
Bogucki M, Sidlauskiene A, Seleviciene V, Kilikevičius A, Matijošius J,
Kilikevičienė K, Vainorius D. Simulating the Dispersion of the Energy
Flux Density of the Electromagnetic Field Generated by Antennas for
Mobile Communications. Electronics. 2022; 11(15):2431. doi:10.3390/
Abstract
The last two decades have faced a significantly increased number of
telecommunication antennas emitting electromagnetic radiation in
residential areas. The theoretical simulation of the dispersion of the
energy flux density of the electromagnetic field has been performed
applying the physical peculiarities of the waves generating
electromagnetic radiation. Having evaluated studies on simulation, the
visual representation of the spread of electromagnetic radiation has
been carried out according to the results obtained applying the AutoCad
package. A comparison of the simulated value of the energy flux density
radiated from antennas for mobile telecommunications with the measured
one has disclosed an overlap of 30%. The simulation of the energy flux
density showed that, in the close proximity zone (under a distance of 30
m), antennas radiate values within the range 10–10,000 µW/cm2. At a distance larger than 30 m, the values of energy flux density fluctuate from 10 to 0.001 µW/cm2.
Conclusions
The simulation of the energy flux density of the
electromagnetic field allows estimating electromagnetic radiation
emitted by antennas for mobile telecommunications, which results in the
termination of the conducted experiments. A comparison of the simulated
value of the energy flux density radiated from antennas for cell
telecommunications with the measured one point to an overlap of 30%,
because simulation encounters difficulties in precisely measuring a
variety of natural and human-made obstacles and reflections. Thus, the
properly selected simulation software allows understanding and
preliminarily estimating the electromagnetic fields of mobile
telecommunications as well as visually determining places where
electromagnetic radiation exceeds the established standards.
The
simulation of the energy flux density of the electromagnetic field of
antennas for mobile telecommunications showed that, in the close
proximity zone (under a distance of 30 m), antennas radiate values from
10 to 10,000 µW/cm2, whereas the values fluctuate between 10 and 0.001 µW/cm2
at a distance larger than 30 m. The values of the energy flux density
of the electromagnetic field decrease according to square dependence in
free space, while at distances exceeding 100 m fluctuate in the range
from 0.01 to 1 µW/cm2. The maximum density was equal to 10–100 µW/cm2 under the distance less than 25 m from the antenna in the direction of the most intensive radiation.
The
examination of the upcoming or available antenna or other powerful
source of radio waves includes calculating the theoretical parameters of
the density taking into account the qualities of the antenna and
accepting surrounding terrain as an area with no significant unevenness.
Similar places have most frequently installed antennas, and, although
the obtained measurement results are satisfactory enough, in order to
determine necessary safety requirements, the impact of land relief is
unnecessarily downgraded. The wave propagated outwards the antenna is
dispersed and, having reflected from terrain, is summed up with the
previous one, thus creating a maximum. Uneven terrain changes the
maximum position of this electromagnetic field, which needs further
examination. Thus, if the simulated values are lower than the
established standard, it is still advisable to check them experimentally
Open access paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-
--
Regular measurements
of EMF in a representative Norwegian city-constant exposure over time
despite introduction of new technologies
Markussen AC, Sjoemoen TM, Unander EH, Klaeboe L. Regular measurements
of EMF in a representative Norwegian city-constant exposure over time
despite introduction of new technologies. Environ Monit Assess. 2022 Aug
19;194(10):694. doi: 10.1007/s10661-022-10231-4.
Abstract
The rapid growth of the wireless communication industry has resulted in
the installation of numerous of base stations, everywhere in our
surroundings. The population is exposed to Radio Frequency
Electromagnetic Fields of varying frequency and strength. This, and
introduction of new systems have risen public concerns regarding
potential health effects from this RF-EMF exposure. The purpose of this
project is to get an overview of any changes in exposure when new
technologies are introduced. From June 2013 to October 2019,
measurements were made at 16 measurement points in Kristiansand and
surrounding areas in the same order, on the same day of the week and at
the same time of day. The measurements are performed on the frequency
bands 390, 450, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2400, and 2600 MHz. When we summed
up the exposure for all the frequency bands relative to the limit
values in a measuring point, the total values per measuring point showed
that the exposure outdoors in most cases is less than 1‰ of the limit
value. In 2017, a temporary increase was registered for most measurement
points, but during 2018 the levels returned to the levels registered
before 2017. During the increase, the levels were still low, around 3‰
of the limit values. The increase may be due to the fact that two mobile
operators during this period made a comprehensive reconfiguration of
their networks. The measurements presented in this report show that the
exposure of the population is low, thousandths of the limit values, and
relatively constant over time even though new technologies are
introduced.
Open access paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
--
Comments on Measurements and Analysis of Personal Exposure to RF-EMF Inside and
Outside School Buildings
E. Arribas, R. Ramirez-Vazquez, I. Escobar. Comments on
“Measurements and Analysis of Personal Exposure to RF-EMF Inside and
Outside School Buildings: A Case Study at a Kosovo School." IEEE Access, 2022, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3198975.
Abstract
In this comment we present a table with the measurements of the
personal exposure in the two Wi-Fi frequency bands inside educational
centers such as colleges and universities, in different countries, with
the aim of complementing and comparing the measurements carried out in a
large school in the city of Pristina, Kosovo. We obtained that the
maximum value was recorded in Spain with 120 μW/m2 and the minimum value was recorded in Switzerland with 1.19 μW/m2. The mean value of the data in Table 2 is 36.9 μW/m2, the median is 22.2 μW/m2, and the 95th percentile is 110 μW/m2.
--
Trends in brain cancers (glioma) in New Zealand from 1995 to 2020, with reference to mobile phone use
My note: The
study has several shortcomings: (1) it did not examine incidence rates
over time for Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common type of glioma (brain
cancer). Phillips et al (2018) found that GBM increased substantially
over time in England despite a flat trend for glioma. (2) The authors
combined temporal and parietal lobe tumors and examined the incidence
over time. Their rationale was that these lobes received the most
exposure to cell phone radiation; however, Cabré-Riera et al (2020)
found that the temporal and frontal lobes received the most exposure;
the parietal lobe received the least exposure.
Philips et al (2018). Brain Tumours: Rise in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Incidence in England 1995–2015 Suggests an Adverse Environmental or
Lifestyle Factor. Journal of Environmental and Public Health,
doi:10.1155/2018/7910754.
Cabré-Riera et al (2020). Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents. Environ Int. 142:105808. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.
J Mark Elwood, Shwe Sin Win, Phyu Sin Aye, Masoumeh Sanagou. Trends in brain cancers (glioma) in New Zealand from 1995 to 2020, with reference to mobile phone use. Cancer Epidemiol. 2022 Aug 9;80:102234. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102234.
• Hypothesis is that mobile phone use increases brain cancers such as glioma.
• Mobile phone use in New Zealand increased greatly between 1990 and 2006.
• Incidence of glioma from 1995 to 2020 showed no increase at ages 10–69
• No evidence that phone use increases risk even after many years.
Background: Some case-control studies have suggested substantial increased risks of glioma in association with mobile phone use; these risks would lead to an increase in incidence over time.
Methods: Incidence rates of glioma from 1995 to 2020 by age, sex, and site in New Zealand (NZ) recorded by the national cancer registry were assessed and trends analysed. Phone use was based on surveys.
Results: In these 25 years there were 6677 incident gliomas, giving age-standardised rates (WHO world standard) of 6.04 in males, and 3.95 in females per 100,000. The use of mobile phones increased rapidly from 1990 to more than 50% of the population from about 2000, and almost all the population from 2006. The incidence of glioma from ages 10-69 has shown a small decrease over the last 25 years, during which time the use of mobile phones has become almost universal. Rates in the brain locations receiving most radiofrequency energy have also shown a small decrease. Rates at ages of 80 and over have increased.
Conclusion: There is no indication of any
increase related to the use of mobile phones. These results are similar
to results in Australia and in many other countries. The increase in
recorded incidence at ages over 80 is similar to that seen in other
countries and consistent with improved diagnostic methods.
Excerpts
In contrast, the incidence of glioma at ages 70 and over has shown a substantial increase over time (Fig. 5),
the annual percentage changes being in males 1.5% (95% limits 0.3–2.8),
and in females 1.3% (95% limits 0.3–2.3). The increase has been regular
throughout the 1995–2020 period in females. In men, the rates rose more
quickly from 1995 to 2011, and have since declined: however, this
change is not significant and a linear increase gives the best fit to
the data.
Further examination shows that the increase is significant in the 80–84
and 85 + age groups, while the 70–74 and 75–79 year old groups show no
significant increase (Fig. 6, Table 2).
These older groups have a lower incidence of glioma than the 75–79 and
70–75 year old groups, but their rising rates have reduced this
difference over time.
In conclusion, the incidence of glioma in the New Zealand population
from ages 10–69 has shown a small decrease over the last 25 years,
during which time the use of mobile phones has become almost universal.
There is no indication of any increase related to the use of mobile
phones. There has been an increase in recorded incidence at ages over
80, similar to that seen in other countries and consistent with improved
diagnostic methods.
--
Time trends in mobile phone use and glioma incidence among males in the Nordic Countries, 1979-2016
Isabelle Deltour, Aslak Harbo Poulsen,
Christoffer Johansen, Maria Feychting, Tom Børge Johannesen, Anssi
Auvinen, Joachim Schüz. Time trends in mobile phone use and glioma
incidence among males in the Nordic Countries, 1979-2016. Environment
International. 2022. 107487. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2022.
Abstract
Introduction
In the Nordic countries, the use of mobile phones increased sharply in
the mid-1990s especially among middle-aged men. We investigated time
trends in glioma incidence rates (IR) with the perspective to inform
about the plausibility of brain tumour risks from mobile phone use
reported in some case-control studies.
Methods
We analysed IR of glioma in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden among
men aged 40-69 years, using data from national cancer registries and
population statistics during 1979-2016, using log-linear joinpoint
analysis. Information on regular mobile phone use and amount of
call-time was obtained from major studies of mobile phones in these
countries. We compared annual observed incidence with that expected
under various risk scenarios to assess which of the reported effect
sizes are compatible with the observed IR. The expected numbers of cases
were computed accounting for an impact of other factors besides mobile
phone use, such as improved cancer registration.
Results
Based on 18,232 glioma cases, IR increased slightly but steadily with a
change of 0.1% (95%CI 0.0%, 0.3%) per year during 1979-2016 among
40–59-year-old men and for ages 60-69, by 0.6 % (95%CI 0.4, 0.9)
annually. The observed IR trends among men aged 40-59 years were
incompatible with risk ratios (RR) 1.08 or higher with a 10-year lag, RR
≥ 1.2 with 15-year lag and RR ≥ 1.5 with 20-year lag. For the age group
60-69 years, corresponding effect sizes RR ≥ 1.4, ≥ 2 and ≥ 2.5 could
be rejected for lag times 10, 15 and 20 years.
Discussion
This study confirms and reinforces the conclusions that no changes in
glioma incidence in the Nordic countries have occurred that are
consistent with a substantial risk attributable to mobile phone use.
This particularly applies to virtually all reported risk increases
reported by previous case-control studies with positive findings.
Excerpts
"Our analyses are based on 18,232 male glioma cases, which occurred in
the male population aged 40-69 years in Denmark, Finland, Norway and
Sweden with 162 million person-years at risk. Rates of glioma showed a
slow and constant increase with no marked changes in the trend in the
recent years."
"... our study also has some limitations. The exposure prevalence
was obtained from two sources with different recruitment methods, age
and questionnaire characteristics; the prevalence in the age group 60-69
years was less accurately registered than for the age group 40-59
years, because both studies had small sample sizes in this age range at
recruitment, and in addition, the data had to be extrapolated for the
distant past. Therefore, using these estimates of exposure prevalence
could at best provide a range of possible exposure distributions in the
population. The use of hands-free devices was not accounted for, but
this was not frequent in these populations (data not shown). Our study
is not free of assumptions. The induction period for an effect of mobile
phone use on glioma risk, if one exists, is unknown, as is the
magnitude of the risk, if any, and the real patterns may be more complex
than the scenarios that we simulated. In addition, there are several
factors that we were not able to account for. The coverage of the Nordic
cancer registries was not perfectly complete, some 1.5% to 10% of the
malignant brain tumours were missed in these age groups, but there is no
reason to believe this proportion has increased over time. In Sweden,
it has been estimated that completeness would not have changed over the
period 1998-2014 for the age group 20-69 years, but has increased among
≥70 year olds; completeness might have improved in the other countries
due to introduction of automated registration routines (Tettamanti et al., 2019, Gjerstorff, 2011, Leinonen et al., 2017, Larsen et al., 2009).
Our analyses incorporated the possibility that other, currently
unknown, risk factors, as well as improvement in glioma detection and
reporting had a smooth, gradual impact, over the period 1979−2016,
consistent with the gradually increasing IRs."
"Our
findings indicate that glioma incidence trends among men aged 40-59
years in the Nordic countries are not consistent with increased risks of
moderate effect size (RR>1.2-1.4) assuming latency up to 20 years.
This means that increased risks reported in some case-control studies
are implausible and likely attributable to biases and errors in
self-reported use of mobile phone. Our results were consistent with
results from prospective cohort studies showing no association between
mobile phone use and risk of glioma.
Funding: This study was supported by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS; grant FM 8867)."
--
5G Electromagnetic Radiation
Attenuates Skin Melanogenesis In Vitro by Suppressing ROS Generation
Kim K, Lee YS, Kim N, Choi H-D, Lim K-M. 5G Electromagnetic Radiation
Attenuates Skin Melanogenesis In Vitro by Suppressing ROS Generation. Antioxidants. 2022; 11(8):1449.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
Abstract
Recently, the impacts of 5G electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with 28 GHz
on human health have been attracting public attention with the advent of
5G wireless communication. Here, we report that 5G (28 GHz) EMR can
attenuate the skin pigmentation in murine melanoma cells (B16F10) and a
3D pigmented human epidermis model (Melanoderm™). B16 cells were exposed
to 5G (28 GHz) with or without α-MSH for 4 h per day. Interestingly, 5G
attenuated α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis. Fontana–Masson staining
confirmed that the dendritic formation of α-MSH stimulated B16 cells was
diminished by 5G exposure. To confirm the anti-melanogenic effect of 5G
EMR, MelanoDerm™ was irradiated with 5G at a power intensity of 10 W/m2
for 4 h a day for 16 days and melanin distribution was detected with
Fontana–Masson staining, which supported the anti-melanogenic effect of
5G EMR. Consistently, 5G EMR suppressed α-MSH induced upregulation of
melanogenic enzymes; tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2. Of note, 5G EMR
attenuated ROS production stimulated by α-MSH and H2O2,
suggesting that 5G EMR may dissipate ROS generation, which is pivotal
for the melanin synthesis. Collectively, we demonstrated that 5G EMR can
attenuate skin pigmentation by attenuating ROS generation.
Open access paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-
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An In Vitro Experimental System for 5G 3.5 GHz Exposures
Y. S. Lee, S. B. Jeon, J. -K. Pack, N. Kim and H. -D. Choi. An In Vitro Experimental System for 5G 3.5 GHz Exposures. IEEE Access, 2022, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3204055.
Abstract
In this study, an in vitro experimental system is developed for
fifth-generation (5G) 3.5 GHz exposures. A radial transmission line
(RTL) housed in an incubator can support the single-mode propagation at a
3.5 GHz band. A conical antenna is also placed at the center of an RTL
to ensure field symmetries. A 5G signal generator along with a
customized power amplifier can create 5G new radio time division duplex
(TDD) waveforms. Additionally, a feedback scheme implemented by
employing a directional coupler and power meter allows power control to
ensure a steady output power. The system is evaluated based on
temperature measurements using the initial temperature slope and
nonlinear curve fitting to determine the specific absorption rate (SAR)
values. Comparing SARs obtained from a “worst-case” signal of a maximum
power condition with the values obtained from a “TDD” signal of an
actual 5G TDD transmission gives the initial slope ratio of 0.741, which
is very similar to the theoretical duty cycle of 0.743. It is also
shown that the average output power, water temperature, incubator air
temperature, and CO2 density are adequately controlled for appropriate
in vitro experiments.
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Pilot
Study of a New Methodology to Study the Development of the Blue Bottle
Fly Under Exposure to Radio-Frequency
Fields at 5.4 GHz
My note: The SAR for the 19.4 V/m exposure condition was
estimated to be 0.028 W/kg. At this SAR, the median delay in pupal
emergence was twice as long as in the sham condition. Yet, this
full-body
SAR is less than the so-called 50-fold safety limit of 0.08 W/kg of full
body exposure adopted by the
FCC and ICNIRP. Thus, along with
numerous other biological studies, this pilot study
suggests that current safety limits are not adequate across different species.
De Paepe S, De Borre E, Toribio Carvajal D, Bell D, Thielens A. Pilot
Study of a New Methodology to Study the Development of the Blue Bottle
Fly (Calliphora vomitoria) Under Exposure to Radio-Frequency
Electromagnetic Fields at 5.4 GHz. Int J Radiat Biol. 2022 Aug 17:1-49.
doi: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2113838.
Abstract
Purpose
– Exposure of insects to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields
(RF-EMFs) can have developmental effects. However, there is currently no
clear understanding of the exposure level that can lead to such
effects. Therefore, the goal of this study was to, for the first time,
study the development of the Blue Bottle Fly (Calliphora vomitoria, CV)
under exposure to RF-EMFs at 5.4 GHz, using both numerical RF-EMF
dosimetry with anatomically accurate 3D models of insects and an RF-EMF
exposure experiment.
Materials and Methods - CV was chosen as a model organism in this study because CV’s development can be influenced thermally and CV’s pupal stage presents a window of several days in which immobile pupae can be exposed to RF-EMFs. The 5.4 GHz frequency was used because it allowed us licence-free operation of the exposure setup. Numerical, EM simulations with 3D anatomically accurate models of CV, obtained using micro-CT scanning, were used in this study. These simulations enable the estimation of the absorbed power and the whole-body averaged specific absorption rate in CV during RF exposure experiments. An experiment with three exposure conditions was designed and executed in which 400 pupae were split into an exposed group that was placed inside the TEM cell for 48 h and a concurrent control. Two exposure conditions used RF-EMF input power into the TEM cell at 5.4 GHz on two different levels. One exposure condition was a sham exposure. Electric field strength measurements were used to validate the proper functioning of the exposure setups and to quantify the RF-EMF exposure of the control groups.
Results and Conclusions - All studied groups of pupae – exposed to RF-EMFs, sham, and control groups- showed similar (evolutions of) masses, lengths and diameters during their development. The total rate of pupal emergence was reduced in one of the studied RF-EMF exposures in comparison to its concurrent control, while the other RF-EMF exposure and the sham exposure did not alter the total rate of pupal emergence. The sham exposure and the lowest of the two studied RF-EMF exposure conditions (19.4 V/m) caused a median delay in pupal emergence of 4 and 8 hours, respectively, in comparison to concurrent control groups. The higher studied exposure of 55 V/m caused a median relative acceleration in development of 8 h.
Materials and Methods - CV was chosen as a model organism in this study because CV’s development can be influenced thermally and CV’s pupal stage presents a window of several days in which immobile pupae can be exposed to RF-EMFs. The 5.4 GHz frequency was used because it allowed us licence-free operation of the exposure setup. Numerical, EM simulations with 3D anatomically accurate models of CV, obtained using micro-CT scanning, were used in this study. These simulations enable the estimation of the absorbed power and the whole-body averaged specific absorption rate in CV during RF exposure experiments. An experiment with three exposure conditions was designed and executed in which 400 pupae were split into an exposed group that was placed inside the TEM cell for 48 h and a concurrent control. Two exposure conditions used RF-EMF input power into the TEM cell at 5.4 GHz on two different levels. One exposure condition was a sham exposure. Electric field strength measurements were used to validate the proper functioning of the exposure setups and to quantify the RF-EMF exposure of the control groups.
Results and Conclusions - All studied groups of pupae – exposed to RF-EMFs, sham, and control groups- showed similar (evolutions of) masses, lengths and diameters during their development. The total rate of pupal emergence was reduced in one of the studied RF-EMF exposures in comparison to its concurrent control, while the other RF-EMF exposure and the sham exposure did not alter the total rate of pupal emergence. The sham exposure and the lowest of the two studied RF-EMF exposure conditions (19.4 V/m) caused a median delay in pupal emergence of 4 and 8 hours, respectively, in comparison to concurrent control groups. The higher studied exposure of 55 V/m caused a median relative acceleration in development of 8 h.
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Effect of RFEMR on NSE and MDA levels in Sprague Dawley rats
Pagadala, P; Shankar, V and Sumathi, ME. Effect of RFEMR on NSE and MDA levels in Sprague Dawley rats. Jun 2022. Bioinformation.18 (6): 501-505.
Abstract
Radiofrequency emitted radiations (RFEMR) from mobile phones are known to produce a stress response because of its effect on hypothalamus. Mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives with increasing usage not only in terms of number of users but also increase in talk time. Therefore, it is of interest to study the effect of mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic radiations on NSE and MDA levels in SD rats. Twelve male SD rats of 10-12weeks old, weighing 180-220 grams, were purchased from registered laboratory breeders & housed in a room with 12:12hour's light-dark cycle with adlibitum amount of food and RO water. Present study showed significant increase in NSE and MDA levels in rats exposed to RFEMR. This study proves that mobile RFEMR causes oxidative stress and oxidative damage in SD rats.
http://www.bioinformation.net/
Objective: To assess exposure levels to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) among library workers in Japan, focusing on co-exposure to intermediate-frequency EMF (IF-EMF) and pulsed EMF, to propose a new epidemiological research methodology.
Methods: The evaluated exposure sources were an electromagnetic type-electronic article surveillance gate (EM-EAS, IF-EMF (operating frequency 220 Hz-14 kHz)) and an activator/deactivator of anti-theft tags termed as "book check unit" (BCU, pulsed EMF). Short-term exposures were: (E1) whole-body exposure from the EAS gate when sitting within 3 m; (E2) local exposure to transient IF-EMF while passing through or beside the EAS gate; and (E3) local exposure to a pulsed magnetic field on BCU use. E1-E3 were evaluated based on exposure levels relative to magnetic flux density at the occupational reference level (RL; E1) or as per occupational basic restrictions (BR; E2 and E3) delineated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2010 guidelines. Exposure indices based on mid-term exposure (D1-D3), assuming exposure according to employment on a weekly basis, were used to assess exposure in actual working conditions. D1 represents continuous exposure from an EAS gate when sitting within 3 m of the gate. D2 and D3 represent repeated transient exposures occurring during gate pass or on the operation of a BCU. A link to a web-based questionnaire was distributed to librarians working at all libraries where the authors had mailed institutional questionnaires (4,073 libraries). Four exposure patterns were defined according to various exposure scenarios.
Results: We obtained information on exposure parameters and working conditions from the 548 completed questionnaires. The ICNIRP guideline levels were not exceeded in any of the E1-E3 scenarios. Median of the D1 (% ICNIRP RL × hour/week) was 1, and >85% respondents had values <10. However, the maximum value was 513. Altogether, these results indicate that continuous exposure was low in most cases. The same tendency was observed regarding repeated transient exposure from EM-EAS gates (i.e., the median value for D2 (% ICNIRP BR × gate pass) was 5). However, there were several cases in which D1 and D2 values were >10 times the median. The median of D3 (% ICNIRP BR × BCU operation) was 10, and most respondents' D3 values were greater than their D2 values, although the derived results depended on the assumptions made for the estimation.
Conclusion: We conducted an assessment of combined exposures to IF-EMF and pulsed EMF among library workers in Japan by evaluating both short-term exposures (E1-E3) and exposure indices based on mid-term exposures (D1-D3) assuming actual working conditions per questionnaire results. These results provide useful information for future epidemiological studies.
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Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency
electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library
workers in Japan
Yamaguchi-Sekino S, Taki M, Ikuyo M, Esaki K, Aimoto A, Wake K,
Kojimahara N. Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency
electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library
workers in Japan. Front Public Health. 2022 Jul 28;10:870784. doi:
10.3389/fpubh.2022.870784.
Abstract
Objective: To assess exposure levels to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) among library workers in Japan, focusing on co-exposure to intermediate-frequency EMF (IF-EMF) and pulsed EMF, to propose a new epidemiological research methodology.
Methods: The evaluated exposure sources were an electromagnetic type-electronic article surveillance gate (EM-EAS, IF-EMF (operating frequency 220 Hz-14 kHz)) and an activator/deactivator of anti-theft tags termed as "book check unit" (BCU, pulsed EMF). Short-term exposures were: (E1) whole-body exposure from the EAS gate when sitting within 3 m; (E2) local exposure to transient IF-EMF while passing through or beside the EAS gate; and (E3) local exposure to a pulsed magnetic field on BCU use. E1-E3 were evaluated based on exposure levels relative to magnetic flux density at the occupational reference level (RL; E1) or as per occupational basic restrictions (BR; E2 and E3) delineated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2010 guidelines. Exposure indices based on mid-term exposure (D1-D3), assuming exposure according to employment on a weekly basis, were used to assess exposure in actual working conditions. D1 represents continuous exposure from an EAS gate when sitting within 3 m of the gate. D2 and D3 represent repeated transient exposures occurring during gate pass or on the operation of a BCU. A link to a web-based questionnaire was distributed to librarians working at all libraries where the authors had mailed institutional questionnaires (4,073 libraries). Four exposure patterns were defined according to various exposure scenarios.
Results: We obtained information on exposure parameters and working conditions from the 548 completed questionnaires. The ICNIRP guideline levels were not exceeded in any of the E1-E3 scenarios. Median of the D1 (% ICNIRP RL × hour/week) was 1, and >85% respondents had values <10. However, the maximum value was 513. Altogether, these results indicate that continuous exposure was low in most cases. The same tendency was observed regarding repeated transient exposure from EM-EAS gates (i.e., the median value for D2 (% ICNIRP BR × gate pass) was 5). However, there were several cases in which D1 and D2 values were >10 times the median. The median of D3 (% ICNIRP BR × BCU operation) was 10, and most respondents' D3 values were greater than their D2 values, although the derived results depended on the assumptions made for the estimation.
Conclusion: We conducted an assessment of combined exposures to IF-EMF and pulsed EMF among library workers in Japan by evaluating both short-term exposures (E1-E3) and exposure indices based on mid-term exposures (D1-D3) assuming actual working conditions per questionnaire results. These results provide useful information for future epidemiological studies.
Open access paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/
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Effect of
Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on
the Thyroid Gland of Workers: A Prospective Study
Fang YY, Tu Q, Zhang YT, Liu J, Liu HG, Zhao ZH, Wu H, Yin TJ. Effect of
Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on
the Thyroid Gland of Workers: A Prospective Study. Curr Med Sci. 2022
Aug;42(4):817-823. doi: 10.1007/s11596-022-2610-8.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure on the thyroid gland.
Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis of 85 workers (exposure group) exposed to an ELF-EMF (100 μT, 10-100 Hz) produced by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and followed up on thyroid function indices, immunological indices, and color Doppler images for 3 years. Additionally, 116 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as controls (control group), the thyroid function of whom was compared to the exposure group.
Results: No significant difference was observed in thyroid function between the exposure and control groups. During the follow-up of the exposure group, the serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) level was found to slowly decrease and free thyroxine (FT4) level slowly increase with increasing exposure time. However, no significant difference was found in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) over the three years, and no significant difference was observed in the FT3, FT4 and TSH levels between different exposure subgroups. Furthermore, no significant changes were observed in thyroid autoantibody levels and ultrasound images between subgroups or over time.
Conclusion: Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF may promote thyroid secretion of T4 and inhibit deiodination of T4 to T3. ELF-EMF has no significant effect on thyroid immune function and morphology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
Excerpt
One of the currently popular research topics is whether thyroid cancer can be induced by long-term ELF-EMF exposure. As we know, cancer is caused by DNA damage, but it is generally believed that ELF-EMF is too weak to directly damage DNA. Nevertheless, a recent study shows that long-term occupational exposure to ELF-EMF may cause a genetically toxic effect. The researchers believe that DNA damage is caused by the magnetic field due to the oxidative stress that the magnetic field induced [32]. Another meta-analysis on the relation between ELF-EMF and the risk of cancer suggests that ELF-EMF increases the risk of cancer [33].
One of the currently popular research topics is whether thyroid cancer can be induced by long-term ELF-EMF exposure. As we know, cancer is caused by DNA damage, but it is generally believed that ELF-EMF is too weak to directly damage DNA. Nevertheless, a recent study shows that long-term occupational exposure to ELF-EMF may cause a genetically toxic effect. The researchers believe that DNA damage is caused by the magnetic field due to the oxidative stress that the magnetic field induced [32]. Another meta-analysis on the relation between ELF-EMF and the risk of cancer suggests that ELF-EMF increases the risk of cancer [33].
32
Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Mirzaii M, et al. DNA damage from
long-term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency
electromagnetic fields among power plant workers. Mutat Res,
2019,846:403079
33 Zhang Y, Lai J, Ruan G, et al. Meta-analysis of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer risk: a pooled analysis of epidemiologic studies. Environ Int, 2016,88:36-43
33 Zhang Y, Lai J, Ruan G, et al. Meta-analysis of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer risk: a pooled analysis of epidemiologic studies. Environ Int, 2016,88:36-43
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Magnetic field effects in biology from the perspective of the radical pair mechanism
Zadeh-Haghighi Hadi, Simon Christoph. Magnetic field effects in biology from the perspective of the radical pair mechanism. J. R. Soc. Interface. Aug 3, 2022. 192022032520220325. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0325.
Abstract
Hundreds of studies have found that weak magnetic fields can
significantly influence various biological systems. However, the
underlying mechanisms behind these phenomena remain elusive. Remarkably,
the magnetic energies implicated in these effects are much smaller than
thermal energies. Here, we review these observations, and we suggest an
explanation based on the radical pair mechanism, which involves the
quantum dynamics of the electron and nuclear spins of transient radical
molecules. While the radical pair mechanism has been studied in detail
in the context of avian magnetoreception, the studies reviewed here show
that magnetosensitivity is widespread throughout biology. We review
magnetic field effects on various physiological functions, discussing
static, hypomagnetic and oscillating magnetic fields, as well as isotope
effects. We then review the radical pair mechanism as a potential
unifying model for the described magnetic field effects, and we discuss
plausible candidate molecules for the radical pairs. We review recent
studies proposing that the radical pair mechanism provides explanations
for isotope effects in xenon anaesthesia and lithium treatment of
hyperactivity, magnetic field effects on the circadian clock, and
hypomagnetic field effects on neurogenesis and microtubule assembly. We
conclude by discussing future lines of investigation in this exciting
new area of quantum biology.
Open access paper: https://
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Measurement and
Estimation of the Magnetic Fields in Electric Vehicles
M. Garvanova, I. Garvanov, V. Ivanov, D. Borissova. Measurement and
Estimation of the Magnetic Fields in Electric Vehicles. 2022 22nd International Symposium on Electrical Apparatus and Technologies (SIELA), 2022, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/SIELA54794.2022.
Abstract
To solve the problem of harmful emissions emitted by internal
combustion vehicles such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, soot and
others, the use of electric cars is proposed. These devices operate on
electricity that induces “electromagnetic pollution” in or near them.
The effects of electromagnetic fields on living organisms are
undeniable, but it is not yet clear how harmful they are to humans. In
electric car, passengers sit very close to an electrical system that
operates at considerable power and for a long period of time. This means
that consumers are exposed to artificial magnetic fields. Electric car
manufacturers are very familiar with these problems and offer various
technological solutions in their design and production. In the present
article, experimental measurements of the magnetic fields generated by
an electric car operating in different operating modes will be performed
and recommendations for its proper operation will be given.
Excerpts
The
levels of MF when driving in urban conditions are constantly changing
in the range of about 100–200 nT. When starting and stopping, the levels
are relatively high in the range of 170–230 nT. When the car is stopped
at a traffic light, the level of the MF is in the range of 165–200 nT.
When
driving the electric car on the highway at speeds of 50, 80 and 100
km/h, MF levels of the order of 100–300 nT are obtained. The measurement
results are shown in Table 2
The
obtained results show that in the passenger compartment of a car
operating in different operating modes, the MF levels are normal. This
is achieved thanks to the engineering solutions used in the production
of the electric car. It is noteworthy that when accelerating and
stopping the car, relatively high values of MF are observed, but this is
for very short periods of time. More worrying is the fact of prolonged
exposure and relatively high values of MF at high speeds of the electric
car. The power, weight, acceleration and speed of the car affect the
power of the MF generated in the car body. When charging the electric
car, it is recommended that people are outside the car and as far away
from it as possible. The three factors that have the strongest impact on
human health are: high levels of electromagnetic fields, small
distances between the generators of these fields and passengers, as well
as relatively long exposure.
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Comparison of EMF Exposure Limits
and Assessment for Electric Vehicle Wireless Power Transfer
N. Li, Y. Wang, J. Zhang, Z. Gan. Comparison of EMF Exposure Limits
and Assessment for Electric Vehicle Wireless Power Transfer. 2022 IEEE 5th International Electrical and Energy Conference (CIEEC), 2022, pp. 3944-3948, doi: 10.1109/CIEEC54735.2022.
Abstract
The electric and magnetic fields (EMF) generated by electric vehicle
wireless power transfer might have health effects on the human inside
and around the electric vehicle, including persons with active
implantable medical devices. The comparative analysis on the EMF limits,
measurement methods and assessment methods in the relevant EMF exposure
standards were conducted, and the similarities and differences between
domestic and foreign EMF standards and the international mainstream view
were obtained. These provide the reference for the measurement and
environmental impact assessment of electric vehicle wireless power
transfer, as well as for revising Chinese national standard. The
simulation and test research will be required with respect to the issues
in the future, including assessment method of basic restrictions.
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The effects of operating frequency
on wireless power transfer system design and human health in
electric vehicles
A. Ağçal, T. H. Doğan, G. Aksu. The effects of operating frequency
on wireless power transfer system design and human health in
electric vehicles. Electrica. 22(2): 188-197, 2022.
Abstract
Wireless power transfer (WPT) continues to be popular in today’s world
because it is used in situations where the use of cables is difficult,
dangerous, or restrictive. In WPT, electrical energy is transmitted over
the air by magnetic connections instead of cables. In this paper, WPT
system designs were made with 10 kHz and 20 kHz operating frequencies,
3.3 kW output power, and 50 cm × 50 cm size. The effects of the
frequency on the WPT system were analyzed with the designs made for
two separate frequencies. The WPT circuits were established in the
MATLAB/Simulink program. The coil design of the WPT systems was made in
ANSYS® Maxwell 3D. The critical air gap values of the 10 kHz and 20 kHz
designs were determined as 15 cm and 17 cm, respectively. In this study,
the efficiency of the WPT system was obtained as 88.79% at 15 cm air gap for 10 kHz and 92.74% at 17 cm air gap for 20
kHz. Wireless power transfer systems in different frequency bands at
the same power were compared in terms of efficiency, loss, cost, and
electromagnetic field distribution. In addition, the effects of WPT
systems on human health were examined according to IEEE and ICNIRP
standards.
Excerpt
In which regions the magnetic field emitted by the coils is safe and unsafe for human health has been determined according to IEEE and ICNIRP standards. In this study, it has been observed that scattering can pose a danger to human health when one is between or very close to the receiver and transmitter coil. When one moves away from the coils as much as approximately the coil diameter, a safe area for public exposure is reached in 20 kHz systems. On the other hand, in 10 kHz systems, it is necessary to move further away from the boundaries of the 20 kHz system for a safe area. In this case, it is shown that WPT systems need living and object detection systems to shut down the system when a living being or an object is between or near the receiver and transmitter. In addition, it has been observed that the magnetic field created by the 20 kHz design is less than the 10 kHz design. High-frequency designs have lower inductance values, lower number of turns, and correspondingly lower magnetic flux density.
Open access paper: https://electricajournal.org/
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Differential
biological responses of adherent and non-adherent (cancer and
non-cancerous) cells to variable extremely low frequency magnetic
fields
Nezamtaheri MS, Goliaei B, Shariatpanahi SP, Ansari AM. Differential
biological responses of adherent and non-adherent (cancer and
non-cancerous) cells to variable extremely low frequency magnetic
fields. Sci Rep. 2022 Aug 20;12(1):14225. doi:
10.1038/s41598-022-18210-y.
Abstract
Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) induces
biological effects on different cells through various signaling
pathways. To study the impact of the ELF-EMF on living cells under an
optimal physiological condition, we have designed and constructed a
novel system that eliminates several limitations of other ELF-EMF
systems. Apoptosis and cell number were assessed by flow cytometry and
the Trypan Blue dye exclusion method, respectively. In vitro cell
survival was evaluated by colony formation assay. The distribution of
cells in the cell cycle, intracellular ROS level, and autophagy were
analyzed by flow cytometer. Suspended cell differentiation was assessed
by phagocytosis of latex particles and NBT reduction assay. Our results
showed that response to the exposure to ELF-EMF is specific and depends
on the biological state of the cell. For DU145, HUVEC, and K562 cell
lines the optimum results were obtained at the frequency of 0.01 Hz,
while for MDA-MB-231, the optimum response was obtained at 1 Hz.
Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF in adherent cells effectively inhibited
proliferation by arresting the cell population at the cell cycle G2/M
phase and increased intracellular ROS level, leading to morphological
changes and cell death. The K562 cells exposed to the ELF-EMF
differentiate via induction of autophagy and decreasing the cell number.
Our novel ELF-EMF instrument could change morphological and cell
behaviors, including proliferation, differentiation, and cell death.
Open access paper: https://www.nature.com/
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Maternal stress induced anxiety-like behavior exacerbated by
electromagnetic fields radiation in female rats offspring
Hosseini E, Farid Habibi M, Babri S, Mohaddes G, Abkhezr H, Heydari H.
Maternal stress induced anxiety-like behavior exacerbated by
electromagnetic fields radiation in female rats offspring. PLoS One.
2022 Aug 23;17(8):e0273206. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273206.
Abstract
There is a disagreement on whether extremely low frequency
electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have a beneficial or harmful effect on
anxiety-like behavior. Prenatal stress induces frequent disturbances in
offspring physiology such as anxiety-like behavior extending to
adulthood. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of prenatal
stress and ELF-EMF exposure before and during pregnancy on anxiety-like
behavior and some anxiety-related pathways in the hippocampus of female
rat offspring. A total of 24 female rats 40 days of age were distributed
into four groups of 6 rats each: control, Stress (rats whose mothers
underwent chronic stress), EMF (rats whose mothers were exposed to
electromagnetic fields) and EMF/S (rats whose mothers were
simultaneously exposed to chronic stress and ELF-EMF). The rats were
given elevated plus-maze and open field tests and then their brains were
dissected and their hippocampus were subjected to analysis. ELISA was
used to measure 24(S)-hydroxy cholesterol, corticosterone, and serotonin
levels. Cryptochrome2, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein,
3B-Hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor
2(NMDAr2) and phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2(PNMDAr2)
were assayed by immunoblotting. Anxiety-like behavior increased in all
treatment groups at the same time EMF increased anxiety induced by
maternal stress in the EMF/S group. The stress group showed decreased
serotonin and increased corticosterone levels. ELF-EMF elevated the
PNMDAr2/NMDAr2 ratio and 24(S)-hydroxy cholesterol compared to the
control group but did not change corticosterone. EMF did not restore
changes induced by stress in behavioral and molecular tests. The results
of the current study, clarified that ELF-EMF can induce anxiety-like
behavior which may be attributed to an increase in the PNMDAr2/NMDAr2
ratio and 24(S)-OHC in the hippocampus, and prenatal stress may
contribute to anxiety via a decrease in serotonin and an increase in
corticosterone in the hippocampus. We also found that anxiety-like
behavior induced by maternal stress exposure is exacerbated by
electromagnetic field radiation.
Open access paper: https://journals.plos.org/
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Chronic blue light leads to accelerated aging in Drosophila by impairing energy metabolism and neurotransmitter levels
Jun
Yang, Song Yujuan, Law Alexander D., Rogan Conno J., Shimoda Kelsey,
Djukovic Danijel, Anderson Jeffrey C., Kretzschmar Doris, Hendrix David
A., Giebultowicz Jadwiga M. Chronic blue light leads to accelerated
aging in Drosophila by impairing energy metabolism and neurotransmitter
levels. Frontiers in Aging. Vol. 3, 2022, doi:
10.3389/fragi.2022.983373.
Abstract
Blue
light (BL) is becoming increasingly prevalent in artificial
illumination, raising concerns about its potential health hazard to
humans. In fact, there is evidence suggesting that acute BL exposure may
lead to oxidative stress and death of retinal cells specialized for
photoreception. On the other hand, recent studies in Drosophila
melanogaster demonstrated that chronic BL exposure across lifespan leads
to accelerated aging manifested in reduced lifespan and brain
neurodegeneration even in flies with genetically ablated eyes,
suggesting that BL can damage cells and tissues not specialized for
light perception. At the physiological level, BL exposure impairs
mitochondria function in flies, but the metabolic underpinnings of these
effects have not been studied. Here, we investigated effects of chronic
BL on metabolic pathways in heads of eyes absent
(eya<sup>2</sup>) mutant flies in order to focus on
extra-retinal tissues. We compared metabolomic profiles in flies kept
for 10 or 14 days in constant BL or constant darkness, using LC-MS and
GC-MS. Data analysis revealed significant alterations in the levels of
several metabolites suggesting that critical cellular pathways are
impacted in BL-exposed flies. In particular, dramatic metabolic
rearrangements are observed in heads of flies kept in BL for 14 days,
including highly elevated levels of succinate but reduced levels of
pyruvate and citrate, suggesting impairments in energy production. These
flies also show onset of neurodegeneration and our analysis detected
significantly reduced levels of several neurotransmitters including
glutamate and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), suggesting that BL
disrupts brain homeostasis. Taken together, these data provide novel
insights into the mechanisms by which BL interferes with vital metabolic
pathways that are conserved between fly and human cells.
Open access paper:
https://www.frontiersin.org/
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Genetic analysis of cryptochrome in insect
magnetosensitivity
Kyriacou CP, Rosato E. Genetic analysis of cryptochrome in insect
magnetosensitivity. Front Physiol. 2022 Aug 10;13:928416. doi:
10.3389/fphys.2022.928416.
Abstract
The earth's magnetic field plays an important role in the spectacular
migrations and navigational abilities of many higher animals,
particularly birds. However, these organisms are not amenable to genetic
analysis, unlike the model fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster,
which can respond to magnetic fields under laboratory conditions. We
therefore review the field of insect magnetosensitivity focusing on the
role of the Cryptochromes (CRYs) that were first identified in Arabidopsis and Drosophila
as key molecular components of circadian photo-entrainment pathways.
Physico-chemical studies suggest that photo-activation of flavin adenine
dinucleotide (FAD) bound to CRY generates a FADo- Trpo+
radical pair as electrons skip along a chain of specific Trp residues
and that the quantum spin chemistry of these radicals is sensitive to
magnetic fields. The manipulation of CRY in several insect species has
been performed using gene editing, replacement/rescue and knockdown
methods. The effects of these various mutations on magnetosensitivity
have revealed a number of surprises that are discussed in the light of
recent developments from both in vivo and in vitro studies.
Open access paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/
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High-Power
Electromagnetic Pulse Exposure (EMP) of Healthy Mice: Effects on
Cognition, Neuronal Activity, and Hippocampal Structures
Hao Y, Liu W, Xu Z, Jin X, Ye Y, Yu C, Hu C, Zuo H, Li Y. High-Power
Electromagnetic Pulse Exposure of Healthy Mice: Assessment of Effects on
Mice Cognitions, Neuronal Activities, and Hippocampal Structures. Front
Cell Neurosci. 2022 Jun 29;16:898164. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2022.898164.
Abstract
Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a high-energy pulse with an extremely
rapid rise time and a broad bandwidth. The brain is a target organ
sensitive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), the biological effects and
related mechanisms of EMPs on the brain remain unclear. The objectives
of the study were to assess the effects of EMP exposure on mouse
cognitions, and the neuronal calcium activities in vivo under
different cases of real-time exposure and post exposure. EMP-treated
animal model was established by exposing male adult C57BL/6N mice to 300
kV/m EMPs. First, the effects of EMPs on the cognitions, including the
spatial learning and memory, avoidance learning and memory,
novelty-seeking behavior, and anxiety, were assessed by multiple
behavioral experiments. Then, the changes in the neuronal activities of
the hippocampal CA1 area in vivo were detected by fiber
photometry in both cases of during real-time EMP radiation and
post-exposure. Finally, the structures of neurons in hippocampi were
observed by optical microscope and transmission electron microscope. We
found that EMPs under this condition caused a decline in the spatial
learning and memory ability in mice, but no effects on the avoidance
learning and memory, novelty-seeking behavior, and anxiety. The neuron
activities of hippocampal CA1 were disturbed by EMP exposure, which were
inhibited during EMP exposure, but activated immediately after exposure
end. Additionally, the CA1 neuron activities, when mice entered the
central area in an Open field (OF) test or explored the novelty in a
Novel object exploration (NOE) test, were inhibited on day 1 and day 7
after radiation. Besides, damaged structures in hippocampal neurons were
observed after EMP radiation. In conclusion, EMP radiation impaired the
spatial learning and memory ability and disturbed the neuronal
activities in hippocampal CA1 in mice.
Open access paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/
