Tuesday, October 1, 2024

"Health Hazards of Wireless Technologies: What do we know now?" Webinar

 

A webinar by Dr. Joel Moskowitz sponsored by 

The Collaborative for Health & Environment 

September 25, 2024


In this webinar, Dr. Joel Moskowitz provides a brief overview of selected recent studies on health hazards of wireless technologies. He discussed a meta-analysis of case-control studies of cell phone use and tumor risk, as well as the state of the evidence on tumor risk and other health hazards. He also addressed the World Health Organization's recent efforts to assure the public that wireless radiation exposure is safe by commissioning flawed reviews of the research.

Wireless technologies, including cell phones, wireless internet, and Bluetooth devices, have become ubiquitous in our lives. Most adults in the US own a cell phone, and cell phone use is widespread among children and adolescents. New cell antenna sites are being deployed widely. Wireless technologies and equipment designs also change rapidly.

The preponderance of scientific evidence shows adverse biological and health effects from the radiofrequency (RF) radiation, or electromagnetic fields (EMFs), used and generated by these devices. A number of studies have considered the mechanisms of biological harm from RF radiation, and federal studies have documented increased incidence of certain tumors in laboratory animals associated with RF exposure. Epidemiological studies have found increased risk of certain tumors associated with long-term use of wireless phones. 

Dr. Moskowitz has conducted research on disease prevention programs and policies for more than 40 years, most recently focusing on adverse health effects of cell phone and wireless radiation. In 2009 he served as the senior author on a hallmark paper reviewing research on mobile phone use and increased brain tumor risk that was updated in 2020. He has disseminated research related to wireless technology, public health, and policy since 2009. He is a member of the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF) and an advisor to the International EMF Scientist Appeal signed by more than 250 scientists who published peer-reviewed research on EMF and biology or health. His Electromagnetic Radiation Safety website is a valuable resource for scientists, journalists, and the public.

https://www.healthandenvironment.org/che-webinars/96771


Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV9Yk99iJdg

Slides: https://bit.ly/RFhazardsslidesCHE09-25-24

Cell Phone Use and Salivary Gland Tumor Risk


Since the year 2000, the U.S. has experienced significant increases in the age-adjusted incidence rates of salivary gland cancer along with three other head and neck tumors associated with cell phone use. 

The age-adjusted incidence rate of salivary gland cancer significantly increased overall in the U.S. by 0.6% per year from 2000 to 2021. The largest percentage increase has been among children and young adults. The increase in age-adjusted incidence rates for this tumor may be attributable to the chronic effects of mobile phone use in addition to other factors including improvements in screening.

Whereas the size of the population in the U.S. increased 18% between 2000 and 2021, the number of cases of salivary gland cancer reported in the National Cancer Institute's SEER 22 registry increased by 50%.

The tumor incidence rate data are from the SEER 22 Registry which covers 48% of the total U.S. population. The data were age-adjusted to the population in the year 2000 so observed differences over time are not affected by changes in the age composition of the population.


Reference: SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute; 2023 Apr 19. [updated: 2023 Nov 16; cited 2024 Jan 9]. Available from: https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/. Data source(s): SEER Incidence Data, November 2022 Submission (1975-2020), SEER 22 registries.  

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Does Radiofrequency Radiation From Mobile Phones Affect the Formation of Parotid Gland Malignancy? An Experimental Study

Ozergin Coskun Z, Tumkaya L, Yilmaz A, Dursun E, Mercantepe T, Kalkan Y, Ersoz S. Does Radiofrequency Radiation From Mobile Phones Affect the Formation of Parotid Gland Malignancy? An Experimental Study. Ear Nose Throat J. 2024 Sep 27:1455613241287295. doi: 10.1177/01455613241287295.

Abstract

Objectives: The use of mobile phone is increasing around the world. Although it is beneficial in terms of communication, the electromagnetic radiations emitted by mobile phones may cause undesirable biological effects on the human body. In practical use, the tissue with which mobile phones come into most and are closest is the parotid gland. This study investigated the effects of the 1800 MHz electromagnetic field created by a generator on the parotid gland in rats.

Methods: A total of 21 Sprague-Dawley Albino rats were included in the study. The rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. To simulate a mobile phone in conversation mode, the first study group was exposed to an 1800-MHz electromagnetic field for 6 hours a day for 30 days, and the second study group was exposed to an 1800-MHz electromagnetic field for 12 hours a day for 30 days. After 30 days, rats were sacrificed, and histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the effects on the parotid gland. The total antioxidant level and the total oxidant level were measured biochemically in homogenized parotid tissue.

Results: Histopathological results showed an increase in degeneration in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields for 6 and 12 hours a day, and immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase in the apoptotic index in both study groups (P = .001, P < .001). Intranuclear inclusions was observed during histopathological examination performed by electron microscopy.

Conclusions: This study observed that the 1800 MHz electromagnetic field caused undesirable adverse histopathological and biochemical effects on the parotid gland of rats. Histopathological and biochemical findings were detected with increasing contact and exposure time. This study will lead to other studies on this topic and contribute to the literature by completing other studies.

Excerpts

This study used a generator (Anritsu MG3670 B type, Japan) that produces microwave radiation at 1800 MHz radiofrequency to create exposure in mobile communion. The generator peak power was fixed at 2 W during exposure. In the digital signal generator used in this study, the carrier frequency was 1800 MHz, the modulation frequency was 217 Hz, there was a pulse of 577 µseconds, and the maximum peak power was 2 W. The average specific absorption rate (SAR) of the whole body was 0.117 W/kg. The study was carried out on a total of 21 rats divided in 3 groups (n = 7).

Groups 1, 2, and 3 were exposed to microwave radiation for 0 (control group), 6, and 12 hours, respectively. A generator with an external antenna was placed in the lower middle part of the cages.5 The rats in the study group were exposed to microwave radiation for the specified hours in the mobile phone conversation mode....

The parotid tissue has been reported to absorb 40% of the electromagnetic energy emitted by mobile phones on phones held in place. This absorbed energy can cause thermal and nonthermal effects in the parotid tissue.14 ....

Conclusion

In light of our knowledge of the literature, this is the first study to investigate the effects of an 1800-MHz electromagnetic field on the parotid gland of rats with biochemical tests, immunohistochemically in light microscopy and histopathologically in electron microscopy. This study observed that an 1800-MHz electromagnetic field causes undesirable adverse histopathological and biochemical effects on the parotid gland of rats. Histopathological and biochemical findings were detected with increasing contact and exposure time. This study will lead other studies on this topic and contribute to the literature in this area.


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Does cell phone use increase the chances of parotid gland tumor development?
A systematic review and meta-analysis

de Siqueira EC, de Souza FTA, Gomez RS, Gomes CC, de Souza RP. Does cell phone use increase the chances of parotid gland tumor development? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Oral Pathol Med. 2017 Aug;46(7):480-483. doi: 10.1111/jop.12531.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prior epidemiological studies had examined the association between cell phone use and the development of tumors in the parotid glands. However there is no consensus about the question of whether cell phone use is associated with increased risk of tumors in the parotid glands. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the existing literature about the mean question and to determine their statistical significance.

METHODS: Primary association studies. Papers that associated cell phone use and parotid gland tumors development were included, with no restrictions regarding publication date, language and place of publication. Systematic literature search using PubMed, Scielo and Embase followed by meta-analysis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Initial screening included 37 articles and three were included in meta-analysis. Using three independent samples including 5087 subjects from retrospective case-control studies, cell phone use seems to be associated with greater odds (1.28, 95%- confidence interval 1.09 - 1.51) to develop salivary gland tumor. Results should be read with caution due to the limited number of studies available and their retrospective design.

http://bit.ly/2gFfUBh
Excerpts

Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare, accounting for 2-5% of all head and neck tumors, being the parotids the most affected salivary gland (6).

We further evaluated the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the saliva produced by the parotids according to self-reported exposure to cell phone, reporting an increase in pro-inflammatory and a decrease of anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in the sample evaluated, suggesting a pro-inflammatory effect of cell phones (8).

Cell phone use was associated with greater odds (increase of 28%) of presence of tumor in the parotid glands (O.R. 1.28 95% C.I. [1.09–1.51] p = 0.0025) (Figure 2).

Primary association studies have reported discordant results (3, 5, 10, 12, 14, 15). Possible explanations for conflicting results are differences in study design, genetic background of sampled populations or clinical-epidemiological sample structure. It is important to note that discordant results do not mean that some are incorrect. Tumor manifestation is clearly a multifactorial process whose risk factors are several. Most of the studies have not assessed other risk factors when estimating existence of association.

This is the first systematic review followed by a meta-analysis to evaluate that association. Here, we report usage of cell phone increase, on average, 28% the odds of presenting parotid glands tumors.

Our results need to be read and interpreted with caution due to important limitations that need to be addressed. Although the number of subjects compiled is reasonably large, the number of independent samples is small (n = 3) and results are clearly driven by two of three studies.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results provide evidence of association between cell phone use and parotid tumor although their association presents mild effect.


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Histological and histochemical study of the protective role of rosemary extract against harmful effect of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on the parotid glands

Fatma M. Ghoneim, Eetmad A. Arafat. Histological and histochemical study of the protective role of rosemary extract against harmful effect of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on the parotid glands. Acta Histochemica, 118(5):478-485. June 2016.

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a class of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) that is emitted from mobile phone. It may have hazardous effects on parotid glands. So, we aimed to investigate the histological and histochemical changes of the parotid glands of rats exposed to mobile phone and study the possible protective role of rosemary against its harmful effect. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into 4 equal groups. Group I (control), group II (control receiving rosemary), group III (mobile phone exposed group) and group IV (mobile exposed, rosemary treated group). Parotid glands were dissected out for histological and histochemical study. Moreover, measurement of oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was done. The results of this study revealed that rosemary has protective effect through improving the histological and histochemical picture of the parotid gland in addition of its antioxidant effect. It could be concluded from the current study, that exposure of parotid gland of rat models to electromagnetic radiation of mobile phone resulted in structural changes at the level of light and electron microscopic examination which could be explained by oxidative stress effect of mobile phone. Rosemary could play a protective role against this harmful effect through its antioxidant activity.

Conclusion

From this study, it could be concluded that exposure of rat models to non-ionizing radiation emitted from mobile phone has hazardous effects on the histology and histochemistry of their parotid glands. Administration of rosemary extract which is a natural antioxidant resulted in a significant improvement. Unfortunately these preliminary results cannot be further extrapolated to humans. Therefore, we should adjust our use for mobile.



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Also see:



Overview of Contents




"Health Hazards of Wireless Technologies: What do we know now?" Joel Moskowitz, Collaborative on Health & Environment webinar / video & slides, Sept. 25, 2024)

"Radiofrequency Radiation and Your Health: Is 5G Harmful?" (Joel Moskowitz, Federal Mobility Group webinar / video & slides, 2023)

"Health Effects of Cellphone & Cell Tower Radiation: Implications for 5G" (Joel Moskowitz, UC Center for Occupational & Environmental Health webinar / video & slides, 2021)



"Cellphone radiation is harmful, but few want to believe it" (Joel Moskowitz, UC Berkeley News, 2021)


Wireless Radiation TV News Coverage (300+ TV news videos)

Mobile Phone Health Effects

Key Cell Phone Radiation Research Studies
The UK Million Women Study of Cell Phone Use and Brain Tumor Risk

Other Health Risks



Cell Phone and Wireless Radiation


Wireless Radiation Research, Guidelines & Regulatory Policies

American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics: Protect Children from Cell Phone & Wireless Radiation

American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society: Cell Phone Radiation Risk

Berkeley Model Cell Phone Ordinance
Berkeley Cell Phone "Right to Know" Ordinance

California Public Health Department
Cell Phone Safety Guidance from the California Public Health Department
California's Cell Phone Safety Guidance: Media Coverage

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York Times’ Exposé of CDC’s Retraction of Warnings about Cell Phone Radiation

Federal Communications Commission

Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Cell Phone Industry Product Liability Lawsuit

International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields
International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF)