Electromagnetic Field Exposure Research Articles

The problems of mobile communication electromagnetic field exposure assessment today and tomorrow

New and necessary improvements of electromagnetic exposure assessment principles and methods are considered and presented. The electromagnetic field exposure assessment is the physical basis for hygienic and biological research and needs s to consider the new technological features of emerging 5G mobile systems in addition to existing 2-4G systems. The new generation of telecommunication networks will cause significantly novel electromagnetic field exposure, in particular for time-frequency and spatial parameters. A complex exposure assessment based on refined broadband measurements seems to be the proper and necessary approach to the enhancement of Russian EMF assessment guidelines. Simple broadband EMF measurements are the common approach for present exposure assessment and cannot be used any longer as the only measure for multiple 5G sources exposure evaluation. Then again broadband measurements are the simple and practical approach for mm wave in-situ exposure assessment. Frequency-selective and code-selective measurements provide detailed EMF level distribution in separate frequency channels, telecommunication services or sources and are a promising approach for objective exposure assessment.

Features of electromagnetic and noise environment in the workplace of the staff of MRI departments: problems of hygienic regulation and control

Introduction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most dynamically developing, high-tech diagnostic methods. At the same time, the specific features of the electromagnetic environment and noise exposures at the medical and technical personnel operating and maintaining MRI workplaces are not well understood and are currently not taken into account when conducting a hygienic assessment of working condition in the Russian Federation. The aim of study is scientific substantiation of the need to improve the hygienic assessment of electromagnetic and noise conditions in the workplace of the staff of MRI departments. Materials and methods. An analytical method to evaluate the current domestic and foreign regulatory and methodological documents that determine the hygienic assessment requirements for electromagnetic environment and noise in MRI departments was used. More than 4 thousand measurements of the intensity of electromagnetic fields and noise in 88 rooms in Moscow equipped with different types of MRI (from 0,1 mT to 3 T) and studies of the performing duration various types of work and electromagnetic field and noise exposure on personnel was done. The amplitude-time and frequency parameters of the variables of the electromagnetic field (EMF) and sound pressure detailed studies have been carried out. Results. Significant differences in controlled indicators, acceptable exposure levels, and control methods has revealed by critical analysis of domestic and foreign hygienic regulatory and methodological documents. The studies showed that the medical and technical personnel of MRI departments are exposed with high spatial and temporal gradients static magnetic fields and extreme levels of noise during diagnostic work in the immediate vicinity of the tomograph magnet. The presence of time-varying magnetic fields in a wide range of low frequencies and radio frequencies having a complicated (pulsed) waveform is a feature of the electromagnetic environment in MRI. New standardized control parameters and limit levels for low-frequency ranges magnetic fields for their adequate hygienic assessment are proposed. Conclusion. The studies made it possible to substantiate the proposals the improving of electromagnetic field and noise hygienic assessment at the MRI staff workplaces.

Analysis of the hygienic assessment of the electromagnetic environment in residential areas near military airfields

In the purpose to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population living on the territory near the military aerodrome calculated assessment of the geometry and size of the sanitary protection zone (SPZ) was carried out based on aerodrome radiation sources electromagnetic fields (EMF) level and the requirements of current legislation in electromagnetic safety. The analysis showed that the calculated levels of total EMF exposure outside the technical (adjacent) territory are significantly lower than the established maximum permissible for the population. The results obtained allow us to prevent the possibility of developing an inadequate (hyperbolized) perception (radiophobia) of the danger of exposure to this factor, as well as rental behavior of people living in these territories.

Effects of electromagnetic fields treatment on rat critical-sized calvarial defects with a 3D-printed composite scaffold

BackgroundCurrent strategies for craniofacial defect are faced with unmet outcome. Combining 3D-printing with safe, noninvasive magnetic therapy could be a promising breakthrough.MethodsIn this study, polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite (PLA/HA) composite scaffold was fabricated. After seeding rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on scaffolds, the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs were investigated. Additionally, 6-mm critical-sized calvarial defect was created in rats. BMSC-laden scaffolds were implanted into the defects with or without EMF treatment.ResultsOur results showed that PLA/HA composite scaffolds exhibited uniform porous structure, high porosity (~ 70%), suitable compression strength (31.18 ± 4.86 MPa), modulus of elasticity (10.12 ± 1.24 GPa), and excellent cyto-compatibility. The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs cultured on the scaffolds were enhanced with EMF treatment. Mechanistically, EMF exposure functioned partly by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or MAPK-associated ERK and JNK pathways. In vivo, significantly higher new bone formation and vascularization were observed in groups involving scaffold, BMSCs, and EMF treatment, compared to scaffold alone. Furthermore, after 12 weeks of implanting, craniums in groups including scaffold, BMSCs, and EMF exposure showed the greatest biomechanical properties.ConclusionIn conclusion, EMF treatment combined with 3D-printed scaffold has great potential applications in craniofacial regeneration.

Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on Thermal Sensitivity in the Rat.

The World Health Organization and the French Health Safety Agency (ANSES) recognize that the expressed pain and suffering of electromagnetic field hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) people are a lived reality requiring daily life adaptations to cope. Mechanisms involving glutamatergic N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were not explored yet, despite their possible role in hypersensitivity to chemicals. Here, we hypothesized that radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposures may affect pain perception under a modulatory role played by the NMDA receptor. The rats were exposed to RF-EMF for four weeks (five times a week, at 0 (sham), 1.5 or 6 W/kg in restraint) or were cage controls (CC). Once a week, they received an NMDA or saline injection before being scored for their preference between two plates in the two-temperatures choice test: 50 °C (thermal nociception) versus 28 °C. Results in the CC and the sham rats indicated that latency to escape from heat was significantly reduced by −45% after NMDA, compared to saline treatment. Heat avoidance was significantly increased by +40% in the 6 W/kg, compared to the sham exposed groups. RF-EMF effect was abolished after NMDA treatment. In conclusion, heat avoidance was higher after high brain-averaged specific absorption rate, affording further support for possible effect of RF-EMF on pain perception. Further studies need to be performed to confirm these data.

마우스의 도파민 신경계 및 행동성에 대한 LTE 전자파 단기 노출 영향 연구

In this study, we investigated the effects of short-term Long-Term Evolution(LTE) radio-frequency electromagnetic field(RF-EMF) exposure on mouse behavior and dopamine signaling to identify the relationship between RF-EMFs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). In a reverberation chamber, eight-week-old male mice were exposed to EMFs of 1,760 MHz(whole-body average specific absorption rate of 6 W/kg, 12 h/day) for five consecutive days. Behavioral tests were performed before and after the EMF exposure to evaluate the activity, attention, and memory of the mice. Neuro-positron emission tomography imaging targeting dopamine was also performed before and after the RF-EMF exposure. The protein expression levels of dopamine receptors(D1R and D2R), dopamine transporter(DAT), and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) were analyzed in the striatum of mice. It was observed that the short-term RF-EMF exposure did not significantly affect the behavioral and dopamine signaling systems in adult mice. In this study, we optimized the behavioral test and neurological analysis of mice to investigate the effect of the RF-EMF on ADHD. Our finding can be used to investigate the relationship between RF-EMF and ADHD further under various EMF exposure conditions.

전자파의 건강 위험성에 대한 인식 및 이해소통

In this study, we investigated the change in risk perception of the electromagnetic field (EMF) in the general population, and presented the public psychological properties of EMF exposure from various sources through a two-dimensional risk cognitive map. The risk perception of EMF increased or decreased according to environmental factors. In the risk cognitive map, radars and 5G base stations were distributed in areas of high dread and uncontrollability. On the other hand, household appliances, including hair dryers and microwave ovens, were distributed in areas where dread was high but could be controlled. Therefore, for household appliances that can be controlled, perceived risk should be lowered by resolving public questions. For involuntary exposures that cannot be controlled individually, a risk communication strategy that includes sufficient explanation and understanding through participation programs is required.

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety: Russian National and International Regulatory Frameworks for Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

Summary. Introduction: Today, the growing human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is of serious concern to the population and the international scientific community. Sources of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in residential areas include mobile radio base stations, signal repeaters, wireless broadband access points, TV and radio transmitters, satellite earth stations, radar and radio relay stations. Launching of 5G mobile networks will further complicate the electromagnetic situation in inhabited areas, especially in megacities where the size of exposed population is the largest. In the system of measures contributing to protection of the population from adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields, standards (regulations and other documents establishing electromagnetic fields permissible levels) play a significant role and lay the foundation for organizational and technical measures of protection. High importance of standards in ensuring electromagnetic safety served as the basis for our study. The objective of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields standards for inhabited areas and approaches to setting electromagnetic fields exposure levels adopted by different countries and international organizations. Methods: We reviewed of some aspects of biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, regulations setting electromagnetic fields exposure limits in different countries and recommended by ICNIRP, and approaches to establishing those limits. Conclusions: We found a significant discrepancy in radiofrequency electromagnetic fields limits adopted in different countries, the legal status and scope of regulatory documents. Differences in the methodology for the development, adoption and approval of electromagnetic fields standard accompanied by differences in their legal status prevent uniform EMF standard setting.

Comments on electromagnetic field exposure on sleep

We have read the newly published paper by Gandhi et al (2020) in which they set out to investigate the effects of exposure from a mobile phone on the sleep patterns of medical students. The study population is subjects who keep their phone less than 1 m from the head during sleep.

Electromagnetic field of extremely low frequency has an impact on selected chemical components of the honeybee.

The electromagnetic field (EMF) is an environmental factor affecting living organisms. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on selected chemical components of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR method provides information on the chemical structure of compounds through identification and analysis of functional groups. The honeybees were treated with EMF at a frequency of 50 Hz and magnetic induction of 1.6 mT for 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. Analysis of FTIR spectra showed that EMF exposure longer than 2 hours induced changes in the structure of chemical compounds, especially in the IR region corresponding to DNA, RNA, phospholipids and protein vibrations, compared to control samples (bees not EMF treated). The results confirm the effect of EMF on bees depending on the duration of exposure.

Control Policy of RF electromagnetic field in Bulgaria. Practical approach

Abstract Problem Public concern about the possible health risk of the impact to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is growing strongly. International organizations propose specific policy approach to be implemented. Bulgaria has very restrictive legislation concerning EMF which further complicates the implementation of these recommendations. Description of the Problem Legislation in Bulgaria implements two-stages of control: on the base of documentation for calculation of the safety zone, measurements of the EMF values. Many problems arise Exposure assessment; Implementation of new technologies, even more the new 5G standard; Problems standing in front of experts, control bodies and administration. Results Following steps are taken to resolve the Issues: A proposal for changes in the legislation has been prepared.A communication program of establishing a dialogue with the population has been developed and implemented.An Expert Consultative Body has been created by the Ministry of Health which includes experts, industry and administration.An electronic information system of the telecommunication sources located on the territory of the country has been established. Its purpose is to provide detailed information on the EMF values for the population and to support the expert evaluation of the sources and the control.Annual monitoring of the telecommunication sources is carried out, providing data for the electronic information system. Lessons Combined efforts of experts, industry and administration lead to successful solving the problems and decision-making for implementation of the European practices and policies to protect the public health. Implementing the date of the monitoring carried out by the control bodies into electronic system, we manage to provide information of the population. Key messages Implementation of the European legislation in the country in line with the contemporary challenges of new technologies and ensuring public health. Providing information of the EMF exposure to population.

Indication of Electromagnetic Field Exposure via RBF-SVM Using Time-Series Features of Zebrafish Locomotion.

This paper introduces a novel model based on support vector machine with radial basis function kernel (RBF-SVM) using time-series features of zebrafish (Danio rerio) locomotion exposed to different electromagnetic fields (EMFs) to indicate the corresponding EMF exposure. A group of 14 adult zebrafish was randomly divided into two groups, 7 in each group; the fish of each group have the novel tank test under a sham or real magnetic exposure of 6.78 MHz and about 1 A/m. Their locomotion in the tests was videotaped to convert into the x, y coordinate time-series of the trajectories for reforming time-series matrices according to different time-series lengths. The time-series features of zebrafish locomotion were calculated by the comparative time-series analyzing framework highly comparative time-series analysis (HCTSA), and a limited number of the time-series features that were most relevant to the EMF exposure conditions were selected using the minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) algorithm for RBF-SVM classification training. Before this, ambient environmental parameters (AEPs) had little effect on the locomotion performance of zebrafish processed by the empirical method, which had been quantitatively verified by regression using another group of 14 adult zebrafish. The results have demonstrated that the purposed model is capable of accurately indicating different EMF exposures. All classification accuracies can be 100%, and the classification precision of several classifiers based on specific parameters and feature sets with specific dimensions can reach higher than 95%. The speculative reason for this result is that the specified EMF has affected the zebrafish neural aspect, which is then reflected in their behaviors. The outcomes of this study have provided a new indication model for EMF exposures and provided a reference for the investigation of the impact of EMF exposure.

The effect of Extreme Low Frequency-Pulsed Electromagnetic Field exposure in the healing process of Sprague Dawley mouse delayed union femur fracture: study of Rust Radiology Score

Fractures usually heal normally. In some conditions, the healing process do not occur normally, but become delayed union or non union as a complication. Successful healing of fractures is a complex interaction between the process of angiogenesis and osteogenesis (the interaction of osteoblasts and osteoclast). Physical stimuli such as exposure of EMF (electromagnetic fields) influences of the osteogenesis process both in the development stage of embryo reinforcement and the fracture healing stage. The aim of this study is to determine the healing of delayed union fractures in experimental animals due to the expossure of Extreme Low Frequency-Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (ELF-EMF) by comparing the RUST scores. The experimental study was conducted Department of Nutrition Animal Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia with 56 experimental rats during August-September 2018. There were no differences of animal characteristics in the study. It was found that there were significant differences in Rust Score in the treatment and control groups in each examination week. There were no differences in clinical improvement in the two groups. This study concluded that there was an improvement in delayed union fracture healing after the administration of ELF-EMF as seen from the difference in Rust score.

Effects of pulse-modulated radiofrequency magnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress and electron chain transport function in human neuroblastoma and murine microglial cells

The use of body-worn wireless devices with different communication protocols and rapidly changing exposure scenarios is still multiplying and the need to identify possible health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure with extremely low-frequency (ELF) modulation envelops. In this study, effects of ELF-modulated 935 MHz RF-EMF on apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress and electron exchange in N9 microglial and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were investigated.Cells were exposed at 4 W/kg or sham-exposed for 2 and 24 h. RF-EMF exposure of both cell types did not alter apoptosis, the number of living cells nor the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), irrespective of the exposure duration. RF-EMF exposure for 24, but not for 2 h, increased protein levels of the autophagy marker ATG5, whereas LC3B-I and II and pERK were not altered in both cell types and exposure times investigated. A transient increase in glutathione (GSH), but not hydrogen peroxide and cytochrome c oxidase was found only in SH-SY5Y cells, indicating that short-time RF-EMF at SAR levels accepted by today's safety guidelines might cause autophagy and oxidative stress with the effect being dependent on cell type and exposure duration.Further studies are needed to evaluate possible underlying mechanisms involved in pulse-modulated RF-EMF exposure.

Framing effects in risk communication messages – Hazard identification vs. risk assessment

The way in which risk communication messages are framed can influence recipients' risk perceptions. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of how framing is responsible for influencing risk perception. One particularly important element may be whether a risk communication message is framed as a completed ‘risk assessment’ (specifying a magnitude of risk to the public as a function of the exposure level), or as a ‘hazard identification’ (a statement regarding whether an environmental agent could in principle cause detrimental health effects in humans, without addressing whether such effects may occur in practice). The current study aimed to investigate for the first time whether framing a risk communication message regarding ‘mobile phones and health’ as a hazard identification or as a risk assessment affects the reader's risk perception. Using an online survey, participants were separated into three groups and shown either an original press release from the International Agency for Research on Cancer regarding mobile phones and cancer (Group 1), or the press release with additional text modules intended to frame the press release as either a risk assessment (Group 2) or a hazard identification (Group 3). The experimental manipulation was successful in that framing the message as a hazard identification reduced the number of people that believed the press release was a risk assessment, whereas framing it as a risk assessment was not able to increase the number of people who thought that it was a risk assessment. However, no differences in risk perception were found between the groups. In an attempt to ascertain the reason for this lack of framing effect on the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields risk perception measures, it was found that pre-existing interpretations of risk and hazard strongly predicted risk perception, regardless of experimental group. Participants who believed that the International Agency for Research on Cancer conducted a hazard identification perceived lower risks and were less convinced that radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure from mobile phones increases cancer risks. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of understanding the distinction between a hazard identification and a risk assessment, and suggest that radiofrequency electromagnetic field risk communication needs to develop means for empowering the public to differentiate between hazards and risks.

Analysis of the Actual Power and EMF Exposure from Base Stations in a Commercial 5G Network

In this work, monitoring of the transmit power for several base stations operating in a live 5G network (Telstra, Australia) was conducted with the purpose of analyzing the radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure levels. The base stations made use of state-of-the-art massive MIMO antennas utilizing beamforming in order to optimize the signal strength at the user’s device. In order to characterize the actual EMF exposure from 5G base stations, knowledge of the amount of power dynamically allocated to each beam is therefore of importance. Experimental data on the spatial distribution of the base stations’ transmit power were gathered directly from the network by extracting information on the radio and baseband operations. Out of more than 13 million samples collected over 24 h, the maximum time-averaged power per beam direction was found to be well-below the theoretical maximum and lower than what was predicted by the existing statistical models. The results show that assuming constant peak power transmission in a fixed beam direction leads to an unrealistic EMF exposure assessment. This work provides insights relevant for the standardization of EMF compliance assessment methodologies applicable for 5G base stations.

Low-frequency electromagnetic fields promote hair follicles regeneration by injection a mixture of epidermal stem cells and dermal papilla cells

ABSTRACT The bioeffects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on a bio-engineered hair follicle generation had not been fully elucidated. This present study was designed to evaluat the therapeutically effective of low frequency EMF on hair follicles regeneration. In this experiment, epidermal stem cells (ESCs) and dermal papilla (DP) cells were isolated and culture-expanded. Then the mixture containing of ESCs and DP cells was implanted into the epidermal layer or corium layer of nude mice. Those mice were divided at random into the control group and EMF group, 7 days or 14 days later, the skin specimens were harvested to assess for hair regeneration or a bio-engineered skin formation using H&E staining. After injection of the mixture into the epidermal layer of nude mice for 14 days, H&E staining showed that the new hair formed the correct structure comprising hair matrix, hair shaft, and inner root sheath, outer root sheath, and DP. Comparing to the control, the hair follicles erupted at a higher density in the EMF group. When the mixture was implanted into the corium layer for 7 days, comparing with the characteristics of new hair follicles in the control group, H&E staining also showed the mixture induced to form 4 ~ 6 epidermal layers with a higher density of hair follicle like-structures in the bioengineered epithelial layers after EMF exposure. Our results suggested that the injection of a mixture of ESCs and DP cells in combination with EMF exposure facilitated the induction of hair follicle regeneration and a bioengineered skin formation with hair follicle-like structures.

Evaluation of the Influence of Magnetic Field on Female Users of an Induction Hob in Ergonomically Sound Exposure Situations.

The hypothesis being tested was that the exposure of female workers to the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by an induction hob (IHb) meeting public exposure limitations (evaluated according to EN/IEC 62233) is also compliant with European Directive 2013/35/EU on workers' protection. The electric field induced in three female models in a realistic ergonomically comfortable posture near IHb was evaluated using numerical models of 25 kHz EMF sources (IHb covered by cooking vessels). It was found that, in analyzed ergonomically comfortable exposure situations, the electric field induced in the user's body may exceed public and workers' limits when the vessels do not match the dimensions of IHb's heating zone. This can even be the case when IHb complies with Conformité Européenne labeling requirements (i.e. EMF exposure falls below public limits 30 cm away from IHb edge). In the 36 exposure scenarios analyzed, statistically significant differences were found when the distances from IHb and vessel dimension, and the height and body mass index of models in exposure scenarios varied, but not between the use of models of pregnant and nonpregnant women. The use of IHb complying with European requirements on general public protection does not ensure that EMF exposure to workers complies with the relevant limits. Adequate protection measures need to address these occupational environmental hazards. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Design of an Integrated Platform for Mapping Residential Exposure to Rf-Emf Sources.

Nowadays, information and communication technologies (mobile phones, connected objects) strongly occupy our daily life. The increasing use of these technologies and the complexity of network infrastructures raise issues about radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (Rf-Emf) exposure. Most previous studies have assessed individual exposure to Rf-Emf, and the next level is to assess populational exposure. In our study, we designed a statistical tool for Rf-Emf populational exposure assessment and mapping. This tool integrates geographic databases and surrogate models to characterize spatiotemporal exposure from outdoor sources, indoor sources, and mobile phones. A case study was conducted on a 100 × 100 m grid covering the 14th district of Paris to illustrate the functionalities of the tool. Whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) values are 2.7 times higher than those for the whole brain. The mapping of whole-body and whole-brain SAR values shows a dichotomy between built-up and non-built-up areas, with the former displaying higher values. Maximum SAR values do not exceed 3.5 and 3.9 mW/kg for the whole body and the whole brain, respectively, thus they are significantly below International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) recommendations. Indoor sources are the main contributor to populational exposure, followed by outdoor sources and mobile phones, which generally represents less than 1% of total exposure.

Development of a TEM-cell-integrated CO2 incubator for cell-based transient electromagnetic field bioeffect study

ABSTRACT To facilitate the cell-based experiment for pulsed electromagnetic field biological effect study, a novel TEM-cell-integrated CO2 incubator was developed. The integrated experimental system could simultaneously meet the requirement of standard cell culture condition and the various Transient Electromagnetic Field (TEF) exposure, which made it possible to study the relationship between different electromagnetic pulse exposure and the cellular responses in a reliable way. During the research, a comparison experiment was carried out to evaluate the necessity of the integrated incubator system: firstly, two different types of cell lines, which are the human prostate cancer cell line (PC3) and the pancreatic β cell line (MIN6) were chosen and exposed in the TEM-cell which located in the open area and the integrated system, respectively, with the same EFT radiation conditions; then, the cells’ viability, the cellular ROS level and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected, respectively. The results showed that in the same parameter of the EFT radiation, the processes of the cells had a significant difference and even opposite in the incubator and open area, and all the results could be reproducible. The phenomenon indicated the stability of the TEM-cell-integrated CO2 incubator, and also demonstrated the necessity to strictly control the cell culture condition when carrying out the precise mechanism study of the TEF bioresponse at the cellular levels.