RF EMF Research Articles

Exposure Perception as a Key Indicator of Risk Perception and Acceptance of Sources of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.

The presented survey was conducted in six European countries as an online study. A total of 2454 subjects participated. Two main research questions were investigated: firstly, how does the cognitive, moral, and affective framing of radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposure perception influence RF EMF risk perception? Secondly, can the deployment of mobile phone base stations have greater acceptance with RF EMF exposure reduction? The findings with respect to the first question clearly indicated that the cognitive framed exposure perception is the main determinant of RF EMF risk perception. The concomitant sensitivity to exposure strength offers an opportunity to improve the acceptance of base stations by exposure reduction. A linear regression analysis supported this assumption: in a fictional test situation, exposure reduction improved the acceptance of base stations, operationalized as the requested distance of the base station from one's own home. Furthermore, subjects with high RF EMF risk perception were most sensitive to exposure reduction. On average, a 70% exposure reduction reduced the requested distance from about 2000 meters to 1000 meters. The consequences for risk communication are discussed.

ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO RADIO FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

European Union Directive 2013/35/UE provides for the implementation of EU regulations into national legislation. Our aim is to assess actual health hazards from radiofrequency eldctromagnetic field (RF EMF) (range: 100 kHz - 300 GHz) and indicate workplaces with the highest risk to employee health. Data from measurements of RF EMF performed by the Laboratory of Electromagnetic Hazards in Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (Łódź, Poland) were analyzed. The analysis covered the results of electric field intensity (E) for over 450 selected items. The ranges of protection zones and the extent to which maximum admissible intensity (MAI) values were also analyzed. The determinations and'measurements of EMF in the work environment met the requirements of Polish Standard, while Polish regulations on the MAI values were used as the criterion for the assessment of the exposure. The highest values of E field intensity at workplaces were measured for: electrosurgery, to 400 V/m, and short-wave diathermy units, to 220 V/m, dielectric welders to 240 V/m, within the FM radio antenna systems, to 180 V/m. The widest protection zones were noted for prototype research instruments, short-wave diathermy units, and dielectric welders. The most excessive (up to 12-fold MAI) values were recorded for dielectric welders, short-wave diathermy units (up to 11-fold) and microwave diathermy units (up to 8-fold). Our results have confirmed the high RF EMF values for physiotherapists, operators of dielectric welders, and mast maintenance workers in radio com munication facilities (especially radio and TV broadcasting stations).

Systematic literature review of adverse reproductive outcomes associated with physiotherapists' occupational exposures to non-ionising radiation.

To review empirical research on adverse health and pregnancy outcomes associated with physiotherapists' occupational exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) from shortwave (SWD) and microwave (MWD) diathermy devices. A systematic review of peer reviewed literature published from 1990 to 2010 in the English language searched in eight online bibliographic databases: CINAHL, EBSCOhost, ISI Web of Knowledge, Medline, OSH UPDATE, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Findings suggest that physiotherapists' occupational exposure to SWD was statistically significantly associated with delayed time to pregnancy (>6 months), still birth, altered gender ratio (low ratio of boys to girls), congenital malformations and low birth weight (<2,500 g) among physiotherapists' offspring. Physiotherapists' exposure to MWD was also found to be statistically significantly associated with spontaneous abortion. However, causal mechanisms for these statistical associations are unknown. The present systematic review has found these adverse reproductive outcomes and health effects associations with RF EMFs from therapeutic diathermy devices to be inconsistent. A number of studies did not find statistically significant results to replicate associations with such adverse outcomes, and therefore further research, preferably prospective studies of cohorts of physiotherapists, is warranted.

Real-time assessment of possible electromagnetic-field-induced changes in protein conformation and thermal stability.

Previous studies on possible interactions of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) with proteins have suggested that RF EMFs might affect protein structure and folding kinetics. In this study, the isolated thermosensor protein GrpE of the Hsp70 chaperone system of Escherichia coli was exposed to EMFs of various frequencies and field strengths under strictly controlled conditions. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to monitor possible structural changes. Simultaneously, temperature was recorded at each point of observation. The coiled-coil part of GrpE has been reported to undergo a well-defined and fully reversible folding/unfolding transition, thus facilitating the differentiation between thermal and non-thermal effects of RF EMFs. Any direct effect of EMF on the conformation and/or stability would result in a shift of the conformational equilibrium of the protein at a given temperature. Possible immediate (t ≤ 0.1 s) and delayed (t ≥ 30 s) effects of RF EMFs were investigated with sinusoidal signals of 0.1, 1.0, and 1.9 GHz at various field strengths up to 5.0 kV/m and with GSM signals at 0.3 kV/m in the protein solution. Taking the overall uncertainty of the experimental system into account, possible RF EMF-induced shifts in the conformational equilibrium of less than 1% of its total range might have been detected. The results obtained with the different experimental protocols indicate, however, that the conformational equilibrium of GrpE is insensitive to electromagnetic fields in the tested range of frequency and field strength.

Bluetooth’s impact on radiation emissions

&#x0D; Introduction: Cellphone usage has increased leaps and bounds over the past decade. With the growing popularity of cellphones come numerous studies on the effects of mobile radiation on human health. Cellphone radiation has been associated with many health implications such as: sleep deprivation, hearing loss, slower sperm, cancers and tumors to name a few; however, more research is needed to confirm these claims. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine the Bluetooth impact on radiation levels when it is paired with a cellphone. This is a two-fold process: firstly, to determine radiation levels emitted by the pairing of a cellphone and a Bluetooth headset and comparing it to a control group of the cellphone alone and secondly, comparing the radiation emissions of a paired cellphone with the associated paired Bluetooth headset. Methods: An Extech RF EMF strength meter was used to measure the radiation emission levels (μW/cm2) of various phone types by Apple and Samsung when they were unpaired and paired with a LG HBM-220 Bluetooth device. The radiation emissions of the paired Bluetooth were also measured. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in radiation emissions (μW/cm2) observed in a cellphone paired with a Bluetooth when compared to an unpaired cellphone. This was statistically significant as the p-value (0.00026) was less than the 0.05 and 0.01 values and the power was near 100 % (99.8%). When comparing the paired cellphone with the associated paired Bluetooth, the Bluetooth emitted much more radiation than the cellphone. This data was statistically significant as well as the p-value was at 0.00000 and the power at 100%. Discussion: The findings in this study suggest that Bluetooth headsets increase radiation emissions; however, it is important to note that only one Bluetooth headset model (LG HBM-220) was tested. The results also conflict with Health Canada claims that Bluetooth headsets decrease radiation emissions. More research is needed to confirm the results found in this study. A key limitation of this study was that only Samsung and Apple Inc. brands were tested. Additionally, the equipment used to measure radiation levels (Extech RMF meter) was subject to background radiation sources. Conclusion: The pairing of a LG HBM-220 Bluetooth to a cellphone increases radiation emissions in both the cellphone and Bluetooth when compared to an unpaired cellphone. These increases in emissions when paired would results in additive effects to one’s body.&#x0D;

Effect of a single 30 min UMTS mobile phone‐like exposure on the thermal pain threshold of young healthy volunteers

One of the most frequently investigated effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) on the behavior of complex biological systems is pain sensitivity. Despite the growing body of evidence of EMF-induced changes in pain sensation, there is no currently accepted experimental protocol for such provocation studies for the healthy human population. In the present study, therefore, we tested the effects of third generation Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RF EMF exposure on the thermal pain threshold (TPT) measured on the surface of the fingers of 20 young adult volunteers. The protocol was initially validated with a topical capsaicin treatment. The exposure time was 30 min and the genuine (or sham) signal was applied to the head through a patch antenna, where RF EMF specific absorption rate (SAR) values were controlled and kept constant at a level of 1.75 W/kg. Data were obtained using randomized, placebo-controlled trials in a double-blind manner. Subjective pain ratings were tested blockwise on a visual analogue rating scale (VAS). Compared to the control and sham conditions, the results provide evidence for intact TPT but a reduced desensitization effect between repeated stimulations within the individual blocks of trials, observable only on the contralateral side for the genuine UMTS exposure. Subjective pain perception (VAS) data indicated marginally decreased overall pain ratings in the genuine exposure condition only. The present results provide pioneering information about human pain sensation in relation to RF EMF exposure and thus may contribute to cover the existing gap between safety research and applied biomedical science targeting the potential biological effects of environmental RF EMFs.

Investigating short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields on reproductive capacity of invertebrates in the field situation

Organisms are exposed to electromagnetic fields from the introduction of wireless networks that send information all over the world. In this study we examined the impact of exposure to the fields from mobile phone base stations (GSM 900 MHz) on the reproductive capacity of small, virgin, invertebrates. A field experiment was performed exposing four different invertebrate species at different distances from a radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) transmitter for a 48-h period. The control groups were isolated from EMF exposure by use of Faraday cages. The response variables as measured in the laboratory were fecundity and number of offspring. Results showed that distance was not an adequate proxy to explain dose-response regressions. No significant impact of the exposure matrices, measures of central tendency and temporal variability of EMF, on reproductive endpoints was found. Finding no impact on reproductive capacity does not fully exclude the existence of EMF impact, since mechanistically models hypothesizing non-thermal-induced biological effects from RF exposure are still to be developed. The exposure to RF EMF is ubiquitous and is still increasing rapidly over large areas. We plea for more attention toward the possible impacts of EMF on biodiversity.

Low levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and cancer cell proliferation in vivo.

e15049 Background: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing but five-year survival remains dismal. Intrabuccal administration of amplitude-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) is a novel, non-invasive treatment modality resulting in whole body absorption of very low levels of RF EMF. Recent studies show that this approach elicits radiological responses in patients with HCC and breast cancer (J Exp Clin Cancer Res, 2009, 28:51; Br J Cancer, 2011, 105:640). Using an in vitro exposure system replicating the levels of exposure achieved in humans, we have shown that HCC cells and breast cancer cells are growth inhibited by HCC-specific and breast cancer-specific frequencies, respectively. Additionally, RF EMF exposure causes modulation of gene expression and disruption of the mitotic spindle (Br J Cancer 2012, 106:307). Methods: HCC cells were exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields modulated at specific frequencies previously identified in HCC patients. MicroRNA arrays compared exposed and control groups of HCC cells. HCC cells were injected subcutaneously in NOD SCID mice. Following palpable tumor establishment, mice were exposed to HCC-specific RF EMF at a specific absorption rate of 0.4 W/kg and euthanized following excessive tumor burden. Results: We identified increased levels of miRNAs targeting proteins belonging to the PI3K pathway, specifically IP3/DAG signaling and intracellular calcium release, a pathway frequently disrupted in HCC and breast cancer. While HCC xenografts grew in control mice, we observed significant tumor shrinkage in mice exposed to HCC-specific modulation frequencies and residual xenograft tumor cells were infiltrated with fibrous tissue and showed significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. There was no evidence of altered cell proliferation or fibrosis in other organs. Conclusions: These findings are the first in vivo evidence of the efficacy of RF EMF in HCC and uncover a novel mechanism that targets cancer cell growth at specific modulation frequencies, by means of changes in PI3K signaling and release of intracellular calcium.

Abstract 5612: Cancer cell proliferation is inhibited by specific modulation frequencies.

Abstract Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in the US is dramatically increasing. Five-year survival remains 3-5%, demonstrating urgent need for additional therapies. Intrabuccal administration of amplitude modulated electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) is a novel, minimally invasive treatment modality which results in whole body absorption of very low levels of RF EMF. Clinical studies show that this treatment approach elicits therapeutic responses in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer. Using an in vitro exposure system replicating the levels of exposure achieved in humans, we have described a phenotype in HCC cells following RF EMF exposure that included proliferative inhibition, modulation of gene expression, and disruption of the mitotic spindle. This phenotype was specific for HCC cells exposed to HCC-specific RF EMF at exposure levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.4 W/kg. Methods: HCC cells were exposed to 27.12 MHz electromagnetic fields modulated at specific frequencies from 400 Hz to 21 kHz, previously identified in HCC patients. MicroRNA arrays compared exposed and control groups of HCC cells, with microRNA validation followed by Western blot of target genes and proteins. HCC xenografts were injected subcutaneously in NOD SCID mice. Following palpable tumor establishment, mice were exposed to HCC-specific RF EMF at a specific absorption rate of 0.4 W/kg, euthanized following excessive tumor burden, and evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: We identified increased levels of miRNAs targeting proteins belonging to the PI3K pathway, specifically IP3/DAG signaling and intracellular calcium release. This pathway is frequently disrupted in HCC and breast cancer, making it an excellent candidate for modulation by RF EMF; furthermore, downstream effects include: cell cycle progression, proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and cell migration. We observed tumor shrinkage in mice exposed to HCC-specific modulation frequencies and residual xenograft tumor cells were infiltrated with fibrous tissue and showed significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. There was no evidence of altered cell proliferation or fibrosis in other organs. Conclusion: These findings are the first evidence of the efficacy and safety of RF EMF in HCC using a subcutaneous xenograft model and uncover a novel mechanism that controls cancer cell growth in vivo at specific modulation frequencies, possibly through modulation of PI3K signaling and downstream release of intracellular calcium. Citation Format: Hugo Jimenez, Jacquelyn W. Zimmerman, Michael J. Pennison, Ivan Brezovich, Nengjun Yi, Celeste T. Yang, Ryne Ramaker, Devin Absher, Richard M. Myers, Niels Kuster, Frederico P. Costa, Alexandre Barbault, Boris Pasche. Cancer cell proliferation is inhibited by specific modulation frequencies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5612. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5612 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Stimulation of the Brain With Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Pulses Affects Sleep-Dependent Performance Improvement

BackgroundSleep-dependent performance improvements seem to be closely related to sleep spindles (12–15 Hz) and sleep slow-wave activity (SWA, 0.75–4.5 Hz). Pulse-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF, carrier frequency 900 MHz) are capable to modulate these electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of sleep. ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to explore possible mechanisms how RF EMF affect cortical activity during sleep and to test whether such effects on cortical activity during sleep interact with sleep-dependent performance changes. MethodsSixteen male subjects underwent 2 experimental nights, one of them with all-night 0.25–0.8 Hz pulsed RF EMF exposure. All-night EEG was recorded. To investigate RF EMF induced changes in overnight performance improvement, subjects were trained for both nights on a motor task in the evening and the morning. ResultsWe obtained good sleep quality in all subjects under both conditions (mean sleep efficiency > 90%). After pulsed RF EMF we found increased SWA during exposure to pulse-modulated RF EMF compared to sham exposure (P < 0.05) toward the end of the sleep period. Spindle activity was not affected. Moreover, subjects showed an increased RF EMF burst-related response in the SWA range, indicated by an increase in event-related EEG spectral power and phase changes in the SWA range. Notably, during exposure, sleep-dependent performance improvement in the motor sequence task was reduced compared to the sham condition (−20.1%, P = 0.03). ConclusionThe changes in the time course of SWA during the exposure night may reflect an interaction of RF EMF with the renormalization of cortical excitability during sleep, with a negative impact on sleep-dependent performance improvement.

No increased sensitivity in brain activity of adolescents exposed to mobile phone-like emissions

ObjectiveTo examine the potential sensitivity of adolescents to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposures, such as those emitted by mobile phones. MethodsIn a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, 22 adolescents aged 11–13years (12 males) underwent three experimental sessions in which they were exposed to mobile phone-like RF EMF signals at two different intensities, and a sham session. During exposure cognitive tasks were performed and waking EEG was recorded at three time-points subsequent to exposure (0, 30 and 60min). ResultsNo clear significant effects of RF EMF exposure were found on the waking EEG or cognitive performance. ConclusionsOverall, the current study was unable to demonstrate exposure-related effects previously observed on the waking EEG in adults, and also provides further support for a lack of an influence of mobile phone-like exposure on cognitive performance. SignificanceAdolescents do not appear to be more sensitive than adults to mobile phone RF EMF emissions.

Effects of GSM 900 MHz on Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Assessed by Transcranial Doppler Sonography

Mobile phone use has increased worldwide but its possible effects on the brain remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of acute exposure to a radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) generated by a mobile phone operating in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) 900 MHz on cerebral blood flow. Twenty-nine volunteers attended two experimental sessions: a sham exposure session and a real exposure session in a cross-over double-blind study in which a mobile phone was positioned on the left side of the head. In one session, the mobile phone was operated without RF radiation (sham phone) and in the other study it was operated with RF radiation (real phone) for 20 min. Thus, each subject served as its own control. Middle cerebral artery blood flow was monitored noninvasively by transcranial Doppler sonography to measure middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity. Pulsatility index and resistance index were also evaluated. A voluntary breath holding physiological test was carried out as a positive control for testing cerebral vasoreactivity. Hemodynamic variables were recorded and analyzed before, during and after mobile phone exposure. No significant changes were detected in studied variables in middle cerebral arteries during sham or real exposure. In the exposed side the cerebral blood flow velocity, the pulsatility index and the resistance index during sham and real exposure were respectively: [61.9 ± 1.3, 61.7 ± 1.3 cm/s (P = 0.89)]; [0.93 ± 0.03, 0.90 ± 0.02 (P = 0.84)] and [0.58 ± 0.01, 0.58 ± 0.01 (P = 0.96)] at baseline; and [60.6 ± 1.3, 62 ± 1.6 cm/s (P = 0.40)]; [0.91 ± 0.03, 0.87 ± 0.03 (P = 0.97)]; [0.57 ± 0.01, 0.56 ± 0.01 (P = 0.82)] after 20 min of exposure. Twenty minutes of RF exposure to a mobile phone does not seem to affect the cerebral circulation.

Exposure classification of MRI workers in epidemiological studies

We estimate that there are about 100,000 workers from different disciplines, such as radiographers, nurses, anesthetists, technicians, engineers, etc., who can be exposed to substantial electromagnetic fields (compared to normal background levels) around magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. There is a need for well-designed epidemiological studies of MRI workers but since the exposure from MRI equipment is a very complex mixture of static magnetic fields, switched gradient magnetic fields, and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF), it is necessary to discuss how to assess the exposure in epidemiological studies. As an alternative to the use of job title as a proxy of exposure, we propose an exposure categorization for the different professions working with MRI equipment. Specifically, we propose defining exposure in three categories, depending on whether people are exposed to only the static field, to the static plus switched gradient fields or to the static plus switched gradient plus RF fields, as a basis for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies.

MICROWAVE EFFECT OF 0.9 GHz AND 1.8 GHz CW FREQUENCIES EXPOSED TO UNRESTRAINED SWISS ALBINO MICE

Long term radio frequency electromagnetic fleld (RF EMF) exposures due to Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) frequencies were investigated in this study. 158 Swiss Albino mice in unrestrained conditions were used as surrogate and divided into four groups. The average peak fleld strength generated and measured inside the cages placed at a far fleld from the antennas is 0:6 £ 10 i3 mW/cm 2 , and the speciflc absorption rate at 0.9GHz and 1.8GHz is 2:33 £ 10 i3 W/kg and 1:97 £ 10 i4 W/kg, respectively. Three samples of the mice chosen at random each from sham and exposed groups in week 4 and subsequently biweekly basis were taken for haematology and histopathology tests. The complete blood count result shows that haematological parameters of both the sham exposed and exposed mice were within the normal range of mice in the control group. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether difierences observed between the experimental groups were signiflcant. The histopathology examination on some internal organs shows that spleen and bone marrow of the mice were normal for all the three experimental groups, while a sign of tissue degeneration and in∞ammations were observed after 8 weeks of exposure on the brain,

Authors' reply to Kundi's comments on de Vocht et al. “time trends (1998-2007) in brain cancer incidence rates in relation to mobile phone use in England”

Authors' reply to Kundi's comments on de Vocht et al. “time trends (1998-2007) in brain cancer incidence rates in relation to mobile phone use in England”

Sleep EEG alterations: effects of different pulse‐modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields

Previous studies have observed increases in electroencephalographic power during sleep in the spindle frequency range (approximately 11-15 Hz) after exposure to mobile phone-like radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF). Results also suggest that pulse modulation of the signal is crucial to induce these effects. Nevertheless, it remains unclear which specific elements of the field are responsible for the observed changes. We investigated whether pulse-modulation frequency components in the range of sleep spindles may be involved in mediating these effects. Thirty young healthy men were exposed, at weekly intervals, to three different conditions for 30 min directly prior to an 8-h sleep period. Exposure consisted of a 900-MHz RF EMF, pulse modulated at 14 Hz or 217 Hz, and a sham control condition. Both active conditions had a peak spatial specific absorption rate of 2 W kg(-1) . During exposure subjects performed three different cognitive tasks (measuring attention, reaction speed and working memory), which were presented in a fixed order. Electroencephalographic power in the spindle frequency range was increased during non-rapid eye movement sleep (2nd episode) following the 14-Hz pulse-modulated condition. A similar but non-significant increase was also observed following the 217-Hz pulse-modulated condition. Importantly, this exposure-induced effect showed considerable individual variability. Regarding cognitive performance, no clear exposure-related effects were seen. Consistent with previous findings, our results provide further evidence that pulse-modulated RF EMF alter brain physiology, although the time-course of the effect remains variable across studies. Additionally, we demonstrated that modulation frequency components within a physiological range may be sufficient to induce these effects.

Nonthermal GSM RF and ELF EMF effects upon rat BBB permeability

Since the late 1980s, our group has examined the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), including pulse-modulated waves of the type emitted by mobile phones, upon the blood–brain barrier. In more than 2,000 rats, we have repeatedly demonstrated a passage of the rats’ own albumin from the blood through the brain capillaries into the surrounding brain parenchyma at SAR values down to 0.1mW/kg. In most of these experiments, the animals were exposed in TEM-cells, ventilated by an external electrical fan at 50 Hz. In the present study, we examined whether the extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields from the fan (50 Hz, 0.3–1.5 μT) might add to the RF effect. Sixty-four rats were divided into 4 groups: RF only, ELF only and RF + ELF exposure plus a sham group. The GSM-900 MHz RF exposure was at the very low, nonthermal, average whole-body SAR level 0.4 mW/kg. Demonstration of the normally occurring albumin extravasation in the basal hypothalamus is our inbuilt control proving that the staining is reliable. Two full series of staining of the whole material gave negative results for hypothalamus. Not until we changed to avidin, biotin, and antibodies from a third supplier, we received an acceptable staining. Twenty-five percent of the RF animals had a pathological albumin leakage, while the ELF and RF + ELF groups with three and two pathological findings, respectively, were not significantly different from the control group. We conclude that the use of external fans has had no major influence upon the result.

Cognitive Performance Measures in Bioelectromagnetic Research - Critical Evaluation and Recommendations

BackgroundThe steady increase of mobile phone usage has led to a rising concern about possible adverse health effects of radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposure at intensities even below the existing safety limits. Accumulating evidence suggests that pulse-modulated RF EMF may alter brain physiology. Yet, whereas effects on the human electroencephalogram in waking and sleep have repeatedly been shown in recent years, results on cognitive performance are inconsistent.MethodsThis review compares 41 provocation studies regarding the effects of RF EMF exposure similar to mobile telephones on cognitive performance measures in humans. The studies were identified via systematic searches of the databases Pub Med and ISI Web of Science and were published in peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and the end of 2009.ResultsBased on a critical discussion within the scope of methodological standards it is concluded that state-of-the-art-methods in bio-electromagnetic research on RF EMF effects and cognition have neither been specified nor fully implemented over the last 10-11 years. The lack of a validated tool, which reliably assesses changes in cognitive performance caused by RF EMF exposure, may contribute to the current inconsistencies in outcomes. The high variety of findings may also be due to methodological issues such as differences in sample size and the composition of study groups, experimental design, exposure setup as well as the exposure conditions, and emphasizes the need for a standardized protocol in bioelectromagnetic research.ConclusionsAt present, no underlying biological mechanism has been identified which mediates the effects on brain functioning as observed in electroencephalographic (EEG) studies. A future aim must be to identify this mechanism as well as a reliable exposure protocol in order to gain more insights into possible behavioral and related health consequences of high-frequency EMF exposure.

Autoimmune processes after long-term low-level exposure to electromagnetic fields (experimental results) part 3. The effect of long-term nonthermal RF EMF exposure on complement-fixation antibodies against homologenous tissue

The effect of long-term nonthermal EMF exposure of 2450 MHz (500 μW/cm2) on the level of antibodies against brain and liver tissues is studied on rats by the complement-fixation test (CFT) in the cold. It is found that a statistically significant increase in the level of antibodies against aqueous extracts of brain and liver tissues in blood serum is detected only on the 14th day after exposure is ended.

Autoimmune processes after long-term low-level exposure to electromagnetic fields part 4. Oxidative intracellular stress response to the long-term rat exposure to nonthermal RF EMF

Forty eight male Wistar rats with initial weight of 200–220 g were exposed to EMF of 2450 MHz frequency and 500 μW/cm2 intensity for 7 h daily over a period of 30 days. On the seventh and 14th days after completion of exposure to the long-term EMF, enzyme immunoassay revealed a significant increase in the amount of specific antibodies of the IgM and IgG classes against the compounds yielded by interaction of amino acids with nitric oxide and its derivatives; tryptophan metabolites; azelaic acid; small-chain fatty acids; small-chain hydroxylated fatty acids; and palmitic, myristic, and oleic acids.