Specific Electromagnetic Field Research Articles

Dosimetric assessment in the brain for downlink EMF exposure in Korean mobile communication networks

Because the position and direction of the human body is not fixed in an actual environment, the incidence direction of the electromagnetic field (EMF) from mobile communication base stations, WiFi access points, broadcasting towers, and other far-field sources is arbitrary. To analyze the overall health effects of radio frequency EMF exposure, the dosimetric assessment for such environmental exposures created from an unspecified number of sources in daily life, along with exposures from specific EMF sources, must be quantified. This study is aimed at numerically evaluating the time-averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of the human brain for environmental EMF exposure in the frequency range of 50–5800 MHz. Whole-body exposure to EMFs that are evenly incident spatially is considered. By comparing the results of several incidence directions and the number of polarizations, an optimal calculation condition has been derived. Finally, based on the results measured in Seoul at the end of 2021, the SAR and daily specific energy absorption (SA) in the brains of both a child and an adult for downlink exposures from 3G to 5G base stations are reported. Comparison results of the daily brain SA for exposure to DL EMF in all 3G to 5G mobile networks and exposure to a 10-min voice call (uplink EMF) using a mobile phone connected to a 4G network show that the SA from the downlinks is much higher than that from the uplinks.

Workers with Cardiac AIMD Exposed to EMF: Methods and Case Studies for Risk Analysis in the Framework of the European Regulations

Workers with cardiac active implantable medical devices (AIMD), such as a pacemaker (PM) or an implantable defibrillator (ICD), are considered by the occupational health and safety regulation framework as a particularly sensitive risk group that must be protected against the dangers caused by the interference of electromagnetic field (EMF). In this paper, we first describe the general methodology that shall be followed for the risk assessment of employees with a cardiac AIMD exposed to EMF, according to the EU regulation, and in particular to the EN 50527-2-1:2016 and 50527-2-2:2018 standards. Then, three case studies related to specific EMF sources are presented, to better describe how the initial analysis of the risk assessment can be performed in practice, and to understand if a further specific risk assessment analysis is required or not.

Effects and Mechanisms of Exogenous Electromagnetic Field on Bone Cells: A Review.

Osteoporosis, fractures, and other bone diseases or injuries represent serious health problems in modern society. A variety of treatments including drugs, surgeries, physical therapies, etc. have been used to prevent or delay the progression of these diseases/injuries with limited effects. Electromagnetic field (EMF) has been used to non-invasively treat bone diseases, such as fracture and osteoporosis, for many years. However, because a variety of cellular and molecular events can be affected by EMF with various parameters, the precise bioeffects and underlying mechanisms of specific EMF on bone cells are still obscure. Here, we summarize the common therapeutic parameters (frequency and intensity) of major types of EMF used to treat bone cells taken from 32 papers we selected from the PubMed database published in English from 1991 to 2018. Briefly, pulse EMF promotes the proliferation of osteoblasts when its frequency is 7.5-15 Hz or 50-75 Hz and the intensity is 0.40-1.55 mT or 3.8-4 mT. Sinusoidal EMF, with 0.9-4.8 mT and 45-60 Hz, and static magnetic field with 0.1-0.4 mT or 400 mT, can promote osteoblast differentiation and maturation. Finally, we summarize the latest advances on the molecular signaling pathways influenced by EMF in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. A variety of molecules such as adenosine receptors, calcium channels, BMP2, Notch, Wnt1, etc., can be influenced by EMF in osteoblasts. For osteoclasts, EMF affects RANK, NF-κB, MAPK, etc. We speculate that EMF with different frequencies and intensities exert distinct bioeffects on specific bone cells. More high-quality work is required to explore the detailed effects and underlying mechanisms of EMF on bone cells/skeleton to optimize the application of EMF on bone diseases/injuries. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:263-278 © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Exposure systems used in the assessment of EMF impact on living organisms

The subject of the study in the article is the processes of analysis and exposure assessment of electromagnetic field on humans. The main goal is to optimize size of the exposure antenna systems, its electrical parameters and generated electromagnetic field (EMF) for different frequency range. Objectives: Electromagnetic field (EMF – Electromagnetic Fields) studies on living organisms are one of the important branches of biomedical research. Most of this type of research is conducted using dedicated exposures system with fixed and controlled EMF exposure conditions. The purpose of biomedical research is to determine the influence of electromagnetic fields on living organisms. For this purpose the exposure systems are designed. The main task of the exposure antenna system, is to produce the EMF with known and controlled parameters in a specific EMF area. Depending on the frequency and the component (E or H) of the electromagnetic field used, different types of systems are used. For low frequencies (for instance 50 Hz common frequency) and magnetic fields, Helmholtz solenoids or coils are used, and for electric fields - flat capacitors (E Field). For higher frequencies field E is used for systems with linear antennas or TEM lines. There are also dedicated probes for invasive tissue heating. Each solution has its advantages and limitations and usually there are no universal solutions for all cases. Results: For the generation of a low frequency magnetic field up to several hundred Hz, the Helmholtz solenoid or coil is generally used because of its relatively simple construction, the ability to obtain high intensity and good homogeneity of the field in a relatively large area relative to the dimensions of the whole system. The homogeneous field area can be determined analytically based on system geometry or measurement. Otherwise it looks for exposure system above few MHZ. To create a homogeneous EMF in the field of radio frequencies, the exposure systems - usually the TEM lines (Crawford compartment) or sometimes the GTEM are very likely to be used. In both cases there are frequency and spatial limitations - the homogeneous field is assumed to be maximally present. At 1/3 the height between the plates of the chamber and at the same time the maximum frequency of operation of the TEM chamber can be described by the approximate dependence of fmax [MHz] = 50 / d [m], resulting in a chamber operating at 1 GHz. The work piece does not exceed a height of about1.5 cmwith a diameter of about4 cm. Larger working areas, but at the same time, a lower homogeneity of the field can be obtained in the GTEM chamber - but at the same time the GTEM chamber has much larger geometric dimensions. Another way is to produce PEM with the parameters in open space - in the vicinity of the antenna. In this case, it is very important to select an antenna so that the expected homogeneous area can be obtained at an acceptable distance from the antenna - in order to maintain high EMF intensity and to reduce the radiation of the antenna beyond the desired area. This can be achieved by limiting the emission area by, for example, shielding or using EMF absorbers. In addition authors simulate novel ablation antenna for ablation treatment. Conclusions: Assessing the impact of EMF on biological objects is an interdisciplinary studies that requires the involvement of biological or medical specialists, as well as the EMF standard field and metrology specialist. In this work we have taken the subject of correct selection and description used in the experience of exposure systems. The authors presented the most commonly used EMF emitters in the low frequencies and microwave bands, as well as new model of the ablation treatment antenna.

Inhibition of cancer cell growth by exposure to a specific time-varying electromagnetic field involves T-type calcium channels.

Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures affect many biological systems. The reproducibility of these effects is related to the intensity, duration, frequency, and pattern of the EMF. We have shown that exposure to a specific time-varying EMF can inhibit the growth of malignant cells. Thomas-EMF is a low-intensity, frequency-modulated (25-6 Hz) EMF pattern. Daily, 1 h, exposures to Thomas-EMF inhibited the growth of malignant cell lines including B16-BL6, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and HeLa cells but did not affect the growth of non-malignant cells. Thomas-EMF also inhibited B16-BL6 cell proliferation in vivo. B16-BL6 cells implanted in syngeneic C57b mice and exposed daily to Thomas-EMF produced smaller tumours than in sham-treated controls. In vitro studies showed that exposure of malignant cells to Thomas-EMF for > 15 min promoted Ca2+ influx which could be blocked by inhibitors of voltage-gated T-type Ca2+ channels. Blocking Ca2+ uptake also blocked Thomas-EMF-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Exposure to Thomas-EMF delayed cell cycle progression and altered cyclin expression consistent with the decrease in cell proliferation. Non-malignant cells did not show any EMF-dependent changes in Ca2+ influx or cell growth. These data confirm that exposure to a specific EMF pattern can affect cellular processes and that exposure to Thomas-EMF may provide a potential anti-cancer therapy.

Hyperthermia applications at microwave frequencies

Short introduction to microwave hyperthermia from the point of view of biology and physics will be given firstly. The physical basis of microwave thermotherapy for cancer treatment and for other medical microwave therapeutic purposes (e.g. in cardiology, urology, surgery, physiotherapy, etc.) will be described in this talk. Different kinds of hyperthermia clinical applications will be mentioned (i.e. local, deep local, regional and intracavitary treatment). Different physical and technological approach to describe these above given different cases will be discussed. For each of these mentioned cases a different type of electromagnetic (EM) wave should be used: EM plane wave for local treatment, converging cylindrical EM wave for regional treatment and finally diverging cylindrical EM wave for intracavitary treatment. Then different types of applicators (resp. antennas) for microwave hyperthermia clinical applications will be discussed (e.g. waveguide, waveguide horn, evanescent mode, planar, array, lens, metamaterial etc. applicators). Each of these microwave technologies has its specific advantages in creation of the optimal SAR and temperature distribution in the area to be treated. It is given by its specific EM field distribution in the aperture of these applicators. And the importance of the so called treatment planning will be discussed. It is based on several different numerical methods (e.g. FDTD, FEM, MOM etc.) for calculation of the SAR in the treated area firstly and afterwards for calculation of the temperature distribution in the treated area with respect to the time, blood perfusion, etc. Last part of this presentation will be dedicated to description of clinical results of hyperthermia in cancer treatment. Importance of possibility to combine effectively hyperthermia with e.g. radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy will be underlined.

Symptoms, personality traits, and stress in people with mobile phone-related symptoms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity

Objective Some people report symptoms that they associate with electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. These symptoms may be related to specific EMF sources or to electrical equipment in general (perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity, EHS). Research and clinical observations suggest a difference between mobile phone (MP)-related symptoms and EHS with respect to symptom prevalence, psychological factors, and health prognosis. This study assessed prevalence of EMF-related and EMF-nonrelated symptoms, anxiety, depression, somatization, exhaustion, and stress in people with MP-related symptoms or EHS versus a population-based sample and a control sample without EMF-related symptoms. Methods Forty-five participants with MP-related symptoms and 71 with EHS were compared with a population-based sample ( n=106) and a control group ( n=63) using self-report questionnaires. Results The EHS group reported more symptoms than the MP group, both EMF-related and EMF-nonrelated. The MP group reported a high prevalence of somatosensory symptoms, whereas the EHS group reported more neurasthenic symptoms. As to self-reported personality traits and stress, the case groups differed only on somatization and listlessness in a direct comparison. In comparison with the reference groups, the MP group showed increased levels of exhaustion and depression but not of anxiety, somatization, and stress; the EHS group showed increased levels for all of the conditions except for stress. Conclusion The findings support the idea of a difference between people with symptoms related to specific EMF sources and people with general EHS with respect to symptoms and anxiety, depression, somatization, exhaustion, and stress. The differences are likely to be important in the management of patients.