Wireless Signals and Male Fertility

Rapid advances in wireless technology have increased the number of users of mobile devices. As of 2011, the number of cell phone subscribers have reached 5.3 billion worldwide. Mobile devices have saturated our environment with radio frequency (RF) signals. This situation has created public concern over the effect of such signals on human health. This dissertation focuses on the correlation of RF signals emitted by cell phones with male infertility. A thorough discussion is provided on the effects of RF signals on the development of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasm, the design of these mobile devices, the range of the RF frequencies they emit, the power with which they operate, their specific absorption rate (SAR), the distance between the user and the device while in use, how and where the devices are used, the duration of usage, and the accumulated exposure associated with the use of multiple RF devices. The results of our reviews and experimental in vitro studies show a significant correlation between the usage of mobile phones and human semen parameters, with a decrease in motility and viability, and an increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) score. However, in daily usage, a cell phone kept in proximity to the groin is separated from the testes by multiple layers of tissue. To explore this effect, a computational model of scrotal tissues was designed. Our results show that during in vitro experimentation, an effect equivalent to real-life conditions can be obtained by placing the cell phone a few centimeters farther away from the semen sample. The results of our study can be used to calculate the equivalent distance between a radiation source and a semen sample, and to set up in vitro experiments that mimic real-life condition

Wireless Signals and Male Fertility

Rapid advances in wireless technology have increased the number of users of mobile devices. As of 2011, the number of cell phone subscribers have reached 5.3 billion worldwide. Mobile devices have saturated our environment with radio frequency (RF) signals. This situation has created public concern over the effect of such signals on human health. This dissertation focuses on the correlation of RF signals emitted by cell phones with male infertility. A thorough discussion is provided on the effects of RF signals on the development of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasm, the design of these mobile devices, the range of the RF frequencies they emit, the power with which they operate, their specific absorption rate (SAR), the distance between the user and the device while in use, how and where the devices are used, the duration of usage, and the accumulated exposure associated with the use of multiple RF devices. The results of our reviews and experimental in vitro studies show a significant correlation between the usage of mobile phones and human semen parameters, with a decrease in motility and viability, and an increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) score. However, in daily usage, a cell phone kept in proximity to the groin is separated from the testes by multiple layers of tissue. To explore this effect, a computational model of scrotal tissues was designed. Our results show that during in vitro experimentation, an effect equivalent to real-life conditions can be obtained by placing the cell phone a few centimeters farther away from the semen sample. The results of our study can be used to calculate the equivalent distance between a radiation source and a semen sample, and to set up in vitro experiments that mimic real-life condition

Health symptoms and cognitive function in Swiss adolescents in relation to mobile phone use and radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure

Introduction and Background Within the last 15 years the use of mobile phones has increased remarkably in adults as well as in adolescents. This increase has been accompanied by a growing public concern that radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), which are emitted from such devices, might be associated with adverse health effects or cognitive function in adolescents. In particular, young people have become the focus of increased attention since the lifetime exposure will be longer than that of present-day adults. Potential effects of RF-EMF on health and cognitive function in adolescents are of high public interest since the use of mobile phones is an essential part of the daily life of adolescents. To date, epidemiological research in this field is scarce and the Research Agenda of the World Health Organization (WHO) considers additional research in this age group as a high research priority. There have been several studies so far that investigated whether health, cognitive function and behavior in adolescents are affected by RF-EMF exposure from mobile phones. The majority of these studies however had some methodological limitations such as a cross-sectional study design and self-reported mobile phone use data. Additionally, there is not only RF-EMF emitted by mobile phones, but there are a lot of other RF-EMF sources in our everyday life which have to be considered when dealing with RF-EMF exposure. No study so far has ever tried to differentiate between effects due to RF-EMF radiation and to non-radiation related effects, which are mediated by regularly using the mobile phone and other wireless devices. Objectives The aim of the work for this thesis was to evaluate how adolescents’ perceived health and how cognitive function are affected by various aspects of mobile phone use and other wireless devices including radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure. Methods In the framework of the HERMES (Health Effects Related to Mobile phonE use in adolescentS) study, 439 students aged 12 to 17 years and attending 7th, 8th or 9th grade in schools in Central Switzerland were recruited to participate in the baseline investigation, which was conducted from June 2012 until February 2013. During a school visit the adolescents filled in a questionnaire with questions, amongst others, on health symptoms, use of mobile phones and other wireless devices, socio-demographics, and other relevant covariables and two cognitive tests using a standardized, computerized cognitive testing system were performed. Additionally a questionnaire for the parents was distributed. The questionnaire for the parents included questions, amongst others, on the behavior of their children, on socio-economic factors, on wireless technology at home and on child development. This procedure was repeated one year later with the same study participants (participation rate: 96.8%). From 234 study participants objectively recorded mobile phone use data from the three Swiss mobile phone operators for the time period up to six months prior to the baseline investigation until follow-up was received. A subgroup of 95 study participants took part in personal measurements. The adolescents carried a portable measurement device, a so-called exposimeter, and kept a diary on a timeactivity diary application installed on a mobile phone in flight-mode for about three consecutive days. Far-field exposure from fixed site transmitters (radio and TV broadcast transmitters and mobile phone base stations) at home and in school was modelled using a geospatial propagation model. RF-EMF dose measures were computed for the brain and the whole body by combining questionnaire data with objectively recorded mobile phone use data, personal measurements and propagation model outputs. Results We could demonstrate that mobile phone use during night is common among adolescents. In a cross-sectional design, poor perceived health was shown when adolescents were being awakened by an incoming text message or call during night. Similar results were found when considering objectively recorded mobile phone use during night. The cognitive tests on concentration capacity and memory performance were not related to mobile phone use during night. An integrative exposure surrogate combining exposure from near-field (use of wireless devices) and far-field (environmental sources) RF-EMF sources to one single whole body and brain exposure measure was developed. Most relevant contributors for the brain dose, based on self-reported mobile phone call duration, were calls on the mobile phone (on average 93.3%) followed by calls with the cordless phones (4.2%). For the whole body dose, calls on the mobile phone (on average 66.9%), the use of computer/laptop/tablet connected to WLAN (12.0%) and data traffic on mobile phones over WLAN (8.1%) counted for the most part. Less important for the dose measures were exposure from radio and TV broadcast transmitters (brain dose: 0.1%; whole body dose: 0.3%) and mobile phone base stations (brain dose: 0.6%; whole body dose: 2.0%). By applying these RF-EMF dose measures to the prospective HERMES cohort study, we investigated whether adolescents’ perceived health and cognitive function such as memory performance are affected by the use of mobile phones or other wireless devices per se or by RF-EMF exposure. We observed that rather the use of mobile phones or other wireless devices than RF-EMF exposure affect adolescents’ health. In contrast we found that memory performance was more strongly associated with RF-EMF exposure than with the use of mobile phones or other wireless devices per se. This may indeed indicate that RF-EMF exposure affect memory performance in adolescents. Using the geospatial propagation model we observed highest total exposure from fixed site transmitter to be 376 µW/m2 (=0.38 V/m), which easily complies with current ICNIRP guidelines, as well as with the precautionary reference levels for Switzerland, which are 10 times lower than the ICNIP’s. We observed an association between RF-EMF exposure from fixed site transmitters and tiredness in Swiss adolescents whereas other health symptoms were not related. The observed associations however have to be interpreted with caution and might represent a chance finding. Conclusions and Outlook In the HERMES study we we used the most comprehensive exposure assessment methods considering most relevant RF-EMF sources and exposure relevant behaviors. The integrative RF-EMF dose measures for the brain and the whole body are worldwide unique and have not been applied ever before. We were able to demonstrate that rather the use of mobile phones or other wireless devices than RF-EMF exposure affect the health of adolescents. In contrast we found that memory performance was more strongly associated with RF-EMF exposure than with the use of mobile phones or other wireless devices per se. Based on the results we conclude that precautionary measures to reduce the mobile phone use and thus personal exposure to RF-EMF should be applied. Due to the massive growth in connecting devices, exposure assessment in the near future will become even more complex but also inevitably necessary in order to establish evidence-based management measures and effective health risk communication programs

Exposure assessment for mobile phone use and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the application in a Swiss cohort study

Background Mobile phones and other wireless communication devices emitting radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) are nowadays omnipresent and adolescents are among the heaviest users. This results in ubiquitous RF-EMF exposure, though little is known about the levels of this exposure, especially in adolescents. Exposure to RF-EMF can be divided into two parts, the exposure from the use of wireless communication devices (near-field) and the exposure from environmental sources (far-field). In previous studies, the near-field exposure was quantified using the amount of device use only. The RF-EMF exposure resulting from the device use, however, is not only dependent on the duration of use, but additionally for instance on the mode of use and the network used for mobile phone calls. The far-field exposure from fixed site transmitters such as broadcast transmitters for radio and television (TV) and mobile phone base stations was modelled using geospatial propagation models or measured using portable RF-EMF measurement devices. But this part of the exposure also depends on the duration a person is exposed to modelled or measured exposure levels. Therefore a dosimetric approach is needed that allows taking into account these additional aspects of exposure and to combine the near-field and the far-field exposure to one exposure surrogate. Since the mobile phone use increased in the last decade, there is concern that this use may have a negative impact on adolescents. To date, epidemiological studies in adolescents are scarce. In addition, the ones existing used self-reported device use that is known to be inaccurate and the amount of device use was used as proxy for the RF-EMF exposure not taking into account other RF-EMF sources. Furthermore, most of these studies were of cross-sectional design not allowing to draw conclusions about causal relationships between mobile phone use and health, behaviour and cognitive function of adolescents. To overcome these limitations, the HERMES (Health Effects Related to Mobile phonE use in adolescentS) study was conducted. Objectives The objective of the HERMES study was to prospectively investigate whether mobile phone use and the use of other wireless communication devices or RF-EMF exposure have an impact on the health and the behaviour of adolescents and if cognitive function of adolescents is affected by these exposures. The objectives of this thesis were to improve the exposure assessment for mobile phone use and RF-EMF exposure and to investigate its relations to behavioural problems and concentration capacity of adolescents. Methods The HERMES study was a prospective cohort study with a one year follow-up period. It was conducted in Central Switzerland in adolescents attending the 7th school grade. The investigation took place in the schools during school time and consisted of filling in a paper and pencil questionnaire and performing computerized cognitive tests. In addition, a questionnaire for the parents was distributed that was directly sent back to the study managers. Additionally to the amount of mobile phone and other device use, problematic aspects of mobile phone use such as loss of control, withdrawal, negative life consequences and craving were asked in the questionnaire. In a subgroup of the study participants, personal RF-EMF measurements were conducted. The participating adolescents carried a portable measurement device for three consecutive days and filled in a time-activity diary to record their locations during the measurement period. The questionnaire data and the personal RF-EMF measurements together with geospatial propagation modelling for the exposure originating from fixed site transmitters at home and in the schools as well as operator-recorded mobile phone use data for a subgroup of the study participants were used to develop an RF-EMF exposure surrogate combining the exposure from the use of wireless communication devices and environmental sources. This exposure surrogate was then used to conduct cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of RF-EMF exposure and behaviour and concentration capacity of adolescents. Results 439 adolescents participated in the HERMES study (participation rate of 36.8%) with a follow-up rate of 96.8%. Operator records were available for 234 adolescents and personal RF-EMF measurements were available for a subgroup of 90 adolescents. We found that problematic mobile phone use in adolescents was related to behavioural problems such as hyperactivity, conduct problems, emotional symptoms and antisocial behaviour and impaired health related quality of life (HRQOL) facets such as home life and school environment. The main contributor to the measured personal RF-EMF exposure was the mobile internet use on the mobile phone. For the adolescents not using mobile internet, mobile phone base stations contributed most to their exposure. Having wireless internet (WLAN) at home and attending a school with WLAN had very little impact on the average measured WLAN exposure. According to the developed RF-EMF exposure surrogate combining near-field and far-field exposure, the exposure from environmental sources such as fixed site transmitters, cordless phone and WLAN base stations and mobile phones in the surroundings plays a minor role compared to the exposure from the use of wireless communication devices (mobile phones, cordless phones, computers, laptops and tablets connected to WLAN). The near-field dose accounted for 98.4% of the brain dose and 94.0% of the whole body dose. In applying the developed RF-EMF dose surrogate in combination with use measures derived from self-reported device use and operator-recorded mobile phone use, the relations to behavioural problems and the concentration capacity of adolescents were investigated. No systematic pattern in relation to RF-EMF exposure was observed indicating no causal relationship between RF-EMF exposure and behavioural problems and concentration capacity of adolescents. Conclusions Environmental sources play a minor role for the RF-EMF exposure of adolescents compared to the use of wireless devices. Having WLAN at home and attending a school with WLAN have very little impact on the average measured WLAN exposure. The use of mobile internet results in higher measured exposure from mobile phones. Therefore, precautionary measures to reduce the exposure to RF-EMF should focus on the use of wireless devices. The behaviour and the concentration capacity of adolescents were not affected by RF-EMF exposure. In contrary, behavioural problems and impaired HRQOL were associated with problematic aspects of mobile phone use. Therefore, problematic mobile phone use should be considered if dealing with adolescents showing behavioural problems or impaired mental health. The HERMES study was the first study applying a comprehensive exposure assessment including operator-recorded mobile phone use and cumulative RF-EMF dose calculations. The study provided new insights into the mobile phone use of Swiss adolescents and its impact on health, behaviour and cognitive function using a longitudinal approach allowing to draw conclusions about causal relationships. The applied methods can be used in future epidemiological studies on RF-EMF exposure and its influence on humans

The Public\u27s Reactions to Precaution - On the Effects of Health Recommendations Regarding Wireless Communication Technologies

Kommen neue Technologien auf den Markt, ist oft nicht eindeutig geklärt, ob diese möglicherweise negative Effekte haben, zum Beispiel auf die Gesundheit ihrer Nutzer. Häufig werden dann Forderungen nach Vorsorge laut. Das Spektrum entsprechender Vorsorgemaßnahmen reicht von Moratorien über striktere Grenzwerte oder Kontrollen hin zu Empfehlungen, was Nutzer selbst tun können, um mögliche Risiken zu verringern. Derartige „Vorsorgeempfehlungen“ und ihre Effekte auf ihre Rezipienten stehen im Fokus der vorliegenden Arbeit. Technologien zur drahtlosen Kommunikation haben unser Zusammenleben im Laufe der letzten 25 Jahre tiefgreifend verändert. Handys, Laptops, Tablets und andere drahtlose Geräte emittieren elektromagnetische Felder im Radiofrequenzbereich (RF EMF), die mit dem menschlichen Körper wechselwirken. Weltweit sind die meisten Gesundheitsbehörden der Auffassung, dass es keine hinreichenden Nachweise für schädliche Gesundheitseffekte von RF EMF gibt. Jedoch existieren noch wissenschaftliche Unsicherheiten. Dies spiegelt sich auch in der Bewertung der International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) wider: Die IARC bewertet RF EMF von Mobiltelefonen als „möglicherweise krebserregend“. Basierend auf dieser Sachlage empfehlen viele Strahlenschutzbehörden weltweit Vorsorge. Der wesentliche Nutzen solcher Empfehlungen besteht in einem besseren Gesundheitsschutz im Falle, dass tatsächlich gesundheitliche Risiken bestehen. Vorsorgeempfehlungen bringen jedoch auch Kosten mit sich: Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde eine Meta-Analyse aller Studien zur Wirkung von Vorsorgeempfehlungen auf die Risikowahrnehmung ihrer Rezipienten durchgeführt. Dabei zeigte sich, dass die Risikowahrnehmung bezüglich Mobiltelefonen und Mobilfunk-Basisstationen durch die Empfehlungen steigt. Während der wesentliche Nutzen der Empfehlungen möglicherweise gar nicht existiert, gibt es damit offenkundig auch Kosten. Unklar sind jedoch Tragweite und Auswirkungen der durch die Vorsorgeempfehlungen gestiegenen Risikowahrnehmung. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war, diesen Effekt genauer zu beleuchten, um die mit ihm verbundenen Kosten besser eingrenzen zu können. Dazu wurden drei Forschungsfragen formuliert: (i) Bei wem erhöht sich die Risikowahrnehmung durch die Rezeption von Vorsorgeempfehlungen? (ii) Können Vorsorgeempfehlungen so verändert werden, dass sie die Risikowahrnehmung ihrer Rezipienten nicht mehr erhöhen? (iii) Was sind die Auswirkungen der durch die Vorsorgeempfehlungen erhöhten Risikowahrnehmung? Diese Fragen wurden im Rahmen von drei Experimenten untersucht. In den Experimenten lasen Probanden verschiedene Texte, die entweder Vorsorgeempfehlungen enthielten oder nicht. Anschließend wurden verschiedene Variablen erhoben und die Ergebnisse statistisch ausgewertet. Bezogen auf die erste Forschungsfrage wurde untersucht, ob Vorsorgeempfehlungen auf Menschen mit unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten verschieden wirken. „Trait anxiety“ (generelle Ängstlichkeit) stellte sich als wichtige Variable heraus. Vorsorgeempfehlungen erhöhten speziell bei Menschen mit niedriger trait anxiety die Risikowahrnehmung bezüglich RF EMF von Mobiltelefonen. Einschränkend muss erwähnt werden, dass dieser Befund komplexer wird, wenn die Risikowahrnehmung bezogen auf bestimmte, situationale Bedingungen erhoben wird. In einer der durchgeführten Studien sollten die Probanden ihre Risikowahrnehmung unter zwei verschiedenen, hypothetischen Bedingungen einschätzen: einmal, wenn Vorsorge angewendet und einmal, wenn sie nicht angewendet wird. Ein wichtiger methodischer Befund der vorliegenden Arbeit ist, dass diese Art der Erfassung der Risikowahrnehmung zusätzliche, hilfreiche Erkenntnisse liefert. In Bezug auf die zweite Forschungsfrage wurden Vorsorgeempfehlungen auf zwei verschiedene Arten ergänzt: Erstens wurde das Motiv dafür erklärt, Vorsorge zu kommunizieren (besorgten Menschen Mittel zur Expositionsreduktion an die Hand zu geben). Diese Erklärung des Motivs hatte keinen Effekt auf die Risikowahrnehmung. Zweitens wurde erklärt, warum die empfohlenen Maßnahmen die Exposition in effektiver Weise reduzieren. Diese Erklärung erhöhte die Risikowahrnehmung (unter der Bedingung eingeschätzt, dass keine Vorsorge getroffen wird) beträchtlich. Während eine der Ergänzungen also keine Wirkung hatte, bewirkte die andere gar eine zusätzliche Erhöhung der Risikowahrnehmung. Im Rahmen der dritten Forschungsfrage wurden zwei mögliche Implikationen des Effekts von Vorsorgeempfehlungen auf die Risikowahrnehmung untersucht. Zum einen wurde die von renommierten Wissenschaftlern aufgestellte, jedoch nie überprüfte Annahme untersucht, dass Vorsorgeempfehlungen Ängste schüren. Zum anderen zeigen Studien, dass Probanden unter Scheinexposition mit EMF teilweise Symptome entwickeln (Nocebo-Effekt). In der vorliegenden Arbeit zeigte sich nach der Rezeption von Vorsorgeempfehlungen weder eine erhöhte state anxiety (momentane Ängstlichkeit), noch ein Nocebo-Effekt unter Scheinexposition von einer angeblichen WLAN-Antenne. Diesen Ergebnissen zufolge sind die mit Vorsorgeempfehlungen verbundenen Kosten also klar begrenzt. Risikowahrnehmung ist in der Gesundheitspsychologie als guter Prädiktor von Verhalten und Verhaltensintention bekannt. Aus den Ergebnissen der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Schlussfolgerung gezogen, dass die mit der Rezeption von Vorsorgemaßnahmen verbundene Erhöhung der Risikowahrnehmung zu gering ausfällt, um weitere Effekte nach sich zu ziehen. Es bleibt offen, inwieweit sich die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit auf andere mögliche Risiken übertragen lassen

The determination of mobile network architecture impact on population total exposure to electromagnetic field

Pitanje izloženosti elektromagnetskom polju koje potiče od mobilnih komunikacionih sistema pažnju javnosti privuklo je sa širenjem ovih sistema i sa sve dužim vremenom korišćenja, a posebno sa uvođenjem 5G tehnologije u višim frekvencijskim opsezima, sa naprednim tehnikama prenosa i velikim brojem malih ćelija i korisničkih uređaja. Regulativa u ovoj oblasti definiše bazična ograničenja i referentne granične nivoe, pri čemu se usklađenost sa normama za korisničke uređaje i za bazne stanice proverava na različit način. Na ovaj način se ne može odrediti stvarna izloženost u toku korišćenja mobilnog uređaja niti izvršiti poređenja komponenata izloženosti. U ovoj disertaciji definisana je metoda za određivanje srednje stvarne izloženosti stanovništva koja potiče od korisničkih uređaja i baznih stanica, na način da se u najvećoj meri koriste podaci iz same mobilne mreže. Utvrđeni su osnovni činioci koji utiču na izloženost. Izvršena je analiza uticaja korišćenih servisa odnosno ponašanja korisnika. Uticaj arhitekture mreže razmatran je u dva testna slučaja, dodavanjem malih ćelija na dve lokacije, na otvorenom i u zatvorenom, sa dve antenske konfiguracije. U prvom slučaju je uvođenje malih ćelija u GSM i UMTS tehnologiji smanjilo ukupnu izloženost više od 84%, a u drugom više od 58% u oblasti pokrivanja malih ćelija, dominantno kao posledica smanjenja zračenja korisničkih uređaja preko GSM-a. U drugom slučaju se ukupna izloženost od UMTS-a povećala usled blizine antena male ćelije. Rezultati pokazuju da male ćelije u opštem slučaju smanjuju izloženost usled smanjenja predajne snage korisničkih uređaja, ali i da je potrebno pažljivo planiranje arhitekture jer se u nekim slučajevima izloženost može i povećati. Definisana metoda predstavlja statistički proračun stvarne izloženosti u složenom okruženju i može se primeniti za bilo koji bežični sistem uz odgovarajuće prikupljanje podataka. Predloženi su napredni alati u mreži za precizniji proračun i date su smernice za smanjenje izloženosti, koje bi se uz alate za samo-evaluaciju moglo postaviti kao još jedan cilj samo-optimizacije mreže.Exposure to electromagnetic fields induced by mobile communication systems has gained public attention with the expansion of these systems and longer usage times, and specially with the introduction of 5G technology in higher frequency bands, with advanced transmission techniques and huge number of small cells and user devices. Regulations in the area define basic restrictions and reference levels, whereby the compliance is verified using different procedures for user devices and for base stations. This way the actual exposure during real usage of mobile device cannot be determined, nor can the exposure components be compared. This research defined a method for determining the average actual exposure of population originated from user devices and base stations, using data from the mobile network to the maximum extent. Basic factors that affect exposure are determined. The impact of services used i.e. user behaviour on exposure was analyzed. The impact of mobile network architecture was evaluated through two test cases, adding small cells at two sites, outdoors and indoors, with two antenna configurations. In the first case, the introduction of small cells in GSM and UMTS technologies reduced the total exposure by more than 84%, and in the second case by more than 58%, in the coverage area of small cells, predominantly as the result of decreased radiation of user devices over GSM. However, in the second case the total exposure originated from UMTS increased due to vicinity of small cell antennas. Results indicate that small cells generally reduce exposure due to decrease of user device transmit power, but also point out that careful planning of the architecture is needed as in some cases the exposure might rise. The defined method represents a statistical calculus of actual exposure in complex environment and it may be applied to any wireless system with the appropriate data collection. Usage of advanced network tools is proposed for more precise calculation and guidelines are given for exposure reduction, which could be set as another target for network self-optimization based on self-evaluation

The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure on tinnitus, migraine and non-specific symptoms in the general and working population: a protocol for a systematic review on human observational studies

BACKGROUND: Applications emitting radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF; 100 kHz to 300 GHz) are widely used for communication (e.g. mobile phones), in medicine (diathermy) and in industry (RF heaters). Concern has been raised that RF-EMF exposure affects health related quality of life, because a part of the population reports to experience a variety of symptoms related to low exposure levels below regulatory limits. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the effects of longer-term or repeated local and whole human body RF-EMF exposure on the occurrence of symptoms evaluating migraine, tinnitus, headaches, sleep disturbances and composite symptom scores as primary outcomes. METHODS: We will follow the WHO handbook for guideline development. For the development of the systematic review protocol we considered handbook for conducting systematic reviews for health effects evaluations from the National Toxicology Program-Office of Health Assessment and Translation (NTP-OHAT) and COSTER (Recommendations for the conduct of systematic reviews in toxicology and environmental health research). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Peer-reviewed epidemiological studies in the general population or workers aiming to investigate the association between local or whole-body RF-EMF exposure for at least one week and symptoms are eligible for inclusion. Only cohort, case-control and panel studies will be included. INFORMATION SOURCES: We will search the scientific literature databases Medline, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos and Embase, using a predefined search strategy. This search will be supplemented by a search in the EMF-Portal and checks of reference lists of relevant papers and reviews. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHOD: Data from included papers will be extracted according to predefined forms. Findings will be summarized in tables, graphical displays and in a narrative synthesis of the available evidence, complemented with meta-analyses. We will separately review effects of local, far field and occupational exposure. RISK OF BIAS: The internal validity of included studies will be assessed using the NTP-OHAT Risk of Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies, elaborated to observational RF-EMF studies. EVIDENCE APPRAISAL: To rate certainty of the evidence, we will use the OHAT GRADE-based approach for epidemiological studies. FRAMEWORK AND FUNDING: This protocol concerns one of the ten different systematic reviews considered in a larger systematic review of the World Health Organization to assess potential health effects of exposure to RF-EMF in the general and working population. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021239432

Human exposure to electromagnetic fields from WLANs and WBANs in the 2.4 GHz band

226 p.En los últimos años, el masivo crecimiento de las comunicaciones inalámbricas ha incrementado la preocupación acerca de la exposición humana a los campos electromagnéticos debido a los posibles efectos sobre la salud. Esta tesis surge de la necesidad de proporcionar información acerca de este tipo de exposición desde un punto de vista técnico. Por una parte, se han estudiado los niveles de exposición causados por señales WiFi, para lo cual ha sido necesario establecer un procedimiento de medida adecuado para tomar muestras de estas emisiones. Además, se han llevado a cabo campañas de medida para evaluar la exposición a señales WiFi y su variabilidad en el interior de un entorno público. Por otra parte, se ha analizado la potencia absorbida por el cuerpo humano a causa de los novedosos dispositivos wearables. Se han implementado dos antenas de este tipo, apropiadas para dispositivos wearables, se ha analizado detalladamente la exposición debida a estos aparatos y finalmente se han comparado los niveles de exposición producidos por estas antenas y por las señales WiFi

Conduct of a personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field measurement study: proposed study protocol

Background: The development of new wireless communication technologies that emit radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is ongoing, but little is known about the RF-EMF exposure distribution in the general population. Previous attempts to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF have used different measurement protocols and analysis methods making comparisons between exposure situations across different study populations very difficult. As a result, observed differences in exposure levels between study populations may not reflect real exposure differences but may be in part, or wholly due to methodological differences. Methods: The aim of this paper is to develop a study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure studies based on experience drawn from previous research. Using the current knowledge base, we propose procedures for the measurement of personal exposure to RF-EMF, data collection, data management and analysis, and methods for the selection and instruction of study participants. Results: We have identified two basic types of personal RF-EMF measurement studies: population surveys and microenvironmental measurements. In the case of a population survey, the unit of observation is the individual and a randomly selected representative sample of the population is needed to obtain reliable results. For microenvironmental measurements, study participants are selected in order to represent typical behaviours in different microenvironments. These two study types require different methods and procedures. Conclusion: Applying our proposed common core procedures in future personal measurement studies will allow direct comparisons of personal RF-EMF exposures in different populations and study areas

Radio-frequency electromagnetic field exposure of Western honey bees

Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) can be absorbed in all living organisms, including Western Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera). This is an ecologically and economically important global insect species that is continuously exposed to environmental RF-EMFs. This exposure is studied numerically and experimentally in this manuscript. To this aim, numerical simulations using honey bee models, obtained using micro-CT scanning, were implemented to determine RF absorbed power as a function of frequency in the 0.6 to 120 GHz range. Five different models of honey bees were obtained and simulated: two workers, a drone, a larva, and a queen. The simulations were combined with in-situ measurements of environmental RF-EMF exposure near beehives in Belgium in order to estimate realistic exposure and absorbed power values for honey bees. Our analysis shows that a relatively small shift of 10% of environmental incident power density from frequencies below 3 GHz to higher frequencies will lead to a relative increase in absorbed power of a factor higher than 3