Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on cancer in laboratory animal studies

Background: The carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2011. Based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and in animals, RF EMF were classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). In 2018, based on a survey amongst RF experts, WHO prioritized six major topics of potential RF EMF related human health effects for systematic reviews. In the current manuscript, we present the protocol for the systematic review of experimental laboratory animal studies (cancer bioassays) on exposure to RF fields on the outcome of cancer in laboratory animals. Objective: In the framework of WHO's Radiation Program, the aim of this work is to systematically evaluate effects of RF EMF exposure on cancer in laboratory animals. Study eligibility and criteria: WHO's Handbook (2014) for guideline development will be followed with appropriate adaptation. The selection of eligible studies will be based on Population, Exposures, Comparators, and Outcomes (PECO) criteria. We will include peer-reviewed articles and publicly available reports from government agencies reporting original data about animal cancer bioassays on exposure to RF EMF. The studies are identified by searching the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Science Citation Index Expanded and Emerging Sources Citation Indes (Web of Science), Scopus, and the EMF Portal. No language or year-of-publication restrictions are applied. The methods and results of eligible studies will be presented in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Study appraisal method: Study evaluation of individual studies will be assessed using a risk of bias (RoB) tool developed by the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) with appropriate considerations including sensitivity for evaluating RF EMF exposure in animal cancer bioassays. The final evaluation on the certainty of the evidence on a carcinogenic risk of RF EMF exposure in experimental animals will be performed using the OHAT Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach with appropriate considerations. The protocol has been registered in an open-source repository (PROSPERO)

The Hazards of Building in the Vicinity of Electromagnetic Fields: Lessons for Building Code Enforcement in Nigeria

This paper dealt with the topic of electromagnetic field (EMF) and its effects on building occupants when such buildings are located within the vicinity of the field. Two main sources of EMF, namely, high voltage power transmission lines and cellular towers, were reviewed. Empirical evidence revealed that they have a tendency to emit electromagnetic fields and they have been determined to be hazardous to building occupants. Studies have also established that when buildings are erected within an unsafe distance to the fields, occupants of such buildings become exposed to health risks. Indeed, evidence exists to show that exposure to these fields can lead to cancer in children and that men exposed to the fields are also susceptible to health risks. Studies by the International Agency for  Research on Cancer (IARC) among others, assessed the carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) positing that human responses to RF-EMF can occur from use of personal devices such as mobile telephones, cordless phones, Bluetooth, and amateur radios; from occupational sources such as high frequency dielectric and induction heaters, and high-powered  pulsed radars. Exposures can also occur from environmental sources such as mobile phone base stations, broadcast antennas, and medical applications. This paper also examined standards for safe distances and buffers for building location with respect to EMFs and made recommendations for policy makers and building code enforcement services. Keywords: Building Codes, Epidemiology, Carcinogenicity, Radio Frequency, Extreme Low Frequency, Non-Ionizing Radiation DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-3-01 Publication date:March 31st 201

različiti učinci radiofrekvencijskog elektromagnetskog polja na ličinke medonosne pčele (Apis mellifera) u ovisnosti o oblikovanju pokusa

Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) at the operating frequencies of different communication devices can cause various biological effects. However, there is a lack of studies on the oxidative stress response and genotoxicity in the honey bee (Apis mellifera) after exposure to RF-EMF. In this study, we investigated the oxidative stress and DNA damage in honey bee larvae situated in waxcomb cells, exposed to modulated RF-EMF 23 Vm-1. The glutathione S-transferase activity decreased, whereas the catalase activity increased significantly in the honey bee larvae upon RF-EMF exposure. Superoxide dismutase activity, the level of lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage were not statistically altered in exposed honey bee larvae when compared to the control group. These results suggest that the biological effects of modulated RF-EMF in honey bee larvae depend on the exposure design.Izloženost radiofrekvencijskom elektromagnetskom polju (RF-EMF) na radnoj frekvenciji različitih komunikacijskih uređaja može imati razne biološke učinke. Nedostaju istraživanja odgovora na oksidacijski stres i genotoksičnost u medonosne pčele (Apis mellifera) poslije izloženosti RF-EMF-u. U ovom je radu istražen oksidacijski stres i DNA oštećenja u ličinkama medonosnih pčela smještenih u stanicama saća i izloženih modulirajućem RF-EMF 23 Vm-1. Aktivnost glutation S-transferaze smanjena je, dok je aktivnost katalaze značajno povećana u ličinkama medonosnih pčela izloženih RF-EMF-u. Nije bilo statistički značajne promjene u aktivnosti superoksid-dismutaze, razini lipidne peroksidacije i DNA oštećenju između ličinaka medonosne pčele i kontrolne skupine. Ovi rezultati pokazuju da biološki učinci modulirajućeg RF-EMF u ličinkama medonosne pčele ovise o oblikovanju izloženosti

A review of the ecological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF)

Industrial EcologyEnvironmental Biolog

Gesundheitsrisiko Mobilfunkstrahlung? Was ändert sich mit 5G?

Exposure of the population to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is dominated by the use of wireless communication devices close to the body. Exposure from transmitters far from the body is on average several orders of magnitude below the international guideline values. With increasing mobile data usage and the associated use of higher frequencies for 5G, a densification of the mobile network is to be expected. However, this will not necessarily increase the overall RF-EMF exposure of the population, as mobile phones emit less with better signal quality. 5G is a technological advancement of the previous mobile radio technology with the same biophysical properties. So far, no health effects below the guideline limits have been consistently demonstrated for RF-EMF. Biological effects such as changes of the electrical activity of the brain or the oxidative balance were observed for high local exposure in the range of the exposure guideline limits. According to current knowledge, they do not represent a health risk

Personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields among palestinian adults

This work deals with the assessment of personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the study of temporal and spatial daily variations in a group of 24 adults from the West Bank, Palestine. Exposure was measured using a personal exposure meter EME SPY 140. Mean values of exposure levels from different radiofrequency sources were calculated using both naive and robust regression on order statistics approaches. The total daily exposure from all radiofrequency electromagnetic field sources varied widelyamong participants depending on their location, the mobile network they use, their activities, and their mode of transportation, ranging from about 0.2 V m−1 to 0.9 V m−1. The average total daily exposure of all participants was about 0.48 V m−1. The main contribution to the mean exposure was from WiFi 2G (45%), GSM900 uplink (19%), GSM900 downlink, and FM radiobroadcasting (each by 11%). Other sources including GSM1800, UMTS2100, WiFi 5G, DECT, TETRA, WiMAX, and TV bands all together contributed 14%. During different activities, participants were exposed to the highest exposure level while traveling and to the lowest exposure while they were sleeping. During the day, participants received the highest exposure during the time period from 1600 to 2400 h. Based on thermal effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, all evaluated personal exposures comply with guidelines recommended for the general public by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Health Phys. 117(4):396–402; 201