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Electromagnetic field emitted by 902 MHz mobile phones shows no effects on children's cognitive function.

The present study investigated the potential effects of a standard 902 MHz global system for mobile communication (GSM) mobile phone on 10-14 years old children's cognitive function. A total of 32 children (16 boys, 16 girls) participated with their own and parental consent. The subjects were 10-14 years old (mean 12.1 years, SD 1.1). They performed a battery of cognitive tests twice in a counter-balanced order: once while exposed to an active mobile phone and once during exposure to an inactive phone. The tests were selected from those we used earlier with adults. The statistical analyses showed no significant differences between the mobile phone off and on conditions in reaction times and accuracy over all tests or in any single test. It was concluded that a standard mobile phone has no effect on children's cognitive function as measured by response speed and accuracy. The present results challenge some earlier findings suggesting that the electromagnetic field (EMF) created by an active mobile phone would facilitate cognitive functioning.

Adolescent↗

Electromagnetic fields and cells.

There is strong public interest in the possibility of health effects associated with exposure to extremely low frequency (elf) electromagnetic (EM) fields. Epidemiological studies suggest a probable, but controversial, link between exposure to elf EM fields and increased incidence of some cancers in both children and adults. There are hundreds of scientific studies that have tested the effects of elf EM fields on cells and whole animals. A growing number of reports show that exposure to elf EM fields can produce a large array of effects on cells. Of interest is an increase in specific transcripts in cultured cells exposed to EM fields. The interaction mechanism with cells, however, remains elusive. Evidence is presented for a model based on cell surface interactions with EM fields.

Animals↗

[Combined action of a UHF electromagnetic field and local freezing on biological tissues].

Experience gained so far by cryogenic surgery indicates that the possibilities of cryodestruction of sizable pathological formations are fairly limited. To overcome this barrier, it is necessary to change the status of the tissues, making them more sensitive to cryodestruction. The theoretical investigations suggest that microwave irradiation is one of the factors capable to change the status of tissues and to raise their sensitivity to cold exposure. Experiments made on the liver and muscles from rabbits, dogs and guinea-pigs have demonstrated that preliminary microwave irradiation followed by local freezing promotes the death of tissues 4-6-fold as compared to control.

Animals↗

Heart rate variability in workers exposed to medium-frequency electromagnetic fields.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the neurovegetative regulation of the heart in workers occupationally exposed to medium frequency (MF) electromagnetic (EM) fields. The subjects were 71 workers of MF broadcast stations, aged 20-68 (mean 47.1) with the duration of work under exposure ranging from 2-40 years and 22 workers of radio link stations, aged 21-65 (mean 46.9) who were not exposed to MF EM fields. The distribution of age and work tenure in both groups did not differ significantly. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analysed basing on 512 normal heart evolutions registered in resting, from the body surface, using the Medea-HRV system. The analysis concerned time-domain and frequency-domain parameters of HRV using fast fourier transformation. Power spectrum in the low (0.05-0.15 Hz) and high (0.15-0.35 Hz) frequency bands (LF and HF, respectively) was determined. Statistically insignificant differences found between exposed and non-exposed groups were found either in time- or in frequency-domain parameters of HRV. No correlation between the power spectrum and the subjects age was noted. Such a relationship, however, could be observed in the control group. In the study group a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the maximum intensity of EM fields and HF power spectrum. Thus it was concluded that occupational exposure to EM fields brings about impairments in the neurovegetative regulation of the cardiovascular function.

Adult↗

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in Swedish radio stations and tall FM/TV towers.

Radiofrequency electric and magnetic fields have been measured around 11 large broadcast stations and tall FM/TV towers in Sweden. The results show that operating personnel may be exposed to fields exceeding by several times the present standard for occupational exposure to RF radiation. Maintenance personnel are especially vulnerable to exposure when climbing energized towers. The present study indicates that the transmitters should be switched off during the performance of certain tasks on the tower. Safe passage of maintenance personnel near energized antennas of certain types is impossible without a drastic reduction of the transmitted power. In the stations, the RF leakage radiation was generally low, but when work was done with the cabinet doors of the transmitter open, high strengths were found in the vicinity of the transmitter even though it was switched off. It was found that the transmitter acted as a tuned receiver of energy from the other transmitters.

Electromagnetic Fields↗

Ionic factors in release of 45Ca2+ from chicken cerebral tissue by electromagnetic fields.

Electrical stimulation with radiofrequency fields amplitude-modulated at brain wave frequencies increased 45Ca2+ efflux from isolated chicken cerebral tissue. The response was not sensitive to variations of the calcium concentration (0-4.16 mM) in the bathing solution but was enhanced by addition of H+ (0.108 mM HCl) and inhibited in the absence of normal bicarbonate levels (2.4 mM). Addition of lanthanum to the bicarbonate-free solution restored electrical responsiveness, but the stimulus decreased instead of increasing 45Ca2+ efflux. It is suggested that low-frequency, weak, extracellular electric gradients may be transduced in a specific class of extracellular negative binding sites normally occupied by Ca2+ and susceptible to competitive H+ binding.

Animals↗

[Evaluation of the possibility of determining the maximum permissible intensity values for electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 0.1-10 MHz in accordance with the standards established by the COMECON Project 01.873.08.84].

A comparative evaluation of the requirements of the draft COMECON standard for 0.1-10 MHz frequencies with the hygienic regulations currently mandatory in Poland arouses some anxiety that certain groups of high-frequency devices, meeting national requirements, may not meet the requirements of the mentioned draft standard. To evaluate the possibilities of meeting the requirements of the mentioned draft by the high-frequency devices used in Poland, an analysis of real work conditions was carried out for approx. 450 industrial and electromedical appliances, as well as radio communication devices. The number of high-frequency devices which will not meet the COMECON standard requirements was estimated. In addition, the costs to be incurred for technological and organizational undertakings to meet the e-m working conditions pursuant to the COMECON standard requirements were calculated.

Electromagnetic Fields↗

Health problems among operators of plastic welding machines and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

To study possible medical effects of high radiofrequency radiation (RF), 113 Swedish men and women were studied by means of a structured interview and rating of subjective symptoms. A test session was included in order to examine coordination and muscular function of the hands. A neurological test concerning two-point discrimination (2-PD) was also done. As referents, 23 women, sewing machine operators and assembly workers, were chosen, interviewed and likewise tested. Exposure measurements were taken of the RF fields around the welding machines. The present Swedish ceiling value of 250 W/m2 for the equivalent power density was exceeded in more than 50% of the machines. The highest leakage fields, both for electric and magnetic fields, were found near machines used in factories for ready-made clothing, which gave a high exposure to the hands. Irritative eye symptoms were reported by 23% of the men and 40% of the women. A group of 27 persons was selected for a clinical eye examination and checked by photographs, and nine persons had modest conjunctivitis. A high prevalence of numbness in hands, especially among women, was found. A significantly impaired 2-PD was found in the exposed women as compared to the referent group. The pregnancy outcome for 305 female plastic welders during 1974-1984 did not show any significant differences with the Swedish average concerning malformation or prenatal mortality.

Adult↗

[Biological effects of pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on ICR mice].

Three experiments were performed to determine the biological effects of PEMFs (5-16 Gauss, induced voltage 1.2-13.5 mV) on ICR mice. Pregnant mice were exposed to PEMFs for 8 hrs/day between the 6th and 15th day of gestation (dg) in Exp. I, and for 24 hrs/day between 0 and 18 dg in Exp. II and III. Dams were sacrificed on 18 dg, and fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal anomalies in Exp. I and II. In Exp. III, all animals spontaneously delivered and their offspring were examined for behavioral development. Dams exposed to PEMFs in Exp. II exhibited slightly decreased body weights on 5, 7-10 dg. In Exp. III, body weights of offspring exposed to PEMFs were increased on days 8-21, and behavioral development was transiently accelerated. In Exp. I-III, exposure to PEMFs during the gestation had no significant detrimental effects on the pregnancy, or prenatal and postnatal development.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗

[Effect of electromagnetic fields of a millimeter range on the blood system of animals depending upon their initial state and the zone of irradiation].

As a result of cytological investigations it was discovered that the millimeter range microwaves being applied once during one hour stimulated erythrocytopoiesis of intact mice and induced a change of the lymphocytes number in the blood. The reaction to the microwaves depends on the location of irradiation and animal initial state, which was estimated pertinent to the red blood cells and white blood cells number in the peripheric blood. These factors are of prognostic importance. For mice with initial white and red blood cells numbers less than 12 X 10(9) l and 8 X 10(12) l the change of erythrocytopoiesis in the left thigh and thorax bone marrow took place and lymphopenia developed due to the irradiation of hind left leg. For other animals the stimulation of erythrocytopoiesis in the right thigh bone marrow and lymphocytes was registered due to microwaves irradiation of the hind right leg. The microwave effect is considered as a combination of local and general changes. On the basis of quantitative analysis the preferable mechanism of microwaves action on the whole organism level is discussed.

Animals↗

Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of brain tumors. An analysis of possible associations.

To explore the association between occupation and the occurrence of brain tumor, an epidemiologic study was conducted using data from the death certificates of 951 adult white male Maryland residents who died of brain tumor during the period 1969 through 1982. Compared with the controls, men employed in electricity-related occupations, such as electrician, electric or electronic engineer, and utility company serviceman, were found to experience a significantly higher proportion of primary brain tumors. An increase in the odds ratio for brain tumor was found to be positively related to electromagnetic (EM) field exposure levels. Furthermore, the mean age at death was found to be significantly younger among cases in the presumed high EM-exposure group. These findings suggest that EM exposure may be associated with the pathogenesis of brain tumors, particularly in the promoting stage.

Adult↗

Embryological changes induced by weak, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.

Fertilized chicken eggs were incubated for 48 hours while exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELMF) of 10 Hz, 100 Hz and 1000 Hz with intensities of 0.12, 1.2 and 12 micro T. Gross morphological and histological analysis of the exposed embryos revealed the following effects: (1) ELMF of 100 Hz/1.2 micro T had the most consistent and powerful inhibitory effect on embryogenesis. Development of embryos was reduced to the formation of the three primitive layers. Brain vesicles, auditory pit, neural tube, foregut, heart, vessels, and somites were not developed. Glycosaminoglycans were almost absent. (2) The above results demonstrate a window effect because embryos exposed to 100 Hz/1.2 micro T were less developed than embryos exposed at lower and higher intensities and frequencies. (3) Developing organs reacted with different sensitivity to ELMF of specific frequencies and intensities. Somites were not disturbed by exposure to 10 Hz with any of the intensities used. Formation of blood vessels was completely blocked by ELMF of 1000 Hz/12 micro T while traces of other organs were present. (4) The drastic embryological disturbances described were obtained with much lower intensities (1 micro T = 0.01 Gauss) than those used in studies by other investigators. (5) Embryological alterations induced by ELMF may depend on disturbances in the presence and structure of glycosaminoglycans which are essential elements in cellular activities, including cell migration. (6) The use of ELMF of low intensity may be a powerful method to investigate embryogenetic mechanisms and may also be a useful technique for investigation of other biological systems.

Animals↗

Assessment of the effects of electromagnetic field modification on egg-laying hens in commercial flocks as indicated by production measures.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of electromagnetic (EM) field modification by use of Nufield EM field modification (NEFM) units on egg-laying hens in commercial flocks as indicated by production measures, including hen-day mortality rate (HDMR) and eggs per hen housed (EHH). ANIMALS: 16 commercial flocks of egg-laying hens. PROCEDURE: 5 caged commercial table egg layer flocks (Single Comb White Leghorns) successively housed at the same location during a 6-year period were exposed to NEFM. There were 7 hens/cage (317 cm2 of floor space/bird). At the same site, 11 concurrent non-NEFM-exposed flocks (4 genetically different strains) were sequentially housed. All 16 flocks underwent the same feed and management practices. For each NEFM- and non-NEFM-exposed flock, HDMR and EHH were compared with their respective national breeder goals (BG), defined as the reasonable genetic potential expressed under optimal management and environmental conditions. Furthermore, the HDMRs and EHHs of the NEFM- and non-NEFM-exposed flocks were compared. RESULTS: Mean HDMR and EHH of the NEFM-exposed flocks was 36.9% less and 4.96% greater than the relevant BG, respectively. Mean HDMR and EHH of the non-NEFM-exposed flocks was 12.6% and 0.49% greater than the relevant BG, respectively. Compared with the 11 non-NEFM-exposed flocks, the NEFM-exposed flocks collectively had a 47.6% decrease in HDMR and 1.33% increase in EHH. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results strongly suggest that application of NEFM in commercial egg-layer flocks improves production measures, which has important welfare implications as well as gross economic advantage.

Animals↗

Problems of weak electromagnetic field effects in cell biology.

Electrostimulations of cells by weak electric or electromagnetic LF and HF-fields are applied widely today; capacitively or inductively coupled, however, they are seldom applied for cell-free and membrane-free solutions of enzymes. First, the detection of a response of the cells ('electrical window') is a prerequisite for testing at least three parameters: frequency, amplitude and treatment time, besides reproducible biological conditions. The 'state-of-the-art' of this fast developing direction of bioelectrochemistry can be characterized in the following way: the results from several laboratories of (a) cell proliferation, (b) ion transport, (c) activation of several enzymes (Na,K-ATPase), (d) increase of certain protein concentrations (heat-shock protein hsp70) are more or less in agreement. Unfortunately, there are discrepancies between no less than 7 labs in the gene expression of c-myc, c-fos histone 2B, -actin, URA-3 and others, especially for low fields (< 0.05 mT), e.g., in HL60 cells! The reason why seems to be: (1) differences in the most suitable isolation procedure, (2) interferences in the case of too low magnetic flux and (3) too small ranges of parameters have been measured. Today, three open problems must be pointed out: (A) What is the physiological causality for specific 'electrical windows' and their positive or negative efficacy? (B) What are the biochemical targets for either magnetic or electric fields or both? (C) What is the influence of electrical and (or) thermal noise on field efficiency?

Animals↗

[Constant low-frequency electrical and electromagnetic fields (biological action and hygienic evaluation)].

The literature data are used to analyze the hygienic situation when man is exposed to constant electrical and low frequency electromagnetic radiations. The spectral characteristics and intensities of electrical fields near and on the surface of the Earth generated by natural sources of electromagnetic radiations (electrical quasi-static fields, atmospheric electricity, thunderstorm charges, electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and galaxies) are given. They can be employed to determine man's adaptive capabilities to the frequencies described during acute and chronic irradiation. The mechanisms of biological effects of the exposures are discussed. The methods for calculating the safety levels based on the USSR radiation safety standards and the "competing frequencies" procedure proposed can be applied to the design of electrotechnical devices and evaluation of integral hazard of constant electrical and electromagnetic fields of low frequencies.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗