Evaluations of International Expert Group Reports on the Biological Effects of Radiofrequency Fields (original) (raw)
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Biological Effects of EM Radiations from Mobile Phones
Sultan Qaboos University Journal for Science [SQUJS]
Direct health effects could result following exposure to RF by thermal (heating effects). Recent Studies have shown that there are public fears on effects that can be caused mainly by holding mobile phones close to the body, or as a result of possible non-thermal effects from both phones and base stations. This paper offers an overview on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation caused by mobile phones. Exposures of individuals to RF radiation from these sources will depend upon their proximity and may be above those from mobile phone base stations, although still well below guidelines. From a review of the scientific literature, it is concluded that there were no established health effects from exposure to the RF fields from mobile phones. However, there are gaps in knowledge requiring further research, but current knowledge suggests that RF exposure to levels below the guidelines were not a risk to health.
Biological effects from electromagnetic field exposure and public exposure standards
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2008
During recent years there has been increasing public concern on potential health risks from power-frequency fields (extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields; ELF) and from radiofrequency/microwave radiation emissions (RF) from wireless communications. Non-thermal (lowintensity) biological effects have not been considered for regulation of microwave exposure, although numerous scientific reports indicate such effects. The BioInitiative Report is based on an international research and public policy initiative to give an overview of what is known of biological effects that occur at low-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMFs) exposure. Health endpoints reported to be associated with ELF and/or RF include childhood leukaemia, brain tumours, genotoxic effects, neurological effects and neurodegenerative diseases, immune system deregulation, allergic and inflammatory responses, breast cancer, miscarriage and some cardiovascular effects. The BioInitiative Report concluded that a reasonable suspicion of risk exists based on clear evidence of bioeffects at environmentally relevant levels, which, with prolonged exposures may reasonably be presumed to result in health impacts. Regarding ELF a new lower public safety limit for habitable space adjacent to all new or upgraded power lines and for all other new constructions should be applied. A new lower limit should also be used for existing habitable space for children and/or women who are pregnant. A precautionary limit should be adopted for outdoor, cumulative RF exposure and for cumulative indoor RF fields with considerably lower limits than existing guidelines, see the BioInitiative Report. The current guidelines for the US and European microwave exposure from mobile phones, for the brain are 1.6 W/Kg and 2 W/Kg, respectively. Since use of mobile phones is associated with an increased risk for brain tumour after 10 years, a new biologically based guideline is warranted. Other health impacts associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields not summarized here may be found in the BioInitiative Report at www.bioinitiative.org.
RADIATION OF HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
The sources of radio frequency radiation (radio and TV transmitters, radars, microwave ovens, portable radio transciever equipment) are presented first. The absorption factors of radio frequency and microwave emissions by human body are also presented. The basic structure and operating principles of GSM equipment (mobile stations, system of basic stations, network and communication systems) are given. The interaction between mobile phone and human tissue, i.e. absorption of radio frequency energy emitted by mobile phone is described. Advices for safer usage of mobile phones are given. Zrenjanin, Serbia __________________________________________________________________________________________ electromagnetic field. Its level considerably exceeds the level of natural electromagnetic background. Every ten years world energy resources are doubled and within this period specific gravity of electromagnetic field variables in power industry has thrice increased. Electromagnetic radiation sources, which include overhead high voltage and extra high voltage transmission lines, radio broadcasting, TV, radio relay and satellite communication equipment, radar and navigation systems, laser beacons and etc. have significantly influenced the natural electromagnetic background.
Radiofrequency Exposure and Human Health
PIERS Online, 2007
Research on the biological and health effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields has been conducted for more than 50 years and the RF database available in the 1990's proved adequate for the development of the human exposure limits recommended in 1998 by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) . The ICNIRP guidelines are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and have been adopted by more than 35 countries. The database that led to the development of the ICNIRP guidelines has grown, with about 500 studies at mobile phone frequencies including many modulated signals. The WHO database [2] has more than 1500 original, peer-reviewed papers useful for public health risk assessment of RF exposure. The database provides even stronger evidence today that RF exposures within ICNIRP limits associated with mobile telephony pose no known health risks and warrant no special precautions for any segments of the population. WHO has stated that scientific knowledge on electromagnetic fields including RF fields is now more extensive than for most chemicals . Expert scientific organizations, international organizations and government agencies that have reviewed the available database since the publication of the ICNIRP guidelines include the UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile ). All of these reviews have consistently concluded that there is no credible or convincing evidence that RF exposure within ICNIRP limits causes adverse human health effects. This paper describes a) the extensive database on the biological and health effects of exposure to RF energy, b) the ICNIRP RF safety guidelines, and c) recent conclusions of national and international expert groups that have evaluated the scientific and medical evidence on the potential health effects of RF exposure.
Recent advances in research on radiofrequency fields and health
… of Toxicology and …, 2001
The widespread use of wireless telecommunications devices, particularly mobile phones, has resulted in increased human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields. Although national and international agencies have established safety guidelines for exposure to RF fields, concerns remain about the potential for adverse health outcomes to occur in relation to RF field exposure. The extensive literature on RF fields and health has been reviewed by a number of authorities, including the Royal Society of Canada (1999), the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity, and the Environment (CSTEE, 2001), the British Medical Association (2001), the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (Boice & McLaughlin, 2002), and the Health Council of the Netherlands (2002). This report provides an update on recent research results on the potential health risks of RF fields since the publication of the Royal Society of Canada report in 1999 (See Krewski et al., 2001a) and our previous 2001 update (Krewski et al., 2001b), covering the period 2001-2003. The present report examines new data on dosimetry and exposure assessment, biological effects such as enzyme induction, and toxicological effects, including genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and testicular and reproductive outcomes. Epidemiological studies of mobile phone users and occupationally exposed populations are examined, along with human and animal studies of neurological and behavioral effects. All of the authoritative reviews completed within the last 2 yr have concluded that there is no clear evidence of adverse health effects associated with RF fields. However, following a recent review of nine epidemiological studies of mobile phones and cancer, Kundi et al. (2004) concluded that the possibility of an enhanced cancer risk cannot be excluded. These same reviews support the need for further research to clarify the possible associations between RF fields and adverse health outcomes that have appeared in some reports. The results of the ongoing World Health Organization (WHO) study of mobile phones will provide important new information in this regard. The use of radiofrequency (RF) field-emitting devices such as mobile phones, microwave ovens and RF heaters, base stations, radar installations, and telecommunications and broadcast facilities has led to widespread human exposure to RF fields. As defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), RF is a band in the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum that lies in the frequency range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Microwave (MW) radiation is usually considered a subset of RF, which occupies the spectral region between 300 GHz to 300 MHz, while RF includes 300 MHz to 3 kHz. Since they have similar characteristics, RF and MW are recognized together, and referred to as RF throughout this article. The remarkable growth of the telecommunication industry, especially mobile phones and base stations, has raised public concerns about possible associations between RF fields and adverse health outcomes, including cancer. To date, there are limited epidemiological data on the potential health risks associated with the use of mobile phones, which represent an important This article represents an update of the original report of the Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel on the Potential Health Risks of Radiofrequency Fields, prepared by the Royal Society of Canada for Health Canada in 1999. We are grateful to the referees and the editor for many helpful comments on the original draft of this paper.
A Review : Source and Effect of Mobile Communication Radiation on Human Health
2017
With improving technology and affordability, the number of cell phone users increases continuously. As the number of base stations required, increases with greater mobile phone use with market competition, and with new technological capabilities. The microwave frequencies used in the mobile communication causes the thermal and non-thermal effects and leaves negative impact up on biological system. The EMR emitted by the mobile antennas used at the base stations and mobile handsets used by user’s effects the cell structure of the living beings. Continuous and long term exposure to this radiation can have negative impact on biological system of human beings over the years. EMR are absorbed as it interacts with matter and transfers wave energy into the medium. The amount of RF-EMW radiation energy absorbed by human tissue depends on the frequency, intensity, polarization and duration of exposure. The EMR are also recognized as the major cause of cancer. Studies indicate that the popula...
InTech eBooks, 2012
Microwave Materials Characterization 122 associations between independent (level of exposure) and dependent (health status, disease occurrence, etc.) variables by collecting data from population samples. In addition, in relation to RF-based wireless communications, there are two different exposure situations: to RF in the far field, emitted by base stations, WiFi access points, etc. and to RF in the near field, emitted by handheld devices (e.g. mobile phones). According to the World Health Organization publication on Electromagnetic Fields, Environmental Health Criteria series [1, 2], to proper address human health risk assessment, epidemiological research should allow for sufficient latency, sufficient range of exposure, including high exposure, and ability to accurately classify individuals into several exposure groups.
Radiofrequency and Microwave Radiation Health Effects and Occupational Exposure
Acta medica medianae, 2011
In the recent years, there have been considerable discussion and concern about the possible hazards of RF/MW radiation. More recently, the growth and development in personal mobile communications have focused attention on the frequencies associated with this technology. A number of studies have examined the health effects of RF/MW electromagnetic fields (EMFs), originating from occupational exposure, hobbies, or residence near the radio or television transmitters. Particularly controversial are the biophysical mechanisms by which these RF fields may affect biological systems. General health effects reviews explore possible carcinogenic, reproductive and neurological effects. Health effects by exposure source have been observed in radar traffic devices, wireless communications with cellular phones, radio transmission, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Several epidemiological surveys have suggested associations with non-specific complaints such as headache, tiredness, sleep disturbance, loss of memory, and dizziness. These findings, which echo reports of illness associated with other types of radiofrequency (RF) radiation, relate not only to the use of mobile phones, but also to residence near the mobile phone base stations and other settings involving occupational exposure. The biological effects suggest that some precautions are necessary, and preventive approaches are highly recommended. Further researches are required to give more information about the effects of microwave radiation on our health, especially in occupational setting and professionally exposed workers. Acta