France’s National Health And Safety Agency Calls For Reducing Children’s Wireless Exposures: ANSES 2016 Report

France’s National Health And Safety Agency Calls For Reducing Children’s Wireless Exposures: ANSES 2016 Report

France’s National Health Agency Calls For Reducing Children’s Wireless Exposures

The National Agency of Health Security of Food, Environment and Labour Report All wireless devices, from tablets, remote controlled toys, wireless toys, baby monitors, and cell phones should be subjected to tighter regulatory limits.

On July 8, the French National Agency of Health Security of Food, Environment and Labour (ANSES) published a new scientific report “Radiofrequency Exposure and the Health of Children”.

Concluding that children are more vulnerable to radio frequency (RF) wireless exposures, the French report recommends immediately reducing exposures to wireless radiation from all wireless devices for young children. Acknowledging the inadequacies of current outdated RF regulations, ANSES recommends strengthening RF exposure limits with child protective safety margins and developing more sophisticated premarket test methods to fully assess  human exposures to RF radiation from wireless devices. The new report has made headlines across the country.

Report States Children Exposed More and Early

“Unlike previous generations, children are exposed today to multiple RF sources at a young age…Children are not miniature adults…because of their smaller size, their anatomical and morphological characteristics and the characteristics of some of their tissues, they are more exposed. In particular, the peripheral areas of their brains are more vulnerable than adults to RF.”

–Olivier Merkel, coordinator of the ANSES report:

This French national report affirms recent EHT publications showing greater absorption and vulnerability of the young to cell phone radiation. IEEE/Access: Dosimetric Simulations of Brain Absorption of Mobile Phone Radiation: the relationship between psSAR and age.

Recommendations of the Agency

The government agency recommends to “reconsider the regulatory exposure limits” to ensure “sufficiently large safety margins” to protect the health of young children:

• All wireless devices, including tablets, cordless phones, remote controlled toys, wireless toys, baby monitors and surveillance bracelets, should be subjected to the same regulatory obligations as cell phones.
• Compliance with regulatory exposure limits should be insured for the ways that devices are customarily used, such as positioned in contact with the body.
• Exposure limits for radiofrequency electromagnetic fields should be tightened  to ensure sufficiently large safety margins to protect the health and safety of the general population, particularly the health and safety of children.
• Reliance on the specific absorption rate (SAR) to set human exposure limits should be re-evaluated and replaced through the development of an indicator to assess real exposures for mobile phone users that applies to various conditions: signal type,  good or bad reception, mode of use (call, data loading, etc.), location device is used on the body.
• ANSES reiterated its recommendation, as previously stated, to reduce exposure to children: minimize use and prefer a hands-free kit.

Scientific Research Substantiates France’s Expert Recommendations

“For several decades, my research and that of many others has shown that children and smaller adults will absorb relatively more radiation from mobile devices. Unfortunately, proper research on long term use has not been done to determine the full health impacts on children. I am one of many researchers who strongly recommend strengthening current regulations to protect children,” stated EHT advisor Om Gandhi of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, who has published multiple research studies indicating that children absorb radiation deeper into their brains than adults.

“Coming on the heels of the U.S. government study showing increased risks of rare tumors of the brain and heart tied with wireless radiation in rats, this new French government report provides a welcome reminder of the importance of protecting young brains and bodies. The absence of proof of harm in our children at this time should not be confused with evidence of safety,” added Devra Davis PhD MPH, FACE, Visiting Professor of Medicine, The Hebrew University and President of Environmental Health Trust. “We cannot afford to treat the young as subjects in an experiment for which we will soon have no unexposed control group,” she added.

“Our published research on cell phones but also tablets and laptops indicates that equivalent exposures to radio frequency results in different doses to specific tissues in children compared with adults. The wireless device certification process should be complemented with a computer simulation process using anatomically based models of different ages,” stated Professors Claudio Fernandez and Alvaro de Salles, EHT Advisors from the Electrical Engineering Departments of the Federal Institute and University of Rio Grande do Sul, IFRS and UFRGS, Brazil.

Over Twenty Governments Have Enacted Protective Policy

France previously enacted highly protective laws in regards to radiofrequency exposures. Wi-Fi is banned in kindergarten and OFF is the default setting in elementary schools (unless if specific classroom instruction requires it during certain time periods). French national law also addresses cell tower emissions compliance and labels Wi-Fi transmitters in public spaces. French cell phone legislation bans cell phones for young children, mandates SAR labeling, and requires that all cell phones are sold with headsets. This new report calls for tightening regulations even further in light of findings that children experiences serious learning and other problems tied with wireless exposures. Over twenty countries and governments have enacted various protective policies to reduce radiofrequency exposure to children.

ANSES also called for more research evaluating the health and psychosocial impact (academic learning, social and family relationships, etc.) in children, related to the use of mobile communication technologies, particularly because of addictive phenomena, disorders in circadian rhythms, etc. The Agency advises parents “to minimize their children’s mobile phone use, avoid nighttime communications and reduce the frequency and duration of calls”.

ANSES Press Release and Report

Media Headlines

Le Monde France: Warning about the dangers of radio frequencies for children

Mobile phones, digital devices may harm your kid’s attention span

CNET And radiofrequency waves: caution with children, said ANSES

List of New Report Headlines on the ANSES Report.

Research

IEEE/Access: Dosimetric Simulations of Brain Absorption of Mobile Phone Radiation: the relationship between psSAR and age

Children Absorb Higher Doses of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation From Mobile Phones Than Adults

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the head of Tablet users

International policy and advisory response regarding children’s exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF)

Exposure limits: the underestimation of absorbed cell phone radiation, especially in children

Policy

List of International Policy on Children and Radiofrequency Fields

http://ehtrust.org/frances-national-health-safety-agency-calls-reducing-childrens-wireless-exposures-anses-2016-report/

SEND IN FCC PUBLIC COMMENTS "DIRTY" ELECTRICITY - August 11, 2016 Deadline

SEND IN FCC PUBLIC COMMENTS "DIRTY" ELECTRICITY - August 11, 2016 Deadline

The FCC has finally opened a docket to look at "dirty" electricity and sources of radiated RF from electronics.  The FCC standards related to "dirty" electricity, conducted RF, and inadvertently radiated RF have been developed primarily to prevent electronics and transmitters from interfering with each other.  

Please write in  by August 11, 2016 with a brief synopsis of how "dirty" electricity has affected your health and request that the new standards be set to prevent health effects.  The Stetzerizer "dirty" electricity meter was evaluated in Kazakhstan and health standards were set such that no more than 50 G/S units of dirty electricity should be allowed on building wiring to protect health (www.electricalpollution.com/documents/Sanitary_Norms.pdf).  The FCC should adopt this standard and require device and light manufacturers to engineer their devices to put out substantially less than that.  Frequencies above the range of the Stetzerizer meter should also have much tighter standards.  Their effect is related to capacitive coupling and energy.  A signal from the transmitter on a smart meter was found to be in violation of existing limits for conducted RF if the limits went that high (see  http://stopsmartmetersny.org/debunkingutility.html for more information).  Obviously this shows that new standards that extend the full range of existing and future transmitter technology are necessary to protect human health.  

Tightening of standards should extend to sources of conducted and radiated RF in cars.  Many with RF sickness have trouble with cars due to conducted and radiated RF from components not designed to minimize RF emissions sufficient to protect human health.  Sources include, but are not limited to, the alternator, spark plugs and distributor, fuel pump, air conditioning compressor controls, ignition switch, radio systems, and electronic displays.  Proper filtering and design could minimize much of this.  If this is a problem for you, be sure to mention it and ask that they revise these standards as well to protect human health.  Availability of stripped down properly designed models should allow most people with RF sickness to use a car again.

The docket does not explicitly deal with health, but comments should be put in anyway so they know that they have to address the health problems the inadequate standards are causing.  Health should certainly fall under point 1b  and 4a.  Feel free to address other points in the docket as well (attached), especially those with technical expertise.

Please take a moment to submit your comment.  This office is not the same as the office responsible for broadband.  I know they have had complaints from people about RF on wiring.  This is an opportunity to ask the people who can take action to do so.  Opening this docket is an indication that they are at least looking seriously at taking action.  Let's give them good reason to do so.

Best, Catherine

Protecting my health and that of others by using a hardwired computer in a low RF environment.  For more information, see www.electricalpollution.com

 

Comment Deadline of August 11 if anyone wants to comment.

 

Subject: [EMF] FCC PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR SMART GRID NOISE POLLUTION ISSUE!!!

 

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th St., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20554

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

Internet: https://www.fcc.gov

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

DA 16-676

Released: June 15, 2016

OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGICAL

ADVISORY COUNCIL (TAC) NOISE FLOOR TECHNICAL INQUIRY

ET Docket No. 16-191

Comment Deadline: August 11, 2016

The FCC’s Technological Advisory Council (TAC), an advisory group to the FCC operating under the

Federal Advisory Committee Act, is investigating changes and trends to the radio spectrum noise floor to

determine if there is an increasing noise problem, and if so, the scope and quantitative evidence of such

problem(s), and how a noise study should be performed. In this public notice, the Office of Engineering

and Technology (OET) announces the TAC’s public inquiry, seeking comments and answers to questions

below for the TAC about radio spectrum noise.1

TAC Noise Floor Technical Inquiry

The TAC is requesting input to help answer questions about the study of changes to the spectrum noise

floor over the past 20 years. Noise in this context denotes unwanted radio frequency (RF) energy from

man-made sources. Like many spectrum users, TAC members expect that the noise floor in the radio

spectrum is rising as the number of devices in use that emit radio energy grows. However, in search for

concrete evidence of increased noise floors, we have found limited available quantitative data to support

this presumption. We are looking to find ways to add to the available data in order to answer important

questions for the FCC regarding this topic.

Radio spectrum noise is generated by many different types of devices. Devices that are not designed to

generate or emit RF energy but do so as a result of their operation are called Incidental Radiators. Most

electric motors, light dimmers, switching power supplies, utility transformers and power lines are

included in this category. There is little regulation governing the noise generated by these devices. Noise

from such sources is expected to be minimized with “Good Engineering Practices.”

Devices that are designed to generate RF energy for internal use, or send RF signals by conduction to

associated equipment via connected wiring, but are not intended to emit RF energy, are called

Unintentional Radiators. Computers and many portable electronic devices in use today, as well as many

new high efficiency lights, are included in this category. Current regulations limit the levels of emitted RF

energy from these devices.

Unlicensed Intentional Radiators, Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) Radiators, and Licensed

Radiators are devices that are designed to generate and emit RF energy by radiation or induction. Cellular

1 https://transition.fcc.gov/bureaus/oet/tac/tacdocs/meeting6916/TAC-Noise-Floor-Technical-Inquiry.pdf

2

phones and base stations, unlicensed wireless routers, Bluetooth devices, broadcast TV and radio stations,

and radars of many types, are all examples of licensed / unlicensed intentional radiators, and microwave

ovens, arc welders, and fluorescent lighting are examples of ISM equipment. Such emitters contribute to

the noise floor with emissions outside of their assigned frequencies. These are sometimes generated as

spurious emissions, including, but not limited to, harmonics of desired frequencies and intermodulation

products. Regulations that permit the operation of these devices also specify the limits of emissions

outside of licensed or allowed (in the case of unlicensed devices) frequencies of operation.

We are looking for responses to the following questions to help us identify aspects of a study to determine

trends in the radio spectrum noise floor.

1. Is there a noise problem?

a. If so, what are the expected major sources of noise that are of concern?

b. What services are being most impacted by a rising spectrum noise floor?

c. If incidental radiators are a concern, what sorts of government, industry, and civil society

efforts might be appropriate to ameliorate the noise they produce?

2. Where does the problem exist?

a. Spectrally

i. What frequency bands are of the most interest?

b. Spatially

i. Indoors vs outdoors?

ii. Cities vs rural settings?

iii. How close in proximity to incidental radiators or other noise sources?

iv. How can natural propagation effects be accounted for in a noise study?

c. Temporally

i. Night versus day?

ii. Seasonally?

3. Is there quantitative evidence of the overall increase in the total integrated noise floor across

various segments of the radio frequency spectrum?

a. At what levels does the noise floor cause harmful interference to particular radio

services?

b. What RF environment data from the past 20 years is available, showing the contribution

of the major sources of noise?

c. Please provide references to scholarly articles or other sources of spectrum noise

measurements.

4. How should a noise study be performed?

a. What should be the focus of the noise study?

b. How should it be funded?

c. What methods should be used?

d. How should noise be measured?

i. What is the optimal instrumentation that should be used?

ii. What measurement parameters should be used for that instrumentation?

iii. At what spatial and temporal scales should noise be measured?

iv. Should the monitoring instrumentation be capable of determining the directions

of the noise sources? If so, how would those data be used?

v. Is there an optimal height above ground for measurements?

e. What measurement accuracy is needed?

3

i. What are the statistical requirements for sufficient data? Would these

requirements vary based on spectral, spatial and temporal factors?

ii. Can measurements from uncalibrated, or minimally calibrated, devices be

combined?

iii. Is it possible to “crowd source” a noise study?

f. Would receiver noise measurements commonly logged by certain users (e.g. radio

astronomers, cellular, and broadcast auxiliary licensees) be available and useful for noise

floor studies?

g. How much data must be collected to reach a conclusion?

h. How can noise be distinguished from signals?

i. Can noise be characterized and its source identified?

ii. Is there a threshold level, below which measurements should be ignored?

Procedures

Interested parties may file comments up until the comment deadline indicated on the first page of this

document. Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).

See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).

 Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the

ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.

 Paper Filers: Parties that choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.

If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers

must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number.

Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by firstclass

or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s

Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

 All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary

must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-A325,

Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries

must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of

before entering the building.

 Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority

Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.

 U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th

Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.

People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille,

large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer &

Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

For further information, please contact TAC Spectrum and Receiver Performance working group cochairs

Greg Lapin, ARRL (GLapin@arrl.org) and Lynn Claudy, NAB (LClaudy@nab.org), or TAC

working group FCC liaison Robert Pavlak, FCC Office of Engineering & Technology

(Robert.Pavlak@fcc.gov

Report from the BioEM2016

Report from the BioEM2016

GALLERY

Posted on July 27, 2016

The 23-pages Report from the BioEM2016 is available (BIOEM2016_Report _DL_Final).

From the Introduction and Contents:

BioEM2016 conference took place on June 6 -10, 2016 in Ghent, Belgium. Seen here is the view of the conference site, Het Pand, the large building on the left on the Leie River, a former monastery.

This report has been prepared for thePandora Foundation, Germany, andCompetence Initiative, Germany, which supported travel and participation of the author in BioEM2016. Parts of this report were published during the course of the BioEM2016 as blogs on “BRHP – Between a Rock and a Hard Place” site.

Only several topics presented at the BioEM2016 are presented and discussed in this report. For the full list of topics presented at the BioEM2015, please, consult the freely available program book. However, the book of extended conference abstracts is accessible only for the registered participants of the BioEM2015, and for the members, in good standing, of the BEMS and EBEA.

The content list of the report:

• Introductory comments
• Hot topic: the NTP study
• Wireless charging
• New avenues in epidemiology
• Tutorial on safety standards by IEEE-ICES in USA
• Chinese study – interesting but technically unreliable
• Boris Pashe’s work – what is the future?
• Non-thermal effects of RF-EMF exposures
• Stress response as activation of heat-shock proteins and genes
• Dosimetry: assures thermally-based safety limits… nothing else…
• Skin and 5G technology
• Exposure to RF-EMF and its impact on brain structure – yes and no…
• Telcom’s concerns over information and misinformation
• Wi-Fi and health – review with unfounded conclusions
• Closing words…

https://betweenrockandhardplace.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/report-from-the-bioem2016/

Opinion piece: A response to the Demasi ABC Catalyst situation

Opinion piece: A response to the Demasi ABC Catalyst situation

Excerpt

From Mary Redmayne PhD

July 28, 2016

Opinion piece: A response to the Demasi ABC Catalyst situation

I am shocked with the way Dr Maryanne Demasi of Catalyst programme “Wi-Fried” has been treated. I am a researcher who has been working in the field of radiofrequencies and health for some years. My PhD thesis was titled Wireless phone use by young New Zealanders: Health and policy implications. This was followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Monash University. I have many papers in the peer reviewed literature.

The programme explored extremely important questions regarding health and safety and was, I believe, presented in a balanced way, as discussed below. While some of those interviewed were clearly extremely concerned, most of their comments were well handled. For instance, after Dr Davis showed an illustration of how far radiofrequencies can penetrate a child’s head, Dr Demasi reasonably enough showed surprise and asked, “Now, do we know that this translates into health effects for the child?” Dr Davis said, “No, we don’t ….”. Dr Demasi followed the response by explaining, accurately, that radiation exposure drops off exponentially with distance, distance matters. One comment from an interviewee I take issue with is Frank Clegg’s claim that the Standard in some countries is 100 times safer. The power density limit is indeed 100 times lower, but this does not necessarily translate into 100 times safer. SNIP- Read on

Read the post here.

BioEM2016 report + 15 new studies on electromagnetic fields and biology or health

BioEM2016 report + 15 new studies on electromagnetic fields and biology or health

Report on BioEM2016 Conference

A 23-page report about BioEM2016, the annual meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society and the European Bioelectromagnetics Association, prepared by Dr. Dariusz Leszczynski, is now available. A summary of Dr. Leszczynski's evaluative comments regarding key sessions at this conference and a link to the full report is available on my EMR Safety web site at http://bit.ly/bioem2016.

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Comprehensive personal RF-EMF exposure map and its potential use in epidemiological studies

Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio, Alberto Najera, Enrique Arribas. Comprehensive personal RF-EMF exposure map and its potential use in epidemiological studies. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2016.05.010

Highlights

• Personal RF-EMF exposure was measured in the city of Albacete (Spain).

• A lattice map was prepared with the city's administrative regions.

• Spatial randomness of mobile phone antennas and personal exposition were analysed.

• Spearman correlation between antennas and intensities was studied.

Abstract

In recent years, numerous epidemiological studies, which deal with the potential effects of mobile phone antennas on health, have almost exclusively focused on their distance to mobile phone base stations. Although it is known that this is not the best approach to the problem, this situation occurs due to the numerous difficulties when determining the personal exposure to the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF).

However, due to the rise of personal exposimeters, the evolution of spatial statistics, the development of geographical information systems and the use of powerful software, new alternatives are available to deal with these epidemiological studies and thus overcome the aforementioned difficulties. Using these tools, this paper presents a lattice map of personal RF-EMF exposure from exterior mobile phone base stations, covering the entire 110 administrative regions in the city of Albacete (Spain). For this purpose, we used a personal exposimeter, Satimo EME Spy 140 model, performing measurements every 4 s The exposimeter was located inside the plastic basket of a bicycle, whose versatility permitted the access to all the zones of the city.

Once the exposure map was prepared, its relation with the known antenna locations was studied. The 64 mobile telephone antennas of the city were also georeferenced; the randomness of both variables (exposure and antennas) were studied by means of the Moran's I test. Results showed that the distribution of the antennas follows a grouped pattern (p<0 .001="" a="" addition="" administrative="" also="" and="" antennas="" average="" between="" cases.="" considering="" correlation="" detected="" distribution="" either="" exposure="" first="" font="" have="" in="" mobile="" neighbouring="" no="" number="" of="" p="0.618)." per="" random="" region="" regions.="" second="" showed="" spearman="" studies:="" substantial="" telephone="" the="" two="" values="" was="" we="" while="">

This study also reveals the weaknesses of the epidemiological studies, which only take into account the distance to the antennas, which would provide a new approach to the problem. By precisely knowing the resident population of each administrative region of the city, this proves to be highly useful to rely on a prepared aggregate data map based on the mean exposure values to RF-EMF in these sections. The displayed map would permit the execution of more accurate epidemiological studies, since it would be possible to compare the exposure measurements with the incidence data of a disease.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935116301797

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Assessment of personal radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in specific indoor workplaces and possible worst-case scenarios

Mimoza Ibrani , Enver Hamiti, , Luan Ahma , Besfort Shala. Assessment of personal radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in specific indoor workplaces and possible worst-case scenarios. AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications. 70(6):808-813. Jun 2016. doi:10.1016/j.aeue.2016.03.007

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the electromagnetic field (ranging from 80 MHz to 6 GHz) exposure level at different locations over time in Prishtina, Kosovo, and develop possible worst-case exposure scenarios. We performed personal exposure measurement for persons working in the offices of some companies which are characterized by extensive use of wireless technologies. The measurements were recorded during working hours, after working hours and during the weekends. The results showed that the total mean power density value of the working day was 0.524 mW/m2. During the weekend, for the same exposure hours as working day, the mean power density value was 0.828 mW/m2. The total mean power density value has been just 0.676 mW/m2. Due to the usage of the DECT system, the total mean power density value of the work day was approximately 37% less when compared to the weekend. Based on the results obtained from our measurement campaign, we may conclude that the mean values of the power density for office environments in Kosovo are comparable with those of several European countries.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1434841116300760

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Mobile phone use and possible cancer risk: Current perspectives in India

Meena JK, Verma A, Kohli C, Ingle GK. Mobile phone use and possible cancer risk: Current perspectives in India. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2016 Jan-Apr;20(1):5-9.

Abstract

Mobile communication is now essentially ruling our daily lives through better connectivity and intelligent smartphone services. There has been a tremendous growth in Indian communication industry along with growing concerns regarding health effects of mobile radiation exposure. Concerns posed are especially regarding carcinogenesis and other health-related effects of mobile radiation exposure. In the effort to establish or refute any such concerns, many studies have been undertaken in the past three decades, mostly case-control designs or cross-sectional surveys. However, most of them considerably failed to establish causal association primarily owing to potential biases and errors in their conduct and analysis. Past cohort studies have provided contradictory results leading to continued uncertainty regarding tumorigenic potential of mobile radiation exposure. In India, there remains a huge knowledge gap pertaining to this particular topic and only few studies are presently underway such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) cell phone study in the National capital region (NCR). International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields associated with wireless phone use as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), causing major concerns worldwide among mobile companies and subscribers equivocally. The World Health Organization (WHO) is presently carrying formal risk assessment of all studied health outcomes from radio frequency field's exposures and is likely to publish it by the year 2016.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27390472

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Brain Topography of EMF-Induced EEG-Changes in Restful Wakefulness: Tracing Current Effects, Targeting Future Prospects

Gjoneska B, Markovska-Simoska S, Hinrikus H, Pop-Jordanova N, Pop-Jordanov J. Brain Topography of Emf-Induced Eeg-Changes in Restful Wakefulness: Tracing Current Effects, Targeting Future Prospects. Pril (Makedon Akad Nauk Umet Odd Med Nauki). 2015;36(3):103-12. doi: 10.1515/prilozi-2015-0085.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Covering a handful of decades but spanning across two centuries, mobile phones announced the dawn of the technological revolution, standing at the forefront as its' most prominent symbol. Over the course of their sovereign dominance, human generations born with the birth of the mobile phone reached the age of maturity, while scientific community started reaching for experience-based perceptivity.

AIM:  The following review serves as a short-cut across a half-decade old research gap, and a clear-cut analysis on the cutting-edge knowledge of the EMF induced EEG changes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The selection covers 28 articles about mobile phone effects on resting wakeful EEG in humans conducted over the last two decades, across three continents and 12 countries, of which 75% had positive findings.

CONCLUSIONS:  At present, the general protocol of a typical study includes investigations on adults (20-60 yrs) grouped in smaller samples and exposed to shorter intervals of GSM-like pulse-modulated signal (10-30 subjects/minutes). The assessment usually involves linear methods for quantitative analysis, while the results mostly revolve around posterior increase in alpha and beta frequency range. The qualitative variations, however, remain open to interpretation. Future research may benefit from multiplication of sub-specific studies leading to replication of more consistent results. The long-term and large-size epidemiologic studies, stratified by age and gender, may also improve the expected outcomes. Regarding the interpretation, non-linear methods could be employed for assessment of individual variations. The emphasis should be placed on theories/measures for better understanding of the subtle interplay between the spectral individualities and mobile phone radiation specifics.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27442403?dopt=Abstract

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Outdoor and indoor sources of residential radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and cognitive function in 5-6 years old children

Guxens M, Vermeulen R, van Eijsden M, Beekhuizen J, Vrijkotte TG, van Strien RT, Kromhout H, Huss A. Outdoor and indoor sources of residential radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and cognitive function in 5-6 years old children. Environ Res. 2016 Jun 24;150:364-374. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.021. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the exposure of young children to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and potentially associated health effects. We assessed the relationship between residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations, residential presence of indoor sources, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and children's cognitive function at 5-6 years of age.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study on children aged 5-6 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands (n=2354). Residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was estimated with a 3D geospatial radio wave propagation model. Residential presence of indoor sources (cordless phone base stations and Wi-Fi) and children's cell phone and cordless phone use was reported by the mother. Speed of information processing, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and visuomotor coordination was assessed using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks.

RESULTS: Residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources was associated with an improved speed of information processing. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations and presence of indoor sources was associated with an improved inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility whereas we observed a reduced inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility with higher personal cordless phone use. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was associated with a reduced visuomotor coordination whereas we observed an improved visuomotor coordination with residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources and higher personal cell phone use.

CONCLUSIONS: We found inconsistent associations between different sources of RF-EMF exposure and cognitive function in children aged 5-6 years.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27348251

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Effects of electromagnetic interference on the functional usage of medical equipment by 2G/3G/4G cellular phones: A review

Periyasamy M. Mariappan, Dhanasekaran R. Raghavan, Shady H.E. Abdel Aleem, Ahmed F. Zobac. Effects of electromagnetic interference on the functional usage of medical equipment by 2G/3G/4G cellular phones: A review. Journal of Advanced Research. Published online 7 May 2016. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2016.04.004.  

Abstract

There has been an increase in the potential use of wireless devices in healthcare domain for a variety of reasons. The most commonly used device is the cellular phone, which emits strong electromagnetic energy affecting thereby the functionality of the vital medical equipment such as ventilators, ECG monitors, cardiac monitors, and defibrillators. This prompted the healthcare concerns to restrict the use of these phones in the proximity of critical and non-critical care medical equipment. Due to the developments made in the design of medical equipment to comply with the EMC standards, the restriction had been slowly laid off. Still, the researchers are concerned about the electromagnetic interference with medical devices by cellular phones in the healthcare domain and recommend for conducting continuous research to study their interaction with medical equipment. This paper overviews the certain investigations carried out in the recent years to study the electromagnetic interference between medical devices and 2G/3G/4G LTE cellular phones. During the initial development of cellular phones, the 2G cellular phones had caused more interference that affects the function and operation of some medical devices. The possibility of interference from 3G cellular phones with medical devices was considerably lower than the 2G phones, but still exists. Furthermore, almost all of the 4G phones have little to no interference with the medical devices. Currently, with the development of the medical devices industry, the current medical devices are designed to operate safely under any conditions of usage. Finally, a careful analysis would require statistics on the frequency of adverse events across the healthcare system, which apparently do not exist.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123216300248

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Lasting hepatotoxic effects of prenatal mobile phone exposure

Yilmaz A, Tumkaya L, Akyildiz KA, Kalkan Y, Bodur AF, Sargin F, Efe H, Uydu HA, Yazici ZA. Lasting hepatotoxic effects of prenatal mobile phone exposure. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016 Jul 17:1-14. [Epub ahead of print].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the livers of rats born to mothers exposed to electromagnetic field (EMF) were examined 60 days postpartum for biochemical and histopathological changes.

METHODS: Pregnant rats were exposed to radiation (900 MHz EMF, 24 hours/day for 20 days) using a digital signal generator by placing the device centrally under the cage, which formed the study (EMF) group, while untreated matching rats served as controls. Livers and blood were obtained from litters (7 males and 7 females) of both groups 60 days after birth, which were used for biochemical and histopathological analyses.

RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0 a="" accompanied="" alanine="" aminotransferase="" and="" aspartate="" by="" cytoplasmic="" degeneration="" emf="" eosinophilic="" fall="" fibrosis.="" font="" glutathione="" group="" hepatocytes="" histopathologically="" in="" increased="" intense="" levels="" liver.="" liver="" nuclei="" of="" p="" pyknotic="" sections="" serum="" showed="" significant="" significantly="" structures="" that="" the="" was="" were="" with="">

CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the intrauterine harmful effects of EMF on the livers of rats persist into adulthood.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27427155?dopt=Abstract

Recent studies of the effects of prenatal exposure to wireless radiation: http://www.saferemr.com/2014/06/joint-statement-on-pregnancy-and.html

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Pernicious effects of 900-MHz electromagnetic field throughout adolescence on hippocampus of 60-day-old male rats

Kerimoğlu G, Hancı H, Baş O, Aslan A, Erol HS, Turgut A, Kaya H, Çankaya S, Sönmez OF, Odacı E. Pernicious effects of long-term, continuous 900-MHz electromagnetic field throughout adolescence on hippocampus morphology, biochemistry and pyramidal neuron numbers in 60-day-old Sprague Dawley male rats. J Chem Neuroanat. 2016 Jul 15. pii: S0891-0618(16)30075-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.07.004. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) begins developing in the intrauterine period, a process that continues until adulthood. Contact with chemical substances, drugs or environmental agents such as electromagnetic field (EMF) during adolescence therefore has the potential to disturb the development of the morphological architecture of components of the CNS (such as the hippocampus). The hippocampus is essential to such diverse functions as memory acquisition and integration and spatial maneuvering. EMF can result in severe damage to both the morphology of the hippocampus and its principal functions during adolescence. Although children and adolescents undergo greater exposure to EMF than adults, the information currently available regarding the effects of exposure to EMF during this period is as yet insufficient. This study investigated the 60-day-old male rat hippocampus following exposure to 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF throughout the adolescent period using stereological, histopathological and biochemical analysis techniques. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley rats aged 21days were assigned into control, sham and EMF groups on a random basis. No procedure was performed on the control group rats. The EMF group (EMFGr) was exposed to a 900-MHz EMF for 1hour daily from beginning to end of adolescence. The sham group rats were held in the EMF cage but were not exposed to EMF. All rats were sacrificed at 60days of age. Their brains were extracted and halved. The left hemispheres were set aside for biochemical analyses and the right hemispheres were subjected to stereological and histopathological evaluation. Histopathological examination revealed increased numbers of pyknotic neurons with black or dark blue cytoplasm on EMFGr slides stained with cresyl violet. Stereological analyses revealed fewer pyramidal neurons in EMFGr than in the other two groups. Biochemical analyses showed an increase in malondialdehyde and glutathione levels, but a decrease in catalase levels in EMFGr. Our results indicate that oxidative stress-related morphological damage and pyramidal neuron loss may be observed in the rat hippocampus following exposure to 900-MHz EMF throughout the adolescent period.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27430379?dopt=Abstract

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1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in mice

Son Y, Jeong YJ, Kwon JH, Choi HD, Pack JK, Kim N, Lee YS, Lee HJ. 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice. Bioelectromagnetics. 2016 Jul 19. doi: 10.1002/bem.21992. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

The increased use of mobile phones has generated public concern about the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on health. In the present study, we investigated whether RF-EMFs induce molecular changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and amyloid beta (Aβ)-related memory impairment in the 5xFAD mouse, which is a widely used amyloid animal model. The 5xFAD mice at the age of 1.5 months were assigned to two groups (RF-EMF- and sham-exposed groups, eight mice per group). The RF-EMF group was placed in a reverberation chamber and exposed to 1950 MHz electromagnetic fields for 3 months (SAR 5 W/kg, 2 h/day, 5 days/week). The Y-maze, Morris water maze, and novel object recognition memory test were used to evaluate spatial and non-spatial memory following 3-month RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, Aβ deposition and APP and carboxyl-terminal fragment β (CTFβ) levels were evaluated in the hippocampus and cortex of 5xFAD mice, and plasma levels of Aβ peptides were also investigated. In behavioral tests, mice that were exposed to RF-EMF for 3 months did not exhibit differences in spatial and non-spatial memory compared to the sham-exposed group, and no apparent change was evident in locomotor activity. Consistent with behavioral data, RF-EMF did not alter APP and CTFβ levels or Aβ deposition in the brains of the 5xFAD mice. These findings indicate that 3-month RF-EMF exposure did not affect Aβ-related memory impairment or Aβ accumulation in the 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease model.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27434853

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The effect of DECT cordless phone radiation on cultivated plants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Aikaterina L. Stefia, Lukas H. Margaritisb, Nikolaos S. Christodoulakis. The effect of the non ionizing radiation on cultivated plants of Arabidopsis thaliana (Col.). Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants. 223:114-120. Aug 2016.

Highlights

• Arabidopsis thaliana plants grow under long term microwave radiation.
• Minor structural changes observed.
• Chloroplast number affected.
• Photosynthetic pigment content affected.
• Total biomass reduced.

Abstract

A series of experiments was carried out to investigate any structural or biochemical alterations on Arabidopsis thaliana (Col.) plants after a long term exposure to non-ionizing radiation emitted from the base unit of a cordless DECT system. Exposed plants, compared to their control counterparts, seem to be affected concerning their biomass and leaf structure. Their leaves are thinner and possess fewer chloroplasts. SEM observations of the exposed leaves reveal that the only feature affected is the pubescence which almost disappears while TEM investigation revealed minor structural effects in the chloroplasts. The reduction in the number of chloroplasts as well as the decrease of stroma thylakoids and photosynthetic pigments are probably the main reasons for a weak photosynthetic potential and a consequent reduction of the biomass production.

Conclusion

Long term exposure to non-ionizing radiation at the microwave band, has an effect that can be considered as rather serious for this model plant. The reduction in the number of chloroplasts as well as the decrease of stroma thylakoids and the photosynthetic pigments, result in a weak photosynthetic potential and a consequent reduction of the primary productivity.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367253016300780

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Effects of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Conduction and Concentration of Voltage Gated Calcium Channels: A Brownian Dynamics Study

Tekieh T, Sasanpour P, RafiiTabar H. Effects of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Conduction and Concentration of Voltage Gated Calcium Channels: A Brownian Dynamics Study. Brain Res. 2016 Jun 23. pii: S0006-8993(16)30458-9. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.06.034. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

A three dimensional Brownian Dynamics (BD) in combination with electrostatic calculations is employed to specifically study the effects of radiation of high frequency electromagnetic fields on the conduction and concentration profile of calcium ions inside the voltage-gated calcium channels. The electrostatic calculations are performed using COMSOL Multiphysics considering dielectric interfaces effectively. The simulations are performed for different frequencies and intensities. The simulation results show the variations of conductance, average number of ions and the concentration profiles of ions inside the channels in response to high frequency radiation. The ionic current inside the channel increases in response to high frequency electromagnetic field radiation, and the concentration profiles show that the residency of ions in the channel decreases accordingly.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27346366

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Analysis of electromagnetic field effect on cell plasma membrane potential

Krutakova M, Matakova T, Halasova E, Sarlinova M, Spanik P, Janousek L. Analysis of electromagnetic field effect on cell plasma membrane potential. IEEEXplore. 547-550. 2016.

Abstract

Electromagnetic field has shown a wide spectrum of biological effects on living cells and tissues. The level of electromagnetic smog is currently increasing in wide spectral area. The spectrum of radiation of interfering signals and power spectral characteristic of electromagnetic signals is changing. There are new sources in the area 50 kHz – 300 kHz (home electronics and appliances) and the level of radiation increases in the area over 1 GHz (mobile services, Wi-Fi and satellite services). The object of this study is to determine how electromagnetic field affects the cell itself, and how its action can change the electrical properties of the cell. It was found out that the electric potential on both sides of the membrane varies under the influence of the electromagnetic field, and its value increases with the increasing frequency. 

Conclusion

It can be concluded that electromagnetic field with frequencies from 50 Hz to 500 Hz can influence the electrical potentials on the cell membrane, which can change the voltage of the cell resting membrane. We consider, that application of external low frequency electromagnetic field could affect gating of ion channels, which leads to ion concentration changes and thus to change of resting membrane potential.

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=7512136

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New theoretical model for transmembrane potential and ion currents induced in a spherical cell under low frequency electromagnetic field

Zheng, Y., Gao, Y., Chen, R., Wang, H., Dong, L. and Dou, J. (2016), A new theoretical model for transmembrane potential and ion currents induced in a spherical cell under low frequency electromagnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics. doi: 10.1002/bem.21993.

Time-varying electromagnetic fields (EMF) can induce some physiological effects in neuronal tissues, which have been explored in many applications such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. Although transmembrane potentials and induced currents have already been the subjects of many theoretical studies, most previous works about this topic are mainly completed by utilizing Maxwell's equations, often by solving a Laplace equation. In previous studies, cells were often considered to be three-compartment models with different electroconductivities in different regions (three compartments are often intracellular regions, membrane, and extracellular regions). However, models like that did not take dynamic ion channels into consideration. Therefore, one cannot obtain concrete ionic current changes such as potassium current change or sodium current change by these models. The aim of the present work is to present a new and more detailed model for calculating transmembrane potentials and ionic currents induced by time-varying EMF. Equations used in the present paper originate from Nernst-Plank equations, which are ionic current-related equations. The main work is to calculate ionic current changes induced by EMF exposure, and then transmembrane potential changes are calculated with Hodgkin-Huxley model.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bem.21993/abstract

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Magnetic fields, radicals and cellular activity

Ryan D. Montoya. Magnetic fields, radicals and cellular activity. Electromagnetic Biology Medicine. Publ online Jul 11, 2016.

Abstract

Some effects of low-intensity magnetic fields on the concentration of radicals and their influence on cellular functions are reviewed. These fields have been implicated as a potential modulator of radical recombination rates. Experimental evidence has revealed a tight coupling between cellular function and radical pair chemistry from signaling pathways to damaging oxidative processes. The effects of externally applied magnetic fields on biological systems have been extensively studied, and the observed effects lack sufficient mechanistic understanding. Radical pair chemistry offers a reasonable explanation for some of the molecular effects of low-intensity magnetic fields, and changes in radical concentrations have been observed to modulate specific cellular functions. Applied external magnetic fields have been shown to induce observable cellular changes such as both inhibiting and accelerating cell growth. These and other mechanisms, such as cell membrane potential modulation, are of great interest in cancer research due to the variations between healthy and deleterious cells. Radical concentrations demonstrate similar variations and are indicative of a possible causal relationship. Radicals, therefore, present a possible mechanism for the modulation of cellular functions such as growth or regression by means of applied external magnetic fields.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15368378.2016.1194291

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Evaluation of cell viability, DNA single-strand breaks, and nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW264 exposed to a 50-Hz magnetic field

Nakayama M, Nakamura A, Hondou T, Miyata H. Evaluation of cell viability, DNA single-strand breaks, and nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW264 exposed to a 50-Hz magnetic field. Int J Radiat Biol. 2016 Jul 19:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

PURPOSE: Synergistic effects between cellular oxidative stress and magnetic fields may explain the adverse biological effects of 50/60 Hz magnetic fields. To determine whether this hypothesis holds in macrophage RAW264 cells, we measured DNA single-strand breaks (SSB), cell viability, and nitric oxide (NO) production in cells with or without exposure to 0.5-mT, 50-Hz magnetic fields for 24 h and with or without simultaneous stimulation via the bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Macrophages stimulated with 10 ng/ml LPS for 1 h were exposed to or not exposed to a magnetic field and were then subjected to (1) the alkaline comet assay to measure SSBs, (2) trypan-blue exclusion assay for cell viability, and (3) measurements of NO for evaluation of oxidative stress.

RESULTS: The 50-Hz magnetic field enhanced DNA SSB and decreased cell viability only in the LPS-stimulated macrophages in which NO production was greatly enhanced. The magnetic field alone did not alter NO production.

CONCLUSION: Co-stimulation of the cell with LPS and a 50-Hz magnetic field promoted SSB and lowered cell viability, but these were not mediated by LPS-induced NO production.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27430265?dopt=Abstract

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Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

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