Influence of a Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Cardiovascular and Hormonal Parameters of the Autonomic Nervous System in Healthy Individuals

117

Studies have evaluated the electroencephalography (EEG) of humans and laboratory animals during and after Radiofrequency (RF) exposures. Effects of RF exposure on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) have been generally accepted for exposures that are thermalizing. Low level exposures that report alterations of the BBB remain controversial. Exposure to high levels of RF energy can damage the structure and function of the nervous system. Much research has focused on the neurochemistry of the brain and the reported effects of RF exposure. Research with isolated brain tissue has provided new results that do not seem to rely on thermal mechanisms. Studies of individuals who are reported to be sensitive to electric and magnetic fields are discussed. In this review of the literature, it is difficult to draw conclusions concerning hazards to human health. The many exposure parameters such as frequency, orientation, modulation, power density, and duration of exposure make direct comparison of many experiments difficult. At high exposure power densities, thermal effects are prevalent and can lead to adverse consequences. At lower levels of exposure biological effects may still occur but thermal mechanisms are not ruled out. It is concluded that the diverse methods and experimental designs as well as lack of replication of many seemingly important studies prevents formation of definite conclusions concerning hazardous nervous system health effects from RF exposure. The only firm conclusion that may be drawn is the potential for hazardous thermal consequences of high power RF exposure.

Section: Electroencephalography and Evoked Responsessupporting

confidence: 77%

Microwave effects on the nervous system

D'Andrea

Chou

Johnston³

et al. 2003

117

“…An exception to this absence of cardiovascular effect may be in the case of exposure to UWB band RFEMF. Recent human experimental studies have produced equivocal results regarding RFEMF exposure and measured blood pressure in normal human experimental studies, but the most recent publication has neither demonstrated nor confirmed any effect [Braune et al, 2002]. However, in all considerations of possible effects of RFEMF on homeostasis and regulatory systems, the possibility of interaction or interference with the mechanism on which a therapeutic process depends must be considered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Any such effect could be clinically important but has not yet been studied. However, studies of possible effects of RFEMF exposure on blood pressure do not show any relationship [Braune et al, 1998[Braune et al, , 2002.…”

Section: Renal Hormonesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Radiofrequency (RF) effects on blood cells, cardiac, endocrine, and immunological functions

Black

Heynick

2003

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RFEMF) on the pituitary adrenocortical (ACTH), growth (GH), and thyroid (TSH) hormones have been extensively studied, and there is coherent research on reproductive hormones (FSH and LH). Those effects which have been identified are clearly caused by heating. The exposure thresholds for these effects in living mammals, including primates, have been established. There is limited evidence that indicates no interaction between RFEMF and the pineal gland or an effect on prolactin from the pituitary gland. Studies of RFEMF exposed blood cells have shown that changes or damage do not occur unless the cells are heated. White cells (leukocytes) are much more sensitive than red cells (erythrocytes) but white cell effects remain consistent with normal physiological responses to systemic temperature fluctuation. Lifetime studies of RFEMF exposed animals show no cumulative adverse effects in their endocrine, hematological, or immune systems. Cardiovascular tissue is not directly affected adversely in the absence of significant RFEMF heating or electric currents. The regulation of blood pressure is not influenced by ultra high frequency (UHF) RFEMF at levels commonly encountered in the use of mobile communication devices. Bioelectromagnetics Supplement 6:S187-S195,

“…GSM-like RFR effects in vivo have been studied in experimental animals, mostly by applying frequencies and conditions considered to affect humans [Brusick et al, 1998 {rev};Heikkinen et al, 2001;Mausset et al, 2001;Bartsch et al, 2002;Braune et al, 2002;Di Carlo et al, 2002;Testylier et al, 2002]. Based on the different resonant frequencies of humans and rats (1 vs. 10) [Thuery, 1992], the application of fields between 0.8 and 3 GHz on rat experimental models reflects the exposure of human organisms to 80 and 300 MHz, which is far below GSM-like RFR.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bone morphogenetic protein expression in newborn rat kidneys after prenatal exposure to radiofrequency radiation

Pyrpasopoulou

Kotoula

Cheva

et al. 2004

Effects of nonthermal radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of the global system of mobile communication (GSM) cellular phones have been as yet mostly studied at the molecular level in the context of cellular stress and proliferation, as well as neurotransmitter production and localization. In this study, a simulation model was designed for the exposure of pregnant rats to pulsed GSM-like RFR (9.4 GHz), based on the different resonant frequencies of man and rat. The power density applied was 5 mW/cm 2 , in order to avoid thermal electromagnetic effects as much as possible. Pregnant rats were exposed to RFR during days 1-3 postcoitum (p.c.) (embryogenesis, pre-implantation) and days 4-7 p.c. (early organogenesis, peri-implantation). Relative expression and localization of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and their receptors (BMPR), members of a molecular family currently considered as major endocrine and autocrine morphogens and known to be involved in renal development, were investigated in newborn kidneys from RFR exposed and sham irradiated (control) rats. Semiquantitative duplex RT-PCR for BMP-4, -7, BMPR-IA, -IB, and -II showed increased BMP-4 and BMPR-IA, and decreased BMPR-II relative expression in newborn kidneys. These changes were statistically significant for BMP-4, BMPR-IA, and -II after exposure on days 1-3 p.c. (P <.001 each), and for BMP-4 and BMPR-IA after exposure on days 4-7 p.c. (P <.001 and P ¼.005, respectively). Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH) showed aberrant expression and localization of these molecules at the histological level. Our findings suggest that GSM-like RFR interferes with gene expression during early gestation and results in aberrations of BMP expression in the newborn. These molecular changes do not appear to affect renal organogenesis and may reflect a delay in the development of this organ. The differences of relative BMP expression after different time periods of exposure indicate the importance of timing for GSM-like RFR effects on embryonic development.