Thermal and non-thermal health effects of low intensity non-ionizing radiation: An international perspective

Abstract

Exposure to low frequency and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at low intensities poses a significant health hazard that has not been adequately addressed by national and international organizations such as the World Health Organization. There is strong evidence that excessive exposure to mobile phone-frequencies over long periods of time increases the risk of brain cancer both in humans and animals. The mechanism(s) responsible include induction of reactive oxygen species, gene expression alteration and DNA damage through both epigenetic and genetic processes. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate adverse effects on male and female reproduction, almost certainly due to generation of reactive oxygen species. There is increasing evidence the exposures can result in neurobehavioral decrements and that some individuals develop a syndrome of "electro-hypersensitivity" or "microwave illness", which is one of several syndromes commonly categorized as "idiopathic environmental intolerance". While the symptoms are non-specific, new biochemical indicators and imaging techniques allow diagnosis that excludes the symptoms as being only psychosomatic. Unfortunately standards set by most national and international bodies are not protective of human health. This is a particular concern in children, given the rapid expansion of use of wireless technologies, the greater susceptibility of the developing nervous system, the hyperconductivity of their brain tissue, the greater penetration of radiofrequency radiation relative to head size and their potential for a longer lifetime exposure.

Environmental radiofrequency radiation at the Järntorget Square in Stockholm Old Town, Sweden in May, 2018 compared with results on brain and heart tumour risks in rats exposed to 1.8 GHz base station environmental emissions

“…There was some evidence of an increased risk of thyroid cancer, and clear evidence that RF radiation is a multi-site carcinogen (14). These results are similar to those found in human epidemiological studies, as reviewed elsewhere (7,15,16).…”

“…In spite of that evaluation, little or mostly nothing has been done to inform and protect the population from RF radiation (3,4). On the contrary, human exposure has increased rapidly in recent years and will increase substantially with the introduction of the fifth generation (5G) for wireless communication (5)(6)(7).…”

Hybrid ARIMA and Neural Network Modelling Applied to Telecommunications in Urban Environments in the Amazon Region

“…In the meantime, people are being continuously exposed to NIR in their own homes/ offices. is subject is still under discussion and has led to various approaches, such as in [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Hamiti et al [1] describe a study of exposure to NIR involving multiple frequencies in the city of Prishtina.…”

“…Bernhardt [3] addresses general subjects related to NIR. Belpomme et al [4] examine some of the expected effects of long-term exposure to NIR. Kuzniar et al [5] conduct a study of the biological effects of short-term exposure to NIR with three frequencies (50 Hz, 2.1 GHz, and 5.8 GHz) in mammalian cells.…”

Investigation of the Effects of Radio Frequency Water Treatment on Some Characteristics of Growth in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) Plants

“…Electromagnetic radiation, particularly radiation emitted from routers, affects all living systems and influences cells, tissues and organs in several ways [9] [10] [11]. They affect, for example, mammals [12]- [17], fruit flies [18], ticks [19] amphibians [20] [21] [22], ants [23], birds [24], honey bees [25] [26] [27] and protozoa [28] [29].…”