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Problems in assessment of risks from exposures to microwaves of mobile communication

Problems in assessment of risks from exposures to microwaves of mobile communication. Igor Belyaev. Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden , Cancer Research Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia, Institute of General Physics, Russian Academy of Science , Moscow, Russia.

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Problems in assessment of risks from exposures to microwaves of mobile communication

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  1. Problems in assessment of risks fromexposures to microwaves of mobile communication Igor Belyaev Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, Cancer Research Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia, Institute of General Physics, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia First Hellenic Congress on the Effects of non-ionizing radiation, with international participation, 24-25 May, 2008, Thessaloniki, Greece

  2. Electromagnetic exposures vary in many aspects: • power (intensity, incident power density - thermal effects ) • wavelength/frequency • near field/far field • overall duration of exposure (continuous, interrupted), acute and chronic exposures • polarization (linear, circular) • continues wave (CW) and pulsed fields (pulse repetition rate, pulse width or duty cycle, pulse shape, pulse to average power, etc.) • modulation (amplitude, frequency, phase, complex) • static magnetic field at the place of exposure? • Electromagnetic stray field? All these parameters can affect biological effectiveness of exposure to non-thermal microwaves

  3. microwave (MW) exposure safety standards • Exposure to microwaves that do not heat biological tissues are accepted as safe regardless the duration of exposure according to the current international safety standards (ICNIRP). • National safety standards significantly, up to 1000 times, vary between countries • Why?

  4. Many groups all over the world described various adverse effects of non-thermal microwaves (well below the ICNIRP(International Commission for Non-Ionizing radiation protection)restrictions based on thermal effects) • Laboratory in vitro and in vivo studies • Hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields • Epidemiological (cancer) studies

  5. Non-thermal effects of microwaves depend on several physical parameters and biological variables Physical variables: carrier frequency, modulation, polarization, electromagnetic stray field, intermittence and duration of exposure. Physiological conditions during exposure such as presence of radical scavengers/antioxidants, pH, oxygen, temperature. Cell type, phase of cell cycle, genotype, gender, individual response...

  6. While 32 % of availale experimantal studies report no non-thermal biological effects of microwaves,68% do report effects (Huss et al., 2007) • differences in physical and biological parameters and variables between studies might be a simple reason for different outcomes

  7. Studies funded exclusively by industry were least likely to report a statistically significant result (Huss et al., 2007) „The interpretation of results from studies of health effects of microwaves from mobile communucation should take source of funding into account“. Huss, A., M. Egger, K. Hug, K. Huwiler-Müntener, and M. Röösli, 2007, Source of Funding and Results of Studies of Health Effects of Mobile Phone Use: Systematic Review of Experimental Studies: Environmental Health Perspectives, v. 115, p. 1–4.

  8. Several studies reported that non-thermal microwaves either induced genotoxic single- and double-strand DNA breaks or inhibited DNA repair (comet assay orAVTD (1-4)) 1. I. Y. Belyaev, Y. D. Alipov, V. S. Shcheglov and V. N. Lystsov. Resonance effect of microwaves on the genome conformational state of E. coli cells. Z Naturforsch [C]47, 621-627 (1992). 2. E. Diem, C. Schwarz, F. Adlkofer, O. Jahn and H. Rudiger. Non-thermal DNA breakage by mobile-phone radiation (1800 MHz) in human fibroblasts and in transformed GFSH-R17 rat granulosa cells in vitro. Mutat Res583, 178-183 (2005). 3. H. Lai and N. P. Singh. Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Int J Radiat Biol69, 513-521 (1996). 4. C. Schwarz, E. Kratochvil, A. Pilger, N. Kuster, F. Adlkofer and H. W. Rudiger. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS, 1,950 MHz) induce genotoxic effects in vitro in human fibroblasts but not in lymphocytes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health81, 755-767 (2008).

  9. Neutral comet assay similar to anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD) measures relaxation and condensation of DNA loops regardless DSB induction Control EtBr, 2 mg/ml, condensation EtBr, 50 g/ml relaxation I. Y. Belyaev, S. Eriksson, J. Nygren, J. Torudd, and M. Harms-Ringdahl, Biochim Biophys Acta, vol. 1428, pp. 348-356, 1999

  10. Molecular markers such as 53BP1 and -H2AX, – ultimate method to sudy DSBs. DNA repair foci VH-10 cells irradiated with gamma-rays

  11. We tested whether thereal signals used in mobile communication induce DSBs • GSM 900 (Global System for Mobile Communication) mobile phones • UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) mobile phones of the 3rd generation as used in Europe

  12. GSM and UMTS signals significantly differ in respect to modulation GSM: GMSK modulation (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) UMTS:W-CDMA (3G)uses essentially QPSK modulation

  13. GSM and UMTS signals significantly differ in respect to frequency There are 124 different channels/frequencies, which are used in GSM900 (Global System for Mobile Communication). They differ by 0.2 MHz in the frequency range between 890 MHz and 915 MHz. Frequency is supplied to a mobile phone user by base station depending on the number of connected users. GSM users are exposed to relatively monochromatic signals at various frequencies.

  14. UMTS versus GSM Contrary to GSM phones, UMTSmobile phones of the 3rd generation irradiate wide-band signal.

  15. Microwave exposure using test-mobile phone Directional coupler Circulator TEM- cell Connected to an power meter Dummy Load Test phone Dummy Load The test-mobile phone is programmed to choose the GSM frequency or UMTS band, and 0.25 W output power. This power was kept constant during exposure as monitored on-line using a power meter (Bird model 43). SAR was within 40 mW/kg. The SAR-value was determined both by measurements and by calculations using the finite different time domain (FDTD)-method.

  16. Distribution of specific absorption rate 5 ml sample 0.5 mlsample

  17. Microwaves exposure inhibited formation of DNA-repair foci in human lymphocytes (white blood cells) 915 MHz 410C Control 905 MHz Formation of 53BP1 foci(stained in green) after 1-h exposure of human lymphocytes (counterstained in blue) with MWs and heat shock.

  18. Inhibitory effects of 915 MHz GSM and UMTS on DNA repair foci formation remain 72 h after exposure to MWs 2 Control 50 Hz 53BP1, 72h H2AX, 72h 10 donors foci/cell 1 915 MHz 410C 0 37oC, sham 905 MHz 915 MHz 41oC UMTS

  19. Inhibition of 53BP1 foci in human fibroblasts (skin cells) by 1-3 h exposure to 915 MHz GSM, 1947 MHz UMTS (no effect at 905 MHz GSM) Control 50 Hz 915 MHz 410C

  20. Inhibition of 53BP1 foci in human stem cells by 1-3 h mw-exposure to 915 MHz GSM, 1947 MHz UMTS and heat shock (no statistically significant effect at 905 MHz GSM) Control 50 Hz 915 MHz 410C

  21. EFFECTS OF GSM AND UMTS MWs ON HUMAN CELLS Frequency-dependent effects of non-thermal microwaves from GSM mobile phone on the DNA repair 53BP1/-H2AX foci in human cells were observed. These persistent effects indicate severe stress response and disruption of the balance between cellular repair systems and DNA damage. Importantly, the same GSM frequency (915 MHz) affected all tested cell types: lymphocytes, fibroblasts and stem cells, while another frequency (905 MHz) did not affect all cell types. Our data encourage identification of those frequency channels/bands for mobile communication, which do not affect human cells and may be used for safe mobile communication. Belyaev IY, Hillert L, Protopopova M, Tamm C, Malmgren LO, Persson BRR, Selivanova G, Harms-Ringdahl M. 2005. 915 MHz microwaves and 50 Hz magnetic field affect chromatin conformation and 53BP1 foci in human lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy persons. Bioelectromagnetics 26(3):173-184. Markova E, Hillert L, Malmgren LOG, Persson BRR, Belyaev I. 2005. GSM microwaves affect 53BP1 and gamma-H2AX foci in human lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy persons dependent on carrier frequency. Environmental and Health Perspective doi:10.1289/ehp.7561 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 28 April 2005] http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/7561/abstract.html. Sarimov R, Malmgren LOG, Markova E, Persson BRR, Belyaev IY. 2004. Non-thermal GSM microwaves affect chromatin conformation in human lymphocytes similar to heat shock. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science 32(4):1600-1608.

  22. Results with stem cells may be especially important because different cancer types (tumors and leukemia) may originate from stem cells by well-known genetic and recently suggested epigenetic changes in stem cells Feinberg AP et al. (2005) The epigenetic progenitor origin of human cancer Nat Rev gene.7: 21–33 doi:10.1038/nri1748

  23. Dataof10 available epidemiological studies give a consistent pattern of an increased brain cancer risk (acoustic neuroma and ipsilateralglioma) for people who use mobile phones for > 10 years L. Hardell, M. Carlberg, F. Soderqvist and K. Hansson Mild. Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours. Int J Oncol32, 1097-1103 (2008). Some studies indicated associations of cancer risks with exposure to microwaves from variouse types of mobile phones including wireless DECT phones even at < 10 years Hardell, L., M. Carlberg, and K. Hansson Mild, 2006a, Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003: Int J Oncol, v. 28, p. 509-518. Hardell, L., M. Carlberg, and K. Hansson Mild, 2006b, Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk for malignant brain tumours diagnosed in 1997-2003: Int Arch Occup Environ Health. Hardell, L., M. Carlberg, and K. H. Mild, 2006c, Case-control study of the association between the use of cellular and cordless telephones and malignant brain tumors diagnosed during 2000-2003: Environ Res, v. 100, p. 232-41. Hardell, L., M. Eriksson, M. Carlberg, C. Sundstrцm, and K. Hansson Mild, 2005, Use of cellular or cordless telephones and the risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Int Arch Occup Environ Health, v. DOI 10.1007/s00420-005-0003-5. Hardell, L., and K. Hansson Mild, 2005, Mobile phone use and acoustic neuromas: Epidemiology, v. 16, p. 415; author reply 417-418.

  24. Only three studies are available on effects of prolonged MW-exposure from base stations and cancer. These studies indicate association of exposure with increased risk for different kinds of cancer, OR=2-4. The incidence was particularly pronounced for breast and brain tumors 1.H. Eger, K. U. Hagen, B. Lucas, P. Vogel and H. Voit. Einfluss der raumlichen Nahe von Mobilfunksendeanlagen auf die Krebsinzidenz. Umwelt·Medizin·Gesellschaft17, 326-332 (2004). 2.G. Oberfeld. Environmental Epidemiological Study of Cancer Incidence in the Municipalities of Hausmannstätten & Vasoldsberg (Austria). Salzburg (Austria): Provincial Government of Styria, Department 8B, Provincial Public Health Office, Graz (Austria); 2008. 3.R. Wolf and D. Wolf. Increased incidence of cancer near a cell-phone transmitter station. International Journal of Cancer Prevention1, 121-128 (2004).

  25. Comments on interpretation of epidemiological cancer studies • It is almost impossible to select control unexposed groups because whole population in industrial countries is exposed to wide range of MW signals from various sources such as base stations/masts, WILAN (Wireless Local Area Networks), WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Networks such as Bluetooth) wireless DECT phones and given that duration of exposure (must be at least 10 years for cancer studies) is very important for adverse health effects of non-thermal MWs. Subjective definition of the control-unexposed groups is a typical flow in epidemiological studies. At this point, epidemiological studies may significantlyunderestimate the risks of using specific MW signals.

  26. Comments on urgent needs and perspective • Because non-thermal MWs affect adversely cells of various types including blood cells, skin fibroblasts, stem cells, and reproductive organs, various adverse health effects including cancer of different types should be anticipated. • Development of safe mobile communication: Identification of those types and frequency channels/bands for mobile communication, which do not affect human cells. • Possibilities to minimize the adverse effects of non-thermal MWs using various approaches should be studied. • Numerous data on the non-thermal MW effects clearly indicate that the SAR-concept adopted by the ICNIRP cannot underlie the safety guidelines for chronic exposures to MWs from mobile communication. Other approaches are needed.

  27. Comments on urgent needs and perspective: • To inform people regarding the evidence for biological effects of non-thermal MWs from mobile communication, lack of comprehensive scientific knowledge to establish relevant safety standards for MW chronic exposures • To reduce usage of mobile communication (such as number and duration of calls) and prohibit usage of new sources of MW unless these new signals have not been tested in specially designed experiments. • Hypersensitive to EMF people, pregnant women and children may represent most sensitive groups to non-thermal MW exposure from mobile telephony. Creation of zones that are free of mobile communication should be considered. Precautionary principle should be taken while erecting base stations in vicinity of schools and kinder gardens.

  28. Russian national committee on non-ionizing radiation protection, RCNIRP: Children and mobile phones:the health of the following generations is in danger ...Potential risk for the children’s health is very high... .. risk is not much lower than the risk to the children’s health from tobacco or alcohol... ...ultimate urgency to defend children’s health from the influence of the EMF of the mobile communication systems...

  29. Bertil_R.Persson@med.lu.se ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ Thank you Tack Спасибо Ďakujem 谢谢

  30. Are we going to drown in microwaves from wireless mobile communication??? Bertil.Persson@radfys.lu.se 30

  31. Inhibition of foci immediately after 1 h exposure to 915 MHz GSM, UMTS and heat shock. No effect at 905 MHz GSM 2 Control 50 Hz 53BP1, 0h H2AX, 0h 10 donors foci/cell 1 915 MHz 410C 0 37oC, sham 905 MHz 915 MHz 41oC UMTS

  32. Microwaves affect cells of different types including brain cells, blood cells, skin cells and stem cells [1-4]. [1] S. Pacini, M. Ruggiero, I. Sardi, S. Aterini, F. Gulisano, and M. Gulisano, "Exposure to global system for mobile communication (GSM) cellular phone radiofrequency alters gene expression, proliferation, and morphology of human skin fibroblasts," Oncol Res, vol. 13, pp. 19-24, 2002. [2] G. d'Ambrosio, R. Massa, M. R. Scarfi, and O. Zeni, "Cytogenetic damage in human lymphocytes following GMSK phase modulated microwave exposure," Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 23, pp. 7-13, 2002. [3] L. G. Salford, A. E. Brun, J. L. Eberhardt, L. Malmgren, and B. R. R. Persson, "Nerve cell damage in mammalian brain after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones," Environmental Health Perspectives., vol. 111, pp. 881-883, 2003. [4] T. Nikolova, J. Czyz, A. Rolletschek, P. Blyszczuk, J. Fuchs, G. Jovtchev, J. Schuderer, N. Kuster, and A. M. Wobus, "Electromagnetic fields affect transcript levels of apoptosis-related genes in embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells," Faseb J, 2005.

  33. Thank you!

  34. Exponerings kammare sk TEM celler Bertil.Persson@radfys.lu.se

  35. CONCLUSIONS • Microwaves from UMTS and GSM mobile phones inhibit formation of DNA-repair foci in human primary cells of different types: lymphocytes, fibroblasts and stem cells. These persistent effects suggest severe stress response and disruption of the balance between cellular repair systems and DNA damage. • Stem cells were most sensitive to microwaves from mobile phones, that may provide a mechanistic link to recent indications for correlation between mobile phone usage and cancer and for higher cancer risk for children. • Importantly, the same GSM frequency (915 MHz) affected all tested cell types, while another frequency (905 MHz) did not affect them. Our data encourage identification of those frequency channels/bands for mobile communication, which do not affect human cells.

  36. Studies performed in collaboration of Cancer Reserch Institute, Bratislava, and Stockholm University Microwaves from GSM/UMTS mobile phones on DNA repair in human cells were observed. Stem cells were most sensitive to microwaves from mobile phones, that may provide a mechanistic link to recent indications for correlation between mobile phone usage and cancer. Importantly, effects were frequency-dependent, some GSM/UMTS frequency channels affected all tested cell types, blood cells, skin cells and stem cells, while another frequency did not affect cells.Our data encourage possible identification of those frequency channels/bands for mobile communication, which do not affect human cells. Belyaev IY, Hillert L, Protopopova M, Tamm C, Malmgren LO, Persson BRR, Selivanova G, Harms-Ringdahl M. 2005. 915 MHz microwaves and 50 Hz magnetic field affect chromatin conformation and 53BP1 foci in human lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy persons. Bioelectromagnetics 26(3):173-184. Markova E, Hillert L, Malmgren LOG, Persson BRR, Belyaev I. 2005. GSM microwaves affect 53BP1 and gamma-H2AX foci in human lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy persons dependent on carrier frequency. Environmental and Health Perspective doi:10.1289/ehp.7561 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 28 April 2005] http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2005/7561/abstract.html. Sarimov R, Malmgren LOG, Markova E, Persson BRR, Belyaev IY. 2004. Non-thermal GSM microwaves affect chromatin conformation in human lymphocytes similar to heat shock. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science 32(4):1600-1608.

  37. Figure 2 The epigenetic progenitor model of cancer. Feinberg AP et al. (2005) The epigenetic progenitor origin of human cancer Nat Rev gene.7: 21–33 doi:10.1038/nri1748

  38. Many groups all over the world described various non-thermal biological responses to microwaves (MW) including cancer-related effects. Reviews: [1] H. Lai, "Biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field," in Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, G. E. Wnek and G. L. Bowlin, Eds. New York, NY: Marcel Decker, 2005, pp. 1-8. [2] Y. G. Grigoriev, "Bioeffects of modulated electromagnetic fields in the acute experiments (results of Russian researches)," in Annual of Russian National Committee on Non-Ionisng Radiation Protection 2003. Moscow: ALLANA, 2004, pp. 16-73. [3] I. Belyaev, "Non-thermal Biological Effects of Microwaves," Microwave Review, vol. 11, pp. 13-29, available on http://www.mwr.medianis.net/pdf/Vol11No2-03-IBelyaev.pdf, 2005. [4] M. Kundi, K. Mild, L. Hardell, and M. O. Mattsson, "Mobile telephones and cancer - a review of epidemiological evidence," J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev, vol. 7, pp. 351-384, 2004.

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