an introduction to radiofrequency radiation. what is radiofrequency radiation (rf)? part of the...

An Introduction to An Introduction to Radiofrequency RadiationRadiofrequency Radiation

What is Radiofrequency What is Radiofrequency Radiation (RF)?Radiation (RF)?

Part of the electromagnetic spectrum Part of the electromagnetic spectrum Electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of electric Electromagnetic radiation consists of waves of electric

and magnetic energy that travel together at the speed of and magnetic energy that travel together at the speed of lightlight

EM radiation is characterized by a wavelength and a EM radiation is characterized by a wavelength and a frequencyfrequency Wavelength: distance covered by one complete wave cycleWavelength: distance covered by one complete wave cycle Frequency: number of waves passing a given point in one Frequency: number of waves passing a given point in one

second. second. The frequency of an RF signal is measured in units called the The frequency of an RF signal is measured in units called the

hertz (Hz). One Hz equals one cycle per second. hertz (Hz). One Hz equals one cycle per second. RF generally refers to electromagnetic waves with RF generally refers to electromagnetic waves with

frequencies between about 3 kilohertz (3 kHz) and 300 frequencies between about 3 kilohertz (3 kHz) and 300 gigahertz (300 GHz).gigahertz (300 GHz).

The Electromagnetic SpectrumThe Electromagnetic Spectrum

Common Sources of RF Common Sources of RF PollutionPollution

Federal GuidelinesFederal Guidelines

Safety Code 6 Safety Code 6 Canada’s official document specifying Canada’s official document specifying

the requirements for the safe use of the requirements for the safe use of radiation emitting devices radiation emitting devices

Safety Code 6Safety Code 6

According to Health Canada, as long as According to Health Canada, as long as the radiation emitted doesn't raise the the radiation emitted doesn't raise the body temperature by 1 degree celsius body temperature by 1 degree celsius in six minutes, it's considered safe in six minutes, it's considered safe

Problems:Problems: Based on short term thermal effectsBased on short term thermal effects Does not consider long term effects of Does not consider long term effects of

continual exposure over 20 or more yearscontinual exposure over 20 or more years

Safety Code 6Safety Code 6

An ancient document that has not been An ancient document that has not been updated since 1999updated since 1999

Unacceptable in as rapidly expanding a Unacceptable in as rapidly expanding a field as wireless communicationfield as wireless communication 86.1 million cell phones in use worldwide in 86.1 million cell phones in use worldwide in

19991999 According to the According to the World Almanac and Book of Facts. World Almanac and Book of Facts.

2001: 571.2001: 571.

3 BILLION cell phones in use worldwide 3 BILLION cell phones in use worldwide today!today!

Publicly announced on June 27, 2007 by Reuters Publicly announced on June 27, 2007 by Reuters

Safety Code 6 compared to Safety Code 6 compared to guidelines from other countriesguidelines from other countries

Power Density

uW/cm2

Are radio frequencies at levels Are radio frequencies at levels below Safety Code 6 harmful below Safety Code 6 harmful

to health?to health?

YesYes

Scientific EvidenceScientific Evidence

Epidemiological studies

In vivo studies

In vitro studies

• Exposed-Unexposed Studies:Exposed-Unexposed Studies: Examines two similar groups of people - one

exposed to a risk factor, the other not - and compares the frequency of disease between the two groups.

Epidemiological Epidemiological StudiesStudies

• Often based on self-reported symptoms assessed via a questionnaire• Sometimes involves individual testing (i.e. neurological examination assessing visuomotor speed, problem solving, attention and memory)

Increase in adult and childhood leukemias was found in residents living close to radio and TV broadcast antennas


Dolk et al. (1997)Hocking et al. (1996)

Michelozzi et al. (2002)Michelozzi et al. (2002)Michelozzi et al. (1998)Michelozzi et al. (1998)

Park et al. (2004)Park et al. (2004)

People who lived and worked near radio antennae and radar installations showed deficits in psychological and short-term memory tests.

Chiang et al. (1989)



Sperm counts of Danish military Sperm counts of Danish military personnel, who operated mobile personnel, who operated mobile ground-to-air missile units that use ground-to-air missile units that use several RFR emitting radar systems several RFR emitting radar systems (maximal mean exposure 10 (maximal mean exposure 10 microW/cm2), were significantly microW/cm2), were significantly low compared to referenceslow compared to references

Hjollund et al. Hjollund et al. (1997)(1997)

Blood cells from cows from a farm close and in front of radar showed significantly higher level of severe genetic damage

Balode (1996)


School children who lived in front of a radio station had less developed memory and attention, their reaction time was slower, and their neuromuscular apparatus endurance was decreased

Kolodynski and Kolodynska (1996)


Increase in complaint frequencies for ncrease in complaint frequencies for tiredness, headache, sleep disturbance, tiredness, headache, sleep disturbance, discomfort, irritability, depression, loss discomfort, irritability, depression, loss of memory, dizziness, libido decrease, in of memory, dizziness, libido decrease, in people who lived within 300 m of mobile people who lived within 300 m of mobile phone base stations.phone base stations.

Santini et al. (2002)Santini et al. (2002)


Operators of satellite station exposed Operators of satellite station exposed to low dose of RFR over a 24-hr shift to low dose of RFR over a 24-hr shift showed an increased secretion of showed an increased secretion of stress hormonesstress hormones

Vangelova et al. et al. (2002)(2002)


In Vivo StudiesIn Vivo Studies

Increases in:

Tumours (Novoselova et al., 2004)

Sterility (Magras & Xenos, 1999)

Nerve damage (Salford et al., 2003)

Stress reactions (Pomerai et al., 2000, 2002)

Altered brain waves (Lebedeva et al., 2000)


Effects on:

Immune system (Fesenko et al., 1999)

Brain-blood barrier (Persson et al, 1997)


Effects on the production of

Testosterone (Navakatikian & Tamashevskaya, 1994)

Calcium (Wolke et al, 1996)

Cortisol (Mann et al., 1998)

In Vitro StudiesIn Vitro Studies

13 studies showing:

Cell division (tumours)

Genetic changes

Calcium-heart

Immune system

Stress proteins

Brain function (memory)

ChildrenChildren Because of their growing bodies and rapidly Because of their growing bodies and rapidly

multiplying cells, children may be 10 times multiplying cells, children may be 10 times more vulnerable to health effects from more vulnerable to health effects from exposure to mobile phone microwave exposure to mobile phone microwave radiation than adults (US Environmental radiation than adults (US Environmental Protection Agency). Protection Agency).

The county of Palm Beach, FL, the state of The county of Palm Beach, FL, the state of California, the Vancouver School Board and California, the Vancouver School Board and the countries of New Zealand and Greece the countries of New Zealand and Greece have all prohibited cellular antennas near have all prohibited cellular antennas near schools due to safety concerns.schools due to safety concerns.

Mobile Telecommunications Mobile Telecommunications and Health: A Reviewand Health: A Review

Commissioned in 2000 by Cellular Commissioned in 2000 by Cellular industry giant industry giant T-MobileT-Mobile

Conducted by an independent Conducted by an independent research institute: ECOLOG Institute research institute: ECOLOG Institute

Reviewed 220 peer-reviewed and Reviewed 220 peer-reviewed and published papers which dealt with published papers which dealt with the health risks from mobile the health risks from mobile telecommunicationstelecommunications

What the report saidWhat the report said CancerCancer

““Given the results of the present Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range telecommunications range do play a role do play a role in the development of cancerin the development of cancer” (p.33)” (p.33)

InfertilityInfertility Birth defectsBirth defects Loss of memory and cognitive functionLoss of memory and cognitive function Immune system disruptionsImmune system disruptions

Permeability of the blood-brain Permeability of the blood-brain barrierbarrier

Stress reactionsStress reactions Decreased melatonin productionDecreased melatonin production

Bio Initiative ReportBio Initiative Report

Written by 14 (fourteen) scientists, public health and public policy experts to document the scientific evidence on electromagnetic fields.

Another dozen outside reviewers have looked at and refined the Report.

August 2007

Report available online at: www.bioinitiative.org

PurposePurpose

To assess scientific evidence on health impacts from electromagnetic radiation below current public exposure limits and evaluate what changes in these limits are warranted now to reduce possible public health risks in the future.

Bio Initiative ReportBio Initiative ReportConclusionsConclusions

“People who have used a cell phone for ten years or more have higher rates of malignant brain tumor and acoustic neuromas.

It is worse if the cell phone has been used primarily on one side of the head.”


“People who have used a cordless phone for ten years or more have higher rates of malignant brain tumor and acoustic neuromas.

It is worse if the cordless phone has been used primarily on one side of the head.”


“The current standard for exposure to the emissions of cell phones and cordless phones is not safe considering studies reporting long-term brain tumor and acoustic neuroma risks.”


“RF can cause inflammatory reactions, allergy reactions and change normal immune function at levels allowed by current public safety standards.”


“The scientific evidence is substantial enough to warrant preventative actions for RF.”


“The effects of long-term exposure to wireless technologies including emissions from cell phones and other personal devices, and from whole-body exposure to RF transmissions from cell towers and antennas is simply not known yet with certainty. However, the body of evidence at hand suggests that bioeffects and health impacts can and do occur at exquisitely low exposure levels that can be thousands of times below public safety limits.”

ReferencesReferences Balode, Z, Assessment of radio-frequency electromagnetic Balode, Z, Assessment of radio-frequency electromagnetic

radiation by the micronucleus test in bovine peripheral radiation by the micronucleus test in bovine peripheral erythrocytes. Sci Total Environ 180(1):81-85, 1996.erythrocytes. Sci Total Environ 180(1):81-85, 1996.

Chiang H, Yao GD, Fang QS, Wang KQ, Lu DZ, Zhou YK, Health Chiang H, Yao GD, Fang QS, Wang KQ, Lu DZ, Zhou YK, Health effects of environmental electromagnetic fields. J. Bioelectricity effects of environmental electromagnetic fields. J. Bioelectricity 8:127-131, 1989.8:127-131, 1989.

de Pomerai D, Daniells C, David H, Allan J, Duce I, Mutwakil M, de Pomerai D, Daniells C, David H, Allan J, Duce I, Mutwakil M, Thomas D, Sewell P, Tattersall J,Jones D, Candido P, Non-thermal Thomas D, Sewell P, Tattersall J,Jones D, Candido P, Non-thermal heat-shock response to microwaves, Nature 405:417-418, 2000.heat-shock response to microwaves, Nature 405:417-418, 2000.

de Pomerai DI, Dawe A, Djerbib L, Allan, Brunt G, Daniells C. de Pomerai DI, Dawe A, Djerbib L, Allan, Brunt G, Daniells C. Growth and maturation of thenematode Caenorhabditis elegans Growth and maturation of thenematode Caenorhabditis elegans following exposure to weak microwave fields. Enzyme Microbial following exposure to weak microwave fields. Enzyme Microbial Tech30:73-79, 2002.Tech30:73-79, 2002.

Dolk H, Shaddick G, Walls P, Grundy C, Thakrar B, Kleinschmidt I, Dolk H, Shaddick G, Walls P, Grundy C, Thakrar B, Kleinschmidt I, Elliott P, Cancer incidence nearradio and television transmitters in Elliott P, Cancer incidence nearradio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter. Am J Epidemiol Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter. Am J Epidemiol 145(1):1-9, 1997.145(1):1-9, 1997.

Fesenko, EE, Makar, VR, Novoselova, EG, Sadovnikov, VB, Fesenko, EE, Makar, VR, Novoselova, EG, Sadovnikov, VB, Microwaves and cellular immunity. I.Effect of whole body Microwaves and cellular immunity. I.Effect of whole body microwave irradiation on tumor necrosis factor production in microwave irradiation on tumor necrosis factor production in mouse cells.Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 49(1):29-35, 1999mouse cells.Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 49(1):29-35, 1999

Havas, Magda. Analysis of Health and Environmental Effects Havas, Magda. Analysis of Health and Environmental Effects of Proposed San Francisco Earthlink Wi-Fi Network. 2007. of Proposed San Francisco Earthlink Wi-Fi Network. 2007.

Hjollund NH, Bonde JP, Skotte J, Semen analysis of personnel Hjollund NH, Bonde JP, Skotte J, Semen analysis of personnel operating military radar equipment.Reprod Toxicol 11(6):897, operating military radar equipment.Reprod Toxicol 11(6):897, 1997.1997.

Hocking B, Gordon IR, Grain HL, Hatfield GE, Cancer incidence Hocking B, Gordon IR, Grain HL, Hatfield GE, Cancer incidence and mortality and proximity to TVtowers. Med J Aust 165(11-and mortality and proximity to TVtowers. Med J Aust 165(11-12):601-605, 1996. (Published erratum appears in Med J Aust 12):601-605, 1996. (Published erratum appears in Med J Aust 166(2):80, 1997.)166(2):80, 1997.)

Kolodynski AA, Kolodynska VV, Motor and psychological Kolodynski AA, Kolodynska VV, Motor and psychological functions of school children living in thearea of the Skrunda functions of school children living in thearea of the Skrunda Radio Location Station in Latvia. Sci Total Environ 180(1):87-Radio Location Station in Latvia. Sci Total Environ 180(1):87-93, 1996.93, 1996.

Lebedeva NN, Sulimov AV, Sulimova OP, Kotrovskaya TI, Lebedeva NN, Sulimov AV, Sulimova OP, Kotrovskaya TI, Gailus T, Cellular phone electromagneticfield effects on Gailus T, Cellular phone electromagneticfield effects on bioelectric activity of human brain. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 28(1-bioelectric activity of human brain. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 28(1-2):323-337, 2000.2):323-337, 2000.

Magras, IN, Xenos, TD, RF radiation-induced changes in the Magras, IN, Xenos, TD, RF radiation-induced changes in the prenatal development of mice.Bioelectromagnetics 18(6):455-prenatal development of mice.Bioelectromagnetics 18(6):455-461, 1997.461, 1997.

Mann, K, Wagner, P, Brunn, G, Hassan, F, Hiemke, C, Mann, K, Wagner, P, Brunn, G, Hassan, F, Hiemke, C, Roschke, J, Effects of pulsed high-frequencyelectromagnetic Roschke, J, Effects of pulsed high-frequencyelectromagnetic fields on the neuroendocrine system. Neuroendocrinology fields on the neuroendocrine system. Neuroendocrinology 67(2):139-144, 1998.67(2):139-144, 1998.

Michelozzi P, Ancona C, Fusco D, Forastiere F, Perucci CA, Risk Michelozzi P, Ancona C, Fusco D, Forastiere F, Perucci CA, Risk of leukemia and residence near aradio transmitter in Italy. of leukemia and residence near aradio transmitter in Italy. Epidemiology 9 (Suppl) 354p, 1998.Epidemiology 9 (Suppl) 354p, 1998.

Michelozzi P, Capon A, Kirchmayer U, Forastiere F, Biggeri A, Barca Michelozzi P, Capon A, Kirchmayer U, Forastiere F, Biggeri A, Barca A, Perucci CA. Adult andchildhood leukemia near a high-power A, Perucci CA. Adult andchildhood leukemia near a high-power radio station in Rome, Italy. Am J Epidemiol 155(12):1096-radio station in Rome, Italy. Am J Epidemiol 155(12):1096-1103,2002.1103,2002.

Navakatikian MA, Tomashevskaya LA, Phasic behavioral and Navakatikian MA, Tomashevskaya LA, Phasic behavioral and endocrine effects of microwaves ofnonthermal intensity. In endocrine effects of microwaves ofnonthermal intensity. In “Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields, Volume 1," D.O. “Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields, Volume 1," D.O. Carpenter(ed) Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1994, pp.333-342.Carpenter(ed) Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1994, pp.333-342.

Novoselova EG, Ogay VB, Sorokina OV, Glushkova OV, Sinotova Novoselova EG, Ogay VB, Sorokina OV, Glushkova OV, Sinotova OA, Fesenko EE. The productionof tumor necrosis factor in cells of OA, Fesenko EE. The productionof tumor necrosis factor in cells of tumor-bearing mice after total-body microwave irradiation tumor-bearing mice after total-body microwave irradiation andantioxidant diet. Electromag. Biol. Med. 23:167-180, 2004.andantioxidant diet. Electromag. Biol. Med. 23:167-180, 2004.

Park SK, Ha M, Im H-J. Ecological study on residences in the Park SK, Ha M, Im H-J. Ecological study on residences in the vicinity of AM radio broadcastingtowers and cancer death: vicinity of AM radio broadcastingtowers and cancer death: preliminary observations in Korea. International Archives of preliminary observations in Korea. International Archives of Occupational andEnvironmental Health 77(6):387-394, 2004.Occupational andEnvironmental Health 77(6):387-394, 2004.

Persson BRR, Salford LG, Brun A, Blood-brain barrier permeability Persson BRR, Salford LG, Brun A, Blood-brain barrier permeability in rats exposed to electromagneticfields used in wireless in rats exposed to electromagneticfields used in wireless communication. Wireless Network 3:455-461, 1997.communication. Wireless Network 3:455-461, 1997.

Salford LG, Brun AR, Eberhardt JL, Malmgren L, Persson BRR, Salford LG, Brun AR, Eberhardt JL, Malmgren L, Persson BRR, Nerve cell damage in mammalianbrain after exposure to Nerve cell damage in mammalianbrain after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones. Environ Health Persp Online microwaves from GSM mobile phones. Environ Health Persp Online January 29,2003.January 29,2003.

Santini R, Santini P, Danze JM, Le Ruz P, Seigne M.Study of the Santini R, Santini P, Danze JM, Le Ruz P, Seigne M.Study of the health of people living in the vicinityof mobile phone base health of people living in the vicinityof mobile phone base stations: I. Influence of distance and sex. Pathol Biol (Paris) stations: I. Influence of distance and sex. Pathol Biol (Paris) 50(6):369-373, 200250(6):369-373, 2002

Vangelova K, Israel M, Mihaylov S. The effect of Vangelova K, Israel M, Mihaylov S. The effect of low level radiofrequency electromagnetic low level radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the excretion rates of stress radiation on the excretion rates of stress hormones in operators during 24-hour shifts. Cent hormones in operators during 24-hour shifts. Cent Eur J Public Health 10(1-2):24-28, 2002.Eur J Public Health 10(1-2):24-28, 2002.

Wolke S, Neibig U, Elsner R, Gollnick F, Meyer R, Wolke S, Neibig U, Elsner R, Gollnick F, Meyer R, Calcium homeostasis of isolated heart muscle Calcium homeostasis of isolated heart muscle cells exposed to pulsed high-frequency cells exposed to pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 17(2):144-153, 1996.17(2):144-153, 1996.

Ecolog Report - Mobile Telecommunications and Ecolog Report - Mobile Telecommunications and Health - Review of the Current Scientific Research Health - Review of the Current Scientific Research in view of Precautionary Health Protection, in view of Precautionary Health Protection, Ecolog-Institute April 2000 - sponsored by T-Mobil Ecolog-Institute April 2000 - sponsored by T-Mobil (Translated from German into English by Andrea (Translated from German into English by Andrea Klein 2007) –Retrieved from Klein 2007) –Retrieved from http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/ecohttp://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/ecologsum.phplogsum.php

http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/ecologsum.php

http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/niemr/ecologsum.php

an introduction to radiofrequency radiation. what is radiofrequency radiation (rf)? part of the...

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