Results of laboratory studies on RF fieldsProf. Dr. Alexander Lerchl

Jacobs University Bremen, GermanyHead, Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation,

German Radiation Protection Board (SSK)

Actions of EMF on Organisms – Theoretical Targets

Brain (e.g., Growth Hormone,LH, TSH, TRH, Melatonin)

Whole Body (e.g., Temperature,Metabolism)

Reproductive Organs (e.g, Testosterone,Estrogens)

Thyroid Gland (Thyroxin)

Cancer

Actions of EMF – Theoretical Mechanisms

WHO ResearchAgenda forRadiofrequencyElectromagneticFields, 2010

Cancer and Electromagnetic Fields in Animals

without EMF

with EMF ?

Time

Studies in AKR/J Mice (900 MHz)

N=160 / group; SAR = 0.4 W/kg (24/7)Blinded design Sommer et al., BMC Cancer 4 (2005): 77

Studies in AKR/J Mice (900 MHz)

Sommer et al., BMC Cancer 4 (2005): 77N=160 / group; SAR = 0.4 W/kg (24/7)Blinded design

Studies in AKR/J Mice (900 MHz)

Sommer et al., BMC Cancer 4 (2005): 77

P<0.01

N=160 / group; SAR = 0.4 W/kg (24/7)Blinded design

Effects of EMF (900 MHz) on Metabolism in Hamsters (Pilot Study)

Lerchl et al, BEMS 2008

Studies in AKR/J Mice (1966 MHz; UMTS)

N=160 / group; SAR = 0.4 W/kg (24/7)Blinded design Sommer et al., Radiat Res 168 (2007): 72 - 80

Studies in AKR/J Mice (1966 MHz; UMTS)

n.s.

Sommer et al., Radiat Res 168 (2007): 72 - 80N=160 / group; SAR = 0.4 W/kg (24/7)Blinded design

Mice Multigeneration Study (1966 MHz; UMTS)

N=32 pairs (2 females, 1 male) per group; 4 exposure groups (0, 0.08, 0.4, 1.3 W/kg); 4 generations; exposure 24/7; blinded design

Mice Multigeneration Study (1966 MHz; UMTS)

Sommer et al., Radiat Res 171 (2009) 89-95

Mice Multigeneration Study (1966 MHz; UMTS)

Sommer et al., Radiat Res 171 (2009) 89-95

Mice Multigeneration Study (1966 MHz; UMTS)

Sommer et al., Radiat Res 171 (2009) 89-95

Effects of Head-Only Exposure (900 MHz) on Development, Learning and Memory in Rats

Effects of Head-Only Exposure (900 MHz) on Development, Learning and Memory in Rats

Effects of Head-Only Exposure (900 MHz) on Development, Learning and Memory in Rats

• N = 24 rats per group• SAR (brain) = 0, 0.4, 2 and 10 W/kg (blinded)• Exposure 2 h / day, 5 days / week• Exposure started at an age of 14 days (!)• Battery of behavioral tests:– 8-arm maze– Rotarod wheel– Open field– Water maze

3 times during experiment:- juvenile (completed)- adult- pre-senile

Odds Ratios

A CB

Condition (e.g., exposure)

OR=1: Control

Odds ratio 95 % confidence interval (depends on group size!)

Significantly lower

Significantly higher

Spontaneous Brain Tumors in Rodents

Repacholi et al., 2012

Brain Tumor Promotion in Rodents

Repacholi et al., 2012

Pituitary Tumors in Rodents

Repacholi et al., 2012

Conclusions• Studies looking at the effects of electromagnetic fields in

rodents so far did not indicate an increased risk for various cancers, even at levels well above the recommended exposure limits.

• Chronic exposure of AKR/J or normal mice (in a multigeneration study) revealed no adverse effects on health or development at rather high SAR values.

• Although animal studies are limited with respect to humans, they add weight on the general conclusion that cancerogenic effects of EMF are highly unlikely.

Acknowledgements

• Projects funded by the Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS), Germany

• Dr. Melanie Klose, Dr. Angela Sommer, Dr. Kirsten Schwarzpaul, Karen Grote, Thomas Ströhlein (Jacobs University)

• Nina Kloss (Jacobs University, 2nd year undergraduate, project on temperatures)

• Volkert Hansen, Joachim Streckert, Andreas Bitz (Universities Wuppertal and Essen)

Thank you for your attention!