Are Exposures to Multiple Frequencies the Key to Future Radiofrequency Research?

Abstract

There is an extensive literature investigating possible effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields associated with mobile phone technologies. This has not identified any public health risks with any degree of certainty. Some epidemiological studies have observed associations between heavy users of mobile phones and some types of cancer, but animal studies do not support this association, although a few studies have reported increased tumor yields. However, there is a crucial difference between epidemiology studies and laboratory work in terms of signals investigated: most people are exposed to a complex mixture of frequencies and signals at varying intensities, whereas the majority of animal studies have been performed using a single frequency or intensity. Whether this might explain the differences in outcome will be discussed, and whether there is a need for additional laboratory investigations that reproduce more accurately realistic exposure conditions will be considered.

On the Biological Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

“…Действительно, в 1980-1990-е годы сообщалось о повышении риска лейкозов у детей, проживавших вблизи линий электропередач. Как обсуждалось выше, эпидемиологические данные в пользу канцерогенного эффекта ЭМИ РЧ могли быть обусловлены систематической ошибкой и мешающими факторами; убедительных экспериментальных подтверждений получено не было, действие тех или иных физиологических механизмов не доказано [35,36,45,47,58,[70][71][72]74].…”

Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields: Carcinogenic and Other Biological Effects

“…Long-term exposures to EMF have consistently shown no increase in cancer risk in animal experiments [48,54,55]. Numerous in vitro studies have been negative as well, while the more research quality criteria were satisfied, the less cellular responses tended to be observed [56,57].…”

Analyses of temporal and spatial patterns of glioblastoma multiforme and other brain cancer subtypes in relation to mobile phones using synthetic counterfactuals

“…Although both the incidence of certain types of brain cancers (Khurana et al, 2009, de Vocht et al, 2011, Zada et al, 2012, Yang et al, 2017 and use of mobile phones (and other wireless technology) (Khurana et al, 2009) have been increasing over the last 2 decades, and despite extensive research it remains unclear whether this is a question of causation or correlation (Sienkiewicz et al, 2017). Based on all available evidence at the time, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded in 2011 that exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RF) in the frequency range 30 kHz to 300 GHz, which includes the frequencies used by mobile phones (Cardis et al, 2011), should be classified as 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) taking into account positive associations between glioma and acoustic neuroma, and exposure to RF-EMF from wireless phones (Baan et al, 2011).…”

“…Based on all available evidence at the time, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded in 2011 that exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RF) in the frequency range 30 kHz to 300 GHz, which includes the frequencies used by mobile phones (Cardis et al, 2011), should be classified as 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) taking into account positive associations between glioma and acoustic neuroma, and exposure to RF-EMF from wireless phones (Baan et al, 2011). Results from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) in rats seem to support this, with results suggesting an increased incidence of malignant glioma, as well as schwannomas of the heart in male, but not female, rats after whole-body averaged Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) levels that were comparable to the maximum localised SAR levels occurring in human head tissues located near to a mobile phone during a call (Wyde et al, 2016, NTP, 2018a, NTP, 2018b; however, there are some queries about these results, including their comparison with human exposures, and the study is yet to be published in peer-reviewed literature (Sienkiewicz et al, 2017).…”

“…Absorption of RF power leading to tissue heating has been argued to be the main mechanism by which RF can affect living tissue, but in the case of mobile phones it is unlikely to be sufficient to result in biological effects (Dewhirst et al, 2003). Alternative mechanisms have been proposed and include selective microthermal heating and dielectric heating, as well as non-thermal iron ion-mediated reactions and radical pair mechanisms, as well as several other mechanisms considered less plausible (Sienkiewicz et al, 2017).…”