Behavioral and cognitive effects of microwave exposure

Self Cite

This white paper combines a tutorial on the fundamentals of thermoregulation with a review of the current literature concerned with physiological thermoregulatory responses of humans and laboratory animals in the presence of radio frequency (RF) and microwave fields. The ultimate goal of research involving whole body RF exposure of intact organisms is the prediction of effects of such exposure on human beings. Most of the published research on physiological thermoregulation has been conducted on laboratory animals, with a heavy emphasis on laboratory rodents. Because their physiological heat loss mechanisms are limited, these small animals are very poor models for human beings. Basic information about the thermoregulatory capabilities of animal models relative to human capability is essential for the appropriate evaluation and extrapolation of animal data to humans. In general, reliance on data collected on humans and nonhuman primates, however fragmentary, yields a more accurate understanding of how RF fields interact with humans. Such data are featured in this review, including data from both clinic and laboratory. Featured topics include thermal sensation, human RF overexposures, exposures attending magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), predictions based on simulation models, and laboratory studies of human volunteers. Supporting data from animal studies include the thermoregulatory profile, response thresholds, physiological responses of heat production and heat loss, intense or prolonged exposure, RF effects on early development, circadian variation, and additive drug-microwave interactions. The conclusion is inescapable that humans demonstrate far superior thermoregulatory ability over other tested organisms during RF exposure at, or even above current human exposure guidelines. Bioelectromagnetics Supplement 6:S17-S38, 2003.

Section: Thermoregulatory Behavior In the Presence Of Rf Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoregulatory responses to RF energy absorption

Adair¹,

Black²

2003

Self Cite

“…General concerns regarding the potential hazards of exposure to RF electromagnetic fields have led to many epidemiological investigations [Horn, 1995;Richter et al, 2000;Santini et al, 2000]. Several studies have suggested that exposure to RF electromagnetic fields can interact with behavior [D'Andrea et al, 2003;Heynick et al, 2003]. In vitro studies have reported the effects of RF radiation on several endpoints, including effects on DNA damage [Lai and Singh, 1995], chromosome aberrations [Vijayalaxmi et al, 2001], mutation [Gos et al, 2000], cell transformation , and gene expression [Kwee et al, 2001].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of continuous and intermittent exposure to RF fields with a wide range of SARs on cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution

Takashima

Hirose

Koyama

et al. 2006

To examine the biological effects of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields in vitro, we have examined the fundamental cellular responses, such as cell growth, survival, and cell cycle distribution, following exposure to a wide range of specific absorption rates (SAR). Furthermore, we compared the effects of continuous and intermittent exposure at high SARs. An RF electromagnetic field exposure unit operating at a frequency of 2.45 GHz was used to expose cells to SARs from 0.05 to 1500 W/kg. When cells were exposed to a continuous RF field at SARs from 0.05 to 100 W/kg for 2 h, cellular growth rate, survival, and cell cycle distribution were not affected. At 200 W/kg, the cell growth rate was suppressed and cell survival decreased. When the cells were exposed to an intermittent RF field at 300 W/kg(pk), 900 W/kg(pk) and 1500 W/kg(pk) (100 W/kg(mean)), no significant differences were observed between these conditions and intermittent wave exposure at 100 W/kg. When cells were exposed to a SAR of 50 W/kg for 2 h, the temperature of the medium around cells rose to 39.1 degrees C, 100 W/kg exposure increased the temperature to 41.0 degrees C, and 200 W/kg exposure increased the temperature to 44.1 degrees C. Exposure to RF radiation results in heating of the medium, and the thermal effect depends on the mean SAR. Hence, these results suggest that the proliferation disorder is caused by the thermal effect.

“…The ability of magnetic fields to alter mood has been established in experiments where patients have been exposed to strong magnetic fields using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) [Fitzgerald et al, 2003] and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [Rohan et al, 2004]. Behavioural and cognitive effects have been well documented when electromagnetic exposure is of sufficient intensity to heat tissue [D'Andrea et al, 2003]. Low intensity electromagnetic fields, such as those in geomagnetic storms, do not have sufficient energy to heat tissue and their impact on human mood and behaviour is poorly understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do ambient electromagnetic fields affect behaviour? A demonstration of the relationship between geomagnetic storm activity and suicide

Berk

Dodd

Henry

2006

The relationship between ambient electromagnetic fields and human mood and behaviour is of great public health interest. The relationship between Ap indices of geomagnetic storm activity and national suicide statistics for Australia from 1968 to 2002 was studied. Ap index data was normalised so as to be globally uniform and gave a measure of storm activity for each day. A geomagnetic storm event was defined as a day in which the Ap index was equal to or exceeded 100 nT. Suicide data was a national tally of daily male and female death figures where suicide had been documented as the cause of death. A total of 51 845 males and 16 327 females were included. The average number of suicides was greatest in spring for males and females, and lowest in autumn for males and summer for females. Suicide amongst females increased significantly in autumn during concurrent periods of geomagnetic storm activity (P = .01). This pattern was not observed in males (P = .16). This suggests that perturbations in ambient electromagnetic field activity impact behaviour in a clinically meaningful manner. The study furthermore raises issues regarding other sources of stray electromagnetic fields and their effect on mental health.