Biological effects and mechanisms of shortwave radiation: a review

Abstract

With the increasing knowledge of shortwave radiation, it is widely used in wireless communications, radar observations, industrial manufacturing, and medical treatments. Despite of the benefits from shortwave, these wide applications expose humans to the risk of shortwave electromagnetic radiation, which is alleged to cause potential damage to biological systems. This review focused on the exposure to shortwave electromagnetic radiation, considering in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological results that have provided insight into the biological effects and mechanisms of shortwave. Additionally, some protective measures and suggestions are discussed here in the hope of obtaining more benefits from shortwave with fewer health risks.

Ultra-shortwave diathermy - a new purported treatment for management of patients with COVID-19

“…To provide context, a recent review of the effects of shortwave radiation reported that exposure to electromagnetic radiation (frequency range, 3-30 MHz) may have benefits in certain clinical situations but can cause headache, dizziness, insomnia and induce abnormal ECG changes (Yu and Peng, 2017). Rats exposed to pulsed SWD at 27.12 MHz for 10 min per day for 15 days demonstrated structural and ultrastructural changes in the adrenal glands (Gabriel and Constantin, 2015).…”

The Impact of 950mhz Electromagnetic Radiation on the Brain and Liver of Rats and the role of Garlic Treatment

“…With the rapid development of electronic technologies, the health hazards induced by nonionizing radiation have been growing in recent years. Technological devices such as mobile phones, computers, wireless networks, household appliances and other electronic equipment have become essential components of daily life, however, despite making life easier, they may also cause a number of health problems due to the increased durations of exposure to radiofrequency and microwaves (Yu & Peng, 2017;Samta et al, 2017 andKivrak et al, 2017).…”

“…Studies concerned with the deleterious effects of the radiofrequency waves and microwaves demonstrated that they can induce damage to the brain, liver, kidney and reproductive system (Hao et al, 2015;Deniz et al, 2017 andSepehrimanesh et al, 2017). However, although numerous studies demonstrated that they can affect vital organs (Yu & Peng, 2017, Samta et al, 2017and Kivrak et al, 2017, their biological effects are still controversial due to many exposure parameters such as frequency, orientation, modulation, power density, and duration of exposure.…”

A new experimental model of muscle pain in humans based on short‐wave diathermy

“…High‐frequency oscillations of non‐ionizing electromagnetic fields in the radiofrequency (RF) range, around 27 MHz (short‐wave), can heat deep tissues in a well‐localized region (Draper, Knight, Fujiwara, Castel, & Caste, ; Goats, ; Shields, Gormley, & O’Hare, ). Deep‐tissue heating by means of RF is a safe and extensively used technique in palliative treatment of pain and as a healing agent in soft tissues (Guo, Kubat, Nelson, & Isenberg, ; Yu & Peng, ). However, SWD has not been previously explored with intensities suitable for inducing sustained muscle pain.…”