Confirmation studies of Soviet research on immunological effects of microwaves: Russian immunology results

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a replication study performed to investigate earlier Soviet studies conducted between 1974 and 1991 that showed immunological and reproductive effects of long-term low-level exposure of rats to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. The early studies were used, in part, for developing exposure standards for the USSR population and thus it was necessary to confirm the Russian findings. In the present study, the conditions of RF exposure were made as similar as possible to those in the earlier experiments: Wistar rats were exposed in the far field to 2450 MHz continuous wave RF fields with an incident power density in the cages of 5 W/m² for 7 h/day, 5 days/week for a total of 30 days, resulting in a whole-body SAR of 0.16 W/kg. Effects of the exposure on immunological parameters in the brain and liver of rats were evaluated using the complement fixation test (CFT), as in the original studies, and an additional test, the more modern ELISA test. Our results, using CFT and ELISA, partly confirmed the findings of the early studies and indicated possible effects from non-thermal RF exposure on autoimmune processes. The RF exposure resulted in minor increases in formation of antibodies in brain tissue extract and the exposure did not appear to be pathological. In addition, a study was conducted to replicate a previous Soviet study on effects from the injection of blood serum from RF-exposed rats on pregnancy and foetal and offspring development of rats, using a similar animal model and protocol. Our results showed the same general trends as the earlier study, suggesting possible adverse effects of the blood serum from exposed rats on pregnancy and foetal development of intact rats, however, application of these results in developing exposure standards is limited.

Electromagnetic fields and autoimmune diseases

“…The procedures previously adopted in Soviet Union and eastern countries utilized a large number of animals with lower ethical restrictions. In Soviet Union, experimental studies on longterm low level exposure of rats to radiofrequency EMFs, showed autoimmune and reproductive effects (21). These investigations were recently repeated showing the same general trend of the earlier studies evidencing that EMF exposure reduces the formation of antibodies in brain tissue with possible stimulation of autoimmune mechanisms; possible adverse effects on fetal development were also confirmed (21).…”

An international project to confirm soviet-era results on immunological and teratological effects of RF field exposure in wistar rats and comments on Grigoriev et al. [2010]

“…The full results of both the French and Russian studies are given in Poulletier de Gannes et al [2009] and Grigoriev et al [2010] and only a brief summary is given to facilitate discussion.…”

“…This paper gives the IOC comments and conclusions on the differing results between the studies by Poulletier de Gannes et al [2009] and Grigoriev et al [2010].…”

“…Separate publications giving the full methodology and results of both the Russian and French studies are given in Grigoriev et al [2010] and Poulletier de Gannes et al [2009]. Every precaution was used to ensure that the facilities, and animal care and study conduct were according to the agreed protocol.…”

Inaccurate official assessment of radiofrequency safety by the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation

“…For the immune system [page 174 (2)], a Russian study was included (96), which mostly replicated earlier Russian studies and a French one which did not (97). The conclusion was "it is clear that the results of the original Soviet studies have not been confirmed".…”