Distribution of RF energy emitted by mobile phones in anatomical structures of the brain

Abstract

The rapid worldwide increase in mobile phone use in the last decade has generated considerable interest in possible carcinogenic effects of radio frequency (RF). Because exposure to RF from phones is localized, if a risk exists it is likely to be greatest for tumours in regions with greatest energy absorption. The objective of the current paper was to characterize the spatial distribution of RF energy in the brain, using results of measurements made in two laboratories on 110 phones used in Europe or Japan. Most (97-99% depending on frequency) appears to be absorbed in the brain hemisphere on the side where the phone is used, mainly (50-60%) in the temporal lobe. The average relative SAR is highest in the temporal lobe (6-15%, depending on frequency, of the spatial peak SAR in the most exposed region of the brain) and the cerebellum (2-10%) and decreases very rapidly with increasing depth, particularly at higher frequencies. The SAR distribution appears to be fairly similar across phone models, between older and newer phones and between phones with different antenna types and positions. Analyses of risk by location of tumour are therefore important for the interpretation of results of studies of brain tumours in relation to mobile phone use.

Changes in Brain Glioma Incidence and Laterality Correlates with Use of Mobile Phones - a Nationwide Population Based Study in Israel

“…Exposure to RF from phones is localized and therefore, if a risk exists it is likely to be greatest for tumors in regions with greatest energy absorption (Cardis et al, 2008) A recently published study (Volkow et al, 2011) demonstrated that while using a mobile phone, brain metabolism was increased in the orbito-frontal cortex and the temporal pole areas of the brain, areas that are close to where phone's antenna meets the head. Authors concluded, "This finding is of unknown clinical significance".…”

The Potential Impact of Mobile Phone Use on Trends in Brain and CNS Tumors

“…Many studies report on the increased risk of brain cancer on the ipsilateral side of the head (tumor on the same side as the mobile phone is used), which is consistent with the fact that only the ipsilateral side of the head is exposed to cell phone radiation and, for adults, the contralateral side in not exposed [27] All case-control studies show a significant increase risk of brain tumors with data for >10 years of ipsilateral use. After 10 years of use the risk on the ipsilateral side may be several times higher than the risk of brain cancer without regard to laterality [28].…”

Pooled analysis of Swedish case-control studies during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 on meningioma risk associated with the use of mobile and cordless phones

“…The corresponding results for cordless phones were a median of 8.0 years (mean 8.2 and range 2-21). Mean cumulative mobile phone use for the cases was 881 h (median 176 and range 1-33,215) and for controls 784 h (median 192 and range [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]756). Regarding cordless phone use, the mean cumulative time for cases was 1,309 h (median 487 and range 3-58,400) and for controls 861 h (median 365 and range [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]980).…”