Effects of exposure to electromagnetic field from 915 MHz radiofrequency identification system on circulating blood cells in the healthy adult rat

Abstract

We investigated whether exposure to the 915 MHz radiofrequency identification (RFID) signal affected circulating blood cells in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to RFID at a wholebody specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 8 h per day, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. Complete blood counts were performed after RFID exposure, and the CD4 þ /CD8 þ ratio was determined by flow cytometry. The number of red blood cells (RBCs) and the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and RBC indices were increased in the RFID-exposed group compared with those in the cagecontrol and sham-exposed groups (P < 0.05). However, the RBCs and platelet numbers were within normal physiologic response ranges. The number of white blood cells, including lymphocytes, was decreased in RFID-exposed rats. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the sham-exposed and RFID-exposed groups in terms of T-cell counts or CD4 þ /CD8 þ ratio (P > 0.05). Although the number of circulating blood cells was significantly altered by RFID exposure at a whole-body specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 2 weeks, these changes do not necessarily indicate that RFID exposure is harmful, as they were within the normal physiological response range. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:68-76, 2018.

900 MHz Electromagnetic Fields Induce Microbiota Dysbiosis and Adaptive Immune System Disorders in Juvenile Rats

“…Our results showed that the exposure of rats to an RF-EMF was associated with a lower WBC count, a lower total lymphocyte count, and a higher proportion of neutrophils in the peripheral blood. Similar changes in hematological variables had been observed in a study of juvenile rats exposed to 915 MHz frequencies for 8 h/day over a 2-week period 45 . In contrast to the results for short exposures 48 , our data suggest that longer exposure to RF-EMF induces an alteration in the immune system in general and in the adaptive immune system in particular.…”

Effect of Exposure to a Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on Body Temperature in Anesthetized and Non‐Anesthetized Rats

“…Mobile wireless telecommunication services have expanded dramatically over the last decade, and the levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF‐EMF) irradiation and energy in the environment have increased as a consequence [World Health Organization, ; Kim et al, ]. This has increased public concerns regarding the potential detrimental health effects of exposure to RF‐EMF [ICNIRP, ].…”

“…Also, 1 h of exposure to a 1,439‐MHz time‐division multiple access fields at a brain‐average SAR of 7.5 W/kg (peak SAR of 11 W/kg or whole‐body average SAR of 1.7 W/kg) did not alter the body temperature in rats, but such exposure at a brain‐average SAR of 25 W/kg (peak SAR of 39 W/kg or whole‐body average SAR of 5.7 W/kg) raised the body temperature by 2 °C [Yamaguchi et al, ]. However, in another study, exposure to an EMF at an average of 4 W/kg whole‐body SAR did not significantly alter the body temperature [Kim et al, ; Paik et al, ; Wyde et al, ].…”

Biological Effects of Exposure to a Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field on the Placental Barrier in Pregnant Rats

“…A reverberation chamber with a 915 MHz radiofrequency identification (RFID) signal source was used in this study [Kim et al, 2018]. Briefly, the whole‐body exposure system (IRETEC, Anyang, ROK) with 915 MHz RFID was constructed using a reverberation chamber [Jung et al, 2008; Wu et al, 2010].…”