Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) exposure of neuronal in vitro networks

Abstract

Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) is a worldwide common mobile communication standard, used by authorities and organizations with security tasks. Previous studies reported on health effects of TETRA, with focus on the specific pulse frequency of 17.64Hz, which affects calcium efflux in neuronal cells. Likewise among others, it was reported that TETRA affects heart rate variability, neurophysiology and leads to headaches. In contrast, other studies conclude that TETRA does not affect calcium efflux of cells and has no effect on people's health. In the present study we examine whether TETRA short- and long-term exposure could affect the electrophysiology of neuronal in vitro networks. Experiments were performed with a carrier frequency of 395MHz, a pulse frequency of 17.64Hz and a differential quaternary phase-shift keying (π/4 DQPSK) modulation. Specific absorption rates (SAR) of 1.17W/kg and 2.21W/kg were applied. In conclusion, the present results do not indicate any effect of TETRA exposure on electrophysiology of neuronal in vitro networks, neither for short-term nor long-term exposure. This applies to the examined parameters spike rate, burst rate, burst duration and network synchrony.

Personal radio use and cancer risks among 48,518 British police officers and staff from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study

“…15,16 Epidemiological studies of occupational RF-EMF exposure on risk of cancer have not shown any consistent or convincing evidence of effect, 1,17 and recent in vitro work reported no effect of TETRA on electrophysiology of neuronal networks. 18 Studies of acute effects of TETRA on the electroencephalogram were inconsistent 19–21 as was an effect on heart rate variability, which was reported in one study (consistent with vagal stimulation in the chest) 19 but not another which looked at head exposure. 22 Other studies have concluded that there was no robust evidence for an effect of TETRA on cognitive functioning.…”

The Hyperfine Coupling Radical Pair Mechanism of Biological Effects on Weak Magnetic Fields

“…With the development of the globally advancing digitalization, the use of mobile communication systems and the mobile devices is more and more, which results in a rise of RF-MFs exposure of the human body Köhler, et al [99]. Valentini, et al [100] concluded that mobile phone RF-MFs may influence normal physiology.…”

“…Possible health effects of RF-MFs on the human body are still in discussion and have not finally been verified [100,101]. Thermal effect which leads to temperature increase in cells and tissue and is based on dielectric heating is the undisputed and possibly only interaction of RF-MFs with biological cells and tissue [99]; [101]. However, the occurrence of non-thermal effects within cells, tissue and organism are still one controversial discussion [63]; [99][100][101].…”

“…Thermal effect which leads to temperature increase in cells and tissue and is based on dielectric heating is the undisputed and possibly only interaction of RF-MFs with biological cells and tissue [99]; [101]. However, the occurrence of non-thermal effects within cells, tissue and organism are still one controversial discussion [63]; [99][100][101]. Nevertheless, one mechanism that explains the observed effects with certainty is not known [40][41][42].…”

Hail suppression activities using TETRA-based sensor network

“…In Serbia, hail suppression activities began in 1953 and, since 1967, have been entrusted to the Republic Hydrometeorological Service. Today, hail suppression is conducted by means of a network of 13 radar centers with radars S-band range (ten radars Mitsubishi RC34A and three Gematronik radars) and 1,800 active hail suppression stations from which hail suppression rockets are launched with active range of 6 and 8 km, and the telecommunication system comprising the assembly of radio links with 50 repeaters and 1,800 radio stations, together with a terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) (Köhler et al, 2018) digital radio systems with more than 130 base stations and operative-methodological center in Belgrade (Vujovi c et al, 2007). The whole territory of Serbia, except Kosovo and Metohija, is a protected area, that is, approximately, a total of over eight million hectares.…”