Radiation literature survey

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This in vitro study investigated the effects of static magnetic fields on the development of rats’ muscle cells. Cells were exposed to static magnetic fields (60-400 mT) created by a permanent magnet. The authors found that exposure to static magnetic fields at a few times the strength of the earth’s magnetic field can have a stimulating effect on proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells and increase in intracellular calcium concentration.

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This case-control study assessed the association between living next to high voltage power lines and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the study the distance of the residential address between 1,139 ALS patients was compared to that of 2,864 controls. The study found no increased risk of ALS in persons living in close vicinity of a power line compared to persons who had always lived at a distance of at least 600 meters. The authors conclude that there was no association between living next to high voltage power lines and ALS.

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This in vitro study investigated the effects of millimetre wave (MMW) exposure on the gene expression in human cells (keratinocytes). Thermal effects were investigated by exposing the cells to MMW at 20 mW/cm². Significant modification of keratinocyte gene expression was observed, due to the thermal effects of MMW. However there was no modification in gene expression, when the temperature of the exposed cells was artificially maintained constant.

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This is a pooled analysis of all the epidemiological studies investigating extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) and childhood cancer and specifically leukaemia. There was no statistically significant association between ELF MF and childhood cancer or leukaemia. The authors suggest that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification (IARC) of ELF MF as possibly carcinogenic should be revised (IARC, 2002).

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Previous pooled analyses have reported an association between prolonged exposure to higher than normal ELF MF and childhood leukaemia (Ahlbom et al, 2000 and Greenland et al, 2000). Based on these results IARC classified ELF MF as possibly carcinogenic. In his investigation Leitgeb applies different methods to include more studies in his pooled analysis compared to previous pooled analyses.

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This human provocation study investigated whether using a mobile phone affects the short-term memory of elementary school students. A total of 60 students aged 8-10 years were exposed to real and sham exposure from a mobile phone for 10 min each (spaced by 30 min). Tests on visual reaction time and short-term memory were done before and after each exposure. The authors found that short-term exposure to RF radiation from a mobile phone improved elementary school students’ short-term memory but not their reaction time.

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This animal study investigated the effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on brain development. In the study, rats’ heads were exposed to GSM 900 MHz RF EMF, from an age of 14 days to 19 months, for 2 hours/day, 5 days/week with average specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0 (sham), 0.7, 2.5 and 10 W/kg. Behavioural and learning tests were performed on the rats at three different stages throughout the study period (juvenile, adulthood and middle age). There were no significant differences between the exposed and control rats. The authors conclude that there are no harmful effects of long-term RF EMF exposure on brain development as indicated by the learning skills and behaviour in rats.

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Numerous studies have evaluated the developmental effects of RF exposure on animals. There is no consistent evidence of adverse health effects at low exposure levels, according to a review conducted by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection in 2009 (ICNIRP, 2009). There are studies that reported some negative effects on brain development after exposure to RF EMF, such as learning deficits however other studies reported positive effects such as improved memory and learning skills. Additional research will need to be conducted to confirm the reproducibility of those reported effects. It is noted that the exposure levels in previous studies varied; the study by Klose et al exposed rats to RF levels above the current Australian Standard of 2 W/kg.

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This is a systematic review by the Health Council of the Netherlands (HCN) of animal studies investigating the relation between exposure to RF EMF and cancer. The review found that in the majority of studies, no effect of carcinogenesis has been observed. HCN concludes that based on the evidence from animal studies it is highly unlikely that long-term continuous or repeated exposure to RF EMF can cause or promote the development of cancer.

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The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection has published guidelines for the protection of workers against established adverse health effects arising from exposure to static magnetic fields and time-varying magnetic fields below 1 Hz and to avoid sensory effects which may be annoying and impair working ability (including vertigo, nausea, visual sensations, metallic taste and various neurocognitive effects). This includes, but is not limited to workers engaged in activities related to magnetic resonance imaging.

The Guidelines are available from the ICNIRP.

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This is a review on the effects of electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields on melatonin and cortisol secretion, the two major markers of the circadian system as well as on sleep. The results of relevant studies to date are largely contradictory and inconsistent in their findings. The authors conclude that the hypothesis on disruption of melatonin secretion as being caused by electromagnetic fields is not supported by the epidemiological and experimental data.

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This is an in vitro study investigating whether the RF EMFs from smartphones can cause harm to human tissues. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were incubated under a smartphone connected to a Wi-Fi network, which was uploading files for 10 hours a day, for a total of 5 days. Two groups of control cells were incubated under a temperature of 37°C and 39°C, respectively. It was found that the cell proliferation rate was higher in Wi-Fi-exposed cells and 39°C control cells compared with 37°C control cells, which the authors point out may be attributable to the thermal effects of Wi-Fi exposure. Other analyses showed no remarkable differences among the 3 groups. The authors conclude that there are no harmful effects from a smartphone’s Wi‑Fi exposure to human ASCs.

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