volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

Simultaneous exposure to multiple electromagnetic signals with widely differing carrier frequencies is a reality of daily life, but its possible effects on health are unknown. In this study we exposed rats to non-thermal levels of 900 and 2450 MHz TEM-mode radiation, applied individually or simultaneously, and we obtained estimates of 1 g mean SAR (specific absorption rate) in various tissues using a numerical model of the rat and finite-difference time-domain software. The experimental system comprised a GTEM (gigahertz TEM) chamber connected to two vector signal generators, a signal mixer and amplifier, a directional coupler, a spectrum analyzer and a power meter. Tissue sections from rats sacrificed 24 h after exposure, and from negative controls and positive controls exposed to gamma radiation, were stained with haematoxylin-eosin for evaluation of general cell morphology and with DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) for evaluation of apoptosis. Lesions, tissue destruction and apoptosis were only observed in positive controls. The results for rats exposed to either frequency, or to both simultaneously, were similar to those of unexposed negative controls. It remains to determine whether chronic exposure is similarly innocuous.

1. REAL DECRETO 1066/2001, , Boletín Oficial de Estado, Sept. 28, 2001.

2. Lee, H. J., J. S. Lee, J. K. Pack, H. D. Choi, N. Kim, S. H. Kim, and Y. S. Lee, "Lack of teratogenicity after combined exposure of pregnant mice to CDMA and WCDMA radio frequency of pregnant mice to CDMA and WCDMA radio frequency," Radiat. Res., Vol. 172, No. 5, 648-52, 2009.
doi:10.1667/RR1771.1 Google Scholar

3. Lee, H. J., Y. B. Jin, T. H. Kim, J. K. Pack, N. Kim, H. D. Choi, and Y. S. Lee, "The effects of simultaneous combined exposure to CDMA and WCDMA electromagnetic fields on rat testicular function," Bioelectromagnetics, 2011. Google Scholar

4. Lee, H. J., Y. B. Jin, J. S. Lee, S. Y. Choi, T. H. Kim, J. K. Pack, H. D. Choi, N. Kim, and Y. S. Lee, "Lymphoma development of simultaneously combined exposure to two radio frequency signals in AKR/J mice," Bioelectromagnetics, Vol. 32, No. 6, 485-92, 2011.
doi:10.1002/bem.20655 Google Scholar

5. Jin, Y. B., H. J. Lee, J. S. Lee, J. K. Pack, N. Kim, and Y. S. Lee, "One year simultaneous combined exposure of CDMA and WCDMA radio frequency electromagnetic fields to rats," Int. J. Radiat. Biol., Vol. 87, No. 4, 416-23, 2011.
doi:10.3109/09553002.2010.537428 Google Scholar

6. Thomas, S., A. Kühnlein, S. Heinrich, G. Praml, D. Nowak, R. Von Kries, and K. Radon, "Personal exposure to mobile phone frequencies and well-being in adults: A cross-sectional study based on dosimetry," Bioelectromagnetics, Vol. 29, 463-470, 2008.
doi:10.1002/bem.20414 Google Scholar

7. Thomas, S., A. Kühnlein, S. Heinrich, G. Praml, R. Von Kries, and K. Radon, "Exposure to mobile telecommunication networks assessed using personal dosimetry and well-being in children and adolescents: The German mobile study," Environmental Health, 2008, http://www.ehjournal.net/content/7/1/54. Google Scholar

8. ICNIRP, International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection "Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)," Health Physics, Vol. 74, 494-522, 1998. Google Scholar

9. Genc, O., M. Bayrak, and E. Yaldiz, "Analysis of the effects of GSM bands to the electromagnetic pollution in the RF spectrum," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 101, 17-32, 2010.
doi:10.2528/PIER09111004 Google Scholar

10. Schmid & Partner Engineering AG, , "Reference manual for the SEMCAD simulation platform for electromagnetic compatibility, antenna design and dosimetry,", 2010, www.semcad.com. Google Scholar

11. Li, K., Y. Hui, S. Ma, G. Ding, Y. Guo, J. Liu, Y. Li, and G. Guo, "Inhibition of bone formation by high intensity pulsed electromagnetic field in mc3t3-e1 cells," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 112, 139-153, 2011. Google Scholar

12. Schaffner Electrotest GmbH, , "GTEM test cells," , GTEM Catalogue, 2005, www.schaffner.com.
doi:10.2528/PIER11052005 Google Scholar

13. Zhang, M. and A. Alden, "Calculation of whole-body SAR from a 100MHz dipole antenna," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 119, 133-153, 2011.
doi:10.2528/PIER11022402 Google Scholar

14. Mohsin, S. A., "Concentration of the specific absorption rate around deep brain stimulation electrodes during MRI," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 121, 469-484, 2011.
doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2004.07.004 Google Scholar

15. Mausset-Bonnefont, A. L., H. Hirbec, X. Bonnefont, A. Privat, J. Vignon, and R. de Seze, "Acute exposure to GSM 900-MHz electromagnetic fields induces glial reactivity and biochemical modifications in the rat brain ," Neurobiol. Dis., Vol. 17, No. 3, 445-454, 2004.
doi:10.2528/PIER08101307 Google Scholar

16. López-Martín, E., J. C. Bregains, F. J. Jorge-Barreiro, J. L. Sebastián-Franco, E. Moreno-Piquero, and F. Ares-Pena, "An experimental set-up for measurement of the power absorbed from 900MHz GSM standing waves by small animals, illustrated by application to picrotoxin treated rats," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 87, 149-165, 2008.
doi:10.2528/PIER09102804 Google Scholar

17. Jorge-Mora, M. T., M. Alvarez-Folgueiras, J. Leiro, F. J. Jorge-Barreiro, F. J. Ares-Pena, and E. Lopez-Martín, "Exposure to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation provokes cerebral changes in induction of HSP90 α/β heat shock protein in rat," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 100, 351-379, 2010.
doi:10.3109/15368378.2011.587930 Google Scholar

18. Kesari, K. K., S. Kumar, and J. Behari, "900-MHz microwave radiation promotes oxidation in rat brain," Electromagn. Biol. Med., Vol. 30, No. 4, 219-34, 2011.
doi:10.3109/15368370903206556 Google Scholar

19. Dasdag, S., M. Z. Akdag, E. Ulukaya, A. K. Uzunlar, and A. R. Ocak, "Effect of mobile phone exposure on apoptotic glial cells and status of oxidative stress in rat brain," Electromagn. Biol. Med., Vol. 28, No. 4, 342-54, 2009.
doi:10.4331/wjbc.v3.i2.34 Google Scholar

20. Calabrò, E., S. Condello, M. Currò, N. Ferlazzo, D. Caccamo, S. Magazù, and R. Ientile, "Modulation of heat shock protein response in SH-SY5Y by mobile phone microwaves," R. World J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 3, No. 2, 34-40, 2012.
doi:10.1667/RR1077.1 Google Scholar

21. Joubert, V., S. Bourthoumieu, P. Leveque, and C. Yardin, "Apoptosis is induced by radio frequency fields through the caspase-independent mitochondrial pathway in cortical neurons," Radiat. Res., Vol. 169, No. 1, 38-45, 2008.
doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2006.09.092 Google Scholar

22. Zhao, T. Y., S. P. Zou, and P. E. Knapp, "Exposure to cell phone radiation up-regulates apoptosis genes in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes," Neurosci. Lett., Vol. 412, No. 1, 34-8, 2006.
doi:10.1080/15368370701878978 Google Scholar

23. Yilmaz, F., S. Dasdag, M. Z. Akdag, and N. Kilinc, "Whole-body exposure of radiation emitted from 900MHz mobile phones does not seem to affect the levels of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein," Electromagn. Biol. Med., Vol. 27, No. 1, 65-72, 2008.
doi:10.3858/emm.2008.40.3.294 Google Scholar

24. Kim, T. H., T. Q. Huang, J. J. Jang, M. H. Kim, H. J. Kim, J. S. Lee, J. K. Pack, J. S. Seo, and W. Y. Pack, "Local exposure of 849MHz and 1763MHz radio frequency radiation to mouse heads does not induce cell death or cell proliferation in brain," Exp. Mol. Med., Vol. 40, No. 3, 294-303, 2008.
doi:10.1093/rpd/ncn171 Google Scholar

25. Moquet, J., E. Ainsbury, S. Bouffer, and D. Lloyd, "Exposure to low level GSM 935MHZ radio frequency fields does not induce apoptosis in proliferating or differentiated murine neuroblastoma cells," Radiat. Prot. Dosimetry, Vol. 131, No. 3, 287-96, 2008. Google Scholar

26. Saygin, M., S. Caliskan, N. Karahan, A. Koyu, N. Gumral, and N. Uguz, "Testicular apoptosis and histopathological changes induced by a 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field," A. Toxicol. Ind. Health, Vol. 27, No. 5, 455-63, 2011.
doi:10.1590/S1807-59322009000600011 Google Scholar

27. Mailankot, M., A. P. Kunnath, H. Jayalekshmi, B. Koduru, and R. Valsalan, "Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from GSM (0.9/1.8 GHz) mobile phones induces oxidative stress and reduces sperm motility in rats," Clinics, Vol. 64, No. 6, 561-5, 2009. Google Scholar

28. Lee, H. J., J. K. Pack, T. H. Kim, N. Kim, S. Y. Choi, J. S. Lee, S. H. Kim, and Y. S. Lee, "The lack of histological changes of CDMA cellular phone-based radio frequency on rat testis,", Vol. 31, No. 7, 528-34, 2010.
doi:10.1667/RR2091.1 Google Scholar

29. Falzone, N., C. Huyser, D. R. Franken, and D. Leszczynski, "Mobile phone radiation does not induce pro-apoptosis effects in human spermatozoa," Radiat. Res., Vol. 174, No. 2, 169-76, 2010. Google Scholar

30. Dasdag, S., M. Z. Akdag, E. Ulukaya, A. K. Uzunlar, and D. Yegin, "Mobile phone exposure does not induce apoptosis on spermatogenesis in rats," Arch. Med. Res., Vol. 9, No. 1, 40-4, 2007.
doi:10.1016/j.arcmed.2011.06.001 Google Scholar

31. Aydin, B. and A. Akar, "Effects of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress parameters in rat lymphoid organs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma," Arch. Med. Res., Vol. 42, No. 4, 261-7, 2011. Google Scholar

32. Lushnikov, K. V., A. B. Gapeev, V. B. Sadovniko, and N. K. Cheremis, "Effect of extremely high frequency electromag netic radiation of low intensity on parameters of humoral immunity in healthy mice," Biofizika., Vol. 46, No. 4, 753-60, 2001. Google Scholar

33. Quaglino, D., M. Capri, and I. P. Ronchetti, "Modulation of cell death in the rat thymus. Light and electron microscopic investigations," Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., Vol. 926, 79-82, 2000. Google Scholar

34. Quaglino, D., M. Capri, L. Zecca, C. Franceschi, and I. P. Ronchetti, "The effect on rat thymocytes of the simultaneous in vivo exposure to 50-Hz electric and magnetic field and to continuous light," Scientific World Journal., Vol. 4, Suppl. 2, 91-9, 2004. Google Scholar

35. Trelles, M. A., C. van der Lugt, S. Mordon, A. Ribé, and M. Al-Zarouni, "Histological findings in adipocytes when cellulite is treated with a variable-emission radio frequency system ," Lasers Med. Sci., Vol. 25, No. 2, 191-5, 2009.
doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.33031.x Google Scholar

36. De Felipe, I. and P. Redondo, "Animal model to explain fat atrophy using non ablative radiofrequency," Dermatol. Surg., Vol. 33, No. 2, 141-5, 2007. Google Scholar

37. Vukova, T., A. Atanassov, and V. Ivanov, "Intensity-dependent effects of microwave electromagnetic fields on acetylcholinesterase activity and protein conformation in frog skeletal muscles," Med. Sci. Monit., Vol. 11, No. 2, BR50-6, 2005.
doi:10.1076/apab.110.3.203.8290 Google Scholar

38. Radicheva, N., K. Mileva, T. Vukova, B. Georgieva, and I. Kristev, "Effect of microwave electromagnetic field on skeletal muscle fibre activity," Arch. Physiol. Biochem., Vol. 110, No. 3, 203-14, 2002.
doi:10.1007/s00266-006-0151-3 Google Scholar

39. Jin, P. Y., Y. W. Jo, S. I. Bang, H. J. Kim, S. Y. Lim, G. H. Mun, W. S. Hyon, and K. S. Oh, "Radiofrequency volumetric reduction for masseteric hypertrophy," Aesthetic. Plast. Surg., Vol. 31, No. 1, 42-52, 2007. Google Scholar

40. Meltz, M. L., "Radiofrequency exposure and mammalian cell toxicity, genotoxicity, and transformation," Bioelectromagnetics, Supplement 6, 196-213, 2003.
doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.04.034 Google Scholar

41. Paniagua, J. M., R. Montaña, A. Jiménez, A. Antolín, and M. Sánchez, "Electrical stimulation vs thermal effects in a complex electromagnetic environment," Science of the Total Environment, Vol. 407, 4717-4722, 2009.
doi:10.1002/bem.10167 Google Scholar

42. Markkanen, A., P. Penttinen, J. Naarala, J. Pelkonen, A.-P. Sihvonen, and J. Juutilaine, "Apoptosis induced by ultraviolet radiation is enhanced by amplitude modulated radiofrequency radiation in mutant yeast cells," Bioelectromagnetics, Vol. 25, 127-133, 2004.
doi:10.1080/15287390902841466 Google Scholar

43. Cao, Y., W. Zhang, M. X. Lu, Q. Xu, Q. Q. Meng, J. H. Nie, and J. Tong, "900-MHz microwave radiation enhances gamma-ray adverse effects on SHG44 cell," J. Toxicol. Environ. Health A, Vol. 72, No. 11-12, 727-32, 2009.
doi: --- Either ISSN or Journal title must be supplied. Google Scholar

Dr. Alberto López-Furelos

Dr. Maria del Mar Miñana-Maiques

Dr. Jose Manuel Leiro-Vidal

Dr. Juan Antonio Rodríguez-Gonzalez

Professor Francisco Ares-Pena

Dr. Maria Elena Lopez-Martin