Electromagnetic fields of cellular communication as risk factors able to produce negative effects on

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields of cellular communication as risk factors able to produce negative effects on the central nervous system of children and adolescents (review) Khorseva NI, Grigoriev PE. Electromagnetic fields of cellular communication as risk factors able to produce negative effects on the central nervous system of children and adolescents (review). Part 1. Modeling. Parameters of electroencephalography and sensorimotor reactions. Health Risk Analysis, 2024, no. 2, pp. 162–169. doi: 10.21668/health.risk/2024.2.15.eng. Abstract It is quite relevant to investigate possible outcomes of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) since contemporary children and adolescents have become active users of the most advanced technologies. They are especially susceptible to electromagnetic factors; therefore, it is necessary to have a proper insight into outcomes of such exposures for the body. The central nervous system (CNS) is one of the main targets under exposure to RF EMF. In most cases, users hold mobile phones close to their heads thereby directly exposing their brains to RF EMF. As the analysis of literature data has shown, there are few studies in this area; however, proposed options for assessing the impact of RF EMF on children and adolescents are very diverse. This part of the review focuses on various types of modeling. These are not only phantom, voxel models or the finite difference method but also new approaches such as distribution matrices, Monte Carlo simulations and an integrated radio frequency model based on the results of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and other methods. The review provides the results obtained by investigating encephalography under exposure to RF EMF created by mobile communication devices. They are rather contradictory; however, changes in the bioelectrical activity of the brain are detected in most cases, in particular, a decrease in the alpha rhyme. Since the characteristics of sensorimotor reactions quite clearly reflect the power relations in the cerebral cortex, we analyzed changes in the parameters of simple auditory-motor and visual-motor reactions in children and adolescents who were mobile communication users. In addition, the review covers the results of changes in working capacity, fatigue, the duration of an individual minute and the reproduction of a given rhythm. Open access paper: health-risk-analysis-2024-2-15.pdf Assessing the risk of negative effects produced by electromagnetic fields of cellular communication on the central nervous system of children and adolescents (review). Part 2. Indicators of cognitive processes Khorseva NI, Grigoriev PE. Assessing the risk of negative effects produced by electromagnetic fields of cellular communication on the central nervous system of children and adolescents (review). Part 2. Indicators of cognitive processes. Health Risk Analysis, 2024, no. 3, pp. 146–154. doi: 10.21668/health.risk/2024.3.15.eng Abstract This paper continues the authors’ review that dwells on modeling radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) and results obtained by measuring electroencephalography indicators, sensorimotor reactions, fatigue, work capacity, duration of an individual minute and the reproduction of a given rhythm in children and adolescents. Health risk assessment is always based on data obtained by either laboratory tests or epidemiological studies. This paper analyses publications that describe effects of RF EMF exposure, including Wi-Fi, on cognitive processes in children and adolescents as well as methodical approaches to investigating this exposure. However, there are few such studies; in particular, effects produced by Wi-Fi exposure on cognitive indicators of adolescents aged 14–17 years, were found only in two publications. Literature analysis has established that research findings do not always give an unambiguous estimation of RF EMF effects. The review covers the reasons for ambiguous interpretation of research results: a variable range of test-systems used for investigating indicators of cognitive processes; simultaneous analysis of single exposures including descriptions of ‘effect of improvement’ in indicators; changes in cognitive indicators registered for a group of children and adolescents in a wide age range. Nevertheless, most results give evidence of negative changes in attention and memory of children and adolescents. Given that, longitudinal studies are becoming especially relevant since they estimate changes in various indicators in dynamics, including those induced by changes in mobile phone use. The review highlights the relevance of comprehensive investigations with their focus on health outcomes of RF EMF exposure intrinsic to 5G technologies considering their global implementation. Open access paper: journal.fcrisk.ru Russian version: journal.fcrisk.ru analysis-2024-3-15.pdf

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This two-part literature review reports that available studies on RF EMF exposure from cellular communication (and, in Part 2, Wi-Fi) in children and adolescents are few and yield contradictory results. For EEG outcomes, the review states that changes in brain bioelectrical activity are detected in most cases, including a decrease in the alpha rhythm. For cognitive outcomes, the review notes ambiguous interpretation across studies but states that most results indicate negative changes in attention and memory.

Outcomes measured

• Electroencephalography (EEG) parameters (including alpha rhythm)
• Sensorimotor reactions (auditory-motor and visual-motor)
• Working capacity
• Fatigue
• Duration of an individual minute
• Reproduction of a given rhythm
• Cognitive processes (attention, memory)

Limitations

• Few studies available in this area
• Findings described as contradictory/ambiguous across publications
• Variable test systems used to assess cognitive indicators
• Simultaneous analysis of single exposures including reports of an 'effect of improvement' in indicators
• Wide age ranges grouped together in some studies
• Wi-Fi effects in adolescents aged 14–17 reported as found only in two publications

Suggested hubs

• cell-phones (0.92)
  Review focuses on RF EMF exposure from mobile communication devices held close to the head.
• wifi (0.72)
  Part 2 explicitly includes Wi-Fi exposure and cognitive outcomes.
• 5g-policy (0.55)
  Review highlights relevance of studying health outcomes intrinsic to 5G technologies during global implementation.

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    "publication_year": 2024,
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone, wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Children and adolescents",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Electroencephalography (EEG) parameters (including alpha rhythm)",
        "Sensorimotor reactions (auditory-motor and visual-motor)",
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    "main_findings": "This two-part literature review reports that available studies on RF EMF exposure from cellular communication (and, in Part 2, Wi-Fi) in children and adolescents are few and yield contradictory results. For EEG outcomes, the review states that changes in brain bioelectrical activity are detected in most cases, including a decrease in the alpha rhythm. For cognitive outcomes, the review notes ambiguous interpretation across studies but states that most results indicate negative changes in attention and memory.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Few studies available in this area",
        "Findings described as contradictory/ambiguous across publications",
        "Variable test systems used to assess cognitive indicators",
        "Simultaneous analysis of single exposures including reports of an 'effect of improvement' in indicators",
        "Wide age ranges grouped together in some studies",
        "Wi-Fi effects in adolescents aged 14–17 reported as found only in two publications"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "stance": "concern",
    "stance_confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "summary": "This two-part review examines literature on radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposure from mobile communication devices (and, in Part 2, Wi-Fi) and potential central nervous system effects in children and adolescents. The authors report that the evidence base is limited and results are often contradictory, but they state that EEG changes are detected in most cases (including reduced alpha rhythm) and that most findings suggest negative changes in attention and memory. The review also discusses diverse modeling approaches and emphasizes the need for longitudinal and comprehensive studies, including for 5G-related exposures.",
    "key_points": [
        "The papers are a two-part literature review focused on RF EMF exposure and CNS-related outcomes in children and adolescents.",
        "Part 1 emphasizes modeling approaches (phantoms, voxel models, finite difference methods, Monte Carlo simulations, and MRI-based integrated RF models).",
        "EEG findings are described as contradictory overall, but the review reports that brain bioelectrical changes are detected in most cases, including decreased alpha rhythm.",
        "The review summarizes reported changes in sensorimotor reactions and related measures such as fatigue and working capacity.",
        "Part 2 reviews cognitive-process indicators and notes that few studies address these outcomes in children and adolescents.",
        "For Wi-Fi exposure in adolescents aged 14–17, the review states effects on cognitive indicators were found only in two publications.",
        "The authors attribute ambiguity in results to heterogeneous test systems, single-exposure analyses (including reported improvements), and wide age-range grouping.",
        "The review highlights the relevance of longitudinal and comprehensive studies, including those considering 5G implementation."
    ],
    "categories": [
        "RF EMF",
        "Children & Adolescents",
        "Neurocognitive Effects",
        "EEG & Neurophysiology",
        "Exposure Modeling"
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    "tags": [
        "Radiofrequency EMF",
        "Mobile Phones",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "Children",
        "Adolescents",
        "Central Nervous System",
        "Electroencephalography",
        "Alpha Rhythm",
        "Sensorimotor Reactions",
        "Attention",
        "Memory",
        "Cognitive Processes",
        "Monte Carlo Simulation",
        "Voxel Models",
        "5G"
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    "keywords": [
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    "social": {
        "tweet": "Two-part 2024 review on RF EMF from mobile communication (and Wi‑Fi) in children/adolescents reports limited, often contradictory evidence; EEG changes (incl. reduced alpha rhythm) are noted in many studies, and most findings suggest negative changes in attention and memory. Calls for longitudinal research incl. 5G.",
        "facebook": "A 2024 two-part literature review examines RF EMF exposure from mobile communication devices (and Wi‑Fi) and potential CNS-related outcomes in children and adolescents. The authors describe the evidence base as small and results as often contradictory, but report EEG changes in many studies (including reduced alpha rhythm) and that most findings suggest negative changes in attention and memory. The review discusses modeling methods and emphasizes the need for longitudinal studies, including for 5G-related exposures.",
        "linkedin": "This 2024 two-part review summarizes literature on RF EMF exposure from mobile communication devices (and Wi‑Fi) and CNS-related outcomes in children and adolescents. The authors report few available studies and frequent ambiguity, yet note EEG changes in many studies (including decreased alpha rhythm) and that most results indicate negative changes in attention and memory. The papers also outline diverse RF modeling approaches and call for longitudinal, comprehensive research, including regarding 5G."
    }
}

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