Biological issue of electromagnetic fields and waves

Abstract

Biological issue of electromagnetic fields and waves Koyama S. Biological issue of electromagnetic fields and waves. Chapter 12 in Shinohara N. Wireless Power Transfer Technologies: Theory and Technologies (2nd edition). Aug 6, 2024. Abstract In the past few decades, the use of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has become prevalent throughout the world, and we no longer intend to stop using this technology. The widespread use of electromagnetic sources in daily life has induced an inevitable exposure to EMF. Recently, the rapid introduction of EMF has witnessed an upsurge in the use of EMF for telecommunication. Mobile phone use has become ubiquitous. Wireless communication devices emit nonionizing electromagnetic radiofrequency (RF) fields in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz, raising public concern regarding the increasing use of mobile phones and their potential health-related risks. The intermediate frequency (IF) EMF (300 Hz to 10 MHz) is also now widely used for wireless power transmission (WPT) or domestic kitchen appliances such as induction heating (IH) cooking. Unfortunately, although plenty of research has been conducted on RF, little information exists on the potential health effects associated with the exposure to IF magnetic fields. With growing concerns regarding the potential health hazards, it has become necessary to investigate the risks of IF magnetic fields in more detail. 12.5 Conclusions on IF and RF studies A handful of cellular studies exist on IF exposure. The usage of IF is now spreading all over the world, and more devices are using this frequency. Although the research on IF is urgent, so far it seems that the low-power intensity of IF might not induce any adverse effects on the cellular response. However, no general conclusions can be drawn on this frequency range. There are still contradictory results about the effects of exposure to RF on the cellular response. However, RF energy does not directly cleave intercellular DNA since most genotoxicity studies have indicated negative results. Some positive data at high SARs seem to relate mainly thermal effect by exposure to RF. Several interesting results of HSP and apoptosis should be validated shortly. Further studies on RF effects using improved biotechnological methods are warranted for precise conclusions. doi.org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The chapter states that few cellular studies exist on intermediate-frequency (IF) exposure and that no general conclusions can be drawn; it suggests low-power IF may not induce adverse cellular effects but evidence is limited. For radiofrequency (RF) exposure, it reports contradictory cellular-response findings, notes that most genotoxicity studies indicate negative results (RF energy does not directly cleave DNA), and suggests some positive findings at high SARs may be mainly due to thermal effects; HSP and apoptosis findings are described as needing validation.

Outcomes measured

• cellular response
• genotoxicity/DNA damage
• heat shock proteins (HSP)
• apoptosis
• health effects (general)

Limitations

• Described as a narrative overview; methods for literature search/selection are not provided in the abstract
• Limited information and few cellular studies for IF exposure; no general conclusions possible
• Contradictory results reported for RF effects on cellular response
• Some positive RF findings may be confounded by thermal effects at high SARs
• Calls for validation of HSP/apoptosis findings and improved methods, implying current evidence is not definitive

Suggested hubs

• wireless-power-transfer (0.9)
  Chapter is in a Wireless Power Transfer Technologies book and discusses IF EMF used for WPT.

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        "mobile phones",
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        "genotoxicity",
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