Is the sustainability of exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation possible?
Calvente
I, Núñez MI. Is the sustainability of exposure to non-ionizing
electromagnetic radiation possible? Medicina Clínica (English Edition),
162(8):387-393. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.medcle.2023.11.016.
Abstract
Technological
advances imply an increase in artificially generating sources of
electromagnetic fields (EMF), therefore, resulting in a permanent
exposure of people and the environment (electromagnetic pollution).
Inconsistent results have been published considering the evaluated
health effects. The purpose of this study was to review scientific
literature on EMF to provide a global and retrospective perspective, on
the association between human exposure to non-ionizing radiation (NIR,
mainly radiofrequency-EMF) and health and environmental effects. Studies
on the health effects of 5G radiation exposure have not yet been
performed with sufficient statistical power, as the exposure time is
still relatively short and also the latency and intensity of exposure to
5G. The safety standards only consider thermal effects, do not
contemplate non-thermal effects. We consider relevant to communicate
this knowledge to the general public to improve education in this field,
and to healthcare professionals to prevent diseases that may result
from RF-EMF exposures.
Excerpts
ICNIRP reviews safety guidelines but does not provide
solutions, uses SAR, only considers thermal effects, does not consider
non-thermal effects. Scientific evidence shows the importance of
considering both thermal and non-thermal effects, short and long-term
biological effects, and other factors. On the other hand, more frequent
periodic reviews of the regulations are needed. According to ICNIRP the
last one was in 2020. Even considering the leap in technology use in
2020, should we wait as many years as now (approx. 10) for a new update?
There
are countries with stricter regulations than those established by IARC
(sic) that are more concerned about the effects of this type of exposure
(Italy, Belgium, Austria (Salzburg), Switzerland, Russia, China)....
In the face of such divergent assessments of wireless RF
radiation, the practice of ALARA – as low as reasonably achievable –
for RF health and safety should be followed.
On the basis of the evidence presented here, is it possible to speak of sustainability in relation to electromagnetic fields?
Environmental Factors as the Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male
Fertility
Wdowiak N, Wójtowicz K, Wdowiak-Filip A,
Pucek W, Wróbel A, Wróbel J, Wdowiak A. Environmental Factors as the
Main Hormonal Disruptors of Male Fertility. J Clin Med. 2024 Mar
29;13(7):1986. doi: 10.3390/jcm13071986.
Abstract
Introduction
and objective: Many scientific reports confirm a systematic decline in
male semen parameters over the last decades. This phenomenon has been
observed in all parts of the world, and its occurrence is associated,
among others, with the hazardous effects of some environmental factors.
The environmental factors for which the adverse effect on male fertility
has been proven include water, air, and soil pollution, as well as
electromagnetic fields and ionizing radiation. The aim of this article
was the evaluation of the effect of selected environmental factors on
male reproductive capacity based on an analysis of the current
scientific reports.
Review methods: A systematic literature
review was carried out using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and
Scopus. The search was limited to the period from 2015 until the end of
December 2023. Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Environmental factors, such as heavy metals, tobacco smoke, pesticides,
dioxins, furans, phthalates, and bisphenols, are well-tested substances
that exert an adverse effect on male fertility. A harmful effect of
electromagnetic fields and water and air pollution on reproductive
functions may be expected; however, this has not been fully proven.
Summary:
Results obtained by many researchers published to date should evoke
great concern regarding the quality of the environment in which we live,
as well as fears about the effect of environmental factors not only on
male fertility, but also on all aspects of human health. The majority of
environmental pollutants affect the male body by causing oxidative
stress and through their effect on the endocrine system.
Excerpt
12. Electromagnetic Fields
Electromagnetic
radiation (EMR) originating from both the natural environment and human
activity constantly affects living organisms. The effect of EMR on the
reproductive system may occur as a result of the thermal effect,
generation of oxidative stress, changes in the structure of proteins,
and causing changes in ion transport through cell membranes; however,
these pathomechanisms have not yet been fully explained. Based on
studies conducted to date it is known that electromagnetic fields
generate oxidative stress, disrupting the function of sperm mitochondria
and causing the activation of cell membrane NADH oxidase [43].
Balance
in the free radical system, which is affected by the electromagnetic
fields, as well as the activity of ion channels, are together
responsible for the process of sperm hyperactivation. Human spermatozoa,
in order to become ready to fertilize an oocyte, undergo many metabolic
changes affecting the cell membrane, which leads to capacitation
occurring in the woman’s reproductive tract. As a result of these
transformations, sperm can interact with the structures of the corona
radiata, and subsequently with the zona pellucida of the oocyte. This
process is necessary for fertilization. Possible premature capacitation
taking place in the seminal plasma causes energy depletion of the sperm
and reduces the chance for fertilization. Balance in the free radical
system is the factor responsible for the proper moment of capacitation.
Ion channels are responsible for the proper course of this process,
including CatSper, a pH-regulated, calcium-selective ion channel, KSper
(Slo3), and the voltage-gated channel Hv1. To date, it has been
considered that many other channels regulate these processes; however,
this was not supported by research, and only the implementation of the
patch–clamp technique shed new light on the possibilities of
opportunities to learn about this process. It is known that mutations
and deletions of the genes responsible for the function of these
channels are responsible for the existence of certain types of male
infertility. The voltage-gated channel Hv1, which is an electrical
voltage sensor responsible for processes related to fertilization, seems
to be the most sensitive to the effect of EMF. The results of studies
concerning the effect of EMF on the immune system cells confirmed that
the frequency close to 15 Hz has the greatest impact on the transport of
Ca2+ ions into the cell. Therefore, it may be expected that similar
relationships will also concern sperm [43,44].
It has long been
known that welding arcs are a very harmful source of EMF for males.
Their radiation consists of intensive thermal radiation of
high-temperature welding gases, welded or cut elements, electrode, and
flux material, on which the lines and bands of radiation characteristic
of these materials overlap. The gas burner flame temperature usually
does not exceed 2000 K. Thus, this radiation consists mainly of infrared
and light, and only hydrogen and acetylene burners are characterized by
a higher combustion temperature and emit near-ultraviolet light.
Scientific reports concerning the effect of welding on male fertility
confirm that in males performing this profession, deterioration of the
main sperm parameters occurs, and their partners are at an increased
risk of miscarriage. The type of harmful effect on the male reproductive
system depends on the type of materials to be welded and applies
primarily to mild steel [43,44].
Exposure to strong EMF also
concerns employees operating radar stations. Currently, various types of
radars operate on frequencies from 3 MHz (HF band) to 110 GHz (W band).
In the lower part of this range operate radars which measure the height
of the ionosphere, and those using the phenomenon of reflection of
electromagnetic waves from the ionosphere for detecting objects hidden
beyond the horizon, often over a distance of thousands of kilometers.
Most radars operate at frequencies ranging from several hundred
megahertz to 100 GHz, including speed cameras known to drivers, which
are used to take photos of cars and are based on the 34.3 ± 0.1 GHz
band. The reports concerning their effect on male fertility are
contradictory. Some researchers describe an increase in the percentage
of abnormal sperm and reduction in sperm motility, with a simultaneous
absence of effect on its density in employees of radar stations. In
turn, other researchers describe a decreased sperm density in people
exposed to radar waves. There are also reports that do not indicate any
differences in the quality of sperm between males exposed to a radar,
and those not exposed to its effect.
Due to the development of
telecommunication technologies, at present, almost every person is
exposed to EMF related to GSM. Our own study conducted at the beginning
of the ‘era of mobile phones’ demonstrated an increase in the percentage
of abnormal sperm and a decrease in the percentage of sperm in
progressive movement, together with an increase in exposure to GSM.
Studies concerning the effect of mobile phone technology on sperm have
been continued by many researchers. They demonstrated that the waves
emitted by mobile phones cause an increased production of the reactive
oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress in sperm, and
intensification of sperm DNA fragmentation. Similar relationships were
confirmed on animal models. In a study in which mice were exposed to
radiation of 900 mW/kg for 12 h daily for 7 days an adverse effect of
EMR was observed on mitochondrial genome integrity. It was also proven
that long-lasting telephone calls lead to an increase in temperature in
the brain, which may affect the activity of the
hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis [43,44].
A significant
exposure to electromagnetic fields also concerns males working on
high-voltage electrical installations. It was found that among employees
exposed for many years to contact with voltage of 400 kV, fewer
children were born compared to the control group. Among children exposed
to high voltage, the male gender prevailed. It was also observed that
among offspring of males exposed to high voltage, congenital defects
occurred more frequently.
There are also other scientific reports
that confirm a beneficial effect of electromagnetic fields with lower
frequency ranges on both sperm parameters and the function of tissues
responsible for human reproduction. Some scientific studies confirmed
that exposure of sperm to magnetic fields within the range from 10–50 Hz
contributes to the improvement of the motility of human sperm, whereas
others presented opposite results.
In animal models, while
investigating the exposure of fish reproductive cells to magnetic
fields, an improvement was observed in sperm motility parameters, and an
increase in the percentage of fertilizations. Electromagnetic fields
have found application in the treatment of prostate disorders in
animals. A group of researchers confirmed that in dogs, the exposure of
the prostate to frequencies of 4–12 Hz has a healing effect on prostate
enlargement, not causing changes in sperm parameters of the animals. The
results of studies confirming a beneficial effect of electromagnetic
fields provide hope for their use in the treatment of human infertility;
however, a long-term impact of this type of energy will require
meticulous research, especially regarding possible epigenetic effects
diagnosed only in future generations. Own studies of sperm exposed in
vitro to weak EMF, close to that used at security checkpoints, showed an
effect on DNA methylation [43,44].
At present, we are unable to
specify what amount of energy related to EMF is harmful, neutral, or
beneficial for human reproductive capacity. It may be expected that
there are amounts of energy with neutral or beneficial effect, and only
exceeding them may cause harmful effects.
The paper evaluates how the control of transmitted power affects the
intensity of radiation in a mobile network cell. Cell models without
power control, with standard power control and a model with power
control and channel reallocation are considered. The relative reduction
of radiation is evaluated and several examples of calculations are
presented. Remarks are given on the dependence of radiation reduction on
the number of traffic channels, traffic intensity and signal
attenuation coefficient. The assessment procedure and results are based
on previously verified traffic process simulation models.
The paper shows that control of emitted power, in addition to saving energy and reducing interference, also contributes to the radiation reduction.
Control of the emission power by matching the power with the user's distance affects the reduction of radiation in proportion to the increase in the number of frequency carriers. The radiation level depends on the distribution of the users’ surface density in the cell and on the environmental signal attenuation coefficient.
Sharma S, Parne SR, Panda SSS, Gandi S. Progress in microwave absorbing
materials: A critical review. Adv Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 Apr
4;327:103143. doi: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103143.