Latest research
Latest review article on mobile phone radiation from Professor Lukas Margaritis, Chairman, Dept. of Cell Biology & Biophysics, Athens University.
Read the Article HERE
1st HELLENIC CONGRESS ON THE EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
Μay 24-25, 2008 - Thessaloniki, Greece
All lectures of the EMF congress have been recorded and are available in the following web site:
http://multimedia.biol.uoa.gr/Synedrio_Thess/progrENG.htm
Russian Committee advice for children and mobile phones
The following website contains some powerful powerpoint presentations/documents written in English from the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
Evidence on adverse biological effects on human cells from exposure to non-thermal radiation from mobile phones/masts frequencies.
Download presentations from the following excellent website: http://www.der-mast-muss-weg.de/index.htm
A selection of presentations/documents taken from the website, see below:
CHILDREN AND MOBILE PHONES:
THE HEALTH OF THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS IS IN DANGER
For more information go to:
http://www.der-mast-muss-weg.de/pdf/appell/02_Appell_rncnirp_E_080514.pdf
Russian Committee powerpoint presentation/guidelines.
It cannot be excluded that some part of population, such as children, pregnant women and groups of hypersensitive persons can be especially sensitive to Microwave exposures, for more information go to:
http://www.der-mast-muss-weg.de/pdf/studien/05_RCNIRP_PPT_2005.pdf
Opinion of the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection about the question of biological effects of electromagnetic fields of mobile phones.
Non-use of cell phones by children under the age of 16.
1.2. Non-use of cell phones by pregnant women.
1.3. Non-use of cell phones by persons suffering from neurological conditions or
diseases, including neurasthenia or dysthymic disorders, mental disorders, neuroses,
intellectual and memory impairment, sleep disorders, epilepsy, and epileptic
predisposition.
For more information/guidance go to:
http://www.der-mast-muss-weg.de/pdf/appell/04_OPINION_RCNIRP_engl.pdf
Non-thermal biological effects of microwaves, current knowledge, further perspective and urgent needs.
Igor Belyaev, Stockholm University, Sweden, General Physics Institute Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia.
Children may represent most sensitive group to non-thermal effects of mobile telephony. Before this issue will be investigated, precautions should be taken in erection of base stations in vicinity of schools.
Creation of zones that are free of mobile communication for hypersensitive to EMF should be considered.
Long-lasting adverse effect on important cells of our immune system can have strong relationship with health risk from mobile telephony. In vitro studies indicate that the duration of exposure can be more important for non-thermal effects than intensity and therefore, effects of Microwaves from base stations on primary human cells should be studied.
For more information go to:
http://www.der-mast-muss-weg.de/pdf/studien/08_Belyaev_Zurich_2005_PPt.pdf
"The Cell Phone and the Cell - the Role of Calcium"
by Dr Andrew Goldsworthy
Abstract - Read The Full article HERE
Alternating electromagnetic fields such as those from mobile telecommunications have many seemingly unrelated effects on health, including the promotion of cancer, reductions in fertility and various brain disorders. This article explains how almost all of them may stem from a common cause; i.e. the removal of divalent ions such as calcium from cell membranes. The mechanisms are as follows.
The radiation from handsets can affect the whole body because it conducts electricity and behaves like an antenna. It absorbs the radiation and generates eddy currents that can flow beyond the site of application. When they impinge on cell membranes, they weaken them by removing structurally important calcium and other divalent ions. This makes the membranes more likely to leak, which can give many biological effects.
A theoretical mechanism is described in laypersons language that explains how weak electromagnetic fields remove calcium ions from cell membranes. It explains the seemingly weird observations that this removal is non-thermal and occurs only within specific “amplitude windows”. It also explains why low frequencies are more effective than high ones, why pulses are more potent than sine waves and why amplitude modulated and pulsed radio waves also work.
The mechanism involves the replacement of divalent ions bound to the membrane by monovalent ions (mostly potassium), which weakens it and makes it more inclined to leak. Radiation at 16Hz is particularly effective. It is the ion cyclotron resonance frequency for potassium (in the Earth’s magnetic field) and increases its chemical activity, to make it more likely to replace the bound calcium.
The leakage of digestive enzymes from lysosomes can account for the damage to cellular DNA, which occurs after prolonged exposure to mobile phone radiation. This damage can explain the increased risk of cancer and reductions in fertility found in heavy mobile phone users.
The recent increases in allergies and allergy-related conditions may also be due to membrane leakage. Our bodies are normally protected from the ingress of foreign materials by “tight junction” barriers where the gaps between the cells are sealed. They occur in the brain, skin, nose, lungs and gut. Mobile phone radiation or the chemical removal of calcium makes them more permeable to large molecules and can let in allergens, toxins and carcinogens. Increased permeability of the gut barrier has also been linked to autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, IBS and type-1 diabetes.
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) also seems to be due to membrane leakage. The symptoms following irradiation are like those of low calcium or magnesium in the blood, which supports the notion that they are due to divalent ion loss from cell membranes.
EHS sufferers have high skin conductances and strong tendencies to allergies, suggesting that they already have high membrane permeabilities so that fewer divalent ions need be removed electromagnetically to produce the symptoms. Many of the neurological symptoms of EHS are likely to be due to the radiation increasing still further the permeability of nerve cells to make them generate spurious impulses.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be similarly linked to electromagnetic exposure. The programmed flow of calcium ions through membranes is a prerequisite for the release of the neurotransmitters that transfer signals between neurones in the brain. Unscheduled calcium leakage into these cells will increase their background calcium concentration, making them hypersensitive and more likely to transmit spurious signals. We would expect this to cloud normal mental activity, trigger random thoughts and give the loss of concentration characteristic of ADHD. Drivers using mobile phones and children in classrooms fitted with Wifi may be especially at risk.
Autism has a similar explanation. A child’s understanding of social interactions is laid down as a pattern of regularly-used connections between neurones in its brain during its first year. Under-used connections are then pruned so that the patterns become hard-wired. If these are electromagnetically disrupted prior to pruning, a distorted pattern for social interaction may become hard-wired, and give irreversible autistic disorders.
The body can defend itself against the effects of electromagnetic exposure by pumping surplus calcium out of cells, activating ornithine decarboxylase to protect nucleic acids and making heat-shock proteins to protect enzymes. However, these are expensive in resources and interfere with normal metabolism. Their long-term deployment is likely to result in fatigue and an impaired immune system leading to a lowered resistance to disease and cancer. Sources of prolonged or continuous radiation include mobile phone masts, Wifi routers, DECT phone base stations and DECT baby alarms.
Not everyone is equally affected by the radiation. This may be due to differences in blood calcium or magnesium, differences in the efficacy of their defence mechanisms, and previous exposure to electromagnetic fields, which has a sensitising effect.
The effects of pulsed irradiation may also be transmitted chemically in the blood. It affects the ion balance on colloidal particles such as those in blood, giving them the ability to remove calcium ions from surfaces. This effect is routinely used in electronic water conditioners to remove lime scale. However, the treated water has biological effects similar to direct irradiation, presumably due to its removing calcium from cell membranes. This provides another mechanism by which the effects of mobile phone irradiation can be transmitted all over the body and also calls into question the safety of water from water towers fitted with mobile phone antennas.
“PROBLEMS IN ASSESSMENT OF RISKS FROM EXPOSURE TO MICROWAVES OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION”
From Professor Yury Grigoriev, Chairman of Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, Moscow, Russia. It was published 2007 in J. RADIATION BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY, Vol.47, № 6, 727-732 and has been translated into English.
Click HERE to read.
Read Additional References HERE & HERE
Recent research findings and an archive of research summaries on mobile phone radiation and more.
World Health Organisation (WHO) - EM Database on epidemiological studies on mobile phone mast base stations, 80% published research showing health effects.
Click Here to view the chart.
EMF studies from around the world complied by Powerwatch UK can be found at: http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/studies.asp
Mechanism of a short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency
Proteins are essential for building blocks (amino acids) genes (DNA – RNA) – body structure – enzymes (chemical protein messengers) – muscles – haemoglobin (for oxygen) – cell membranes (gateways to cells0 etc.
Some essential messages passed around the body are proteins. The EKR/MAPK protein helps make signalling pathways and cell processes. This is normally a controlled release of the EKR/MAPK protein.
For the first time, it has been shown that, below thermal level microwave radiation can cause a cascade (out of sequence) of this protein: i.e. It will flow when it is not required to: or extra proteins will flow. This can cause complications to signalling pathways and cellular mechanisms.
As an example: (conclusion by Barrie Trower)
- A tumour suppression gene may be disrupted
- Oncogenes may be stimulated which can lead to cancer
- Signal structures may change – hence, the body may not be able to function properly (any mechanism e.g. immune system)
- cells may not function properly (brain, liver, digestive tract, skin, you name it.
- Any organ may not function properly (inc blood)
Conclusion
You could almost explain every illness and complication known by disruption of signalling mechanisms and cell cycle timing. A very important discovery, well done to the scientists.
Barrie Trower
Click HERE to read the full report.
Base Stations and Health Concerns - Click HERE to read the report
Read the BioInitiative Report, August 2007 – www.bioinitiative.org
Presented to Rt Honorable Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street, London on 12th December 2007 where after a review of over 2000 research publications, scientists raise serious concerns about the safety of existing public limits that regulate how much EMF is allowable from power lines, mobile phones, and many other sources of EMF exposure in daily life.
Israeli Research December 2007 Report
The latest research from Israel on “Celluar Phone Use and Risk of Benign and Malignant Parotid Gland Tumors – A Nationwide Case-Control Study” in the December edition of The American Journal of Epidemiology does not allay these concerns. When no less an authority as Dr Mike Repacholi confirms to the Trust and educationalists that research funding is inadequate, it is time for some action.
You can study the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme Report 2007 for a rather more relaxed approach to the problem – www.mthr.org.uk
Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations. H-P Hutter, H Moshammer, P Wallner and M Kundi:
Download here PDF
Mobile phone use and risk of glioma in adults: case-control study (PDF 94Kb)
New Research from Professor Olle Johansson (PDF 17Kb)
The Trust met with Professor Johansson at Westminster on 28th November 2007 when he advised of the need to direct the focus of the HPA WIFI research programme away from spectrum analysis to studying the effects (50 WIFI in schools) on pupil users and staff.
News from Dr Gerd Oberfeld (PDF 22Kb)
Breast Cancer in Women (PDF 27Kb)
Austrian doctors' Yellow Poster Campaign (PDF 16Kb)
Dutch NGOs urge Europe to install cell phone antennas far away (PDF 77Kb)
Latest Wishaw Papers (PDF 77Kb)
Electromagnetic Radiation and Epilepsy
Andy Davidson - EMR Epilepsy Paper
15/08/05 “Vienna Doctor's Chamber warns of excessive mobile phone use by children”
http://www.tetrawatch.net/links/links.php?id=vienna
3/6/05 “Pylons may be a Leukaemia Risk” - Oxford University
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4602315.stm
British Medical Journal study did not look at levels of exposure to magnetic fields but research suggested that children who had lived within 200 metres of high voltage lines at birth had a 70% higher risk of Leukaemia than those 600 metres or more away.
But the University also stressed;
- The results could be by chance or
- Could be caused by the environment
16/5 & 20/5/05 Julich Research Institute - T- Mobile Study
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=9922&channel=0
The T-Mobile sponsored study concluded that the radiation from mobile phones affects the electrical nervous system, brain functions and damages DNA but may not in fact be harmful to one’s health. It did suggest a need for further research.
Experts confirm effects of mobile telephone radiation
Young and healthy adults have no problem - other groups could be at risk
The radiation of wireless communication indeed has effects on the central nervous system, influences the functioning of the brain and causes damage to DNA. That is confirmed by 25 experts who studied the relevant scientific literature of 2000 to 2004. The investigation was done by the working group 'Mensch Umwelt Technik' (MUT) of the Jülich research institute in Jülich, Germany. The results were presented to the public on May 9th, 2005. The experts guess that the effects on the central nervous system can not cause health problems, though this opinion has no scientific base. The influence on the brain results in shortened or prolonged reaction times and less or more mistakes, depending on the parameters of the radiation. The experts think the damage to DNA is not a problem, since it would not lead to cell damage.
T-Mobile
The investigation was ordered and paid by T-Mobile, a provider of mobile communications. The experts only studied scientific reports and did not pay attention to the many experiences of people suffering from health effects of modern radiofrequent radiation. The complaints of these people however fit in perfectly with the effects on the central nervous system, increased neuronal activity and influence on the functioning of the brain. The damage to DNA moreover fits in well with the results of epidemiologic investigations, finding an increased risk of cancer in the neighbourhood of antenna towers. The experts however state that the results of epidemiologic investigations are not consistent and more research is needed. In the meantime they advise to keep mobile calls short and not to use a mobile phone in a moving car without outside antenna nor at a far distance from the antenna tower.
Risk groups
Young and healthy people are not at risk, say the experts. However, the radiation of mobile communication systems (probably combined with other factors) could be harmful to other groups, like children, elderly or sick people, babies and pregnant women. Probably the pulse-modulated radiation is most effectful on the central nervous system and brain. The working mechanism is non-thermal and not yet understood. Pulse-modulation is used by e.g. GSM, UMTS, DECT, WLAN, WIFI, TETRA and many other wireless systems. The experts say headaches and problems with concentration and remembrance could be related to the radiation of mobile phone systems, but according to the literature the other complaints probably are not. Having studied the scientific literature, they doubt if electrohypersensitivity (EHS) exists, but they emphasize that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
No consensus
The experts studied the permeability of the 'blood brain barrier', the risk of cancer, the damage to DNA, the effects on the brain and central nervous system and the disturbance of well-being. About the permeability of the 'blood brain barrier' there is no consensus. The experts think the 'blood brain barrier' could fail under stress or thermal conditions, but without relevance to health. There is no consensus about the damage to DNA neither. However, the experts think this can not be relevant biologically and to health, since the literature does not mention cell damage as a consequence. Laboratory tests with animals do not show an increase of cancer. Nevertheless the experts say there could be an increased risk of cancer in humans in the long term. They advise to be on the safe side and keep mobile phone calls short.
20/5/05 Research by Professor Lennart Hardell of University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=9922&channel=0
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4552645.stm
After looking at 1,400 cases of adults with brain tumours concluded that those from rural areas with over 3 years usage were 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with a brain tumour that those in the city. This risk went up to 4 times after 5 years.
The Trust met with Professor Hardell on 28th November 2007 at Westminster to discuss how their Swedish research model programme ‘might’ influence research un the UK.
May 2005 Research in Austria - by Gerd Oberfeld & others, Salzburg
The radiation from a cell phone base station 80 metres away causes significant changes of the electrical current in the brains of a sample of 12 electro sensitive people aged between 20 and 78. All felt unwell. The body suffering such long term stress with a consequent reduction in the quality of life, capacity to work and state of health.
According to Gerd Oberfeld and the team this is the first time actual proof of the significant changes of electrical currents in the subjects’ brains where the cell phone base station is at a distance of 80 metres.
The Trust met with Dr Oberfeld at Westminster on 28th November 2007 to discuss research into Cancer Clusters around masts.
29/04/05 More research to confirm masts and sleep disturbances
From mast sanity
'Correlation found between mobile phone masts and sleep disturbances'
Medical News Today
"We have found that people who are very electrosensitive in the evening, do not sleep well in the night". Prof. dr. Norbert Leitgeb of the Technical University of Graz in Austria told it to a journalist of the Grazer Woche. "This could indicate, that mobile phone masts and other sources of radiofrequent radiation indeed have a negative influence on the well being of many persons."
His saying refers just to the result of a pilotstudy, meant to verify the design of a larger investigation to come. Nevertheless the result is spectacular, Leitgeb confirms. Of nine test persons the more electrosensitive appeared to sleep much better when protected from radiofrequent radiation. Leitgeb does not find this is proof yet. The upcoming research has to confirm the relationship between sleeping quality, electrosensitivity (50 Hz) and the load of radiofrequent radiation by GSM masts, DECT wireless telephones, WLAN wireless networks and other sources. The research will not take place in a laboratory, though at home with twenty people throughout Austria. Results are expected in the beginning of 2006.
Causal relationship
In an article in the magazine Bioelectromagnetics Leitgeb describes the existence of electrosensitivity. It is proven that some persons have a heightened sensitivity for electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields. "Though there has not been established a causal relationship yet, the symptoms of some persons are thus severe, that they leave their homes and jobs and try to find release in an environment with less 'electromagnetic pollution'. These persons have a serious problem and need to get help. To find proof of a causal relationship is not just a scientific interest, but the problem also has a socio-economic aspect", says Leitgeb.
UMTS mobile phone masts
In The Netherlands there is a growing stir about the placement of UMTS mobile phone masts. Also the GSM mobile phone masts, DECT wireless telephones and WLAN wireless networks are suspect of causing 'radiofrequent radiation sickness'. A symptom is the heightened electrosensitivity to low frequency electric and magnetic fields (50 Hz), but the sickness also would have other symptoms like sleeping disturbances, palpitations of the heart, high blood pressure, tinglings, concentration and remembrance distortions, dizziness, burning skin, tinnitus, eye problems, lack of energy and many more. In The Netherlands a study by TNO confirmed the correlation of cognitive functional deviations and the radiation of GSM and UMTS. Moreover, the radiation of UMTS appeared to cause tinglings and dizziness.
Sources:
- Grazer Woche, 'Studie: Handymast stört Schlaf' by Dieter Demmelmair
- Elektrosmognews of 18 Jan. 2005
- IZGMF Meldungen 'Epros Schlafstudie zwischen Sensation und Dementi', 21 Jan. 2005
- Answers by N. Leitgeb to questions by Frans van Velden, e-mail, 21 Jan. 2005
- Electrosensibility and Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, Bioelectromagnetics 24:387-394 (2003) Author: Frans van Velden
12/4/05 "Neurology" - Danish Study Published 12th April 2005
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/short/64/7/1189
According to Danish researchers who questioned 427 people with tumours and 822 without them about the extent of their use of mobile phones, there was NO increased risk to heavy users.
Christoffer Johansen of the Danish Cancer Society said: "We won’t be able to make any firm conclusions until we can confirm these results with studies with more long term and heavy cell phone users."
Continuing the precautionary approach and especially caution in children’s usage has been the British reaction – as well as advocating like Denmark we need more research.
5/4/05 New UK Government Research to be carried out:
http://networks.silicon.com/mobile/0,39024665,39129298,00.htm
The research must surely address the issues of multi-masts emissions, their cumulative effects including directions and disclosure. See 7 Pillars of Wisdom (PDF 133Kb).
Latest Stewart Report
Click here to read the latest version online (PDF 500Kb)
Published 11th January 2005. Our observations to Sir William Stewart's report are available in the 7 Pillars of Wisdom (PDF 133Kb).
The Government says to originally adopt 'the precautionary principle'.
So people are concerned - what is the government's official line?
At the request of the Minister for Public Health an independent committee, under the chairmanship of Sir William Stewart, was set up to report on Mobile Phones and Health. The report, published in May 2000 (available at www.iegmp.org.uk), was the most comprehensive in the world and concluded that:
1. The balance of evidence to date suggests that exposures to emissions of radiation from mobile phones, at levels below NRPB and ICNIRP guidelines do not cause adverse health effects to the general population.
2. There is now scientific evidence however which suggests that there may be biological effects occurring at exposures below these guidelines.
3. The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines. However, there can be adverse effects on well-being in some cases.
4. A precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies should be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available.
The UK has in excess of 20,000 (now over 40,000) base stations, which are used to provide coverage for the 40 million (now 60 million) mobile phones currently in use. With continual improvements and extensions to mobile phone services, this number looks set to increase in the future.
Nearly Half of Frequent Users of Mobile Phone Fear Health Risks
Almost half of people who use mobile phones daily are concerned about health risks from electromagnetic radiation.
Almost one in two (43%) people who use mobile phones daily are particularly concerned about potential health risks from electromagnetic radiation. Over one in three (37%) less frequent users of mobile phones are similarly concerned.
Greatest concern is shown by younger users, with a slight bias towards men and people living in the south of England.
46% of people use their phone daily, and it is this group which shows the greatest concern about health risks. Mobile phone users are more likely to be male, ABC1s, full time workers, PC users and to have higher incomes - a very similar profile to those who are concerned about the potential health risks of mobile phones.
62% of all mobile phone users expressed interest in obtaining a product which might reduce potential health risks, rising to 71% of those using their phones daily. Eight in ten of those who are particularly concerned about health risks are interested in purchasing such a device.
Now Stewart II is restating the precautionary principle more forcefully.
 Stop Press...
Eileen O'Connor - 2006 Report
Cick HERE to download base station emissions and health concerns report.
Eileen O’Connor to the EMF Discussion Group at the UK Health Protection Agency – 16th October, 2006 Click HERE
PROFESSOR OLLE JOHANSSON EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOGY UNIT OF KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE
A link to a complete list of Professor Johansson’s Authorities is here for guidance
The Scotsman: Doctors Want Mobile Phone Ban for Children (09/02/05)
thisislondon.com: Proof of mobile health risk
The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) (09/02/05)
Alasdair Philips, Powerwatch: Low-height high-power mobile phone base station scandal (07/02/05)
Journal - "Increased Incidence of Cancer near a Cell-Phone Transmitter Station"
ELECTRO-HYPERSENSITIVITY (EHS) - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT IN SWEDEN
Somewhere between 230,000 - 290,000 people in Sweden report a variety of symptoms when in contact with EMF sources. There is a Swedish Association for the electro-sensitive - www.feb.se
The letter from Johan Bonander to Alan Meyer 10/11/04 attached in response to Bircham Dyson Bell’s email explains. Could we follow this in the UK?.
Read both the emails here
Norwegian study released
Ground breaking research into how mobile phones effect the body’s
cells. The report also introduces a technology that appears to help
combat those harmful effects of EM radiation.
Download the report in Adobe
PDF format (1,079 KB) | Microsoft
Word format (269 KB)
Get the free Adobe
Acrobat Reader | Microsoft Word Viewer
Back to top
|
