Health and fitness Effects of EMF Radiation
The radiation from RF-EMF can cause damaged DNA, heat to the tissues and even disrupt the blood-brain barrier. These are real-world effects, and ARPANSA is actively engaged in discussions with EHS community, medical experts as well as researchers. The agency will continue examine research regarding the health impacts of EMF radiation.
DNA damage is caused by RF-EMF
Exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is associated with DNA damage and other health effects. EMFs can disrupt intracellular ionic concentrations, which are vital to maintain the balance of electrochemical activity in cells. It can also alter the balance of cell metabolism, resulting to DNA damage. Additionally, exposure to EMFs can also trigger the production of free radicals as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS).
The exposure to radiation from RF-EMF has been linked with alterations in the male germ cell's development. This is due to the development of germ cells into spermatozoa as well functioning maturation when the spermatozoa move throughout the epididymis. To study the effect of RF-EMF exposure on male germ cell development, a specially-built waveguide machine was constructed to expose non-restrained mice to RF-EME at 2.2 W/kg.
In a recent study, researchers have discovered that exposure to RF-EME triggered oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa. Sperm DNA fragmentation was increased by 18% after one week of treatment and by 23% after five weeks. Furthermore, DNA damage in mitochondria was observed by measuring the level of a biomarker, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG).
However it isn't yet considered to be a carcinogen. However, numerous studies have found that RF-EMF exposure can impair DNA health in range of cell varieties. In one study, scientists subjected Vero cell lines to EMF at 100 Hz over 45 minutes. They measured DNA damage at 48 hours following exposure to determine if exposure affected DNA integrity.
RF-EMF causes tissue heating
Although the effects of RF-EMF are usually considered to have thermal origins, some studies have revealed that non-thermal effects may also be evident. These may be the reason for some of the unsolved issues in epidemiological studies on EMF hypersensitivity. Therefore, it is important to take into account non-thermal effects when conducting a systematic review.
Effects that are not thermal from RF-EMF may occur on the cell's membrane. This is a field of research that has been thoroughly examined. Particularly, the electrochemical behavior of cell membranes has been studied. Current understanding suggests that RF-EMF energy higher than 1 MHz is transferred into the tissues through dielectric dissipation and ionic discharge. Previous theoretical analyses indicated that the energy that is transferred to the tissue could be as high as 200 kV/m.
The electric properties of tissues are regulated by the composition and distribution of water molecules, ions and other molecules inside the body. This determines how absorbed EMR RF is by various tissues. The tissues with the highest conductivity tend to absorb more field, and thus cause more of an impact. This is the reason the degree of heating in tissues does not increase steadily from outside to inside the body and is only noticeable in hot spots. Bone and fatty tissue is less susceptible to heating by RF as compared to other tissues, since they have a low water content.
The extent of penetration of the electromagnetic field is determined by the strength and frequency that the electromagnetic field has. Muscle tissue is more able to absorb field energies than the other tissue, and converts it to heat more efficiently. Typically the depth of penetration of RF-EMF is measured in millimeters (mm). However, the higher the frequency, the deeper the penetration.
RF-EMF causes blood-brain barrier disruption
Researchers have found that RF-EMF can alter the blood-brain-barrier changing sleep patterns as well as neurotransmitter levels. Additionally the impacts on the effects of EMF in brain activities are associated with neurodegenerative disorders. For instance, EMF from mobile phones could affect the electroencephalogram's activity and sleep patterns, and the actions of nitric Oxide and xanthin oxidase.
Researchers at the Vienna University have studied the effects of exposure to RF EMF on brain cells. They also examined how ELF EMF on brain system. Though the cellular mechanisms aren't completely understood but there is a clear connection between exposure to ELF-EMF and myelin depletion. This relationship might account for the electro-hypersensitivity symptoms of electro-hypersensitivity. Fortunately, there are some known methods to regenerate myelin within the brain.
Researchers have observed that exposure to frequencies of 900 MHz EMF increased the permeability of the BBB and raised symptoms of neuronal damage in rodents. radiation emf observed increased extravasation of albumin to neurons. Further, they found that after 30 minutes of exposure to 900 MHz 99mTc-MIBI accelerated its penetration to the cerebral cortex. But this effect didn't occur with Evans blue injections.
Despite these findings, RF-EMF does not have a clear method for disrupting the BBB. The evidence suggests that nonthermal EMF exposure may increase erythrocyte cell membrane permeability, which may affect the BBB and also increase the efflux of calcium-ion. Furthermore, the presence a 99mTcMIBI radiotracer inside the brain has also been linked to increased permeability of BBB.