Radiation Protection

EMR Literature Survey - September 2008

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Recent advances in research relevant to electric and magnetic field exposure guidelines

By: Kavet R et al
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008 Oct;29(7):499-526

Summary

Review of recent developments into the formulation and implementation of the next generation of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic field guidelines. The review deals with:

  • Thresholds of peripheral neural stimulation and synaptic activity.
  • Contact current exposure, dosimetry and perception thresholds
  • Dosimetry associated with exposure to spark discharge.
  • Assessing guideline compliance for realistic electric field exposures.
  • A simplified approach for assessing reference level exceedance in non-uniform magnetic fields.
  • Assessing potential workplace exceedance of reference levels through workplace exposure monitoring.

PUBMED LINK


Future needs of occupational epidemiology of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF): review and recommendations

By: Kheifets L et al
Published in: Occup Environ Med 2008 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

The authors review the epidemiological studies of occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) focusing on methodological issues. They conclude that in general occupational EMF exposure does not indicate strong or consistent associations with cancer or any other health outcomes. The authors recommend that future research should further develop exposure assessment methods and should prioritise investigation of the possible association with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

PUBMED LINK


GSM base stations: Short-term effects on well-being

By: Augner C et al
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

Study examining the effects of short-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from a GSM mobile phone base station on well-being in 57 volunteers. Participants that received high or medium exposure were significantly calmer than participants in the low exposure condition. No significant differences between the different intensities on the parameters "good mood" or "alertness" were found. Self-rated electromagnetic hypersensitivity was low in prevalence and did not correlate with any of the factors describing psychological stress. The authors conclude that short-term exposure to GSM base station signals may have an impact on well-being by reducing psychological arousal.

PUBMED LINK


Mobile phone exposure and spatial memory

By: Wiholm C et al
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008 Sep 15. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

Study investigating the effects of a 2.5 h exposure to radiofrequency fields typical of a GSM mobile phone on spatial memory and learning in subjects with and without self-reported symptoms. Before the exposure there was no difference in performance between the symptomatic and non-symptomatic groups. After the exposure the symptomatic group improved in performance while there was no improvement in the non-symptomatic group. The authors suggest that radiofrequency exposure contributes to a biological arousal improving attention in the symptomatic group and thereby contributing to the improved performance.

PUBMED LINK


Effects of short-term W-CDMA mobile phone base station exposure on women with or without mobile phone related symptoms

By: Furubayashi T et al
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008 Sep 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

Provocation study investigating whether subjects with mobile phone related symptoms are more susceptible than control subjects to the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from base stations. The two groups did not differ in their responses to real or sham EMF exposure according to any psychological, cognitive or autonomic assessment. The authors report no evidence of any causal link between hypersensitivity symptoms and exposure to EMF from base stations.

PUBMED LINK


Sensitivity to electricity - Temporal changes in Austria

By: Schroettner J and Leitgeb N
Published in: BMC Public Health. 2008 Sep 12;8(1):310

Summary

Study investigating temporal changes of the prevalence of concerns and hypersensitivity related to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from 1994 to 2008. The authors report that concerns about EMF did not decrease with time in spite of scientific studies and health risk assessments concluding that a causal relationship of EMF below recommended reference levels and non-specific health symptoms would be implausible.

PUBMED LINK

A copy of this paper is available at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-8-310.pdf

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