When EMF interact with cells and tissues, they can
cause heating, alter chemical reactions, or induce electrical
charges and currents, all of which may potentially, in some cases,
result in adverse health effects. Possible links between EMF and
cancer or diseases such as Alzheimer’s have been suggested.
Yet, to date, there is no conclusive evidence that EMF at current
levels of exposure experienced by the general population actually
cause health disorders.
In any case, legislators need validated scientific evidence to
establish safety standards and exposure limits, while equipment
manufacturers need it to design safe products. The projects which
have been selected for Key Action 4 are contributing to this vital
research effort.
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Advisory document
on pulsed EMF
One such project(1) aims to produce an advisory
document for the European Commission and Member
States on the use of equipment using pulsed
EMF. A group of experts from the International
Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection
(ICNIRP) has been appointed to carry out this
task. The team will liaise with organisations
such as the US Food and Drug Administration
and with experts participating in programmes,
such as the WHO International EMF Project.
Through contact with equipment manufacturers,
designers and suppliers, the group will review
existing and possible future technology in this
field. In small, focused workshops, the experts
will then discuss the resulting scientific evidence
on the health effects caused by the technology.
The outcome will be published in a final report
for the European Commission.
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Development of advice to the EC on the risk to
the health of the general public from the use
of security and similar devices employing pulsed
electromagnetic fields: QLK4-1999-01214 |
Prof. Jürgen Bernhardt
ICNIRP (DE)
j.h.bernhardt@online.de |
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In vitro effects
of EMF
The aim of the Reflex project(2) is to analyse
primary cellular effects of electromagnetic
fields (EMF), with special emphasis on the following
parameters:
- genotoxicity: EMF at levels below ICNIRP
guidelines may not alter DNA directly, but
could do so indirectly by triggering metabolic
changes;
- cell differentiation and function: will
be studied in animal cells lines as a model
for central nervous system cells exposed to
EMF from mobile phones;
- gene expression and protein targeting;
- effects on the immune system; and
- effects on processes involved in cancer
development and programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Results of those studies will enable experts
to improve their risk assessment studies, industry
to design less harmful EMF products, and legislators
to establish science-based threshold values
for EMF exposure. If beneficial effects are
seen, the work may lead to biomedical applications
(e.g. EMF may be useful in treating psoriasis,
healing bone fractures and relieving pain).
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| (2)
Risk evaluation of potential environmental hazards
from low-energy electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure
using sensitive in vitro methods: QLK4-1999-01574 |
Prof. Franz Adlkofer
Foundation for Behaviour and Environment (DE)
prof.adlkofer@verum-foundation.de |
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EMF and carcinogens
At present, public exposure to radio-frequency
electromagnetic fields (RF) is low compared
to existing exposure guidelines, but among other
factors with the increasing number of mobile
phones and RF based technologies, exposure is
rising. The Cemfec project(3) is investigating
whether RF can enhance the effects of known
carcinogens.
One part of Cemfec comprises an animal study
in which rats are exposed either to a carcinogen
alone (in their drinking water) or to RF and
the carcinogen simultaneously. The aim is to
see whether those rats subjected to the combined
exposure
develop more cancers.
The second part is an in vitro study of mouse
cells, one of the cell lines studied being a
cancer cell line. The cells are treated either
with RF alone or with RF and a carcinogen. The
aim is to compare markers associated with cancer
development in these models. |
(3)
Combined effects of electromagnetic fields with
environmental carcinogens: QLK4-1999-01214.
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Prof. Jukka Juutilainen
University of Kuopio (FIN)
jukka.juutilainen@uku.fi |
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