Over the past years, our laboratory has focused on studying the health effects of exposure of laboratory animals and human to some common sources of electromagnetic fields such as mobile phones and their base stations, laptop computers, and MRI. As hypothesized recently by some investigators, in spite of the fact that the radiofrequency (RF) levels of mobile base stations do not exceed the international limits, in case people are exposed to these very low-intensity electromagnetic fields for a very long time, some health problems might occur.
I am currently looking for the evidence that may support this hypothesis (role of residence time in the vicinity of mobile base stations in determining the possible health effects). I welcome any comment or suggestion.
Sir,
Surely as a scientist you are interested in studies which test the hypothesis, rather han support it? There is a 2004 review by the Royal Society of Canada "Recent advances in research on radiofrequency fields and health" which summarises a fairly large number of studies and makes a good starting point for accessing the body of evidence.
The perceived health impact of mobile phone towers has been used as a case study in public risk perception. These papers also typically refer to reputable sources of evidence on the underlying risk. See Siegrist (Risk Analysis, 2005) as an example, but a search for "mobile phone" + "risk perception" will give a large number of articles of this type.
Epidemiological studies show an increase in cancer incidence near mobile phone (and broadcast) antennas. A google search should provide you with these studies in Israel, Germany, and Brazil.
See also review paper by Khurana et al. 2010.
Epidemiological Evidence for a Health Risk from Mobile Phone Base Stations
VINI G. KHURANA, LENNART HARDELL, JORIS EVERAERT, ALICJA BORTKIEWICZ,
MICHAEL CARLBERG, MIKKO AHONEN, INT J OCCUP ENVIRON HEALTH 2010;16:263–267
Abstract:
Human populations are increasingly exposed to
microwave/radiofrequency (RF) emissions from wireless
communication technology, including mobile
phones and their base stations. By searching PubMed,
we identified a total of 10 epidemiological studies that
assessed for putative health effects of mobile phone
base stations. Seven of these studies explored the association
between base station proximity and neurobehavioral
effects and three investigated cancer. We
found that eight of the 10 studies reported increased
prevalence of adverse neurobehavioral symptoms or
cancer in populations living at distances < 500 meters
from base stations. None of the studies reported exposure
above accepted international guidelines, suggesting
that current guidelines may be inadequate in protecting
the health of human populations. We believe
that comprehensive epidemiological studies of longterm
mobile phone base station exposure are urgently
required to more definitively understand its health
impact. Key words: base stations; electromagnetic field
(EMF); epidemiology; health effects; mobile phone;
radiofrequency (RF); electromagnetic radiation.
Also, excellent paper showing changes in hormones by Eskander et al. 2011. in Clinical Biochemistry: How does long term exposure to base stations and mobile phones affect human hormone profiles?
Abstract
Objectives: This study is concerned with assessing the role of exposure to radio frequency radiation (RFR) emitted either from mobiles or base stations and its relations with human's hormone profiles.
Design and methods: All volunteers' samples were collected for hormonal analysis.
Results: This study showed significant decrease in volunteers' ACTH, cortisol, thyroid hormones, prolactin for young females, and testosterone levels.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that high RFR effects on pituitary–adrenal axis.
Lots more information on my website: www.magdahavas.com.
Also watch video on cell towers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEOcB7Svhvw
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