Search Results (169)

Emerging evidence highlights the biological risks associated with electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by electronic devices. The toxic effects and mechanisms induced by exposure to EMFs on microglial cells and natural substances that inhibit them are limited to date. Here, we investigated whether exposure to 3.5 GHz EMF radiation, potentially generated by smartphones working in 5G communication or cooking using microwave ovens, affects the growth of BV2 mouse microglial cells and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), a DNA preparation derived from salmon sperm, inhibits it. Of note, exposure to 3.5 GHz EMF radiation for 2 h markedly inhibited the growth and triggered apoptosis in BV2 cells, characterized by the reduced number of surviving cells, increased genomic DNA fragmentation, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and altered phosphorylation and expression levels of JNK-1/2, p38 MAPK, ERK-1/2, eIF-2α, and procaspase-9. Pharmacological inhibition studies revealed that JNK-1/2 and p38 MAPK activation and ROS generation were crucial for 3.5 GHz EMF-induced BV2 cytotoxicity. Of interest, PDRN effectively countered these effects by inhibiting the activation of JNK-1/2, p38 MAPK, and caspase-9, and the production of ROS, although it did not affect eIF-2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, this study is the first to report that PDRN protects against 3.5 GHz EMF-induced toxicities in BV2 microglial cells, and PDRN’s protective effects on 3.5 GHz EMF-induced BV2 cytotoxicity are mediated primarily by modulating ROS, JNK-1/2, p38 MAPK, and caspase-9. Full article

In addition to natural electromagnetic fields (EMFs), so-called artificial electromagnetic fields exist in the biosphere, with mobile communications being one of their main sources. This study aimed to determine the impact of EMF at a frequency of 1800 MHz on the concentrations of selected hormones, sperm motility, viability, morphology and behaviors in laboratory rats. We used 28 rats divided into two equinumerous groups: control (n = 14) and experimental (n = 14). The rats in the experimental group were exposed to EMF for 12 weeks (for 10 min, four times daily); at the same time, the control specimens were kept in standard conditions. After 12 weeks, half of each group was killed, while the other half was maintained for another 4 weeks with no EMF emission. Elevated corticosterone levels and decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were observed in the experimental specimens, which persisted for 2 weeks after the cessation of EMF emission. Exposure to EMF also resulted in decreased sperm motility and viability, as well as increased rat anxiety. This study shows that exposure to EMF (1800 MHz) may affect the endocrine status of the body and the behavior and reproductive functions of animals. However, hormonal disorders appear to be reversible. Full article

The exposure levels generated by environmental electromagnetic field (EMF) sources can be measured and monitored by employing EMF area monitors. The operating spectrum of environmental EMF sources is not limited to high frequencies (f > 30 MHz) but also extends to low frequencies (f < 30 MHz), where sources associated, for example, with radio transmitters typically generate non-negligible field contributions. For this reason, professional EMF area monitors can be equipped with different field sensors, properly calibrated according to standardized procedures. Because low-frequency electric fields are very sensitive to environmental boundary conditions, equipping an EMF area monitor with electric field sensors, previously calibrated as stand-alone devices, can lead to measurement errors due to field perturbations introduced by the physical structure of the area monitor itself. This paper describes the activities carried out to assess the performance of an EMF area monitor in simulated realistic conditions and calibrate it in the 300 kHz–20 MHz frequency band. The activities were conducted using a multi-wire transverse electromagnetic (MWTEM) transmission line as a controlled electric field source, with dimensions suitable for exposure of the entire structure of the EMF area monitor. In view of using this approach to calibrate the area monitors as a whole instead of the individual sensors, the uniformity of the electric field generated by the available MWTEM transmission line was analyzed in detail both numerically and experimentally. Finally, the results of the evaluation and calibration of an area monitor are reported and discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nitric oxide (NO) and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been reported to influence central nervous system (CNS) function and organization. This study explores the effects of NO modulation and EMF exposure on neurodevelopment and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and cell morphology, extending the prior work on perinatal EMF exposure in Wistar rats. Methods: Rats were perinatally exposed to water, 1 g/L L-arginine (LA), or 0.5 g/L N-methylarginine (NMA), along with a 7 Hz square-wave EMF at intensities of 0 nT, ≤50 nT, or 500 nT, starting three days before birth and continuing for 14 days postnatally. GFAP expression and cell morphology were analyzed via immunohistochemistry in regions including the hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and cortex. Results: Significant changes in GFAP morphology and expression are observed. A main EMF effect emerged in the right ventromedial hypothalamus, where the branch length of GFAP-expressing cells increased in EMF-exposed groups compared to the controls [t(32) = −2.52, p = 0.017]. In the hippocampus, LA exposure decreased GFAP expression in the right dentate gyrus compared to water controls [t(23) = 2.37, p = 0.027]. A sex-specific EMF effect was detected in the left CA2 hippocampus, where males exposed to EMF showed significant differences from unexposed males [t(15) = −2.90, p = 0.011]. Conclusions: These findings reveal complex interactions between EMF exposure, sex, and NO modulation, with region-specific effects on GFAP expression in the developing rat brain. Full article

This study presents an extensive analysis of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in Greek urban and suburban areas during the ongoing deployment of the 5G technology. A total of 400 in situ measurements of electric field strength were conducted at ground level across four distinct regions. The first part of the study provides a statistical analysis of the overall EMF exposure, highlighting the contributions of different cellular generations (2G–5G) to the total field. The results show that 4G networks are the dominant contributors, while the impact of 5G remains limited. The second part investigates the correlation between electric field levels in the 3.5 GHz band and the distance from 5G base stations (BS). Using geospatial analysis, we computed distances to the nearest BS and examined their relationship with measured EMF levels. The findings indicate a general inverse correlation between EMF levels and BS distance, although variations occur due to factors such as line-of-sight conditions and urban built environment characteristics. These results confirm that distance remains a key predictive feature for AI-based EMF exposure models, even in the case of 5G networks. Full article

Introduction: The use of electrical appliances using extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) has increased in the past few years. These ELF MF are reported to be linked to several adverse health effects. However, only a couple of studies have been conducted on the association between risk of tumours and use of electronic devices using low frequency (LF) EMF. Methods: We studied the use of common household electrical appliances and suspected risk of tumours in a multi-hospital-based case-control study. In total, 316 patients were included in the final analysis. Results: The study results showed a below unity risk for most of the devices. A slight increased risk of tumour was observed for computer screen use OR: 1.13 (95% CI: 0.43–3.02) and use of microwave oven OR: 1.21 (95% CI: 0.36–4.04). We also had chance to investigate ELF MFs exposure association with tumour. Where we observed elevated odd ratios in individuals living near electricity transformer stations, with a statistically significant risk OR: 2.16 (95% CI: 1.30–3.59). However, the risk was below unity (OR: 0.98) in individuals residing close to powerlines. Conclusion: The current study serves as a pilot study of primary data and will be helpful in future epidemiological research studies on the topic in the region. Full article

The increasing deployment of IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) networks necessitates an accurate assessment of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure under realistic usage scenarios. This study investigates the duty cycle (DC) and corresponding exposure levels of Wi-Fi 6 in controlled laboratory conditions, focusing on bandwidth variations, multi-user scenarios, and application types. DC measurements reveal significant variability across internet services, with FTP upload exhibiting the highest mean DC (94.3%) under 20 MHz bandwidth, while YouTube 4K video streaming showed bursts with a maximum DC of 89.2%. Under poor radio conditions, DC increased by up to 5× for certain applications, emphasizing the influence of degraded signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on retransmissions and modulation. Weighted exposure results indicate a reduction in average electric-field strength by up to 10× when incorporating DC, with maximum weighted exposure at 4.2 V/m (6.9% of ICNIRP limits) during multi-user scenarios. These findings highlight the critical role of realistic DC assessments in refining exposure evaluations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing the understanding of Wi-Fi 6’s EMF exposure implications. Full article

Non-invasive, non-contact, and painless methods of electrical stimulation to enhance neural function have been widely studied in recent years, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias, which cause cognitive decline and other neurological symptoms. Radiofrequency (RF), which is a rate of oscillation in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz (3 THz), has been suggested as one potential non-contact neuronal stimulation (NCNS) technique for improving brain function. A new type of electrical stimulation uses a radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF). RF exposure has been shown to modulate neural stimulation and influence various brain activities in in vitro and in vivo models. Recent studies have explored the effects of RF-EMF on human physiology, particularly in areas such as brain activity, cognition, and sleep behavior. In this review, we summarize recent findings about the effects of non-contact stimulations in in vitro studies, in vivo animal models, and human clinical cases. Full article

The expansion of 5G infrastructure and the deployment of large antenna arrays are set to substantially influence electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure levels within mobile networks. As a result, the accurate measurement of EMF exposure and the integration of EMF exposure constraints into radio resource management are expected to become increasingly important in future mobile communication systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of EMF exposure evaluation frameworks for 5G networks, considering the impacts of high-energy beams, the millimeter wave spectrum, network densification and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), while also examining EMF-aware radio resource management strategies for 5G networks and beyond, with RIS technology as an assistive factor. Furthermore, challenges and open research topics in the EMF evaluation framework and EMF-aware resource management for 5G mobile networks and beyond are highlighted. Despite the growing importance of RIS technology in enhancing mobile networks, a research gap remains in addressing specific EMF exposure considerations associated with RIS deployments. Additionally, the impact of EMF-aware radio resource allocation approaches on RIS-assisted 5G networks is still not fully understood. Full article

This paper outlines the specific provisions of Italian legislation regarding workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from 0 Hz to 300 GHz compared to the minimum health and safety requirements set in European Directive 2013/35/EU. In particular, the path to be followed to assess and manage occupational exposure to EMFs is outlined in relation to the distinction between ‘professional’ and ‘non-professional’ exposure of workers, as well as to the precautionary limits regarding exposures from power lines (50 Hz) and broadcast and telecommunication fixed systems (100 kHz–300 GHz) established by Italian regulations. The reasons underlying such an approach—mainly relying on the intent to reconcile scientific evidence with risk perception in public opinion—are analysed and discussed with the aim of increasing the knowledge of national regulatory provisions on occupational risk assessment, which may be more stringent than the requirements envisaged by international guidelines and community regulations. Full article

Background: The rapid development of mobile communication has caused an increase in electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions in the environment. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of EMFs on microorganisms. Thus, the aim of the study was the determine the effect of exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz electromagnetic fields on the entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps fumosorosea, and Metarhizium anisopliae. Methods: The entomopathogenic fungi developed under exposure to an EMF for seven days. After the termination of exposure, the linear colony growth, sporulation, gemination, and pathogenicity of the EPFs were investigated. Results: The effect of EMFs on B. bassiana, C. fumosorosea, and M. anisopliae depended on the EMF frequency and the tested fungus species. Exposure to the 900 MHz frequency stimulated the growth of the mycelium and the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi, whereas the 1800 MHz electromagnetic field inhibited sporulation and spore germination. Conclusions: The exposure to the 900 MHz frequency stimulated the development of the mycelium of all tested species and the pathogenicity of C. fumosorosea. The sporulation and germ tube length of the entomopathogenic fungi were stimulated by the 900 MHz frequency. The 1800 MHz electromagnetic field inhibited the sporulation and spore germination of B. bassiana. Full article

Distributed wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used to enhance the quality and safety of various applications. These networks consist of numerous sensor nodes, often deployed in challenging terrains where maintenance is difficult. Efficient monitoring approaches are essential to maximize the functionality and lifespan of each sensor node, thereby improving the overall performance of the WSN. In this study, we propose a method to efficiently monitor radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure using WSNs. Our approach leverages sensor nodes to provide real-time measurements, ensuring accurate and timely data collection. With the increasing prevalence of wireless communication systems, assessing RF-EMF exposure has become crucial due to public health concerns. Since individuals spend over 70% of their time indoors, it is vital to evaluate indoor RF-EMF exposure. However, this task is complicated by the complex indoor environments, furniture arrangements, temporal variability of exposure, numerous obstructions with unknown dielectric properties, and uncontrolled factors such as people’s movements and the random positioning of furniture and doors. To address these challenges, we employ a sensor network to monitor RF-EMF exposure limits using embedded sensors. By integrating Internet of Things-embedded sensors with advanced modeling techniques, such as kriging, we characterize and model indoor RF-EMF downlink (DL) exposure effectively. Measurements taken in several buildings within a few hundred meters of base stations equipped with multiple cellular antennas (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) demonstrate that the kriging technique using the spherical model provides superior RF-EMF prediction compared with the exponential model. Using the spherical model, we constructed a high-resolution coverage map for the entire corridor, showcasing the effectiveness of our approach. Full article

This work presents a review and evaluation of studies measuring exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF). The review meets the basic quality criteria and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines after the eligibility criteria of the PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcome) methodology and the instrument Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Español (CASPe). A total of 86 papers published between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2023 are included: 61 studies with spot measurements and 25 studies with mixed methodologies (spot measurements, personal measurements with volunteers or with a trained researcher and prediction models) are highlighted. Forty-three percent of the studies use Spectrum Analyzers in the spot measurements, mainly the Narda SRM–3006, followed by the Narda SRM-3000, highlighting the introduction and use of Sensors for this kind of study. The minimum mean value was measured in Palestine at 0.0600 µW/m², and the maximum mean value was measured in Norway at 200,000 µW/m². The RF-EMF exposure levels measured in the different microenvironments are minimal and far from the maximum levels established by the ICNIRP guidelines. Full article

The skin is the largest body organ that can be physiologically affected by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). We investigated the effect of RF-EMFs on melanogenesis; Mel-Ab melanocytes were exposed to 1760 MHz radiation with a specific absorption rate of 4.0 W/kg for 4 h/day over 4 days. Exposure to the RF-EMF led to skin pigmentation, with a significant increase in melanin production in Mel-Ab melanocytes. The phosphorylation level of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which regulate the expression of tyrosinase, were significantly increased in Mel-Ab after RF-EMF exposure. Interestingly, the expression of tyrosinase was significantly increased, but tyrosinase activity was unchanged in the RF-EMF-exposed Mel-Ab cells. Additionally, the expression of p53 and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which regulate MITF expression, was significantly increased. These results suggest that the RF-EMF induces melanogenesis by increasing phospho-CREB and MITF activity. Importantly, when Mel-Ab cells were incubated at 38 °C, the melanin production and the levels of tyrosinase significantly decreased, indicating that the increase in melanin synthesis by RF-EMF exposure is not due to a thermal effect. In conclusion, RF-EMF exposure induces melanogenesis in Mel-Ab cells through the increased expression of tyrosinase via the activation of MITF or the phosphorylation of CREB, which are initiated by the activation of p53 and MC1R. Full article

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (LF EMFs) generated by power infrastructure on the nearby environment. Measurements of electric (E) and magnetic (H) field intensities were conducted around high-voltage power lines, transformer stations and facilities related to them. Numerical simulations were also performed to model the distribution of the field values around real buildings in close proximity to power delivery systems. Given the ongoing scientific debate regarding the effects of EMFs on living organisms, the current analysis was based on the existing standards—particularly ICNIRP 2010 guidelines, which set the maximum allowable E and magnetic induction (B) values at 5 kV/m and 200 μT, respectively. Stricter national regulations were also examined, such as Poland’s 1 kV/m E limit in residential areas and Belgium’s 10 μT limit for B. The results showed that while most cases complied with ICNIRP 2010 standards, certain stricter local regulations were exceeded. Specifically, 9 of 14 cases exceeded Poland’s E limits, and 8 failed to meet Belgium’s B requirements. Only in one place—a warehouse near 110 kV power lines (in a critical case)—the ICNIRP limit B was exceeded. These findings underscore the variability in regulatory standards and highlight the need for localized assessments of EMF exposure. Full article