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Benke G, Abramson MJ, Brzozek C, McDonald S, Kelsall H, Sanagou M, Zeleke BM, Kaufman J, Brennan S, Verbeek J, Karipidis K. The effects of radiofrequency exposure on cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 188:108779. [PMID: 38821015 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to assess evidence of long-term effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on indicators of cognition, including domains of learning and memory, executive function, complex attention, language, perceptual motor ability and social cognition, and of an exposure-response relationship between RF-EMF and cognition. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and the EMF-Portal on September 30, 2022 without limiting by date or language of publication. We included cohort or case-control studies that evaluated the effects of RF exposure on cognitive function in one or more of the cognitive domains. Studies were rated for risk of bias using the OHAT tool and synthesised using fixed effects meta-analysis. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach and considered modification by OHAT for assessing evidence of exposures. RESULTS We included 5 studies that reported analyses of data from 4 cohorts with 4639 participants consisting of 2808 adults and 1831 children across three countries (Australia, Singapore and Switzerland) conducted between 2006 and 2017. The main source of RF-EMF exposure was mobile (cell) phone use measured as calls per week or minutes per day. For mobile phone use in children, two studies (615 participants) that compared an increase in mobile phone use to a decrease or no change were included in meta-analyses. Learning and memory. There was little effect on accuracy (mean difference, MD -0.03; 95% CI -0.07 to 0.02) or response time (MD -0.01; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.02) on the one-back memory task; and accuracy (MD -0.02; 95%CI -0.04 to 0.00) or response time (MD -0.01; 95%CI -0.04 to 0.03) on the one card learning task (low certainty evidence for all outcomes). Executive function. There was little to no effect on the Stroop test for the time ratio ((B-A)/A) response (MD 0.02; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.04, very low certainty) or the time ratio ((D-C)/C) response (MD 0.00; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.05, very low certainty), with both tests measuring susceptibility to interference effects. Complex attention. There was little to no effect on detection task accuracy (MD 0.02; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.08), or response time (MD 0.02;95% CI 0.01 to 0.03), and little to no effect on identification task accuracy (MD 0.00; 95% CI -0.04 to 0.05) or response time (MD 0.00;95% CI -0.01 to 0.02) (low certainty evidence for all outcomes). No other cognitive domains were investigated in children. A single study among elderly people provided very low certainty evidence that more frequent mobile phone use may have little to no effect on the odds of a decline in global cognitive function (odds ratio, OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.58, 649 participants) or a decline in executive function (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.37 to 3.05, 146 participants), and may lead to a small, probably unimportant, reduction in the odds of a decline in complex attention (OR 0.67;95%CI 0.27 to 1.68, 159 participants) and a decline in learning and memory (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.29 to 1.99, 159 participants). An exposure-response relationship was not identified for any of the cognitive outcomes. DISCUSSION This systematic review and meta-analysis found only a few studies that provided very low to low certainty evidence of little to no association between RF-EMF exposure and learning and memory, executive function and complex attention. None of the studies among children reported on global cognitive function or other domains of cognition. Only one study reported a lack of an effect for all domains in elderly persons but this was of very low certainty evidence. Further studies are needed to address all types of populations, exposures and cognitive outcomes, particularly studies investigating environmental and occupational exposure in adults. Future studies also need to address uncertainties in the assessment of exposure and standardise testing of specific domains of cognitive function to enable synthesis across studies and increase the certainty of the evidence. OTHER This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme and prospectively registered on PROSPERO CRD42021257548.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geza Benke
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jos Verbeek
- University Medical Centers Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Savchenko L, Martinelli I, Marsal D, Batkivska O, Zhdan V, Kaidashev I, Pizzinat N, Boal F, Tronchere H, Tao J, Kunduzova O. Metabolic, Apoptotic and Fibro-Inflammatory Profiles of the Heart Exposed to Environmental Electromagnetic Fields. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11709. [PMID: 37511465 PMCID: PMC10380359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental stress can disturb the integrative functioning of the cardiovascular system and trigger a number of adaptive and/or maladaptive cell responses. Concomitant with the expanding use of mobile communication systems, public exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) raises the question of the impact of 900 MHz EMFs on cardiovascular health. Therefore, in this study, we experimentally investigated whether 915 MHz EMF exposure influenced cardiac metabolic, antioxidant, apoptotic, and fibro-inflammatory profiles in a mouse model. Healthy mice were sham-exposed or exposed to EMF for 14 days. Western blot analysis using whole cardiac tissue lysates demonstrated that there was no significant change in the expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes between the control and EMF-exposed mice. In addition, the myocardial expression of fibro-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant enzymes, and apoptosis-related markers remained unchanged in the EMF-challenged hearts. Finally, the structural integrity of the cardiac tissues was preserved among the groups. These findings suggest that the apoptotic, antioxidant, metabolic, and fibro-inflammatory profiles of the heart remained stable under conditions of EMF exposure in the analyzed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesia Savchenko
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Poltava State Medical University, 23 Shevchenko, 36000 Poltava, Ukraine
| | - Ilenia Martinelli
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Dimitri Marsal
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Oksana Batkivska
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- Department of Functional and Laboratory Diagnostics, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 1 Maidan Voli, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Vyacheslav Zhdan
- Poltava State Medical University, 23 Shevchenko, 36000 Poltava, Ukraine
| | - Igor Kaidashev
- Poltava State Medical University, 23 Shevchenko, 36000 Poltava, Ukraine
| | - Nathalie Pizzinat
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Frederic Boal
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Helene Tronchere
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Junwu Tao
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
- LAPLACE, INP-ENSEEIHT, 2 Rue Camichel, 31071 Toulouse, France
| | - Oksana Kunduzova
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U1297, CEDEX 4, 31432 Toulouse, France
- University Toulouse III, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 9, 31062 Toulouse, France
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Eeftens M, Pujol S, Klaiber A, Chopard G, Riss A, Smayra F, Flückiger B, Gehin T, Diallo K, Wiart J, Mazloum T, Mauny F, Röösli M. The association between real-life markers of phone use and cognitive performance, health-related quality of life and sleep. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116011. [PMID: 37127107 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The real-life short-term implications of electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on cognitive performance and health-related quality of life have not been well studied. The SPUTNIC study (Study Panel on Upcoming Technologies to study Non-Ionizing radiation and Cognition) aimed to investigate possible correlations between mobile phone radiation and human health, including cognition, health-related quality of life and sleep. METHODS Adult participants tracked various daily markers of RF-EMF exposures (cordless calls, mobile calls, and mobile screen time 4 h prior to each assessment) as well as three health outcomes over ten study days: 1) cognitive performance, 2) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and 3) sleep duration and quality. Cognitive performance was measured through six "game-like" tests, assessing verbal and visuo-spatial performance repeatedly. HRQoL was assessed as fatigue, mood and stress on a Likert-scale (1-10). Sleep duration and efficiency was measured using activity trackers. We fitted mixed models with random intercepts per participant on cognitive, HRQoL and sleep scores. Possible time-varying confounders were assessed at daily intervals by questionnaire and used for model adjustment. RESULTS A total of 121 participants ultimately took part in the SPUTNIC study, including 63 from Besancon and 58 from Basel. Self-reported wireless phone use and screen time were sporadically associated with visuo-spatial and verbal cognitive performance, compatible with chance findings. We found a small but robust significant increase in stress 0.03 (0.00-0.06; on a 1-10 Likert-scale) in relation to a 10-min increase in mobile phone screen time. Sleep duration and quality were not associated with either cordless or mobile phone calls, or with screen time. DISCUSSION The study did not find associations between short-term RF-EMF markers and cognitive performance, HRQoL, or sleep duration and quality. The most consistent finding was increased stress in relation to more screen time, but no association with cordless or mobile phone call time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sophie Pujol
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Aaron Klaiber
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gilles Chopard
- Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, Université Franche-Comté, Besançon, France; Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Service de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, France
| | - Andrin Riss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Smayra
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Flückiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Gehin
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Kadiatou Diallo
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Joe Wiart
- Chair C2M, LTCI Télecom ParisTech, Université Paris Saclay, 46 Rue Barrault, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Taghrid Mazloum
- Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Service de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, France
| | - Frédéric Mauny
- CHU de Besançon, Unité de Méthodologie en Recherche Clinique, Épidémiologie et Santé Publique, INSERM CIC, 1431, Besançon, France; Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS / Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Yamazaki K, Ikeda-Araki A, Miyashita C, Tamura N, Yoshikawa T, Hikage T, Omiya M, Mizuta M, Ikuyo M, Tobita K, Onishi T, Taki M, Watanabe S, Kishi R. Measurement of personal radio frequency exposure in Japan: The Hokkaido Study on the Environment and Children's health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114429. [PMID: 36174753 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The opportunities for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) among children are increasing. Children's exposure to RF-EMF in Japan was recorded using a personal exposure meter (ExpoM-RF), and factors associated with the exposure examined. A total of 101 children, aged 10-15 years old, participated in the prospective birth cohort "Hokkaido study". RF-EMF data were recorded in the 700 MHz-5.8 GHz frequency range for 3 days. The recorded data were summarized into six groups of frequency bands: downlink from mobile phone base stations (DL), uplink from mobile phones to a base station (UL), Wireless Local Area Network (LAN), terrestrial digital TV broadcasting (digital TV), 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Time Division Duplex (TDD), 1.9 GHz TDD, and total (the summation of power density in all measured frequency bands). A questionnaire was used to document the internet environment (at home) and mobile phone usage. Personal RF-EMF exposure in Japanese children was lower than that reported in studies in Europe. The DL signals from mobile phone base stations were the most significant contributors to total exposure, while Wireless LAN and digital TV were only higher at home. The urban residence was consistently associated with increases in the four groups of frequency bands (DL, UL, digital TV, and TDD). TDD level has several associations with mobile phone usage (calls using mobile phones, video viewing, text message service, and online game). The association between inattention/hyperactivity subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and higher Wireless LAN exposure at nighttime was also noted. Further studies with additional data will shed light on factors involved in RF-EMF exposure among Japanese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Atsuko Ikeda-Araki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 0600812, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Naomi Tamura
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Toshio Yoshikawa
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Takashi Hikage
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 0600814, Japan.
| | - Manabu Omiya
- Information Initiative Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 0600811, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Mizuta
- Information Initiative Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 0600811, Japan.
| | - Miwa Ikuyo
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo, 1840015, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Tobita
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo, 1840015, Japan.
| | - Teruo Onishi
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo, 1840015, Japan.
| | - Masao Taki
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo, 1840015, Japan.
| | - Soichi Watanabe
- Applied Electromagnetic Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo, 1840015, Japan.
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
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Longitudinal associations of the duration of mobile phone use with suicidal behavior in adolescents: The mediating role of depressive symptoms. J Affect Disord 2022; 314:365-371. [PMID: 35878828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged mobile phone use has been demonstrated to be associated with mental health problems and suicidal behavior in adolescents. This study examined the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between duration of mobile phone use (DMPU) and suicidal behavior in adolescents. METHODS A total of 6,923 participants from the Shandong Adolescent Behavior & Health Cohort (SABHC) were included in the analysis. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire to assess DMPU on weekdays and weekends, mental disorders, insomnia symptoms, depressive symptoms, suicidal behavior (thought, plan, or attempt), and family demographics in November-December 2015. One year later, a follow-up survey was conducted to ask participants to report their depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior. Path analyses with logistic regressions were performed to examine the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the DMPU-suicidal behavior link. RESULTS Of the sample, mean age was 14.58 (SD = 1.45) and 3,455 (49.9 %) were female at baseline. 12.12 % of participants reported having ever suicidal behavior during the past 12 months at baseline, and 10.63 % reported having ever suicidal behavior during 1-year follow-up. Path analyses showed that the depressive symptoms played a partial mediating role in the association of DMPU on weekdays and weekends with subsequent suicidal behavior. After controlling for covariates, depressive symptoms accounted for 33.6 % and 58.6 % of the total effect of DMPU on weekdays and weekends on suicidal behavior, respectively. LIMITATION All variables were measured based on self-report. CONCLUSIONS The link between DMPU and suicidal behavior was partially mediated by depressive symptoms. Prolonged mobile phone use and depressive symptoms should be assessed and intervened to prevent suicidal behavior in adolescents.
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Leszczynski D. Review of the scientific evidence on the individual sensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EHS). REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:423-450. [PMID: 34229366 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Part of the population considers themselves as sensitive to the man-made electromagnetic radiation (EMF) emitted by powerlines, electric wiring, electric home appliance and the wireless communication devices and networks. Sensitivity is characterized by a broad variety of non-specific symptoms that the sensitive people claim to experience when exposed to EMF. While the experienced symptoms are currently considered as a real life impairment, the factor causing these symptoms remains unclear. So far, scientists were unable to find causality link between symptoms experienced by sensitive persons and the exposures to EMF. However, as presented in this review, the executed to-date scientific studies, examining sensitivity to EMF, are of poor quality to find the link between EMF exposures and sensitivity symptoms of some people. It is logical to consider that the sensitivity to EMF exists but the scientific methodology used to find it is of insufficient quality. It is time to drop out psychology driven provocation studies that ask about feelings-based non-specific symptoms experienced by volunteers under EMF exposure. Such research approach produces only subjective and therefore highly unreliable data that is insufficient to prove, or to disprove, causality link between EHS and EMF. There is a need for a new direction in studying sensitivity to EMF. The basis for it is the notion of a commonly known phenomenon of individual sensitivity, where individuals' responses to EMF depend on the genetic and epigenetic properties of the individual. It is proposed here that new studies, combining provocation approach, where volunteers are exposed to EMF, and high-throughput technologies of transcriptomics and proteomics are used to generate objective data, detecting molecular level biochemical responses of human body to EMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Leszczynski
- Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Schmutz C, Bürgler A, Ashta N, Soenksen J, Bou Karim Y, Shen C, Smith RB, Jenkins RH, Mireku MO, Mutz J, Maes MJA, Hirst R, Chang I, Fleming C, Mussa A, Kesary D, Addison D, Maslanyj M, Toledano MB, Röösli M, Eeftens M. Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure of adolescents in the Greater London area in the SCAMP cohort and the association with restrictions on permitted use of mobile communication technologies at school and at home. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113252. [PMID: 35421393 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Personal measurements of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have been used in several studies to characterise personal exposure in daily life, but such data are limitedly available for adolescents, and not yet for the United Kingdom (UK). In this study, we aimed to characterise personal exposure to RF-EMF in adolescents and to study the association between exposure and rules applied at school and at home to restrict wireless communication use, likely implemented to reduce other effects of mobile technology (e.g. distraction). We measured exposure to RF-EMF for 16 common frequency bands (87.5 MHz-3.5 GHz), using portable measurement devices (ExpoM-RF), in a subsample of adolescents participating in the cohort Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP) from Greater London (UK) (n = 188). School and home rules were assessed by questionnaire and concerned the school's availability of WiFi and mobile phone policy, and parental restrictions on permitted mobile phone use. Adolescents recorded their activities in real time using a diary app on a study smartphone, while characterizing their personal RF-EMF exposure in daily life, during different activities and times of the day. Data analysis was done for 148 adolescents from 29 schools who recorded RF-EMF data for a median duration of 47 h. The majority (74%) of adolescents spent part of their time at school during the measurement period. Median total RF-EMF exposure was 40 μW/m2 at home, 94 μW/m2 at school, and 100 μW/m2 overall. In general, restrictions at school or at home made little difference for adolescents' measured exposure to RF-EMF, except for uplink exposure from mobile phones while at school, which was found to be significantly lower for adolescents attending schools not permitting phone use at all, compared to adolescents attending schools allowing mobile phone use during breaks. This difference was not statistically significant for total personal exposure. Total exposure to RF-EMF in adolescents living in Greater London tended to be higher compared to exposure levels reported in other European countries. This study suggests that school policies and parental restrictions are not associated with a lower RF-EMF exposure in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Schmutz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Bürgler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Narain Ashta
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Soenksen
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yasmin Bou Karim
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Chen Shen
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel B Smith
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary H Jenkins
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Campus, The Reynolds Building, St Dunstan's Road, London, W6 8RP, United Kingdom
| | - Michael O Mireku
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; University of Lincoln, School of Psychology, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Mutz
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Mikaël J A Maes
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Department of Geography, University College London, Pearson Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Rosi Hirst
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Chang
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Fleming
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Aamirah Mussa
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Daphna Kesary
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Darren Addison
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Centre for Chemical, Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Harwell Campus, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Myron Maslanyj
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Centre for Chemical, Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Harwell Campus, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mireille B Toledano
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Units in Environmental Exposures and Health & Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, in partnership with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom; Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Wellbeing, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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8
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Bodewein L, Dechent D, Graefrath D, Kraus T, Krause T, Driessen S. Systematic review of the physiological and health-related effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure from wireless communication devices on children and adolescents in experimental and epidemiological human studies. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268641. [PMID: 35648738 PMCID: PMC9159629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For more than 20 years, the potential health risks of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposure from mobile communication devices on children and adolescents have been examined because they are considered sensitive population groups; however, it remains unclear whether such exposure poses any particular risk to them. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to systematically analyze and evaluate the physiological and health-related effects of RF EMF exposures from wireless communication devices (mobile phones, cordless phones, Bluetooth, etc.) on children and adolescents. METHODS This review was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Methodological limitations in individual studies were assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Risk-of-Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies. RESULTS A total of 42 epidemiological and 11 experimental studies were eligible for this review. Most of the studies displayed several methodological weaknesses that limited the internal validity of the results. Due to a lack of consistency regarding the outcomes as well as the lack of scientific rigor in most reviewed studies, the body of evidence for the effects of RF EMF of mobile communication devices on subjective symptoms, cognition, and behavior in children and adolescents was low to inadequate. Evidence from the studies investigating early childhood development, brain activity, cancer, and physiological parameters was considered inadequate for drawing conclusions about possible effects. DISCUSSION Overall, the body of evidence allows no final conclusion on the question whether exposure to RF EMF from mobile communication devices poses a particular risk to children and adolescents. There has been rapid development in technologies generating RF EMF, which are extensively used by children and adolescents. Therefore, we strongly recommend high-quality systematic research on children and adolescents, since they are generally considered as sensitive age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lambert Bodewein
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Dechent
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - David Graefrath
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tobias Krause
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Driessen
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu)–Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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9
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Okely AD, Ghersi D, Loughran SP, Cliff DP, Shilton T, Jones RA, Stanley RM, Sherring J, Toms N, Eckermann S, Olds TS, Zhang Z, Parrish AM, Kervin L, Downie S, Salmon J, Bannerman C, Needham T, Marshall E, Kaufman J, Brown L, Wille J, Wood G, Lubans DR, Biddle SJH, Pill S, Hargreaves A, Jonas N, Schranz N, Campbell P, Ingram K, Dean H, Verrender A, Ellis Y, Chong KH, Dumuid D, Katzmarzyk PT, Draper CE, Lewthwaite H, Tremblay MS. A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines. The Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for children (5-12 years) and young people (13-17 years): An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2022; 19:2. [PMID: 34991606 PMCID: PMC8734238 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-021-01236-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Background In 2018, the Australian Government updated the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Children and Young People. A requirement of this update was the incorporation of a 24-hour approach to movement, recognising the importance of adequate sleep. The purpose of this paper was to describe how the updated Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Young People (5 to 17 years): an integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep were developed and the outcomes from this process. Methods The GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach was used to develop the guidelines. A Leadership Group was formed, who identified existing credible guidelines. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth best met the criteria established by the Leadership Group. These guidelines were evaluated based on the evidence in the GRADE tables, summaries of findings tables and recommendations from the Canadian Guidelines. We conducted updates to each of the Canadian systematic reviews. A Guideline Development Group reviewed, separately and in combination, the evidence for each behaviour. A choice was then made to adopt or adapt the Canadian recommendations for each behaviour or create de novo recommendations. We then conducted an online survey (n=237) along with three focus groups (n=11 in total) and 13 key informant interviews. Stakeholders used these to provide feedback on the draft guidelines. Results Based on the evidence from the Canadian systematic reviews and the updated systematic reviews in Australia, the Guideline Development Group agreed to adopt the Canadian recommendations and, apart from some minor changes to the wording of good practice statements, maintain the wording of the guidelines, preamble, and title of the Canadian Guidelines. The Australian Guidelines provide evidence-informed recommendations for a healthy day (24-hours), integrating physical activity, sedentary behaviour (including limits to screen time), and sleep for children (5-12 years) and young people (13-17 years). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is only the second time the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach has been used to develop movement behaviour guidelines. The judgments of the Australian Guideline Development Group did not differ sufficiently to change the directions and strength of the recommendations and as such, the Canadian Guidelines were adopted with only very minor alterations. This allowed the Australian Guidelines to be developed in a shorter time frame and at a lower cost. We recommend the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach, especially if a credible set of guidelines that was developed using the GRADE approach is available with all supporting materials. Other countries may consider this approach when developing and/or revising national movement guidelines. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12966-021-01236-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D Okely
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. .,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Davina Ghersi
- Research Policy and Translation, National Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra, Australia.,National Health & Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah P Loughran
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Dylan P Cliff
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Trevor Shilton
- National Heart Foundation (WA), 334 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, Australia
| | - Rachel A Jones
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Rebecca M Stanley
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Julie Sherring
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Natalie Toms
- Preventive Programs, Commonwealth Department of Health, Canberra, Australia
| | - Simon Eckermann
- Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Timothy S Olds
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Zhiguang Zhang
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Anne-Maree Parrish
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Lisa Kervin
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Sandra Downie
- Preventive Programs, Commonwealth Department of Health, Canberra, Australia
| | - Jo Salmon
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Jordy Kaufman
- Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Layne Brown
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Janecke Wille
- Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA), Canberra, Australia
| | - Greg Wood
- Australian Sports Commission, Leederville, Western Australia
| | - David R Lubans
- Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Stuart J H Biddle
- Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Toowoomba, Australia
| | - Shane Pill
- The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER), Wayville, Australia and Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
| | | | - Natalie Jonas
- Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), SA, Sydney, Australia
| | - Natasha Schranz
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,Active Healthy Kids Australia, Adelaide, Australia and National Heart Foundation, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Perry Campbell
- Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), Sydney, Australia
| | - Karen Ingram
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), Sydney, Australia
| | - Hayley Dean
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), Sydney, Australia
| | - Adam Verrender
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Yvonne Ellis
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Kar Hau Chong
- Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Dorothea Dumuid
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Catherine E Draper
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Hayley Lewthwaite
- Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Mark S Tremblay
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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10
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study sought to examine the relationship between documented social media use and suicidality and self-injurious behaviors in adolescents at the time of psychiatric hospitalization. METHODS We retrospectively identified adolescents (aged 12-17 years) hospitalized on an inpatient psychiatric unit during 1 year. Abstracted information included documented social media use, demographic variables, documented self-injurious behaviors, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Suicide Status Form-II. Logistic regression was implemented to examine the effect of social media use on the risk of self-injurious behaviors and suicidality. RESULTS Fifty-six adolescents who used social media were identified and matched with 56 non-social media users. Those with reported social media use had significantly greater odds of self-injurious behaviors at admission (odds ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence intervals, 1.17-5.71; P = .02) vs youth without reported social media use. Adolescents with reported social media use also had greater odds of increased suicidal ideation and suicide risk than those with no reported use, but these relationships were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Social media use in adolescents with a psychiatric admission may be associated with the risk of self-injurious behaviors and could be a marker of impulsivity. Further work should guide the assessment of social media use as part of a routine adolescent psychiatric history.
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11
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Kishi R, Ikeda-Araki A, Miyashita C, Itoh S, Kobayashi S, Ait Bamai Y, Yamazaki K, Tamura N, Minatoya M, Ketema RM, Poudel K, Miura R, Masuda H, Itoh M, Yamaguchi T, Fukunaga H, Ito K, Goudarzi H. Hokkaido birth cohort study on environment and children's health: cohort profile 2021. Environ Health Prev Med 2021; 26:59. [PMID: 34022817 PMCID: PMC8141139 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-021-00980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health is an ongoing study consisting of two birth cohorts of different population sizes: the Sapporo cohort and the Hokkaido cohort. Our primary objectives are to (1) examine the effects that low-level environmental chemical exposures have on birth outcomes, including birth defects and growth retardation; (2) follow the development of allergies, infectious diseases, and neurobehavioral developmental disorders, as well as perform a longitudinal observation of child development; (3) identify high-risk groups based on genetic susceptibility to environmental chemicals; and (4) identify the additive effects of various chemicals, including tobacco. METHODS The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of the Hokkaido Study, summarize recent results, and suggest future directions. In particular, this report provides the latest details from questionnaire surveys, face-to-face examinations, and a collection of biological specimens from children and measurements of their chemical exposures. RESULTS The latest findings indicate different risk factors of parental characteristics on birth outcomes and the mediating effect between socioeconomic status and children that are small for the gestational age. Maternal serum folate was not associated with birth defects. Prenatal chemical exposure and smoking were associated with birth size and growth, as well as cord blood biomarkers, such as adiponectin, leptin, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. We also found significant associations between the chemical levels and neuro development, asthma, and allergies. CONCLUSIONS Chemical exposure to children can occur both before and after birth. Longer follow-up for children is crucial in birth cohort studies to reinforce the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. In contrast, considering shifts in the exposure levels due to regulation is also essential, which may also change the association to health outcomes. This study found that individual susceptibility to adverse health effects depends on the genotype. Epigenome modification of DNA methylation was also discovered, indicating the necessity of examining molecular biology perspectives. International collaborations can add a new dimension to the current knowledge and provide novel discoveries in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan. .,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Atsuko Ikeda-Araki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naomi Tamura
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Machiko Minatoya
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Rahel Mesfin Ketema
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kritika Poudel
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryu Miura
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Masuda
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mariko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamaguchi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hisanori Fukunaga
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and Prevention of Chemical Hazards, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Ito
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Houman Goudarzi
- Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Center for Medical Education and International Relations, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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12
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Brzozek C, Zeleke BM, Abramson MJ, Benke KK, Benke G. Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure assessment: a pilot study on mobile phone signal strength and transmitted power levels. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:62-69. [PMID: 31641274 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-019-0178-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In many epidemiological studies mobile phone use has been used as an exposure proxy for radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure. However, RF-EMF exposure assessment from mobile phone use is prone to measurement errors limiting epidemiological research. An often-overlooked aspect is received signal strength levels from base stations and its correlation with mobile phone transmit (Tx) power. The Qualipoc android phone is a tool that provides information on both signal strength and Tx power. The phone produces simultaneous measurements of Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Received Signal Code Power (RSCP), and Tx power on the 3G and 4G networks. Measurements taken in the greater Melbourne area found a wide range of signal strength levels. The correlations between multiple signal strength indicators and Tx power were assessed with strong negative correlations found for 3G and 4G data technologies (3G RSSI -0.93, RSCP -0.93; 4G RSSI -0.85, RSRP -0.87). Variations in Tx power over categorical levels of signal strength were quantified and showed large increases in Tx power as signal level decreased. Future epidemiological studies should control for signal strength or factors influencing signal strength to reduce RF-EMF exposure measurement error.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Brzozek
- Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
| | - Berihun M Zeleke
- Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Michael J Abramson
- Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Kurt K Benke
- School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for AgriBioscience, AgriBio, 5 Ring Rd, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Geza Benke
- Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
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13
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Koterov AN, Ushenkova LN, Biryukov AP. Hill’s Temporality Criterion: Reverse Causation and Its Radiation Aspect. BIOL BULL+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359020120031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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14
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Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in the High-Frequency Band and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17249179. [PMID: 33302600 PMCID: PMC7764655 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
With increasing use of mobile phones, exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) in the high-frequency band associated with mobile phones has become a public concern, with potentially adverse effects on cognitive function in children and adolescents. However, findings regarding the relation of RF-EMF and cognitive function in children and adolescents have been inconsistent due to a number of study design-related factors, such as types of exposure and outcome measures, age of participants, and the era of study conduction. The present literature review focused on these possible factors that could explain this inconsistency. This review identified 12 eligible studies (participants ages 4 to 17 years) and extracted a total 477 relations. In total, 86% of the extracted relations were not statistically significant; in the remaining 14%, a negative relation between RF-EMF and cognitive performance was detected under limited conditions: when (1) RF-EMF was assessed using objective measurement not subjective measurement (i.e., questionnaire), (2) participants were relatively older (12 years and above) and had greater opportunity of exposure to RF-EMF, and (3) the collection of cognitive function data was conducted after 2012. Given that 86% of the extracted relations in this analysis were not statistically significant, the interpretation should be approached with caution due to the possibility of the 14% of significant relationships, extracted in this review, representing chance findings.
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15
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Cabré-Riera A, van Wel L, Liorni I, Thielens A, Birks LE, Pierotti L, Joseph W, González-Safont L, Ibarluzea J, Ferrero A, Huss A, Wiart J, Santa-Marina L, Torrent M, Vrijkotte T, Capstick M, Vermeulen R, Vrijheid M, Cardis E, Röösli M, Guxens M. Association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields dose and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 231:113659. [PMID: 33221634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) dose, using an improved integrated RF-EMF exposure model, and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis in preadolescents aged 9-11 years and adolescents aged 17-18 years from the Dutch Amsterdam Born Children and their Development Study (n = 1664 preadolescents) and the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente Project (n = 1288 preadolescents and n = 261 adolescents), two population-based birth cohort studies. Overall whole-brain RF-EMF doses (mJ/kg/day) were estimated for several RF-EMF sources together including mobile and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications phone calls (named phone calls), other mobile phone uses than calling, tablet use, laptop use (named screen activities), and far-field sources. We also estimated whole-brain RF-EMF doses in these three groups separately (i.e. phone calls, screen activities, and far-field) that lead to different patterns of RF-EMF exposure. We assessed non-verbal intelligence in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents, information processing speed, attentional function, and cognitive flexibility in the Spanish preadolescents, and working memory and semantic fluency in the Spanish preadolescents and adolescents using validated neurocognitive tests. RESULTS Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 90.1 mJ/kg/day (interquartile range (IQR) 42.7; 164.0) in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents and 105.1 mJ/kg/day (IQR 51.0; 295.7) in the Spanish adolescents. Higher overall estimated whole-brain RF-EMF doses from all RF-EMF sources together and from phone calls were associated with lower non-verbal intelligence score in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents (-0.10 points, 95% CI -0.19; -0.02 per 100 mJ/kg/day increase in each exposure). However, none of the whole-brain RF-EMF doses was related to any other cognitive function outcome in the Spanish preadolescents or adolescents. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that higher brain exposure to RF-EMF is related to lower non-verbal intelligence but not to other cognitive function outcomes. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, the small effect sizes, and the unknown biological mechanisms, we cannot discard that our resultsare due to chance finding or reverse causality. Longitudinal studies on RF-EMF brain exposure and cognitive function are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Cabré-Riera
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ilaria Liorni
- IT'IS Foundation, Zeughausstrasse 43, CH-8004 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark 126, 9052, Gent, Belgium
| | - Laura Ellen Birks
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Livia Pierotti
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Technologiepark 126, 9052, Gent, Belgium
| | - Llúcia González-Safont
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Avinguda de Cataluya 21, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health, Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, Avenida de Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Berio Pasealekua, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Amparo Ferrero
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Avinguda de Cataluya 21, 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joe Wiart
- LTCI, Telecom Paris, Chaire C2M France, 19 Place Marguerite Perey, 91120, Palaiseau, France
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Health, Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; BIODONOSTIA Health Research Institute, Avenida de Navarra 4, 20013, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maties Torrent
- ib-Salut, Area de Salud de Menorca, Carrer Sant Josep 5, 07720, Santa Ana, Spain
| | - Tanja Vrijkotte
- Department of Public and Occipational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Myles Capstick
- IT'IS Foundation, Zeughausstrasse 43, CH-8004 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin Röösli
- Departement of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Dr. Molenwaterplein 50, 3015GE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Cabré-Riera A, Marroun HE, Muetzel R, van Wel L, Liorni I, Thielens A, Birks LE, Pierotti L, Huss A, Joseph W, Wiart J, Capstick M, Hillegers M, Vermeulen R, Cardis E, Vrijheid M, White T, Röösli M, Tiemeier H, Guxens M. Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 142:105808. [PMID: 32554140 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association between estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) doses, using an improved integrated RF-EMF exposure model, and brain volumes in preadolescents at 9-12 years old. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis in preadolescents aged 9-12 years from the Generation R Study, a population-based birth cohort set up in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (n = 2592). An integrated exposure model was used to estimate whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses (mJ/kg/day) from different RF-EMF sources including mobile and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phone calls, other mobile phone uses than calling, tablet use, laptop use, and far-field sources. Whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were estimated for all RF-EMF sources together (i.e. overall) and for three groups of RF-EMF sources that lead to a different pattern of RF-EMF exposure. Information on brain volumes was extracted from magnetic resonance imaging scans. RESULTS Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 84.3 mJ/kg/day. The highest overall lobe-specific dose was estimated in the temporal lobe (307.1 mJ/kg/day). Whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses from all RF-EMF sources together, from mobile and DECT phone calls, and from far-field sources were not associated with global, cortical, or subcortical brain volumes. However, a higher whole-brain RF-EMF dose from mobile phone use for internet browsing, e-mailing, and text messaging, tablet use, and laptop use while wirelessly connected to the internet was associated with a smaller caudate volume. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were not related to brain volumes in preadolescents at 9-12 years old. Screen activities with mobile communication devices while wirelessly connected to the internet lead to low RF-EMF dose to the brain and our observed association may thus rather reflect effects of social or individual factors related to these specific uses of mobile communication devices. However, we cannot discard residual confounding, chance finding, or reverse causality. Further studies on mobile communication devices and their potential negative associations with brain development are warranted, regardless whether associations are due to RF-EMF exposure or to other factors related to their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Cabré-Riera
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands
| | - Hanan El Marroun
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences - Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands
| | - Ryan Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Luuk van Wel
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Ellen Birks
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/IMEC, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joe Wiart
- LTCI, Telecom Paris, Chaire C2M, France
| | | | - Manon Hillegers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands; School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tonya White
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Kinder Neuroimaging Centrum Rotterdam (KNICR), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Röösli
- Departement of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel 4051, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, the Netherlands.
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17
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Jenkins RH, Shen C, Dumontheil I, Thomas MS, Elliott P, Röösli M, Toledano MB. Social networking site use in young adolescents: Association with health-related quality of life and behavioural difficulties. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2020.106320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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18
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Verkuil F, van Gulik EC, Nusman CM, Barendregt AM, Nassar-Sheikh Rashid A, Schonenberg-Meinema D, Dolman KM, Maas M, Kuijpers TW, van den Berg JM, Hemke R. Exploring contrast-enhanced MRI findings of the clinically non-inflamed symptomatic pediatric wrist. Pediatr Radiol 2020; 50:1387-1396. [PMID: 32661590 PMCID: PMC7445206 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04739-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of the synovial and tenosynovial appearance of the clinically non-arthritic symptomatic juvenile wrist using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sparse. OBJECTIVES To analyze contrast-enhanced MRI findings of the clinically non-inflamed symptomatic pediatric wrist, focusing on the enhancing synovial and tenosynovial membrane. To evaluate the coexistent presence of (teno)synovial enhancement, joint fluid, bony depressions and medullary changes suggestive of bone marrow edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included 20 children (15 girls; age range: 7.5-17.6 years) who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI of the wrist, based on initial clinical indication, and eventually turned out to be unaffected by arthritic or orthopedic disorders. Various imaging characteristics of the synovium, tenosynovium, joint fluid, bone tissue and bone marrow were evaluated using existing MRI scoring systems. RESULTS In 3/20 (15%) children, mild or moderate-severe synovial enhancement was observed and 2/20 (10%) children showed mild tenosynovial enhancement/thickening. Joint fluid (11/20 children; 55%), bony depressions (20/20 children; 100%) and medullary changes suggestive of bone marrow edema (6/20; 30%) were found in a substantial percentage of children. The most frequently observed combination of coexisting imaging characteristics was bony depressions with ≥2 mm joint fluid, which was found in 7/20 (35%) children. Simultaneous presence of synovial and tenosynovial enhancement/thickening, bony depressions and medullary changes suggestive of bone marrow edema was observed in one child. CONCLUSION Several juvenile idiopathic arthritis-relevant MRI characteristics can be observed in the clinically non-inflamed symptomatic pediatric wrist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris Verkuil
- Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - E. Charlotte van Gulik
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.7177.60000000084992262Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte M. Nusman
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.7177.60000000084992262Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anouk M. Barendregt
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.7177.60000000084992262Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amara Nassar-Sheikh Rashid
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dieneke Schonenberg-Meinema
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koert M. Dolman
- Department of Pediatrics, OLVG Oost, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.440209.bDepartment of Pediatrics, OLVG West, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.418029.60000 0004 0624 3484Pediatric Rheumatology, Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mario Maas
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Taco W. Kuijpers
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J. Merlijn van den Berg
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Hemke
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Movement Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Thielens A, Bockstael A, Declerck S, Aminzadeh R, Aerts S, Botteldooren D, Martens L, Joseph W. Mobile phones: A trade-off between speech intelligibility and exposure to noise levels and to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 175:1-10. [PMID: 31096087 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
When making phone calls, cellphone and smartphone users are exposed to radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and sound pressure simultaneously. Speech intelligibility during mobile phone calls is related to the sound pressure level of speech relative to potential background sounds and also to the RF-EMF exposure, since the signal quality is correlated with the RF-EMF strength. Additionally, speech intelligibility, sound pressure level, and exposure to RF-EMFs are dependent on how the call is made (on speaker, held at the ear, or with headsets). The relationship between speech intelligibility, sound exposure, and exposure to RF-EMFs is determined in this study. To this aim, the transmitted RF-EMF power was recorded during phone calls made by 53 subjects in three different, controlled exposure scenarios: calling with the phone at the ear, calling in speaker-mode, and calling with a headset. This emitted power is directly proportional to the exposure to RF EMFs and is translated into specific absorption rate using numerical simulations. Simultaneously, sound pressure levels have been recorded and speech intelligibility has been assessed during each phone call. The results show that exposure to RF-EMFs, quantified as the specific absorption in the head, will be reduced when speaker-mode or a headset is used, in comparison to calling next to the ear. Additionally, personal exposure to sound pressure is also found to be highest in the condition where the phone is held next to the ear. On the other hand, speech perception is found to be the best when calling with a phone next to the ear in comparison to the other studied conditions, when background noise is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thielens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium; Berkeley Wireless Research Center, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 2108 Allston Way, Suite 200, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
| | - Annelies Bockstael
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium; École d'orthophonie et d'audiologie, Université de Montréal, 7077 Av du Parc, Montréal, QC H3N1X7, Canada
| | - Sofie Declerck
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Reza Aminzadeh
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Sam Aerts
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Dick Botteldooren
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Luc Martens
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
| | - Wout Joseph
- Department of Information Technology, Ghent University/iMinds, Technologiepark 126, Ghent B-9052, Belgium
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20
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Uncertainty Analysis of Mobile Phone Use and Its Effect on Cognitive Function: The Application of Monte Carlo Simulation in a Cohort of Australian Primary School Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16132428. [PMID: 31288491 PMCID: PMC6651811 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16132428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous epidemiological studies on health effects of radiation exposure from mobile phones have produced inconsistent results. This may be due to experimental difficulties and various sources of uncertainty, such as statistical variability, measurement errors, and model uncertainty. An analytical technique known as the Monte Carlo simulation provides an additional approach to analysis by addressing uncertainty in model inputs using error probability distributions, rather than point-source data. The aim of this investigation was to demonstrate using Monte Carlo simulation of data from the ExPOSURE (Examination of Psychological Outcomes in Students using Radiofrequency dEvices) study to quantify uncertainty in the output of the model. Data were collected twice, approximately one year apart (between 2011 and 2013) for 412 primary school participants in Australia. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate output uncertainty in the model due to uncertainties in the call exposure data. Multiple linear regression models evaluated associations between mobile phone calls with cognitive function and found weak evidence of an association. Similar to previous longitudinal analysis, associations were found for the Go/No Go and Groton maze learning tasks, and a Stroop time ratio. However, with the introduction of uncertainty analysis, the results were closer to the null hypothesis.
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21
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Guxens M, Vermeulen R, Steenkamer I, Beekhuizen J, Vrijkotte TG, Kromhout H, Huss A. Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, screen time, and emotional and behavioural problems in 5-year-old children. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019; 222:188-194. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Keleş Aİ, Yıldırım M, Gedikli Ö, Çolakoğlu S, Kaya H, Baş O, Sönmez OF, Odacı E. The effects of a continuous 1-h a day 900-MHz electromagnetic field applied throughout early and mid-adolescence on hippocampus morphology and learning behavior in late adolescent male rats. J Chem Neuroanat 2018; 94:46-53. [PMID: 30189239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate hippocampus morphology and changes in learning behavior in male rats in late adolescence exposed to the effect of a continuous 1-h a day 900-megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic field (EMF). Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats aged 3-weeks were divided equally into control, sham and EMF groups. EMF group rats were exposed to a 900-MHz EMF inside an EMF cage, while the sham group rats were placed in the same cage but were not exposed to such an effect. No procedure was performed on the control group. Following 25-day application of EMF, passive avoidance, 8-arm radial maze and Y-maze tests were applied to determine rats' learning and memory performances. Open field and rotarod tests were applied to assess locomotor activity. At the end of the tests, the animals' brains were removed. Sections were taken and stained with toluidine blue. The regions of the hippocampus were subjected to histopathological evaluation. At histopathological examination, impairments of pyramidal and granular cell structures were observed in the EMF group hippocampus. No significant change was observed in learning, memory or locomotor behavior in any group. In conclusion, 900-MHz EMF applied in early and mid-adolescence causes no changes in learning, memory or locomotor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe İkinci Keleş
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Yıldırım
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Öznur Gedikli
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Sedar Çolakoğlu
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Haydar Kaya
- Department of Electrical and Electronics, Faculty of Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Orhan Baş
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey
| | - Osman Fikret Sönmez
- Department of of Neurosurgery, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ersan Odacı
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences University, İstanbul, Turkey; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey; Department of Electrical and Electronics, Faculty of Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey; Department of of Neurosurgery, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
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23
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Langer CE, de Llobet P, Dalmau A, Wiart J, Goedhart G, Hours M, Benke GP, Bouka E, Bruchim R, Choi KH, Eng A, Ha M, Karalexi M, Kiyohara K, Kojimahara N, Krewski D, Kromhout H, Lacour B, 't Mannetje A, Maule M, Migliore E, Mohipp C, Momoli F, Petridou E, Radon K, Remen T, Sadetzki S, Sim MR, Weinmann T, Vermeulen R, Cardis E, Vrijheid M. Patterns of cellular phone use among young people in 12 countries: Implications for RF exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 107:65-74. [PMID: 28668725 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields from wireless telecommunications technologies during childhood and adolescence is a research priority in investigating the health effects of RF. The Mobi-Expo study aimed to describe characteristics and determinants of cellular phone use in 534 young people (10-24years) in 12 countries. The study used a specifically designed software application installed on smartphones to collect data on the use of wireless telecommunications devices within this age group. The role of gender, age, maternal education, calendar period, and country was evaluated through multivariate models mutually adjusting for all variables. Call number and duration were higher among females compared to males (geometric mean (GM) ratio 1.17 and 1.42, respectively), among 20-24year olds compared to 10-14year olds (GM ratio 2.09 and 4.40, respectively), and among lowest compared to highest social classes (GM ratio 1.52 and 1.58, respectively). The number of SMS was higher in females (GM ratio 1.46) and the middle age group (15-19year olds: GM ratio 2.21 compared to 10-14year olds) and decreased over time. Data use was highest in the oldest age group, whereas Wi-Fi use was highest in the middle age group. Both data and Wi-Fi use increased over time. Large differences in the number and duration of calls, SMS, and data/Wi-Fi use were seen by country, with country and age accounting for up to 50% of the variance. Hands-free and laterality of use did not show significant differences by sex, age, education, study period, or country. Although limited by a convenience sample, these results provide valuable insights to the design, analysis, and interpretation of future epidemiological studies concerning the health effects of exposure resulting from cellular phone use in young people. In addition, the information provided by this research may be used to design strategies to minimize RF exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea E Langer
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Patricia de Llobet
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Dalmau
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joe Wiart
- Chaire C2M, LTCI, Telecom ParisTech, Universite Paris-Saclay, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Geertje Goedhart
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martine Hours
- Epidemiological Research and Surveillance Unit in Transport, Occupation and Environment (UMRESTTE), Universite de Lyon/The French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Development and Networks (IFSTTAR), Lyon, France
| | - Geza P Benke
- Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Evdoxia Bouka
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Revital Bruchim
- Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Kyung-Hwa Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Amanda Eng
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Mina Ha
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Maria Karalexi
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kosuke Kiyohara
- Department of Public Health, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Kojimahara
- Department of Public Health, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daniel Krewski
- McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte Lacour
- French National Registry of Childhood Solid Tumours, CHU, Nancy, Inserm UMRS-1153, CRESS-EPICEA, University of Paris-Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - Andrea 't Mannetje
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Milena Maule
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy
| | - Enrica Migliore
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin and AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy
| | - Charmaine Mohipp
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Franco Momoli
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Eleni Petridou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katja Radon
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Remen
- French National Registry of Childhood Solid Tumours, CHU, Nancy, France
| | - Siegal Sadetzki
- Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Malcolm R Sim
- Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tobias Weinmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & NetTeaching Unit, Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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Deniz OG, Kaplan S, Selçuk MB, Terzi M, Altun G, Yurt KK, Aslan K, Davis D. Effects of short and long term electromagnetic fields exposure on the human hippocampus. J Microsc Ultrastruct 2017; 5:191-197. [PMID: 30023254 PMCID: PMC6025790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmau.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing use of mobile phones may have a number of physiological and psychological effects on human health. Many animal and human studies have reported various effects on the central nervous system and cognitive performance from of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by mobile phones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of mobile phones on the morphology of the human brain and on cognitive performance using stereological and spectroscopic methods and neurocognitive tests. Sixty healthy female medical school students aged 18-25 years were divided into a low exposure group (30 subjects, <30 min daily use by the head) and high exposure group (30 subjects, >90 min daily use by the head). Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain analysed on OsiriX 3.2.1 workstation. Neuropsychological tests were performed for each subject. In addition, three dominant specific metabolites were analysed, choline at 3.21 ppm, creatine at 3.04 ppm and N-acetyl aspartate at 2.02 ppm. Analysis of the spectroscopic results revealed no significant difference in specific metabolites between the groups (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in terms of hippocampal volume between the groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, the results of the stroop and digit span (backward) neurocognitive tests of high exposure group for evaluating attention were significantly poorer from low exposure group (p < 0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that a lack of attention and concentration may occur in subjects who talk on mobile phones for longer times, compared to those who use phones relatively less.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omur Gulsum Deniz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Kaplan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Bekir Selçuk
- Department of Radiology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Murat Terzi
- Department of Neurology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Gamze Altun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Kıymet Kübra Yurt
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Kerim Aslan
- Department of Radiology, Medical School of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Devra Davis
- Department of Medicine and Public Health, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
- Environmental Health Trust, Teton Village, WY, USA
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Foerster M, Röösli M. A latent class analysis on adolescents media use and associations with health related quality of life. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Schoeni A, Roser K, Röösli M. Symptoms and the use of wireless communication devices: A prospective cohort study in Swiss adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 154:275-283. [PMID: 28113068 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated whether radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from mobile phones and other wireless devices or by the wireless device use itself due to non-radiation related factors in that context are associated with an increase in health symptom reports of adolescents in Central Switzerland. METHODS In a prospective cohort study, 439 study participants (participation rate: 36.8%) aged 12-17 years, completed questionnaires about their mobile and cordless phone use, their self-reported symptoms and possible confounding factors at baseline (2012/2013) and one year later (2013/2014). Operator recorded mobile phone data was obtained for a subgroup of 234 adolescents. RF-EMF dose measures considering various factors affecting RF-EMF exposure were computed for the brain and the whole body. Data were analysed using a mixed-logistic cross-sectional model and a cohort approach, where we investigated whether cumulative dose over one year was related to a new onset of a symptom between baseline and follow-up. All analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders. RESULTS Participation rate in the follow-up was 97% (425 participants). In both analyses, cross-sectional and cohort, various symptoms tended to be mostly associated with usage measures that are only marginally related to RF-EMF exposure such as the number of text messages sent per day (e.g. tiredness: OR:1.81; 95%CI:1.20-2.74 for cross-sectional analyses and OR:1.87; 95%CI:1.04-3.38 for cohort analyses). Outcomes were generally less strongly or not associated with mobile phone call duration and RF-EMF dose measures. CONCLUSIONS Stronger associations between symptoms of ill health and wireless communication device use than for RF-EMF dose measures were observed. Such a result pattern does not support a causal association between RF-EMF exposure and health symptoms of adolescents but rather suggests that other aspects of extensive media use are related to symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schoeni
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Katharina Roser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland.
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27
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Roser K, Schoeni A, Struchen B, Zahner M, Eeftens M, Fröhlich J, Röösli M. Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure measurements in Swiss adolescents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 99:303-314. [PMID: 28038972 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents belong to the heaviest users of wireless communication devices, but little is known about their personal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to describe personal RF-EMF exposure of Swiss adolescents and evaluate exposure relevant factors. Furthermore, personal measurements were used to estimate average contributions of various sources to the total absorbed RF-EMF dose of the brain and the whole body. METHODS Personal exposure was measured using a portable RF-EMF measurement device (ExpoM-RF) measuring 13 frequency bands ranging from 470 to 3600MHz. The participants carried the device for three consecutive days and kept a time-activity diary. In total, 90 adolescents aged 13 to 17years participated in the study conducted between May 2013 and April 2014. In addition, personal measurement values were combined with dose calculations for the use of wireless communication devices to quantify the contribution of various RF-EMF sources to the daily RF-EMF dose of adolescents. RESULTS Main contributors to the total personal RF-EMF measurements of 63.2μW/m2 (0.15V/m) were exposures from mobile phones (67.2%) and from mobile phone base stations (19.8%). WLAN at school and at home had little impact on the personal measurements (WLAN accounted for 3.5% of total personal measurements). According to the dose calculations, exposure from environmental sources (broadcast transmitters, mobile phone base stations, cordless phone base stations, WLAN access points, and mobile phones in the surroundings) contributed on average 6.0% to the brain dose and 9.0% to the whole-body dose. CONCLUSIONS RF-EMF exposure of adolescents is dominated by their own mobile phone use. Environmental sources such as mobile phone base stations play a minor role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Roser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Schoeni
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Struchen
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Zahner
- Institute for Electromagnetic Fields, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH Zürich), Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland; Fields at Work GmbH, Sonneggstrasse 60, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marloes Eeftens
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Fröhlich
- Institute for Electromagnetic Fields, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH Zürich), Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland; Fields at Work GmbH, Sonneggstrasse 60, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland.
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