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Belpomme D, Irigaray P. Why electrohypersensitivity and related symptoms are caused by non-ionizing man-made electromagnetic fields: An overview and medical assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113374. [PMID: 35537497 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Much of the controversy over the cause of electrohypersensitivity (EHS) lies in the absence of recognized clinical and biological criteria for a widely accepted diagnosis. However, there are presently sufficient data for EHS to be acknowledged as a distinctly well-defined and objectively characterized neurologic pathological disorder. Because we have shown that 1) EHS is frequently associated with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in EHS patients, and 2) that both individualized disorders share a common pathophysiological mechanism for symptom occurrence; it appears that EHS and MCS can be identified as a unique neurologic syndrome, regardless their causal origin. In this overview we distinguish the etiology of EHS itself from the environmental causes that trigger pathophysiological changes and clinical symptoms after EHS has occurred. Contrary to present scientifically unfounded claims, we indubitably refute the hypothesis of a nocebo effect to explain the genesis of EHS and its presentation. We as well refute the erroneous concept that EHS could be reduced to a vague and unproven "functional impairment". To the contrary, we show here there are objective pathophysiological changes and health effects induced by electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in EHS patients and most of all in healthy subjects, meaning that excessive non-thermal anthropogenic EMFs are strongly noxious for health. In this overview and medical assessment we focus on the effects of extremely low frequencies, wireless communications radiofrequencies and microwaves EMF. We discuss how to better define and characterize EHS. Taken into consideration the WHO proposed causality criteria, we show that EHS is in fact causally associated with increased exposure to man-made EMF, and in some cases to marketed environmental chemicals. We therefore appeal to all governments and international health institutions, particularly the WHO, to urgently consider the growing EHS-associated pandemic plague, and to acknowledge EHS as a mainly new real EMF causally-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Belpomme
- Medical Oncology Department, Paris University, Paris, France; European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Philippe Irigaray
- European Cancer and Environment Research Institute (ECERI), Brussels, Belgium
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Szilágyi Z, Németh Z, Bakos J, Necz PP, Sáfár A, Kubinyi G, Selmaoui B, Thuróczy G. Evaluation of Inflammation by Cytokine Production Following Combined Exposure to Ultraviolet and Radiofrequency Radiation of Mobile Phones on 3D Reconstructed Human Skin In Vitro. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17124401. [PMID: 32575398 PMCID: PMC7344923 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The absorption of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emitted by wireless devices leads to a high specific absorption rate in the skin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can induce several damages to the skin. The aim of this study was to examine whether combined, consecutive exposure to solar UV radiation and 1950 MHz RF exposure of third generation (3G) mobile system have any effect on inflammation processes in the skin. Under in vitro experiments, the inflammation process was examined by cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8) and MMP-1 enzyme secretion on 3D full thickness human skin model. The RF exposure was applied before or after UV irradiation, in order to study either the possible cooperative or protective effects of exposure to RF and UV. We did not find changes in cytokines due to exposure to RF alone. The RF exposure did not enhance the effects of UV radiation. There was a statistically not-significant decrease in cytokines when the skin tissues were pre-exposed to RF before being exposed to 4 standard erythemal dose (SED) UV compared to UV exposure alone. We found that RF exposure reduced the previously UV-treated MMP-1 enzyme concentration. This study might support the evaluation of the effects on the skin exposed to microwave radiation of 5G mobile technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Szilágyi
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Zsuzsanna Németh
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
| | - József Bakos
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1-482-2019
| | - Péter Pál Necz
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Anna Sáfár
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Györgyi Kubinyi
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Brahim Selmaoui
- Department of Experimental Toxicology, National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS), 60550 Verneuilen Halate, France;
- PériTox Laboratory, UMR-I 01 INERIS, Picardie Jules Verne University, 80025 Amiens, France
| | - György Thuróczy
- Department of Non-ionizing radiation, National Public Health Center, H-1221 Budapest, Hungary; (Z.S.); (Z.N.); (P.P.N.); (A.S.); (G.K.); (G.T.)
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Ware MJ, Tinger S, Colbert KL, Corr SJ, Rees P, Koshkina N, Curley S, Summers HD, Godin B. Radiofrequency treatment alters cancer cell phenotype. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12083. [PMID: 26165830 PMCID: PMC4499808 DOI: 10.1038/srep12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of evaluating physical cues in cancer research is gradually being realized. Assessment of cancer cell physical appearance, or phenotype, may provide information on changes in cellular behavior, including migratory or communicative changes. These characteristics are intrinsically different between malignant and non-malignant cells and change in response to therapy or in the progression of the disease. Here, we report that pancreatic cancer cell phenotype was altered in response to a physical method for cancer therapy, a non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) treatment, which is currently being developed for human trials. We provide a battery of tests to explore these phenotype characteristics. Our data show that cell topography, morphology, motility, adhesion and division change as a result of the treatment. These may have consequences for tissue architecture, for diffusion of anti-cancer therapeutics and cancer cell susceptibility within the tumor. Clear phenotypical differences were observed between cancerous and normal cells in both their untreated states and in their response to RF therapy. We also report, for the first time, a transfer of microsized particles through tunneling nanotubes, which were produced by cancer cells in response to RF therapy. Additionally, we provide evidence that various sub-populations of cancer cells heterogeneously respond to RF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Ware
- 1] Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA [2] Centre for Nanohealth, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Sophia Tinger
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kevin L Colbert
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Paul Rees
- Centre for Nanohealth, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | | | - H D Summers
- Centre for Nanohealth, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Biana Godin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
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Calvente I, Fernández MF, Pérez-Lobato R, Dávila-Arias C, Ocón O, Ramos R, Ríos-Arrabal S, Villalba-Moreno J, Olea N, Núñez MI. Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 138:136-143. [PMID: 25707018 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable public concern in many countries about the possible adverse effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation electromagnetic fields, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. The aim of this study was to characterize environmental exposure profiles within the frequency range 100kHz-6GHz in the immediate surrounds of the dwellings of 123 families from the INMA-Granada birth cohort in Southern Spain, using spot measurements. The arithmetic mean root mean-square electric field (ERMS) and power density (SRMS) values were, respectively, 195.79mV/m (42.3% of data were above this mean) and 799.01µW/m(2) (30% of values were above this mean); median values were 148.80mV/m and 285.94µW/m(2), respectively. Exposure levels below the quantification limit were assigned a value of 0.01V/m. Incident field strength levels varied widely among different areas or towns/villages, demonstrating spatial variability in the distribution of exposure values related to the surface area population size and also among seasons. Although recorded values were well below International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection reference levels, there is a particular need to characterize incident field strength levels in vulnerable populations (e.g., children) because of their chronic and ever-increasing exposure. The effects of incident field strength have not been fully elucidated; however, it may be appropriate to apply the precautionary principle in order to reduce exposure in susceptible groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Calvente
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - M F Fernández
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - R Pérez-Lobato
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - C Dávila-Arias
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - O Ocón
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - R Ramos
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - S Ríos-Arrabal
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain
| | | | - N Olea
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - M I Núñez
- Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER) University of Granada, Spain.
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