Improving the Quality of Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research: The Need for a Carrot and a Stick

Recent Advances and Future Perspective in Computational Bioelectromagnetics for Exposure Assessments

In the last few decades, extensive efforts have been dedicated to developing computational methods for modeling the interaction of the human body with electromagnetic fields (EMFs). These studies are crucial for the establishment of exposure limits in international standards and guidelines for human protection from EMF, as well as for advancing personalized dosimetry assessment for medical applications using EMF. To summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge in this field, the IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES) held an International Workshop on Computational Bioelectromagnetics in February 2024. This review summarizes the technical presentations and discussions from the workshop and was contributed by multiple authors, encompassing topics such as the tissue dielectric property measurement, low-frequency and radio-frequency bioelectromagnetic modeling methods, stochastic modeling in electromagnetic-thermal dosimetry, intercomparison studies, and computational uncertainties. The insights gained from this workshop will guide future research and aid in the development of more accurate and reliable exposure assessment methods.

Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Apoptosis: A Scoping Review of In Vitro Studies on Mammalian Cells

In the last decades, experimental studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of radiofrequency (RF, 100 kHz-300 GHz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure on the apoptotic process. As evidence-based critical evaluation of RF and apoptosis in vitro is lacking, we performed a scoping literature review with the aim of systematically mapping the research performed in this area and identifying gaps in knowledge. Eligible for inclusion were in vitro studies assessing apoptosis in mammalian cells exposed to RF-EMF, which met basic quality criteria (sham control, at least three independent experiments, appropriate dosimetry analysis and temperature monitoring). We conducted a systematic literature review and charted data in order to overview the main characteristics of included studies. From the 4362 papers retrieved with our search strategy, 121 were pertinent but, among them, only 42 met basic quality criteria. We pooled data with respect to exposure (frequency, exposure level and duration) and biological parameters (cell type, endpoint), and highlighted some qualitative trends with respect to the detection of significant effect of RF-EMF on the apoptotic process. We provided a qualitative picture of the evidence accumulated so far, and highlighted that the quality of experimental methodology still needs to be highly improved.