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This paper is aimed at estimating Radio Frequency (RF) radiation absorbed by humans around Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) within Kaduna metropolis. RF radiation absorbed by humans from forty two (42) selected (BTS) tagged M1 to M42 of the four major network providers (MTN, 9mobile, Airtel and Globacom) within Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria within radial distance intervals of 20 m to 100 m from the foot of each BTS were estimated. The Average Power Density (PDAve) and Specific Absorption Rate of data obtained from these BTS were computed, and the results indicated that the average amount of SAR for the selected forty two (42) base transceiver BTS facilities were within the range of 16.9 - 331.7 × 10-9 W/kg and 0.648-10.659 × 10-6 W/m² respectively. These values are lower than the recommended limit by International Commission on Non Ionization Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which is 0.08 W/kg for the human body. This study has shown that RF radiation absorbed by people either residing or transiting the study area has negligible effect on their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiofrequency radiation (RFR) is a type of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that includes radiowaves and microwaves with a frequency range between 3 KHz and 300 GHz. Mobile phones operate with RFR and are used tremendously resulting in increased and continuous exposure of humans to these radiations. On the other hand, nanoparticles are also being used extensively in various fields. The increasing use of radiofrequency radiations and nanoparticles has become a concern to the general public. Not many studies have reported the cumulative effect of these stressors. Hence, the present investigation was aimed to find out their cumulative effect on the mammalian system. In this study manganese nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and characterized. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to MNPs and mobile phone radiation for 45 days and their separate, as well as cumulative impact, was investigated. The effect of the MNPs and RFR on liver, kidney, and reproductive parameters were studied. Histopathology as well as liver and kidney parameters were altered when exposed to MNPs and RFR separately. However, their combined treatment did not show a synergistic toxic response in liver and kidney functions which may be due to the fact that the radiation level is low, specific absorption rate (SAR) is subthermal (0.04 W/kg) and liver and kidney are located intra abdominally, hence they would absorb comparatively lesser radiation than the testicles. MNPs and RFR both caused a highly significant decrease in sperm count, which further decreased in the combined treatment (MNPs + RFR). These results indicate that the combined treatment of these stressors can have an additive toxic response to the male reproductive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of electronic devices such as mobile phones has had a long stretch of rapid growth all over the world. Therefore, exposure to radio frequency radiation (RFR) has increased enormously. Here, we aimed to assess the balance between cell death and proliferation and also investigate the involvement of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway in the testis of rats exposed to 900 MHz RFR in acute and chronic periods (2 h/day, 5 days/week) for 1 or 10 weeks, respectively. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-xL, cleaved caspase-3, phosphorylated-JNK (p-JNK), and phosphorylated-p38 (p-p38) was analyzed in line with histopathology and TUNEL analysis in rat testis. There were no histopathological differences between sham and RFR groups in the acute and chronic groups. PCNA expression was not altered between groups in both periods. However, alterations for cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-xL were observed depending on the exposure period. TUNEL analysis showed a significant increase in the RFR group in the acute period, whereas no difference in the chronic groups for the apoptotic index was reported. In addition, both p-p38 and p-JNK protein expressions increased significantly in RFR groups in both periods. Our study indicated that 900 MHz RFR might result in alterations during acute period exposure for several parameters, but this can be ameliorated in the chronic period in rat testis. Here, we also report the involvement of the p38/JNK-mediated MAPK pathway after exposure to 900 MHz RFR. Hence, this information might shed light in future studies toward detailed molecular mechanisms in male reproduction and infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Some studies have claimed that long-term conversation with mobile phones can cause hearing loss. However, it has not been investigated whether exposure to mobile phones during pregnancy affects the hearing of babies in the womb. Therefore, the aim of this human study was to investigate the effects of intrauterine radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure emitted from mobile phones on the hearing of newborns. Methods: The study population comprised 149 newborns. Pregnant women in this study were divided into 4 groups according to RFR exposure duration, such as non-exposure to RFR, exposure to RFR for 2-15 min/day, exposure to RFR for 15-6Q min/day, and exposure to RFR for more than 60 min/day. The results of the hearing screening analyses of the newborns, which were performed using transiently evoked otoacoustic emission and auto auditory brainstem response, were investigated retrospectively. Results: The results of this study indicated that 900 and 1800 MHz RFR exposure during pregnancy did not cause hearing loss in newborns. Conclusion: In conclusion, we observed that the hearing sensitivity and peripheral sound perception of newborns were not affected by RFR exposure emitted from mobile phones during the intrauterine period. Further studies should be performed to illuminate the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation over range of 30 ∼ 800 MHz from laser induced breakdown of air are investigated. The RF radiation, under different laser energies, laser polarization directions and detect position are measured. It is found that a much stronger RF signals emitted from air plasma was observed at moderate laser pulse energy in our case. The measured RF signal of air plasma is found to depend on laser polarization direction and pulse energy, and the spatial distribution of RF radiation is anisotropy. Underlying physics responsible for laser parameter-dependent RF emission, rich in emission lines and anisotropy of spatial distribution of RF emission of the laser induced air plasma are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the body centric communication technology develops in monitoring real-time healthcare, fitness, sports, and military, significant attention arises in regarding possible health risks. The aim of this study is to evaluate radio frequency exposure level of various types of wearable devices in terms of the available international recommendations. Specific absorption rate and maximum temperature increase are studied in the human ear and mouth when they are exposed to handheld transmitters. The human brain and the mouth are modeled using the simulation program and the handheld transmitters are realized with microstrip patch antenna. The simulations depict that the dosimetry for handheld transmitters operated next to the body is below the standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim We reexamine whether radio frequency radiation (RFR) in the occupational and military settings is a human carcinogen. Methods We extended an analysis of an already-reported case series of patients with cancer previously exposed to whole-body prolonged RFR, mainly from communication equipment and radar. We focused on hematolymphatic (HL) cancers. We used analysis by percentage frequency (PF) of a cancer type, which is the proportion of a specific cancer type relative to the total number of cancer cases. We also examined and analyzed the published data on three other cohort studies from similar military settings from different countries. Results The PF of HL cancers in the case series was very high, at 40% with only 23% expected for the series age and gender profile, confidence interval CI95%: 26–56%, p<0.01, 19 out of 47 patients had HL cancers. We also found high PF for multiple primaries. As for the three other cohort studies: In the Polish military sector, the PF of HL cancers was 36% in the exposed population as compared to 12% in the unexposed population, p<0.001. In a small group of employees exposed to RFR in Israeli defense industry, the PF of HL cancers was 60% versus 17% expected for the group age and gender profile, p<0.05. In Belgian radar battalions the HL PF was 8.3% versus 1.4% in the control battalions as shown in a causes of deaths study and HL cancer mortality rate ratio was 7.2 and statistically significant. Similar findings were reported on radio amateurs and Korean war technicians. Elevated risk ratios were previously reported in most of the above studies. Conclusions The consistent association of RFR and highly elevated HL cancer risk in the four groups spread over three countries, operating different RFR equipment types and analyzed by different research protocols, suggests a cause-effect relationship between RFR and HL cancers in military/occupational settings. While complete measurements of RFR exposures were not available and rough exposure assessments from patients interviews and from partial exposure data were used instead, we have demonstrated increased HL cancers in occupational groups with relatively high RFR exposures. Our findings, combined with other studies, indicate that exposures incurred in the military settings evaluated here significantly increased the risk of HL cancers. Accordingly, the RFR military exposures in these occupations should be substantially reduced and further efforts should be undertaken to monitor and measure those exposures and to follow cohorts exposed to RFR for cancers and other health effects. Overall, the epidemiological studies on excess risk for HL and other cancers together with brain tumors in cellphone users and experimental studies on RFR and carcinogenicity make a coherent case for a cause-effect relationship and classifying RFR exposure as a human carcinogen (IARC group 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the implementation of an RF based wireless charging system using RF transmitting and receiving modules. The objective of this work is to implement a system that has the ability to interact and communicate wirelessly within short range. This mobile wireless charging switching system consists of two sections, the transmitting and the receiving section. Each section was interfaced to 433MHz transmitting and receiving modules. The transmitter section of the wireless mobile charging system sends bursts of 433MHz signal through push button switch which is used in the initiation of the charging process to the receiver; when this signal is received by the receiver, it activates a relay which in turn switches on the internal power that comprises the backup battery, DC-to DC converter via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port to the mobile device to begin charging. This work was able to achieve a wireless transfer of power for distance of about one metre between the transmitter and the receiver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate prenatal exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from telecommunication using a mobile phone questionnaire, operator data logs of mobile phone use and a personal exposure meter (PEM).Material and Methods: The study included 1228 mother-infants pairs from the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study - a multicenter prospective cohort study ongoing since 2006, in which participants were enrolled at ≤ 20 weeks of pregnancy, with a follow-up of a child birth and growth to assess the association between prenatal environmental exposure and children's health. The questionnaire included the average calling frequency per day and the average calling time per day. An EME Spy 100 PEM was used to measure RFR among 269 pregnant women from November 2007 to August 2010. The operators' log data were obtained from 21 participants. The Spearman's correlation test was performed to evaluate correlation coefficient and 95% confidence intervals between the mobile phone use information from the questionnaire, operators' log data, and data recorded by the PEM.Results: The operators' log data and information from the self-reported questionnaire showed significantly high correlations in the average calling frequency per day (ρ = 0.6, p = 0.004) and average calling time per day (ρ = 0.5, p = 0.02). The correlation between information on the mobile phone use in the self-reported questionnaire and exposure index recorded by the PEM was poor. But correlation between the information of the operators' log data and exposure index for transmission of mobile communication was significantly high: correlation coefficient (p-value) was 0.44 (0.07) for calling frequency per day, and it was 0.49 (0.04) for calling time per day.Conclusions: The questionnaire information on the mobile phone use showed moderate to high quality. Using multiple methods for exposure assessment might be better than using only one method. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016;29(6):959-972. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biochemical status in the saliva of 12 males before/after using mobile phone has been evaluated. Radio frequency signals of 1800 MHz (continuous wave transmission, 217 Hz modulate and Global System for Mobile Communications [GSM - non-DTX]) with 1.09 w/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) value were used for 15 and 30 min. Cell phone radiation induced a significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD); there was a statistically significant effect of talking time on the levels of SOD, F(2, 33) = 8.084, p < 0.05, ω = 0.53. The trend analysis suggests a significant quadratic trend, F(1, 33) = 4.891, p < 0.05; indicating that after 15 min of talking the levels of SOD increased, but as talking time increased the SOD activity started to drop. In contrast to this, there was no statistically significant effect of talking time on the level of salivary albumin, cytochrome c, catalase or uric acid. Results suggest that exposure to electromagnetic radiation may exert an oxidative stress on human cells as evidenced by the increase in the concentration of the superoxide radical anion released in the saliva of cell phone users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of 1800 and 2100 MHz Radio Frequency (RF) radiation on the number of micronucleus (MN) in exfoliated bladder cells of rat which shows the genotoxic damage. Exposure period was 30 min/day, 6 days/week for a month and two months exposure periods. Thirty male wistar albino rats were used for five groups: Group I ( n = 6): 1800 MHz RF exposed animals for one month, Group II ( n = 6): 2100 MHz RF exposed animals for one month, Group III ( n = 6): 2100 MHz RF exposed for two months, Group IV ( n = 6): control group for one month, Group V ( n = 6): control group for two months. Rats of the control groups were housed in their home cages during the entire experimental period without subjecting to any experimental manipulation. 1800 and 2100 MHz RF exposures did not result in any significant MN frequencies in rat bladder cells with respect to the control groups ( p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between 2100 MHz RF exposed groups, either. Further studies are needed to demonstrate if there is any genotoxic effect, micronucleus formation in other tissues of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a replication of a study that we previously conducted in Colorado with 25 subjects designed to test the effect of electromagnetic radiation generated by the base station of a cordless phone on heart rate variability (HRV). In this study, we analyzed the response of 69 subjects between the ages of 26 and 80 in both Canada and the USA. Subjects were exposed to radiation for 3-min intervals generated by a 2.4-GHz cordless phone base station (3-8 μW/cm2). A few participants had a severe reaction to the radiation with an increase in heart rate and altered HRV indicative of an alarm response to stress. Based on the HRV analyses of the 69 subjects, 7% were classified as being 'moderately to very' sensitive, 29% were 'little to moderately' sensitive, 30% were 'not to little' sensitive and 6% were 'unknown'. These results are not psychosomatic and are not due to electromagnetic interference. Twenty-five percent of the subjects' self-proclaimed sensitivity corresponded to that based on the HRV analysis, while 32% overestimated their sensitivity and 42% did not know whether or not they were electrically sensitive. Of the 39 participants who claimed to experience some electrical hypersensitivity, 36% claimed they also reacted to a cordless phone and experienced heart symptoms and, of these, 64% were classified as having some degree of electrohypersensitivity (EHS) based on their HRV response. Novel findings include documentation of a delayed response to radiation. Orthostatic HRV testing combined with provocation testing may provide a diagnostic tool for some sufferers of EHS when they are exposed to electromagnetic emitting devices. The protocol used underestimates reaction to electromagnetic radiation for those who have a delayed autonomic nervous system reaction and it may under diagnose those who have adrenal exhaustion as their ability to mount a response to a stressor is diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The soil radiation, watercourses and ores have been located for centuries by sensitive persons, dowsers. An ideomotoric explanation of the dowsing reaction, with no physical interaction, has been accepted. Our present re-analyses of some such results have shown, that there could be a physical phenomenon connecting the human reactions in field experiments, where the test subjects walked or were sitting in a slow-moving car, with the windows covered, and a dowsing rod in their hands was recorded. The correlations between the reaction points by test subjects in the moving car and the points by walking along the same path were highly significant. The correlation was not seen in all test locations. The distance between the test location and the radio tower, and the incidence angle of the transmitted radio wave, possibly had an effect on results. We hypothesize that the experiments carried out in the 20th century were interfered with by man-made radio frequency radiation, mainly FM radio and TV broadcasting, as test subjects’ bodies absorbed the radio waves and unconscious hand movement reactions took place following the standing waves or intensity variations due to multipath propagation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: This study is concerned with assessing the role of exposure to radio frequency radiation (RFR) emitted either from mobiles or base stations and its relations with human''s hormone profiles. Design and methods: All volunteers'' samples were collected for hormonal analysis. Results: This study showed significant decrease in volunteers'' ACTH, cortisol, thyroid hormones, prolactin for young females, and testosterone levels. Conclusion: The present study revealed that high RFR effects on pituitary–adrenal axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dielectric heaters and sealers present the most common source of occupational exposure to excessive radio frequency (RF) fields. These systems are used industrially to heat or melt dielectric materials. Nowadays, the effects of high frequency electromagnetic (EM) fields on the health have been discussed frequently but there are few health studies done for workers around dielectric heaters and sealers. In this study, the leakage fields around dielectric heaters and sealers (27.12 MHz) were measured in MKE - Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation, Gazi Rocket Factory and evaluated in terms of standards. It has been observed that operators exposed to same RF fields with occupational exposure limits. Many workers have health complaints, such as elevated body temperatures in the factory. Safe distances or areas for workers should be recommended in these systems. Protective measures could be implemented to minimize these exposures. Further measurements and occupational exposure studies of RF exposed women and men are needed to demonstrate the levels of exposed Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR). Precautions should therefore be taken either to reduce the leakage fields or minimise the exposed fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People are exposed to many carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals in their everyday lives. These include antineoplastic drugs, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)s, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, metals, and electromagnetic radiation. Based on the state of knowledge acquired during the last 50 years of research on possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), the majority of the scientific community is convinced that exposure to EMF below the existing security limits does not cause a risk to the health of the general public. However, this position is questioned by others, who are of the opinion that the available research data are contradictory or inconsistent and, therefore, unreliable. In this study, we aimed to investigate if there is any effect of 1800 MHz GSM modulated radio frequency radiation (RFR) on the number of micronucleus in exfoliated bladder cells of rat which will be informative about the genotoxic damage. Exposure period was 20 min/day, 5 days/week during a month. Six female Wistar rats were used for two groups: Group I ( n=6): controls; Group II ( n=6): 1.8 GHz exposed animals. 1800 MHz RFR did not showed a significant MN frequencies in rat bladder cells when compared with the control group ( p>0.05). 1800 MHz RFR-exposed animals did not produce any genotoxic effect when compared with the control group ( p>0.05). Kinetic studies are important for any biomarker, especially those in which tissue differentiation and maturation processes will heavily influence the time between induction of damage and collection of damaged cells for micronucleus analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Possible health risk associated with mobile telecommunication devices can be classified by dosimetry of the exposure. Dosimetry is an important but hard issue that is estimated by computational or experimental methods. Signal emitted from the mobile phones in different modulations such as talking or listening changes, so the level of exposure is different in different modulations. Talking and listening modulations of two different models of GSM 1800 MHz mobile phones were measured while modulated human speech, also pure tone with the intensity of 0-120 dB and frequency in between 125-8000 Hz applied through the phone. Our aim was to detect the minimum intensity of tone that changes the modulation of mobile phone from non-speaking mode to speaking mode, because it is known that there is parallel increase on the stress of the living things if the intensity of the sound is increasing. The data may be used for monitoring the daily exposure of the people using mobile phones, also defining the level of exposure at the laboratory experiments, It may be useful for the people for having individual precautions on using mobile phones in their daily lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 146–150 Background: Handheld mobile phones (MPHs) have become a ‘cultural’ accessory device, no less so than a wrist watch. Nevertheless, the use of MPHs has given rise to great concern because of possible adverse health effects from exposure to the radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by the device. Previous studies suggested correlation between MPH and salivary gland tumors. Objective: To evaluate whether MPH induces physiologic changes in the adjacent parotid gland, located on the dominant side, in terms of secretion rates and protein levels in the secreted saliva. Materials and method: Stimulated parotid saliva was collected simultaneously from both glands in 50 healthy volunteers whose MPH use was on a dominant side of the head. Results: A significantly higher saliva secretion rate was noticed in the dominant MPH side compared with that in the non-dominant side. Lower total protein concentration was obtained in the dominant compared with the non-dominant MPH side among the right dominant MPH users. Conclusions: Parotid glands adjacent to handheld MPH in use respond by elevated salivary rates and decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands. This phenomenon should be revealed to the worldwide population and further exploration by means of large-scale longitudinal studies is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of cellular phones and the increasing number of associated base stations are becoming a widespread source of non ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Some biological effects are likely to occur even at low-level EM fields. This study was designed to investigate the effects of 900 and 1,800 MHz Continuous Wave Radio Frequency Radiation (CW RFR) on the permeability of Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) of rats. Results have shown that 20 min RFR exposure of 900 and 1,800 MHz induces an effect and increases the permeability of BBB of male rats. There was no change in female rats. The scientific evidence on RFR safety or harm remains inconclusive. More studies are needed to demonstrate the effects of RFR on the permeability of BBB and the mechanisms of that breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 The role of histamine in heat-induced cardiovascular changes is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of histamine H-1- and H-2-antagonism on heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), localized body temperature changes, survival times, and lethal body temperatures that occur during the exposure of anaesthetized rats to 35 GHz radio frequency radiation (RFR). 2 Forty-eight ketamine-anaesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed, in several different treatment groups ( n = 8 in each), to 35 GHz RFR at a level that resulted in significant body heating and subsequent death. During irradiation, a continuous increase in heart rate and a biphasic response in blood pressure (initial increase followed by a decrease) were observed in all groups of animals. 3 An H-1-antagonist, diphenhydramine (1 mg kg−1 body wt) and an H-2-antagonist, cimetidine (5 mg kg−1), administered after sustained RFR exposure, failed to reverse the RFR-induced hypotension. High doses of the drugs (5 and 10 mg kg−1, respectively) also did not alter the response. Post-RFR survival time was significantly decreased in the high-dose drug-treated group, compared with vehicle-treated (0.9% NaCl, 50% ethanol and 50% D5W) controls. 4 In experiments in which the two drugs were administered prior to RFR exposure, MAP in animals receiving high-dose antihistamines was significantly depressed compared with that of vehicle-treated animals during the first 35 min of RFR exposure. Antihistamine pretreatment, however, did not alter the total RFR exposure time required for death to occur. 5 In summary, pharmacological blockade of H-1 and H-2 receptors is not beneficial in anaesthetized rats made hypotensive by RFR exposure. This indicates that activation of H-1 and H-2 receptors by histamine does not occur to any significant extent and does not mediate the hypotensive response developed in this model of hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]