Reaction of the immune system to low-level RF/MW exposures.

Radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiation have been used in the modern world for many years. The rapidly increasing use of cellular phones in recent years has seen increased interest in relation to the possible health effects of exposure to RF/MW radiation. In 2011 a group of international experts organized by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon) concluded that RF/MW radiations should be listed as a possible carcinogen (group 2B) for humans. The incomplete knowledge of RF/MW-related cancer risks has initiated searches for biological indicators sensitive enough to measure the "weak biological influence" of RF/MWs. One of the main candidates is the immune system, which is able to react in a measurable way to discrete environmental stimuli. In this review, the impacts of weak RF/MW fields, including cell phone radiation, on various immune functions, both in vitro and in vivo, are discussed. The bulk of available evidence clearly indicates that various shifts in the number and/or activity of immunocompetent cells are possible, however the results are inconsistent. For example, a number of lymphocyte functions have been found to be enhanced and weakened within single experiments based on exposure to similar intensities of MW radiation. Certain premises exist which indicate that, in general, short-term exposure to weak MW radiation may temporarily stimulate certain humoral or cellular immune functions, while prolonged irradiation inhibits the same functions.

Cancer risks related to low-level RF/MW exposures, including cell phones.

For years, radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiations have been applied in the modern world. The rapidly increasing use of cellular phones called recent attention to the possible health risks of RF/MW exposures. In 2011, a group of international experts organized by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon) concluded that RF/MW radiations should be listed as a possible carcinogen (group 2B) for humans. Three meta-analyses of case-control studies have concluded that using cell phones for more than ten years was associated with an increase in the overall risk of developing a brain tumor. The Interphone Study, the largest health-related case-control international study of use of cell phones and head and neck tumors, showed no statistically significant increases in brain cancers related to higher amounts of cell phone use, but excess risk in a small subgroup of more heavily exposed users associated with latency and laterality was reported. So far, the published studies do not show that mobile phones could for sure increase the risk of cancer. This conclusion is based on the lack of a solid biological mechanism, and the fact that brain cancer rates are not going up significantly. However, all of the studies so far have weaknesses, which make it impossible to entirely rule out a risk. Mobile phones are still a new technology and there is little evidence about effects of long-term use. For this reason, bioelectromagnetic experts advise application of a precautionary resources. It suggests that if people want to use a cell phone, they can choose to minimize their exposure by keeping calls short and preferably using hand-held sets. It also advises discouraging children from making non essential calls as well as also keeping their calls short.

[Risk of neoplastic diseases in conditions of exposure to radio- and microwave fields--epidemiologic investigations]. / Ryzyko chorób nowotworowych wwarunkach narazenia na pola radio- i mikrofalowe--badania epidemiologiczne.

The review presents current state of knowledge of cancer morbidity in persons exposed to radio- or microwave radiation in the environment or at working posts. The problem of cancer morbidity in persons exposed to microwaves was for many years limited to occupational medicine, but the introduction of mobile telephone system in the 1980s considerably increased the number of persons exposed to this radiation and raised concerns about cancer risks in the users of mobile phones. Cancer risks of microwaves are minor and doubtful, but there exist reliable epidemiologic investigations providing evidence that multiyear occupational exposure and intensive use of mobile phones for more than 10 years may cause the increased morbidity of certain types of neoplasms, mainly brain tumors, as well as hematopoietic and lymphatic malignancies. Neverthelesscurrent state of knowledge does not allow, according to the IARC classification, to classify radio- and microwave fields as the carcinogenic factor.

[Risk of neoplastic diseases in conditions of exposure to power magnetic fields--epidemiologic investigations]. / Ryzyko chorób nowotworowych w warunkach narazenia na pola sieciowe--badania epidemiologiczne.

The review paper presents current views on risks of incidence of neoplasms in persons exposed to power magnetic fields (PMFs) 50 Hz in the environment or at working posts. Cancer risks of power magnetic fields are small and doubtful, but there exist confirmed epidemiologic investigations that in children living in homes where PMF intensity exceeds 0.3-0.4 microT (0.24-0.32 A/m) an increased risk of certain types of leukemias can be observed. About one percent of children live under conditions of PMF exposure. Cancer morbidity in workers exposed to power magnetic fields is not unequivocally increased. Ten years ago, on the basis of available epidemiologic data, PMFs 50 Hz were listed as a possible carcinogenic agent (group 2B according to the IARC classification), which means lack of convincing evidence that PMFs pose cancer risks. The authors also discuss the binding regulations on the protection of the general population and workers against power magnetic fields and they conclude that existing permissible exposure levels are incompatible with exposure conditions, the present state of knowledge and health threats.

[Electromagnetic fields hypersensitivity]. / Nadwrazliwosc na pola elektromagnetyczne.

The development of industry, particularly of new technologies in communication systems, gives rise to the number and diversty of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources in the environment. These sources, including power-frequent, radiofrequent and microwaves, make human life richer, safer and easier. But at the same time, there is growing concern about possible health risks connected with EMF exposure. An increasing number of persons have recently reported on a variety of health problems induced, in their opinion, by exposure to EMF. It is important to note that EMF levels to which these individuals are exposed are generally well below the recommended exposure limits and are certainly far below those known to produce any adverse effects. These persons call themselves "electromagnetic hypersensitivity individuals" And complain about experiencing various types of non-specific symptoms, including dermatological, neurological and vegetative. In the present paper, the problem of electromagnetic hypersensitivity phenomenon is discussed based on the recently published literature.

[Experimental studies--possibilities and limitations in assessing bioeffects and health risk of electromagnetic fields]. / Badania doswiadczalne--mozliwosci i ograniczenia w poznaniu efektów biologicznych i ryzyka zdrowotnego pól elektromagnetycznych.

An issue of experimental studies is reviewed in view of their possibilities and limitations in assessing bioeffects and health risk of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Investigations of bioeffets and their consequences are being performed at different levels of biological organization. Experimental studies involving cellular structures and animals lead mostly to the assessment of mechanisms of EMFs interaction and to the observation of possible bioeffects. To assess health risk of exposure to EMFs it is necessary to perform strudies involving human subjects (volunteers) or epidemiological studies targeted at specific human populations. The biological material applied in experiments appears to be a specific measure of the effect exerted by EMFs on the body, but as every measure, it has its own advantages and disadvantages and the obtained results may be burden with some errors, which should be analyzed during the interpretation of experimental study results.

[Health effects of occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in view of studies performed in Poland and abroad]. / Skutki zdrowotne ekspozycji zawodowej na pola elektromagnetyczne w swietle badan krajowych i zagranicznych.

The review presents modern views on the assessment of bioeffects and health risk in workers exposed to different intensities of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The review of studies carried out in Poland and abroad reveals that non-specific symptoms and functional disturbances of various physiological systems may develop in persons exposed to EMF of intensities below international safety recommendations, however exact EMF threshold values responsible for inducing these responses are not known. There are no valid data on the possibility of increased risk of various diseases, including cancer, in workers exposed to EMFs. However, hints that the increased morbidity is possible in small groups of workers with long-term exposure to high intensities of EMFs do exist.

Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro.

In an earlier study we reported that G(o) phase peripheral blood mononulclear cells (PBMC) exposed to low-level (SAR = 0.18 W/kg) pulse-modulated 1300 MHz microwaves and subsequently cultured, demonstrate changed immune activity (Dabrowski et al., 2003). We investigated whether cultured immune cells induced into the active phases of cell cycle (G(1), S) and then exposed to microwaves will also be sensitive to electromagnetic field. An anechoic chamber of our design containing a microplate with cultured cells and an antenna emitting microwaves (900 MHz simulated GSM signal, 27 V/m, SAR 0.024 W/kg) was placed inside the ASSAB incubator. The microcultures of PBMC exposed to microwaves demonstrated significantly higher response to mitogens and higher immunogenic activity of monocytes (LM index) than control cultures. LM index, described in detail elsewhere (Dabrowski et al., 2001), represents the monokine influence on lymphocyte mitogenic response. The results suggest that immune activity of responding lymphocytes and monocytes can be additionally intensified by 900 MHz microwaves.

[Verification of Polish regulations of maximum permissible intensities in electromagnetic fields by the Commission for Bioelectromagnetic Issues of the Polish Radiation Research Society]. / Prace Komisji do spraw Problemow Bioelektromagnetycznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Badan Radiacyjnych w zakresie weryfikacji krajowych przepisów o najwyzszych dopuszczalnych natezeniach w polach elektromagnetycznych.

Experts in the field of bioelectromagnetism have reported a growing need to verify Polish regulations on the protection against electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the 0-300 GHz range, especially in their maximal permissible intensities (MPI). There is a general belief that Polish standards do not fully comply with recommendations and directives of the European Union (EU) and that Polish regulations on the border values for environmental and occupational exposure to EMF are not harmonized. To this end, the Commission for Bioelectromagnetic Issues have been set up in the Polish Radiation Research Society. Following a through analysis of standards binding in Poland and EU, the Commission set about working on verified MPI values for EMF. This paper presents some comments of the Commission members, stressing the complexity of this undertaking.

[Recent concept of protection of workers and general population against electromagnetic fields in the European countries]. / Wspólczesne koncepcje ochrony pracowników i ludnosci przed polami EM w krajach Unii Europejskiej.

In 1994, guidelines for protection against EM fields were elaborated by the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). In 1998, they were slightly modified and became the base for the 1999 recommendation of the UE Commission. The ICNIRP recommendations are based on few selected criteria, and thus provide good protection in the case of short-term exposures to EM fields, but possible effects of EM fields at intensities lower than those admissible by the ICNIPR standards raise still growing doubts. Over a couple of years, well educated and organized groups of citizens and non-governmental organizations call attention to risks of long-term exposure of humans to weak EM fields. In their reviews, the members of these groups/organizations draw attention to the need for a precautionary approach on the one hand, and postulate better protection of the general population and workers from weak EM fields on the other. The evaluation of the present situation indicates that the range of the influence of independent groups/organizations supporting the modification of ICNIPR guidelines to include the effects of low-level EM fields is steadily growing.

[Selected inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome]. / Wybrane wskazniki zapalenia u chorych z ostrymi zespolami wiencowymi.

The aim of the study was the assessment of selected inflammatory markers in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris, in comparison to patients with dyslipidemia without coronary artery disease. The study group included 61 patients (37-79 years old), divided into three subgroups: group I. 26 (43%) with unstable angina, group 2. 19 (26%) with stable angina, group III. 16 (26%) dyslipidemia without coronary artery disease. We measured serum levels of cytokines (IL-1B, IL-1Ra, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgE, IgM), fibrinogen. C-reactive protein and subclass of lymphocytes T CD4 and T CD8. In stable and unstable angina pectoris group we found lower percentage of T CD4, T CD8 and higher level of TNF-alpha. In unstable angina group the level of IL-1 beta was lower and the concentration of C-reactive protein, IgE was higher in comparison to group without coronary artery disease. Observed immunoregulatory disorders confirm immune mechanism in the origin of unstable angina pectoris.