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Radiofrequency and Microwave Radiation |
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Electric and magnetic fields are complex physical agents
whose potential health effects are the subject of much research. Particularly
controversial are the biophysical mechanisms by which these RF
fields may affect biological systems. General health effects reviews explore
possible carcinogenic, reproductive and neurological effects. Health
effects by exposure source are noted in radar traffic devices, wireless communications with cellular phones, radio transmission, and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
General Health Effects
Reviews
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Review of the Scientific Evidence for Limiting Exposure to
Electromagnetic Fields (0–300 GHz). Health Protection Agency,
Documents of the NRPB: Volume 15, No. 3, (2004,
April 30). Reflects the understanding and evaluation of the current
scientific evidence as presented and referenced in the full report [available for
download, 1 MB
PDF, 233 pages].
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The NCRP Releases Commentary No. 18,
Biological Effects of Modulated Radiofrequency Fields.
National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP), (2003). Examines the literature on biological effects of
exposure to modulated radiofrequency (RF) energy to determine whether
present exposure standards and guidelines need to be modified further to
take modulation into account. Modulation occurs in a wide variety of
forms specialized for radar, wireless communications, broadcast
communications, and industrial processes.
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2003 WHO research agenda for radio frequency fields. World Health
Organization (WHO), (2003). The RF
Research Agenda defines high priority research whose results would
contribute to the WHO health risk assessment for RF exposures.
Researchers are encouraged to use the Research Agenda as a guide to
studies that have high value for WHO health risk assessments.
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Heynick LN, Johnston HA, et al.
Radio frequency electromagnetic fields: cancer, mutagenesis, and
genotoxicity. Bioelectromagnetics. 2003;Suppl 6:S74-100.
Presents critiques of epidemiologic studies and experimental
investigations, published mostly in peer-reviewed journals, on cancer
and related effects from exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields
in the nominal frequency range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz of interest to
Subcommittee 4 (SC4) of the International Committee on Electromagnetic
Safety (ICES). The preponderance of published epidemiologic and
experimental findings do not support the supposition that in vivo or in
vitro exposures to such fields are carcinogenic.
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Review of the Epidemiologic Literature on EMF and Health. International Commission for
Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Standing Committee on
Epidemiology. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2001 Dec;109.6(Suppl
6):911-34.
Concludes that overall, despite 20
years of extensive epidemiologic investigation of the relation of EMF to
risk of chronic disease, there are still epidemiologic questions that
need to be resolved.
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Questions and Answers About the Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radiofrequency Radiation. Federal Communication Commission,
Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Bulletin No. 56, (1999, August),
103 KB
PDF, 17 pages.
Provides factual information to the public by answering some
of the most commonly asked questions about this complex and often
misunderstood topic.
- Establishing a Dialogue on Risks from Electromagnetic Fields. World Health Organization
(WHO), (2002, October), 242 KB
PDF, 41 pages.
Supports decision-makers faced with a combination of public controversy, scientific
uncertainty, and the need to operate existing facilities and/or the requirement to site new facilities
appropriately. Its goal is to improve the decision-making process by reducing misunderstandings and
improving trust through better dialogue.
- EPA Letter Accepting FCC Limits.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (1999). Provides a general EPA statement that people do not have to be concerned
about RF radiation if they keep their exposures below the FCC standard.
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Radio-Frequency and Microwave Radiation, Third Edition.
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA),
(2004). Provides
a detailed look at the physical characteristics of radio-frequency and
microwave radiation, its generation and sources, how it interacts with
matter, and its biological effects. Existing standards and guidelines
are discussed, as are instrumentation and controls. A handy glossary
provides definitions of important terms, and an appendix presents a list
of problems industrial hygienists and other health professionals might
face.
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Sources of Nonionizing Radiation. National Safety Council (NSC),
(2002, December 2). Provides an overview of non-ionizing radiation.
Health Effects by Exposure Source
Traffic Radar Devices
RF Heaters and Sealers
- Radiofrequency
(RF) Sealers and Heaters: Potential Health Hazards and Their Prevention.
OSHA, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Joint NIOSH/OSHA
Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 33, (1979, December 4). Reports
that workers
near RF sealers may be unaware of their exposure to RF emissions,
because the RF energy from sealers and heaters can penetrate deeply into
the body without activating the heat sensors located in the skin. The
results of a NIOSH study indicate that the majority of the workers
surveyed were exposed to RF energy at levels exceeding values citable by
OSHA. An extensive list of occupations involving the use of RF sealers
and heaters is presented in Section II of the
attached Appendix.
Wireless Communications including Cellular Phones
- Radiation, Mobile Phones, Base Stations and Your Health.
The University of Malaya, (2003, September), 1 MB
PDF, 32 pages. Reports on the health effects of electromagnetic
fields. This document is considered by World Health Organization (WHO)
to be a good example of an information brochure for distribution to the
public and was produced by Prof Ng Kwan-Hoong, Dept of Radiology,
University of Malaya, Malaysia.
- Telecommunications: Research and Regulatory Efforts on Mobile Phone Health Issues.
US General Accounting Office (GAO) Report to Congressional Requesters, (2001, May), 154 KB
PDF, 42 pages.
Concludes that research
to date does not show RF energy emitted from mobile phones to have
adverse health effects but there is not enough information to conclude
they pose no risk.
- Mobile
Phones and Health. Parliament of the United Kingdom (UK), House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, (1999, September 22).
Outlines the
recommendations and conclusions of the committee regarding mobile phones and health.
- FDA Letter Regarding Cellular Phones.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), (1997, May 5). Letter to Congress from the Food and Drug Administration in
response to questions regarding alleged health hazards associated with the use of cellular
phones. The appendix includes brief summaries of six recent studies.
- FDA Letter Regarding Wireless
Communication. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), (1998, January 14). Letter to Congress
regarding the status of the Food and Drug Administration's oversight and
investigation of wireless communication health effects.
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Cell Phone Facts: Consumer Information on Wireless Phones. US Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), (2003, July 29). Answers questions about
hazards from cellular phone communications.
Radio Transmission
- Radiofrequency
Radiation-caused Burns. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1990, September
5). Describes induced-current grasping hazards and burns caused by spark-discharges found
in longshoremen working on a pier in close proximity to AM radio transmitting towers.
Suggested control methods are included.
- Schilling CJ.
Effects of exposure to very high frequency radiofrequency radiation on
six antenna engineers in two separate incidents. Occupational Medicine
(London).
2000 Jan;50(1):49-56.
Describes the health effects on six men
exposed to high levels of RF radiation (100 MHz) while working on transmission masts. Symptoms included headache, parasthesiae, diarrhea,
malaise and lassitude. The condition of the four men with the highest exposure has shown no significant improvement. The incidents occurred
in 1995 and 1996.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
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