| Reference Papers Effects of Radio Frequency Radiation on Human Reproduction Joyce Cheung, MD, FACOG James Li, MD, FACS |
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is all around us. It is well known that ionizing radiation like x-rays and gamma rays
can break chemical bonds and form ions that damage biological systems. However less is known about the radio
frequency (RF) part of the electromagnetic spectrum that are now ubiquitous in our modern society. This range of
frequencies includes radio waves, cellular telephone waves, radar waves, and microwaves. It is known that
microwaves have enough photon energy to heat tissue while lower electromagnetic fields can induce weak electric
currents in the body without breaking bonds nor heating tissue.
Of the many potential detrimental effects of EMR on humans, one of the most studied areas is its link to childhood
leukemia. Research in this area began with the publication of Wertheimer & Leeper, 1979. This study investigated
childhood cancer mortality and the use of power lines near the homes. More than a dozen studies have since followed
and confirmed the original findings. More recently, two major meta-analyses also suggest that exposure to Extremely
Low Frequency (ELF) fields increase the risk of childhood leukemia (Ahlbom et al 2000; Greenland et al. 2000).
Another area of great interest is the possible contribution of EMR to autism. Epidemiologic data indicates a dramatic
increase of autism in the past 20 years from 4-5/ 10,000 children to about 1/ 500 children. It is accepted by the
scientific community that radio frequency (RF) energy is a biologically active substance. Also, human exposure to RF
energy has become ubiquitous over the last 20 years. It is also suggested that fetal of neo-natal exposures to
excessive RF energy may be associated with an increased incidence of autism. Some known effect of RF radiation
include cognitive impairment, memory deficit, EEG modifications, DNA damage, chromosome aberrations, fetal
malformation, increases permeability of the blood-brain barrier, altered cellular calcium efflux, and altered cell
proliferation (Kane, 2003). These effects can possibly cause more harm to a developing fetus or a young child whose
neuronal status and immunity are still immature.
The risk of miscarriage and the personal exposure to RF radiation may also be linked. In a prospective study by Li et
al. 2001, 969 subjects were asked to wear a magnetic field measuring meter for 24 hours. It was observed that the
risk of miscarriage increased with an increasing level of maximum magnetic field exposure with a threshold around 16
milligauss (mG). In a case-controlled study by Ouellet-Hellstrom et al., 1,753 cases were matched with 1,753 controls
with results showing that pregnancies of mothers reporting microwave use 6 months prior to the pregnancy or during
the first trimester were more likely to result in miscarriage. The odds ratio also increased with increasing levels of
exposure. Larsen et al. has also written extensively regarding the potential harmful effects of RF to reproductive
health. One such study finds that only 23.5% of the children born by the highly exposed mothers were boys. This was
a statistically significant altered gender ratio value showing a dose-response pattern. The high frequency
electromagnetic radiation exposure group was also associated with low birthweight, but only for male newborns.
In an even more recent study by Dr.Ashok Agarwal and others presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American
Society for Reproductive Medicine, it is suggested that very active mobile phone users as compared to non-users, had
significantly lower sperm count and sperm motility. Given the recent surge of the mobile telephony technology, many
more studies need to be performed to better inform the user. It is interesting to see that the Stewart commission in the
United Kingdom has recommended that children avoid unnecessary exposure because of the possibility that RF
exposures from mobile telephony can have adverse health effects, especially to young developing neuronal
pathways. Additionally, the mobile telephony has been implicated in the cause of many medical conditions in humans.
Those pertaining to human reproduction include attention deficit disorder, autism, birth defect, genetic damage, genital
disorder, impotence, testicular cancer, testosterone reduction.
As the world modernizes, new technology can potentially bring new hazards that are not obvious at first. One such
example is asbestos; once hailed for its marvelous properties in building construction, later associated with terrible
death of those exposed to it. RF radiation is an exposure that many are unaware because it is invisible, tasteless, and
odorless. It is however, emitted by radio, TV, hairdryers, computers, video games, microwave ovens, radar detectors,
and much more. It is not unreasonable to believe that a large exposure to such RF radiation can cause detriment to
health, especially to those most susceptible such as the fetus, the young, and the old. Although there are many
studies that are inconclusive, there are enough studies that highly support the adverse health effects of RF radiation.
Since it would be impossible to give up all of our wonderful modern conveniences and luxuries, the protective clothing
is an innovative solution to decreasing the amount of RF radiation exposure for the healthy development of a child.
Reference:
Agarwal A, et al. Effect of cell phone usage on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational
study. Oct, 2006. Presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Ahlbom A. et al. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukemia. British Journal of Cancer 2000;Sept;83
(5):692-698.
Ahlbom A. Childhood Leukaemia and Electromagnetic radiation – a review of epidemiological studies.
Greenland S. et al. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields, wire codes, and childhood leukemia. Childhood leukemia-
EMF study group. Epidemiology. 2000 Nov;11(6):624-34.
Kane RC. A possible association between fetal/neonatal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and the
increased incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Medical Hypothesis (2004) 52, 195-197.
Larsen AI, Olsen J., Svane O. Gender –specific reproductive outcome and exposure to high-frequency
electromagnetic radiation among physiotherapists. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health. 1991 Oct;17(5):324-9.
Li DK, et al. A Population-based prospective cohort study of personal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy
and the risk of miscarriage. Epidemiology (2002) 13:1; 9-20.
Ouellet-Hellstrom R., Stewart WF. Miscarriages among female physical therapists who report using radio- and
microwave-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Am. J. Epidemiology. 1993 Nov 15;138(10):775-86.
Wertheimer N & Leeper E. Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. Am. J. Epidemiology, 109:273-284,
1979.
can break chemical bonds and form ions that damage biological systems. However less is known about the radio
frequency (RF) part of the electromagnetic spectrum that are now ubiquitous in our modern society. This range of
frequencies includes radio waves, cellular telephone waves, radar waves, and microwaves. It is known that
microwaves have enough photon energy to heat tissue while lower electromagnetic fields can induce weak electric
currents in the body without breaking bonds nor heating tissue.
Of the many potential detrimental effects of EMR on humans, one of the most studied areas is its link to childhood
leukemia. Research in this area began with the publication of Wertheimer & Leeper, 1979. This study investigated
childhood cancer mortality and the use of power lines near the homes. More than a dozen studies have since followed
and confirmed the original findings. More recently, two major meta-analyses also suggest that exposure to Extremely
Low Frequency (ELF) fields increase the risk of childhood leukemia (Ahlbom et al 2000; Greenland et al. 2000).
Another area of great interest is the possible contribution of EMR to autism. Epidemiologic data indicates a dramatic
increase of autism in the past 20 years from 4-5/ 10,000 children to about 1/ 500 children. It is accepted by the
scientific community that radio frequency (RF) energy is a biologically active substance. Also, human exposure to RF
energy has become ubiquitous over the last 20 years. It is also suggested that fetal of neo-natal exposures to
excessive RF energy may be associated with an increased incidence of autism. Some known effect of RF radiation
include cognitive impairment, memory deficit, EEG modifications, DNA damage, chromosome aberrations, fetal
malformation, increases permeability of the blood-brain barrier, altered cellular calcium efflux, and altered cell
proliferation (Kane, 2003). These effects can possibly cause more harm to a developing fetus or a young child whose
neuronal status and immunity are still immature.
The risk of miscarriage and the personal exposure to RF radiation may also be linked. In a prospective study by Li et
al. 2001, 969 subjects were asked to wear a magnetic field measuring meter for 24 hours. It was observed that the
risk of miscarriage increased with an increasing level of maximum magnetic field exposure with a threshold around 16
milligauss (mG). In a case-controlled study by Ouellet-Hellstrom et al., 1,753 cases were matched with 1,753 controls
with results showing that pregnancies of mothers reporting microwave use 6 months prior to the pregnancy or during
the first trimester were more likely to result in miscarriage. The odds ratio also increased with increasing levels of
exposure. Larsen et al. has also written extensively regarding the potential harmful effects of RF to reproductive
health. One such study finds that only 23.5% of the children born by the highly exposed mothers were boys. This was
a statistically significant altered gender ratio value showing a dose-response pattern. The high frequency
electromagnetic radiation exposure group was also associated with low birthweight, but only for male newborns.
In an even more recent study by Dr.Ashok Agarwal and others presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American
Society for Reproductive Medicine, it is suggested that very active mobile phone users as compared to non-users, had
significantly lower sperm count and sperm motility. Given the recent surge of the mobile telephony technology, many
more studies need to be performed to better inform the user. It is interesting to see that the Stewart commission in the
United Kingdom has recommended that children avoid unnecessary exposure because of the possibility that RF
exposures from mobile telephony can have adverse health effects, especially to young developing neuronal
pathways. Additionally, the mobile telephony has been implicated in the cause of many medical conditions in humans.
Those pertaining to human reproduction include attention deficit disorder, autism, birth defect, genetic damage, genital
disorder, impotence, testicular cancer, testosterone reduction.
As the world modernizes, new technology can potentially bring new hazards that are not obvious at first. One such
example is asbestos; once hailed for its marvelous properties in building construction, later associated with terrible
death of those exposed to it. RF radiation is an exposure that many are unaware because it is invisible, tasteless, and
odorless. It is however, emitted by radio, TV, hairdryers, computers, video games, microwave ovens, radar detectors,
and much more. It is not unreasonable to believe that a large exposure to such RF radiation can cause detriment to
health, especially to those most susceptible such as the fetus, the young, and the old. Although there are many
studies that are inconclusive, there are enough studies that highly support the adverse health effects of RF radiation.
Since it would be impossible to give up all of our wonderful modern conveniences and luxuries, the protective clothing
is an innovative solution to decreasing the amount of RF radiation exposure for the healthy development of a child.
Reference:
Agarwal A, et al. Effect of cell phone usage on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational
study. Oct, 2006. Presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Ahlbom A. et al. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukemia. British Journal of Cancer 2000;Sept;83
(5):692-698.
Ahlbom A. Childhood Leukaemia and Electromagnetic radiation – a review of epidemiological studies.
Greenland S. et al. A pooled analysis of magnetic fields, wire codes, and childhood leukemia. Childhood leukemia-
EMF study group. Epidemiology. 2000 Nov;11(6):624-34.
Kane RC. A possible association between fetal/neonatal exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and the
increased incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Medical Hypothesis (2004) 52, 195-197.
Larsen AI, Olsen J., Svane O. Gender –specific reproductive outcome and exposure to high-frequency
electromagnetic radiation among physiotherapists. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health. 1991 Oct;17(5):324-9.
Li DK, et al. A Population-based prospective cohort study of personal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy
and the risk of miscarriage. Epidemiology (2002) 13:1; 9-20.
Ouellet-Hellstrom R., Stewart WF. Miscarriages among female physical therapists who report using radio- and
microwave-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Am. J. Epidemiology. 1993 Nov 15;138(10):775-86.
Wertheimer N & Leeper E. Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. Am. J. Epidemiology, 109:273-284,
1979.
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