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| Reference Papers Effects of Radio Frequency Radiation on Human Reproduction Joyce Cheung, MD, FACOG James Li, MD, FACS |
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.
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.