Reexamining Biological Studies of Effect of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Cells in Culture [Health Effects]

HIGHLIGHTS ABSTRACT A significant share of the technology that has emerged over the past several decades produces electromagnetic field (EMFR) radiation. Communications devices, household appliances, industrial equipment, and medical equipment and devices all produce EMFR with a variety of frequencies, strengths, and ranges. Some EMFR, such as Extremely Low Frequency (ELF), Radio Frequency (RF), and Ionizing Range (IR) radiation have been shown to have harmful effects on human health. Depending on the frequency and strength of the radiation, EMFR can have health effects at the cellular level as well as at brain, nervous, and cardiovascular levels. Health authorities have enacted regulations locally and globally to set critical values to limit the adverse effects of EMFR. By introducing a more comprehensive field of EMFR study and practice, architects and designers can design for a safer electromagnetic (EM) indoor environment, and, as building and construction specialists, will be able to monitor and reduce EM radiation. This paper identifies the nature of EMFR in the built environment, the various EMFR sources, and its human health effects. It addresses European and US regulations for EMFR in buildings and provides a preliminary action plan. The challenges of developing measurement protocols for the various EMFR frequency ranges and determining the effects of EMFR on building occupants are discussed. This paper argues that a mature method for measuring EMFR in building environments and linking these measurements to human health impacts will foster occupant health and lead to the adequate development of safeguards for occupants of buildings in future research.

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Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Accelerates Chondrocytic Phenotype Expression on Chitosan Substrate

Orthopedics ◽

10.3928/01477447-20101123-10 ◽

2011 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shih-Hsin Chang ◽

Yi-Wei Hsiao ◽

Hsin-Yi Lin

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Field ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Field Exposure ◽

Chondrocytic Phenotype ◽

Phenotype Expression

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Human Gingival Fibroblasts Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: In Vitro Model of Wound-Healing Improvement

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20092108 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 2108 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Erica Costantini ◽

Bruna Sinjari ◽

Chiara D’Angelo ◽

Giovanna Murmura ◽

Marcella Reale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Electromagnetic Field ◽

Electromagnetic Fields ◽

Wound Repair ◽

Healing Process ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Gingival Fibroblasts ◽

Field Exposure ◽

Extremely Low Frequency

Several clinical studies have suggested the impact of sinusoidal and pulsed electromagnetic fields in quickening wound repair processes and tissue regeneration. The clinical use of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields could represent a novel frontier in tissue repair and oral health, with an interesting clinical perspective. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an extremely low-frequency sinusoidal electromagnetic field (SEMF) and an extremely low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) with flux densities of 1 mT on a model of oral healing process using gingival fibroblasts. An in vitro mechanical injury was produced to evaluate wound healing, migration, viability, metabolism, and the expression of selected cytokines and protease genes in fibroblasts exposed to or not exposed to the SEMF and the PEMF. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β), metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) are involved in wound healing and tissue regeneration, favoring fibroblast proliferation, chemotaxis, and activation. Our results show that the exposure to each type of electromagnetic field increases the early expression of IL-6, TGF-β, and iNOS, driving a shift from an inflammatory to a proliferative phase of wound repair. Additionally, a later induction of MMP-2, MCP-1, and HO-1 was observed after electromagnetic field exposure, which quickened the wound-healing process. Moreover, electromagnetic field exposure influenced the proliferation, migration, and metabolism of human gingival fibroblasts compared to sham-exposed cells. This study suggests that exposure to SEMF and PEMF could be an interesting new non-invasive treatment option for wound healing. However, additional studies are needed to elucidate the best exposure conditions to provide the desired in vivo treatment efficacy.

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Assessment of the Electromagnetic Field Exposure during the Use of Portable Radios in the Context of Potential Health Effects

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13236276 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 6276

Author(s):

Jarosław Kieliszek ◽

Joanna Wyszkowska ◽

Jaromir Sobiech ◽

Robert Puta

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Field ◽

Health Effects ◽

Computer Simulations ◽

Thermal Effects ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Field Exposure ◽

Potential Health ◽

Portable Radio ◽

Neurophysiological Tests

The paper presents research on the electromagnetic hazards related to the flow of electric currents throughout the bodies of employees using portable radios. The values often exceed established limits, which may lead to potential dysfunctions of the body and affect the safety of performed professional duties. The measurements of the electric field (E-field) distribution of a typical commercial portable radio, the limb contact current calculations, and the computer simulations determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) were supplemented with pilot neurophysiological tests. The assessment indicated a large spatial variability of the E-field strength around the devices. The head of the operator and the hand holding the radio were often in the electromagnetic field (EMF), which exceeded the established limits. The calculated SAR values ranged within the permitted limits. The conducted neurophysiological tests showed no effects of EMF exposure in comparison to the control group. The assessment of exposure to the EMF using a portable radio is initially performed by analyzing external measures: both computer simulations and measurements of workers’ limb currents. The SAR values exclude thermal effects; however, they do not eliminate potential neuromuscular effects. More neurophysiological tests are needed to obtain a broader picture of possible health effects.

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