‘A Radio frequency Toolkit for Environmental Health Practitioners‘ released by the British Columbia CDC stated that “the epidemiological studies of men assessed for infertility were consistent in demonstrating decreased sperm motility associated with increased use of mobile phones” and “biological effects on sperm motility related to RF exposure.”
Radiofrequency (RF) is a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum in the range of 3kHz-300GHz, that is used for radio transmission. Included in this frequency range are radio and television broadcastings, cell phones and base stations, microwave ovens, smart meters, WiFi, and baby monitors. The issue note RIN 06 addresses questions on health risks concerning electromagnetic fields surrounding cellular transmitting antennae mounted on towers, buildings and other structures.
The Radiofrequency Toolkit was developed in response to requests from BC’s medical and environmental health officers to the BCCDC for assistance in assessing and communicating the risk to health from exposure to the many devices which emit radiofrequency waves. Students, public health residents, and specialists in epidemiology from outside BCCDC collaborated with staff from BCCDC and the National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (NCCEH) on this project.
The toolkit provides background on the physics of RF, its sources, measurement and exposure characteristics as well as an evaluation of the current scientific literature on potential biological and health effects associated with exposure to RF.
The Toolkit is intended for use by public health professionals and is now available for general access. You may download just the sections you are interested in from below, or the complete RF Toolkit.
Exposure to wireless radiation has a cumulative effect. Each time we can make the choice to reduce radiation it makes sense. Sometimes we have a choice and sometimes we don’t. If you make these simple changes you can reduce your exposure significantly.
Please share this information with your friends and family and learn more ways to reduce exposure.
Research
The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function
Houston B, Nixon B, King BV, De Iuliis G, Aitken RJ. The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function. Reproduction. 2016 Sep 6. pii: REP-16-0126.
- Among a total of 27 studies investigating the effects of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, negative consequences of exposure were reported in 21. Within these 21 studies, 11 of the 15 that investigated sperm motility reported significant declines, 7 of 7 that measured the production of reactive oxygen species documented elevated levels and 4 of 5 studies that probed for DNA damage highlighted increased damage, due to RF-EMR exposure. Associated with this, RF-EMR treatment reduced antioxidant levels in 6 of 6 studies that studied this phenomenon, while consequences of RF-EMR were successfully ameliorated with the supplementation of antioxidants in all 3 studies that carried out these experiments.
- We propose a mechanistic model in which RF-EMR exposure leads to defective mitochondrial function associated with elevated levels of ROS production and culminates in a state of oxidative stress that would account the varying phenotypes observed in response to RF-EMR exposure.
Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Adams J, Galloway T , Mondal D, Esteves S, Mathews F. (2014). Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environment International. 80, 106-112.
- Our analyses indicate negative associations between mobile phone exposure on sperm viability and motility. The effects on concentration are more equivocal. Further research is required to quantify these effects more precisely and to evaluate the clinical importance of the risk to both sub-fertile men and the general population.
Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study, Fertil Steril.
Agarwal A, Desai NR, Makker K, Varghese A, Mouradi R, Sabanegh E, Sharma R. (2009). Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study, Fertil Steril. (4), 1318-25.
- “Radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones may lead to oxidative stress in human semen. We speculate that keeping the cell phone in a trouser pocket in talk mode may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility.”
Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices.
Atasoy HI, Gunal MY, Atasoy P, Elgun S, Bugdayci G. (2013). Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices. Journal of Pediatric Urology. 9(2), 223-9.
- Significant increases in serum 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels and 8-hydroxyguanosine staining in the testes of the experimental group indicating DNA damage due to exposure (p < 0.05).
Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.
Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento CA, Doncel GF.(2012). Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation. Fertility Sterility. 97(1), 39-45.
- Ex vivo exposure of human spermatozoa to a wireless internet-connected laptop decreased motility and induced sperm DNA fragmentation by a nonthermal effect.
Cell phone usage and erectile function
Badereddin Mohamad Al–Ali, Johanna Patzak, Katja Fischereder, Karl Pummer, Rany Shamloul, Cell phone usage and erectile function, Cent European J Urol. 2013; 66(1): 75–77.
- There was no significant difference between both groups regarding age, weight, height, and total testosterone .Men with ED were found to carry their ‘switched on’ cell phones for a significantly longer time than those without ED, 4.4 ±3.6 vs. 1.8 ±1 hours per day.
Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro
DeIuliis GN, Newey RJ, King BV, Aitken RJ.(2009). Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro. Plos One July 31, 4(7)
- In step with increasing SAR, motility and vitality were significantly reduced after RF-EMR exposure, while the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation were significantly elevated (P<0.001). Furthermore, we also observed highly significant relationships between SAR, the oxidative DNA damage bio-marker, 8-OH-dG, and DNA fragmentation after RF-EMR exposure.
- “These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring”.
Pathophysiology of cell phone radiation: oxidative stress and carcinogenesis with focus on male reproductive system.
Desai NR, Kesari KK, Agarwal A. (2009). Pathophysiology of cell phone radiation: oxidative stress and carcinogenesis with focus on male reproductive system. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 7, 114.
- “This review identifies the plasma membrane as a target of RF-EMW. In addition, the effects of RF-EMW on plasma membrane structures (i.e. NADH oxidase, phosphatidylserine, ornithine decarboxylase) and voltage-gated calcium channels are discussed.
- We explore the disturbance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism caused by RF-EMW and delineate NADH oxidase mediated ROS formation as playing a central role in oxidative stress (OS) due to cell phone radiation (with a focus on the male reproductive system).
- This review also addresses: 1) the controversial effects of RF-EMW on mammalian cells and sperm DNA as well as its effect on apoptosis, 2) epidemiological, in vivo animal and in vitro studies on the effect of RF-EMW on male reproductive system, and 3) finally, exposure assessment and dosimetry by computational biomodeling”.
The Effects of Cell Phone Waves (900 MHz-GSM Band) on Sperm Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rats.
Ghanbari M, Mortazavi SB, Khavanin A, Khazaei M. (2013). The Effects of Cell Phone Waves (900 MHz-GSM Band) on Sperm Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rats. International Journal of Fertility and Sterility 7(1), 21-8.
- Sperm viability, motility, and total antioxidant capacity in all exposure groups decreased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05).
- Increasing the duration of exposure from 2 to 3 weeks caused a statistically significant decrease in sperm viability and motility (p<0.05).
- “CONCLUSION: Exposure to cell phone waves can decrease sperm viability and motility in rats. These waves can also decrease sperm total antioxidant capacity in rats and result in oxidative stress.”
Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro.
DeIuliis GN, Newey RJ, King BV, Aitken RJ.(2009). Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro. Plos One July 31, 4(7)
- In step with increasing SAR, motility and vitality were significantly reduced after RF-EMR exposure, while the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation were significantly elevated (P<0.001). Furthermore, we also observed highly significant relationships between SAR, the oxidative DNA damage bio-marker, 8-OH-dG, and DNA fragmentation after RF-EMR exposure.
- “These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring”.
Effects of the exposure to mobile phones on male reproduction: a review of the literature.
La Vignera S, Condorelli R, Vicari E, D’Agata R, Calogero A. (2012) Effects of the exposure to mobile phones on male reproduction: a review of the literature. Journal of Andrology. 33(3), 350-356.
- Review of Research: “The results showed that human spermatozoa exposed to RF-EMR have decreased motility, morphometric abnormalities, and increased oxidative stress, whereas men using mobile phones have decreased sperm concentration, decreased motility (particularly rapid progressive motility), normal morphology, and decreased viability. These abnormalities seem to be directly related to the duration of mobile phone use.”
2.45 GHz Microwave Irradiation Adversely Affects Reproductive Function in Male Mouse, Mus musculus by Inducing Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress.
Shahin S, Mishra V, Singh SP, Chaturvedi CM.(2014). 2.45 GHz Microwave Irradiation Adversely Affects Reproductive Function in Male Mouse, Mus musculus by Inducing Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress. Free Radic Res.48(5), 511-25.
- Significant decrease in sperm count, sperm viability, decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter, degeneration of seminiferous tubules. Reduction in testicular 3β HSD activity and plasma testosterone levels and increased expression of testicular i-NOS was observed.
- These “adverse reproductive effects suggest that chronic exposure to microwave radiation may lead to infertility via free radical species-mediated pathway.”
Related Books:
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