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Electromagnetic Fields > ... > Biological effects > Possible Effects
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Results of the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF) Regarding Further Possible Biological and Health Effects of High Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
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Studies on biological effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields were an essential part of the German Mobile
Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF). Both mechanisms of action investigated mainly in cell experiments and the impact on animals and human beings were examined. In this context, possible risks to human health are of primary interest. In addition, several epidemiological studies of the German mobile telecommunication research programme addressed possible health effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields. The aim was to detect statistical correlations between exposure and morbidity within the population.
The results of the DMF as well as of further up-to-date national and international studies could not confirm the existence of action mechanisms in the athermal area below the limit values. Overall, the results give no reason to question the protective effect of current limit values.
Studies on cells related to the immune system showed no biological significant effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields. The same applies to the functionality of the visual and auditory system.
A relationship between electromagnetic fields of mobile phones and the induction of tinnitus could not be verified.
The so called “Melatonin hypothesis“, that is, the assumption that exposure to high frequency fields causes a reduction of melatonin synthesis could not be confirmed.
Blood-brain barrier damage caused by high frequency
electromagnetic fields below limits could be corroborated neither in a cell
culture model nor in animal experiments.
A relationship between high frequency electromagnetic fields of mobile phones or base stations and sleep disorders, headache, and general complaints could be demonstrated neither in experimental studies with volunteers nor in epidemiological studies. Memory, ability to respond, and further aspects of cognitive performance were not impaired either. The presence of a base station can, however, elicit sleep disorders in connection with concern on possible health effects even if the base station is inoperative. Shielding of electromagnetic fields in the subjects’ bedrooms did not yield an
improvement of sleep qualitiy.
Regarding the question of electromagnetic hypersensitivity, increased evidence demonstrates that there is no causal connection between exposure to electromagnetic fields and unspecific symptoms.
Epidemiological studies on adult mobile phone users have not found an increased risk for brain cancer, acoustic neuroma (benign tumour of
the hearing nerve) or uveal melanoma for a period of use of less than ten years.
The use of cordless phones or the presence of a DECT base station in the bedroom close to the bed was not related to a increased brain tumour risk either. The question of long-term effects for a period of use of more than ten years remains an open issue and is further investigated, due to the long latency periods for cancer and the comparably short-term use of mobile communication technology by the general public.
The results of experimental studies covering several generations of animals do not corroborate the hypothesis of a special sensitivity of early developmental stages. A relationship between the exposure to high frequency fields and acute health complaints in children could not be demonstrated. There are no indications for a connection between the fields of large radio and television transmitters and the risk of childhood leukaemia. However, the question if health risks from long-term exposure are higher for children than for adults due to age-related differences or due to a longer life-time exposure cannot be answered in conclusion. This problem is further pursued, the more so as a dosimetric study using various models of children’s heads showed that especially in younger children certain tissues and brain areas can be relatively higher exposed than in adults.
The remaining open questions regarding biological and health effects of high frequency electromagnetic fields mentioned above are investigated in a research programme subsequent to the DMF.
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