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Effects of RF Radiation on Human Health and Disease

Effects of RF Radiation on Human Health and Disease. Stephen K. Frankel, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine National Jewish Medical and Research Center & University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Introductory Remarks. Credentials All studies have limitations.

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Effects of RF Radiation on Human Health and Disease

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  1. Effects of RF Radiation on Human Health and Disease Stephen K. Frankel, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine National Jewish Medical and Research Center & University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

  2. Introductory Remarks • Credentials • All studies have limitations. • Prudence and public safety should take priority when making public policy decisions • An absence of data does not equal negative data

  3. Are there potential serious health risks associated with locating wireless transmission towers in residential areas? • Long-term, low intensity exposures • Biological plausibility • Epidemiological evidence

  4. Non-thermal biological effects of RF radiation exist and occur at doses previously thought to be safe. Thermal effects alone should not be considered an acceptable readout of biological effects in 2003.

  5. Biological Plausibility • DNA damage • Generation of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) • Calcium flux, membrane potential and ion channels • Alterations of cell proliferation and transformation • Heat shock proteins (markers of cell stress) • Alterations in immunity • Signal transduction effects

  6. Reported Health Effects • Adult and childhood leukemia • Brain cancer • Infertility • Altered immune function • Neurological and developmental impairment

  7. Epidemiological Data Suggesting a Correlation between low dose RF Radiation and Leukemia • Italian Study: Increased incidence of childhood leukemia (2.2 X) (2002) • Australian Study: Increased incidence of childhood leukemia (1.58) and mortality (2.32) • Hawaiian Honolulu Study: Increased incidence of leukemia (1.58 men, 1.45 women) • British Study (Sutton-Coldfield): Increased risk of leukemia with increasing proximity to source

  8. RF and Cancer: Occupational Data • Savitz et. al.: Leukemia and brain cancer in electrical utility workers • Grayson et al.: Air Force personnel and brain cancer risk. • Kheifets et. al.: Increased incidence of brain cancer in persons occupationally exposed to electric and magnetic fields

  9. CSU Lookout Mountain StudyBackground • 1998 CDPHE study identified increased rates of brain cancer on Lookout Mountain • 1999 CDPHE study reported a statistically significant increase in brain and CNS cancer. • 2001 CSU awarded $713,000 NIH grant to study, “Human Reponses to Residential RF Exposure” in the Lookout Mountain residential community

  10. CSU Lookout Mountain StudyDesign • 300 persons, including children. • Careful exposure measurements • Blood and urine collected for melatonin and other biomarkers of disease and carcinogenesis • Informed consent and institutional oversight for protection of human subjects

  11. CSU Lookout Mountain StudyCurrent Status • Study is still in the data collection phase • Results will be released in the form of a peer-reviewed manuscript in late 2005 or 2006

  12. “While the CDPHE study cannot be interpreted to mean that exposures to radiofrequency emanating from the antennas on Lookout Mountain necessarily caused the brain cancers in each of these persons, the data are sufficiently strong to merit further investigation and to use care and prudence in making decisions that might result in any increase in radiofrequency radiation exposure to the community.” John S. Reif, DVM, MSc Professor of Epidemiology Chairman, Department of Environmental Health Colorado State University

  13. Infertility • RF radiation induces irreversible infertility in mice-- Magras and Xenos, 1997 • Danish military personnel study shows that personnel exposed to RFR emitting radar systems have significantly lower sperm counts--Hjollund et. al., 1997

  14. Altered Immune Function • Altered immune function plays a critical role in immune (tumor) surveillance, autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases. • Boscolo, et. al. 2001. San Silvestri study showed abnormal reductions in lymphocyte populations in women with residential RF exposure to TV Broadcast Antennas

  15. Neurological and Developmental Impairment • School children living in the area of the Skrunda radio location station had less developed memory and attention, slowed reaction time, and decreased neuromuscular endurance– Kolodynski and Kolodynska, 1996 • People who lived and worked near radio antennae and radar installations showed deficits in psychological and short-term memory tests—Chiang, 1989

  16. Conclusions • There is a real and very concerning body of evidence suggesting that RF radiation at doses within FCC guidelines have biological significance and serious and harmful health consequences • Until more definitive data can demonstrate the safety of locating such facilities in residential areas, it would be prudent to locate new such facilities away from residential populations

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