This article summarizes expert presentations and a panel discussion on radiological protection systems for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation at an international congress. It highlights that ionizing radiation protection is mature and continually revised, while non-ionizing radiation protection lacks a comparable international framework. The authors emphasize that emerging non-ionizing technologies create complex exposure scenarios and unresolved concerns about chronic and acute exposures, calling for a more cohesive and protective framework.

This rat study examined acute (1-week) and chronic (10-week) exposure to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (3G UMTS-like) and assessed auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) alongside biochemical and histological brain measures. The abstract reports that acute exposure was associated with reduced MMN-related electrophysiological parameters and changes in GluR2 and GFAP with observed brain ultrastructural alterations. Chronic exposure showed opposite protein trends and enhanced MMN parameters versus chronic controls, and lipid peroxidation was not significantly different.

This rat study tested whether acute exposure to 0.9 and 1.8 GHz continuous-wave radiofrequency radiation alters blood-brain barrier permeability. Using Evans-blue/albumin as a tracer, the authors report no BBB leakage in exposed female rats but a significant increase in albumin in exposed male rat brains versus sham. The authors interpret this as suggesting BBB/vascular permeability changes in males at SAR levels stated to be below international limits.