Is there evidence for oxidative stress caused by electromagnetic fields? A summary of relevant observations in experimental animal and cell experiments related to health effects in the last ten years

Abstract

Is there evidence for oxidative stress caused by electromagnetic fields? A summary of relevant observations in experimental animal and cell experiments related to health effects in the last ten years Prof Meike Mevissen, David Schürmann. Is there evidence for oxidative stress caused by electromagnetic fields? A summary of relevant observations in experimental animal and cell experiments related to health effects in the last ten years. BERENIS – The Swiss expert group on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation Newsletter – Special Issue January 2021. Introduction This special issue of the BERENIS newsletter contains an up-to-date assessment of a possible correlation between oxidative stress and exposure to magnetic and electromagnetic fields and their putative effects on health. For this purpose, relevant animal and cell studies published between 2010 and 2020 were identified and summarized. An extended report presenting these recent studies in more detail will be published soon by the FOEN1. This special issue contains a short version of the report. Conclusions In summary, the majority of the animal and more than half of the cell studies provided evidence of increased oxidative stress caused by RF-EMF or ELF-MF. This notion is based on observations in a large number of cell types, applying different exposure times and dosages (SAR or field strengths), also in the range of the regulatory limits. Certainly, some studies are burdened with methodological uncertainties and weaknesses or are not very comprehensive in terms of exposure time, dose, number and quantitative analysis of the biomarkers used, to name a few. Taking these methodological weaknesses into account, nonetheless, a tendency becomes apparent, namely that EMF exposure, even in the low dose range, can lead to changes in oxidative balance. Organisms and cells are generally able to react to oxidative stress, and many studies showed adaptation to EMF exposure after a recovery phase. Pre-existing conditions, such as immune deficiencies or diseases (diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases), compromise the body's defence mechanisms, including antioxidative protection, and it is therefore possible that individuals with these conditions experience more severe health effects. In addition, the studies show that very young and elderly individuals can react less efficiently to oxidative stress induced by EMF, which of course also applies to other stressors that cause oxidative stress. More extensive studies under standardised conditions are necessary, to better understand and confirm these phenomena and observations. Open access report: t.co BERENIS - Swiss expert group on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation The FOEN has nominated a consultative group of Swiss experts from various disciplines with scientific competence regarding electromagnetic fields and NIR, which has commenced its work in July 2014. The group is called “BERENIS”, based on the acronym of the respective German term. The BERENIS experts regularly screen the scientific literature, and assess the publications which they consider relevant for the protection of humans from potentially adverse effects. The Swiss expert group on electromagnetic fields and non-ionising radiation (BERENIS) In Switzerland, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is the responsible government body for monitoring and assessing research on health effects of non-ionising radiation (NIR) from stationary sources in the environment. This includes informing and updating the public about the current state of research, which is the basis for the ambient regulatory limits stated in the Swiss "ordinance relating to protection from non- ionising radiation". In the case of reliable new scientific knowledge and experiences, the FOEN would advise the Federal Council of Switzerland to adapt these ambient regulatory limits. Assessing the results and conclusions of scientific studies enables early detection of potential health risks of NIR. The FOEN places particular emphasis to not overlook any evidence of harmfulness for public health demanding for corrective regulatory interventions. Furthermore, critical assessment of available scientific data is required to make firm statements about the validity of the presented evidence for biological effects, their relevance for public health, and if so, to estimate the number of potentially affected people. NIR includes a broad spectrum of frequencies with varying intensities and radiation characteristics, which is becoming more complex and multifaceted as the development and application of technologies emitting them is very dynamic and rapidly increasing. In the context of the work of BERENIS, NIR at frequencies below 10 GHz is addressed. Potential biological effects and the underlying mechanisms of NIR are manifold, and research activities range from the molecular to the population level. As a consequence, specific expertise in various disciplines is needed to assess the related scientific studies rooted in many different biological, medical and technical scientific realms. The FOEN has therefore nominated a consultative group of Swiss experts from various disciplines with scientific competence regarding electromagnetic fields and NIR, which has commenced its work in July 2014. The group is called "BERENIS", based on the acronym of the respective German term. The BERENIS experts regularly screen the scientific literature, and assess the publications which they consider relevant for the protection of humans from potentially adverse effects. The results of this evaluation are published in quarterly newsletters, which can be downloaded from this webpage. Members of BERENIS • Prof. Dr. Martin Röösli, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel (in charge) • Prof. Dr. Peter Achermann, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Zurich • Dr. Jürg Fröhlich, Fields at Work GmbH, Zurich • Prof. Dr. med. Jürg Kesselring, previous head of the Department of Neurorehabilitation, Rehabilitation Centre, Clinics of Valens • Prof. Dr. Meike Mevissen, Vet-Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Bern • Dr. David Schürmann, Molecular Genetics Group, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel • Dr. med. Edith Steiner, Ärztinnen und Ärzte für Umweltschutz, Basel Secretariat: • Dr. Stefan Dongus, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel Federal Office for the Environment: • Alexander Reichenbach • Dr. Maurane Riesen Observers: • Dr. Evelyn Stempfel (Federal Office of Public Health) • Dr. Roland Krischek (Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund) • Dr. Christian Monn (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs) • Dr. Samuel Iff (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs)

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The newsletter summary reports that the majority of animal studies and more than half of cell studies published between 2010 and 2020 provided evidence of increased oxidative stress associated with RF-EMF or ELF-MF exposure, including at exposure levels stated to be within regulatory limits. It also notes that some studies showed adaptation after a recovery phase and that methodological uncertainties/weaknesses were present in some studies.

Outcomes measured

• Oxidative stress biomarkers/oxidative balance changes (animal and cell studies)

Limitations

• Methodological uncertainties and weaknesses in some included studies
• Some studies not comprehensive regarding exposure time, dose, number of biomarkers, and quantitative analysis
• Need for more extensive studies under standardised conditions to better understand and confirm observations

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.32)
  Government/expert-group assessment (BERENIS/FOEN) discussing evidence in relation to regulatory limits for EMF exposure.

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