The Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that in a number
of studies it has been reported that exposure to radiation from mobile phones
causes adverse health effects. But there is no conclusive data available so far
on this issue, however the growing body of scientific evidences indicates some
bio-effects and possible adverse health effects of Radio Frequency Radiation
(RFR) which merit further investigations. Even the World Health Organization
(WHO) (2011) after reviewing the studies published from year 2000 to 31st
May 2011 classified the radio frequency electromagnetic radiations/field
emitted from wireless phone under group 2 B-carcinogen category. Due to this
fact numbers of countries have developed health based precautionary guidelines
for exposure of EMF from cell phone towers including India.
The ICMR has
further informed that there is no scientific confirmed evidence that use of
mobile phones causes mental and physical diseases. There is no proven
scientific evidence yet to suggest that electromagnetic radiations emitted from
mobile phone may lead to cancer, tumour, mental imbalance, dementia, headache
and even it can damage DNA of a person.
The ICMR is
conducting a multi-disciplinary cohort study in Delhi & National Capital
Region (NCR) to find out adverse effects of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR), if
any, emitted from cell phone on adult Indian population. Under this study
specific absorption rate, power density, wave length and frequency of RFR
emitted from various types of cell phones used by the enrolled subjects as well
as from cell phone towers installed at various places in Delhi are measured.
The physical characteristics of RFR emitted from various cell phones will be
correlated with the clinical & laboratory findings to examine whether use
of cell phone is associated with reproductive dysfunctions, male infertility,
neurological disorders (cognitive behavior, sleep related disorders, depression
etc.), cardiovascular disorders, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) disorders and
promote cancer if any, in Human Volunteers.
In addition to
the above, the ICMR has also funded few studies on limited basis in India to
address this issue. The summary of the finding of the studies conducted in
India in this area given below:-
Studies
are being conducted in India on the issues related to Health effects of
Radiations emitted from mobile Phone & mobile Phone Tower
1. Department
of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has conducted number ca
studies in this area both on animals and human volunteers. Study reported
cytogenetic damage in tissues of some individuals using cell phones over a
period of time. The data revealed increaser number of micro nucleated buccal
cells and cytological abnormalities in cultured lymphocytes indicating the
genotoxic response from mobile phone use. As exposure to radiofrequency
radiations has been reported to affect physiological, neurological, cognitive
and behavioural changes and to induce, initiate and promote carcinogenesis; threat
to human health has been suggested for mobile phone users (Gandhi et al. 2005).
2. In one of
the study a correlation between mobile phone use (exposure to radio frequency
radiations) and DNA and chromosomal damage in lymphocytes of individuals using
mobile phones was observed which may have long-term consequences in terms of
neoplasia and/or age-related changes (Gandhi & Anita, 2007).
3. The Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) supported an animal study (2005-08) to find
out the effect of RFR on male reproduction at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
New Delhi. The results indicated significant reduction in testicular size,
weight and in sperm counts. The data also indicated that the chronic exposure
to Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR) imitated from cell phone causes a
significant decrease in protein kinase C and total sperm count along with
increase apoptosis in male rat. The study suggested that decrease in sperm
count and increase in apoptosis may be a causative factor due to mobile
radiation exposure leading to infertility (Kesari & Behari, 2008).
4. National
Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, Kerala, has reported headache,
dizziness, numbness in the thigh, and heaviness in the chest among mobile phone
users. The results indicated an increase in the both parameters when mobile
phone is kept close to chest and a decrease when kept close to the head. Mobile
phone has caused changes in Heart Rate Variability indices and the change
varied with its position. But these observations were not significant in
comparison to without mobile condition (Ahmed et al, 2008).
5. PGIMER,
Chandigarh, has conducted a study (Panda et al. 2010) and reported tong term
and intensive mobile phone use may cause inner ear damage and based on their
observations they have recommended following criteria's for the release of
harmful rays from mobile phones.
a) Mobile
phones should not be used continuously for more than one hour in a day.
b) Hands
free technology to be used where excessive use of the mobile phone is unavoidable.
This includes use of microphones and Bluetooth so that the handset remains away
from the ear and thus avoids the direct impact of harmful electromagnetic
radiations on the ear and the brain.
c) People
to avoid long talks and discussions on mobile phones as far as possible.
6. In another
study a significant increase in peak heart rate, serum total cholesterol, VLDL
cholesterol and triglycerides concentration were noticed in acute RFR exposed
male students in comparison to control students (Parkar et. al., 2010).
7. Author
examined biological effects of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation in Parker strain
mice, Locomotor activity was recorded on running wheel for 12 days prior to
microwave exposure (pre-exposure), 7 days during the first week of exposure
(short-term exposure) and another 7-day split during the last week of the
30-day exposure period (long-term exposure). Microwave radiations caused an
increase in erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, a significant DNA strand break in
brain cells and the loss of spatial memory in mice. This report for the first
time provides experimental evidence that continuous exposure to low intensity
microwave radiation may have an adverse effect on the brain function by
altering circadian system and rate of DNA damage (C. M. Chaturvedi et al.
2011).
8. Another
study concluded that Electromagnetic fields are recognized as hazards that
affect testicular function by generating reactive oxygen species ad reduce the
bioavailability of androgen to maturing spermatozoa. Thus, microwave exposure
adversely affects male fertility (Sanjay Kumar et. al. 2011).
9. The study
was taken to estimate the microwave/RF pollution by measuring radiation power
densities near schools and hospitals of Chandigarh city in India. The cell
phone radiations were measured using a handheld portable power density meter
TES 593 and specific absorption rates were estimated from the measured values.
These values of electromagnetic radiation in the environment were compared with
the levels at which biological system of humans and animals starts getting
affected. The values were also compared with the international exposure limits
set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
(ICNIRP). The highest measured power density was 11.48 mW/m (2) which is 1,148%
of the biological limit. The results indicated that the exposure levels in the
city were below the ICNIRP limit, but much above the biological limit (Dhami
2011).
10. To study the
pathophysiology of microwave radiations and its effect on rat brain, a study
was conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The study indicated
that a reduction in melatonin or an increase in caspase-3, creatine kinase, and
calcium ion may cause significant damage in brain due to chronic exposure of these
radiations. These biomarkers clearly indicate possible health implications of
such exposures (Kesari et. al. 2012).
11. The present
study summarizes the public issue based on mobile phone radiation exposure and
their biological effects. This review concludes that the regular and long term
use of microwave devices (mobile phone, microwave oven) at domestic level can
have negative impact upon biological system especially on brain. It also
suggests that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role by
enhancing the effect of microwave radiations which may cause neurodegenerative
diseases (Kesari et al., 2013).
12. A specific
absorption rate (SAR) measurements system has been developed for compliance
testing of personal mobile phone in a brain phantom material contained in a
Perspex box. The volume of the box has been chosen corresponding to the volume
of a small rat and illuminated by a 3G mobile phone frequency (1718.5 MHz), and
the emitted radiation directed toward brain phantom. The induced fields in the
phantom material are measured. Set up to lift the plane carrying the mobile
phone is run by a pulley whose motion is controlled by a stepper motor. The
platform is made to move at a pre-determined rate of 2 degrees per min limited
up to 20 degrees. The measured date for induced fields in various locations are
used to compute corresponding SAR values and inter-comparison obtained. These
data are also compared with those when the mobile phone is placed horizontally
with respect to the position of the animal. The SAR data is also experimentally
obtained by measuring a rise in temperature due to this mobile exposures and
data compared with those obtained in the previous set. To seek a comparison
with the safety criteria same set of measurements are performed in 10 g phantom
material contained in a cubical box. These results are higher than those
obtained with the knowledge of induced field measurements. It is conclude that
SAR values are sensitive to the angular position of the moving platform and are
well below the safety criteria prescribed tor human exposure. The data are
suggestive of having a fresh look to understand the mode of electromagnetic
field -bio interaction (Behari et al 2013)
13. Electromagnetic
radiations are reported to produce long-term and short-term biological-effects,
which are of great concern to human health due to increasing use of devices
emitting EMIR especially microwave (MW) radiation in our daily life. In view of
the unavoidable use of MW emitting devices (microwaves oven, mobile phones,
Wi-Fi, etc.) and their harmful effects on biological system, it was thought
worthwhile to investigate the long-term effects of low-level MW irradiation on
the reproductive function of male Swiss strain mice and its mechanism of action.
Twelve-week-old mice were exposed to non-thermal low-level 2.45- GHz MW
radiation (CW for 2 h/day for 30 days, power density = 0.029812 mW/cm (2) and
SAR = 0.018 W/Kg). Sperm count and sperm viability test were done as well as
vital organs were processed to study different stress parameters. Plasma was
used for testosterone and testis for 3β HSD assay_ Immunohistochemistry of
3β HSD and nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) was also performed in testis, We
observed that MW irradiation induced a significant decrease in sperm count and
sperm viability along with the decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter and
degeneration of seminiferous tubules. Reduction in testicular 3β HSD
activity and plasma testosterone levels was also noted in the exposed group of
mice. Increased expression of testicular i-NOS was observed in the
MW-irradiated group of mice. Further, these adverse reproductive effects
suggest that chronic exposure to nonionizing MW radiation may lead to
infertility via free radical species-mediated pathway (Shahin et al. 2014).
14. Cell phone
radiation exposure and its biological interaction is the present concern of
debate. Present study aimed to investigate the effect of 3G cell phone exposure
with computer controlled 2-D stepper motor on 45-day-old male Wistar rat brain.
Animals were exposed for 2 h a day for 60 days by using mobile phone with
angular movement up to zero to 30°. The variation of the motor is restricted to
90° with respect to the horizontal plane, moving at a pre-determined rate of 2°
per minute. Immediately after 60 days of exposure, animals were scarified and
numbers of parameters (DNA double-strand break, micronuclei, caspase 3,
apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, expression of Stress-responsive genes) were
performed. Result shows that microwave radiation emitted from 3G mobile phone
significantly induced DNA strand breaks in brain. Meanwhile a significant
increase in micronuclei, caspase 3 and apoptosis were also observed in exposed
group (P < 0.05), Western blotting result shows that 3G mobile phone
exposure causes a transient increase in phosphorylation of hsp27, hsp70, and
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), which leads to mitochondrial
dysfunction-mediated cytochrome c release and subsequent activation of caspases
involved in the process of radiation-induced apoptotic cell death. Study shows
that the oxidative stress is the main factor which activates a variety of
cellular signal transduction pathways, among them the hsp27/p38MAPK is the
pathway of principle stress response. Results conclude that 3G mobile phone
radiations affect the brain function and cause several neurological disorders
(Kesari et. al. 2014).
15. Present study
aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin (is well known
antioxidant that protects DNA, lipids and proteins from free radical damage)
against oxidative stress-mediated testicular impairment due to long-term
exposure of MWs. For this, 70-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into four
groups (n = 6/group), Sham exposed, Mel atonin (Mel) treated (2 mg/kg), 2.45
GHz MWs exposed and MWs + Mel treated. Exposure took place in Plexiglas cages
for 2 h a day for 45 days where, power density (0.21 mW/cm(2)) and specific
absorption rate (SAR 0.14 W/Kg) were estimated. After the completion of exposure
period, rats were sacrificed and various stress related parameters, that is
LDH-X (lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme) activity, xanthine oxidase (XO), RCS
(reactive oxygen species), protein carbonyl content, DNA damage and MDA
(malondialdehyde) were performed. Result shows that melatonin prevent oxidative
damage biochemically by significant increase (p <0.001) in the levels of
testicular LDH-X, decreased (p< 0.001) levels of MDA and ROS in testis (p
< 0.01). Meanwhile, it reversed the effects of MWs on XO, protein carbonyl
content, sperm count, testosterone level and DNA fragmentation in testicular
cells. These results concluded that the melatonin has strong antioxidative
potential against MW induced oxidative stress mediated DNA damage in testicular
cells (Meena et. al., 2014).
References:
1. Gandhi
G, Singh P (2005). Cytogenetic damage in mobile phone users: Preliminary data
titled Hum Genet 5(4): 259-265.
2. Gandhi
G, Anita (2007). Genetic damage in mobile phone users. Some preliminary
findings Int J Hum Genet 11(2): 99-104.
3. Kesari
KK and Behan J (2008), Comparative study of 900 MHz and 2.45 GHz radiation
effect on reproductive system of male rats. In Recent Advances and Challenges
in Reproductive; Health Research, eds. R S Sharma et al, pp 363-377.
4. Ahamed
VI, Karthick NG, Joseph PK (2008), Effect of mobile phone radiation on heart
rate variability, Comput Biol. Med. 35(6): 709-12.
5. Panda
et al (2010). Audiologic disturbances in long-term mobile phone users, J
Otolaryngo Head neck Surg., Chandigarh, 1; 39(1):5-11.
6. Parkar
MA, Ahmed R, Abdullah BB, Patil BS, Das KK (2010). Effect of cell phone
exposure on physiologic and hematologic parameters of male medical students of
Bijapur (Karnataka) With reference to serum lipid profile. J Basic Clin Physiol
Pharmacol.; 21(2): 201-10.
7. C.
M. Chaturvedi, V. P. Singh, P. Singh, P. Basu and M. Singaravel (2011). 2.45
ghz (Cw) Microwave Irradiation Alters Circadian Organization, Spatial Memoiy,
Dna Structure In the Brain Cells And Blood Cell Counts Of Male Mice, Mus Musculus
Electromagnetic Research B, Vol. 29, 23-42.
8. Sanjay
Kumar, Kavindra Kumar Kesari, Jitendra Behan (2011). The. therapeutic effect of
a pulsed electromagnetic field on the reproductive patterns of mate Wistar rats
exposed to a 2.45-GHz microwave field. CLINICS 2011; 66(7):1237-1245.
9. Dhami
AK (2011). Study of electromagnetic radiation pollution in an Indian city.
Environ. monit Assess: 84(11): 6507-12.
10. Kesari
KK, Kumar S, Behari J (2012). Pathophysiology of microwave radiation: effect on
rat brain. Appl Biochern Biote-chnol; 166(2):379-88
11. Behari
J, Nirala JP (2013), Specific absorption rate variation in a brain phantom due
to exposure by a 3G mobile phone: problems in dosimetry. Indian J Exp Biol.;
51(12):1079-85.
12. Kesari
KK, Siddiqui MH, Meena R, Verma HN, Kumar S (2013), Cell phone radiation
exposure on brain and associated biological systems, Indian J Exp Bid,;
51(3):187-200.
13. 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.
14. Kesari
KK, Meena R, Wirala. J, Kumar J, Verma HN (2014), Effect of 3G cell phone
exposure with computer controlled 2-D stepper motor on non-thermal activation
of the hsp27/p38MAPK stress pathway in rat brain. Cell Biochem Biophys.; 68(2);
347-58.
15. Meena
R, Kumari K. Kumar 3, Rajamani P, Verma HN, Kesari KK (2014), Therapeutic
approaches of melatonin in microwave radiations-induced oxidative stress-mediated
toxicity on male fertility pattern of Wistar rats, Electroniagn Bid Fled.;
33(2):81-91.
The
MoS, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this
in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here yesterday.
*****
MV/BK