In the previous article, I presented numerous studies showing that EMFs (Electric and Magnetic Fields) have adverse health effects.
This article will continue with an explanation of how this works.
EMFs have been shown to cause adverse health effects, primarily by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS).
First, I will present a large number of studies showing that EMFs do indeed produce ROS.
I will then explain the mechanisms of how ROS cause damage at the cellular level and how this leads to numerous diseases.
In the course of this explanation, various studies will be presented each time, showing that EMFs cause ROS-induced cellular damage, such as DNA damage, mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial damage, immune responses, and cell death.
In this day and age, you might come off as a bit insane if you say that EMFs (Electric and Magnetic Fields) are bad for you. But this is in fact what numerous scientific papers are pointing to. I too was skeptical until I actually… Read the Full Article
Abbreviations : RF-EMFs, Radio Frequency EMFs; ELF-EMFs, Extremely Low Frequency EMFs
Overview
First, I will present studies showing that EMFs increased ROS.
I will then give an overview of how ROS affect health.
Oxygen is essential for many organisms, but it is also harmful.
This is because during the process of breathing, some of the oxygen is transformed into ROS, which is unstable and reactive.
ROS are essential for immune function and cell signaling, but in excessive amounts, they can damage cells and cause health problems.
Therefore, in living organisms, there are antioxidants that neutralize ROS and prevent damage caused by ROS.
However, when ROS increase to an amount that cannot be prevented by antioxidants, it damages cells and affects human health.
Well-known factors that increase ROS include cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking, but EMFs are in fact one of the factors that also increases ROS.
Increase in ROS by EMFs
There are numerous studies showing that EMFs increased ROS.
For example, in the Bioinitiatives 2012 report, updated in 2022, 533 out of the 586 studies found EMF-induced oxidative damage. (Bioinitiative 2022)
Also, a review article about biological effects of RF-EMFs found that out of 100 studies, 93 studies demonstrated that low-intensity RF-EMF induce oxidative effects. (Yakymenko et al. 2015)
Several studies have also shown that antioxidant intake can reduce damage caused by EMFs.
This indicates that damage caused by EMFs derives from an increase in ROS.
Studies
Here are 24 of the studies showing an increase in ROS among the studies presented on this site.
For men attending a genetics clinic in Shaanxi, China, ROS in their semen increased, and sperm count decreased as the time they were exposed per day to the EMFs increased, emitted from smartphones, cell towers, and Wi-Fi.
Increase in ROS
The ROS level increased by 70% with the EMF exposure for more than 2 hours per day, emitted from cell phones, cell towers, and Wi-Fi.
The total antioxidant capacity increased by 70% with the EMF exposure for more than 2 hours per day, emitted from cell phones, cell towers, and Wi-Fi.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase decreased by 50% with the EMF exposure for more than 2 hours per day, emitted from cell phones, cell towers, and Wi-Fi.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 60% with the EMF exposure for more than 2 hours per day, emitted from cell phones, cell towers, and Wi-Fi.
ROSTOCGSH-PxSOD
Decreases in total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Decrease in Sperm Count
The sperm count decreased by 70% with the EMF exposure for more than 2 hours per day, emitted from cell phones, cell towers, and Wi-Fi.
Test cell phones with a local SAR of 0.96 W/kg were placed in the center of breeding cages, and male rats aged 2 months, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to their EMFs for 1 hour per day for 7 weeks.
As a result, ROS in blood increased, and sperm count decreased.
Also, treatment with moringa, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased 2-fold due to the exposure to the cell phone EMFs. Also, the moringa, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of catalase decreased by 50% due to the exposure to the cell phone EMFs. Also, the moringa, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 30% due to the exposure to the cell phone EMFs. Also, the moringa, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
MDACATSOD
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Decrease in Sperm Count
The sperm count decreased by 60% due to the exposure to the cell phone EMFs. Also, the moringa, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Cell phones with a local SAR of 1.34 W/kg were placed and kept in talk mode for 2 hours per day, and male rats aged 10 weeks, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to their EMFs at very close range for 60 days.
As a result, ROS in the sperm increased, and sperm count decreased.
Increase in ROS
TBARS, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased by 60% due to the exposure to the cell phone EMFs.
An Increase in lipid peroxidation means an increase in ROS.
Decrease in Sperm Count
The sperm count decreased by 20% due to the exposure to the cell phone EMFs.
Female rats were allowed to mate with male rats, and fertilization was confirmed.
Next, the female rats were exposed to RF-EMFs similar to those from cell phones at a whole-body average SAR of 0.048 W/kg for either 1 or 2 hours per day.
The duration of exposure was either 1 week in early pregnancy, 2 weeks in early and mid-pregnancy, or 3 weeks throughout the entire pregnancy.
As a result, ROS in fetal blood increased and infertility/miscarriage increased as the time and duration they were exposed to the RF-EMFs increased.
Increase in ROS
The longer the exposure to the RF-EMFs during pregnancy, the more the malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in fetal blood.
The longer the exposure to the RF-EMFs during pregnancy, the less the antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase in fetal blood.
MDAGSH-Px
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity means an increase in ROS.
Increase in Infertility/Miscarriage
There is no change in the number of pups born due to the exposure to the RF-EMFs in early pregnancy.
The number of pups born decreased by 40% due to the daily 2-hour exposure to the RF-EMFs in early and mid-pregnancy, indicating that infertility/miscarriage increased.
The number of pups born decreased by 40% due to the daily 2-hour exposure to the RF-EMFs throughout the entire pregnancy, indicating that infertility/miscarriage increased.
Female rats were exposed to 50Hz ELF-EMFs with a strength of 8 mT for 40 days.
As a result, cell death of the granulosa cells in the follicles increased.
Treatment with sweet basil, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above to some extent.
Increase in Cell Death
The percentage of cell death of granulosa cells increased 4-fold due to the exposure to the ELF-EMFs. The sweet basil, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it to some extent.
Pregnant rats were exposed to 2450 MHz RF-EMF for 1 hour per day at a whole-body average SAR of 0.143 W/kg for 3 weeks throughout the entire pregnancy, and then the born-daughter rats were exposed from three weeks of age to the beginning of puberty (equivalent to childhood).
As a result, ROS in the brain and ovaries increased, hormone imbalance occured, and the onset of puberty was delayed.
Increase in ROS
The oxidative stress index in the ovaries increased 1.6-fold due to the exposure to the EMFs during childhood and 1.9-fold during the fetushood and childhood.
The oxidative stress index in the brains increased 2.2-fold due to the exposure to the EMFs during childhood and 1.9-fold during the fetushood and childhood.
OvaryBrain
An increase in oxidative stress means an increase in ROS.
Hormone Imbalance
The luteinizing hormone level in blood increased by 90% due to the exposure to the EMFs during childhood and by 60% during the fetushood and childhood.
The insulin-like growth factor-1 level in blood decreased by 40% due to the exposure to the EMFs during childhood and by 20% during the fetushood and childhood.
The follicle-stimulating hormone level in blood increased by 40% due to the exposure to the EMFs during childhood and didn't change during the fetushood and childhood.
LHIGF-1FSH
Delayed Onset of Puberty
The onset of estrus (heat) was delayed by 20% due to the exposure to the EMFs during childhood and by 30% during the fetushood and childhood.
Male rats were exposed to RF-EMFs of 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2450 MHz at whole-body average SARs of 0.00059 W/kg, 0.00058 W/kg, and 0.00066 W/kg, respectively, for 2 hours per day for 60 days.
As a result, in the hippocampi of the rats, ROS increased and inflammatory responses increased and DNA breaks increased as the frequency of the RF-EMFs increased.
Increase in ROS
The higher the frequency of the RF-EMFs, the greater the malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the hippocampus.
The higher the frequency of the RF-EMFs, the lower the antioxidant activity of glutathione in the hippocampus.
The higher the frequency of the RF-EMFs, the lower the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in the hippocampus.
The higher the frequency of the RF-EMFs, the heigher the antioxidant activity of catalase conversely in the hippocampus.
MDAGSHSODCAT
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
The increase in inflammatory responses was indicated by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have the ability to promote inflammatory responses.
Increase in Inflammatory Responses
The pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α increased by 70% in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the 2450 MHz RF-EMFs.
The pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN- γ increased 2.6-fold in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the 2450 MHz RF-EMFs.
The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 increased by 70% in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the 2450 MHz RF-EMFs.
The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-2 increased 2.7-fold in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the 2450 MHz RF-EMFs.
TNF-αIFN- γIL-6IL-2
The comet assay is used to detect DNA breaks. In the comet assay, the more the DNA breaks, the more the tail DNA, the longer the tail length, and the larger the olive tail moment.
Increase in DNA Breaks
The tail DNA, a marker for DNA breaks, increased 3.8-fold in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the RF-EMFs of 2450 MHz.
The olive tail moment, a marker for DNA breaks, increased 3.4-fold in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the RF-EMFs of 2450 MHz.
The tail length, a marker for DNA breaks, increased 4.0-fold in the hippocampus due to the exposure to the RF-EMFs of 2450 MHz.
Male mice aged 10-12 weeks, equivalent to adults, were exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMFs with a strength of 200 μT for 8 hours per day for 30 days.
Next, the mice were tested using the Morris water maze test.
As a result, ROS in the brain increased, and the mice showed a decline in their memory.
Also, treatment with catechin/epicatechin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased 2-fold due to the EMF exposure. Also, the catechin/epicatechin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 70% due to the EMF exposure. Also, the catechin/epicatechin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 40% due to the EMF exposure. Also, the catechin/epicatechin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
MDASODCAT
The increase in lipid peroxidation and the decrease in antioxidant activity mean the increase in ROS.
Morris Water Maze Test
First, the training for Morris water maze test is performed 4 times per day for 6 consecutive days.
Then, three hours after the last training on the 6th day, the escape platform is removed and the test is performed.
The reaching time to where the escape platform was and the staying time there are used to evaluate their memory.
Decline in Memory
The reaching time to where the escape platform was increased by 20% due to the EMF exposure. This means that the mice forgot the location of the escape platform, indicating that their memory declined. Also, the catechin/epicatechin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The staying time where the escape platform was decreased by 30% due to the EMF exposure. This means that the mice forgot the location of the escape platform, indicating that their memory declined. Also, the catechin/epicatechin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Pregnant rats were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMFs with a strength of 1 mW/cm2 for 3 weeks throughout the entire pregnancy.
As a result, lung growth was stunted in the born-son rats.
Also, treatment with melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Stunted Lung Growth
The volume of bronchioles of the son rats decreased by 60% due to the EMF exposure during pregnancy. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppresses it.
The volume of alveoli of the son rats decreased by 30% due to the EMF exposure during pregnancy. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppresses it.
The volume of blood vessel in the lung of the son rats decreased by 20% due to the EMF exposure during pregnancy. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppresses it.
Adult male rats were exposed to 950 MHz RF-EMFs for 1 hour per day for 50 days.
As a result, ROS increased in the lungs, heart, and blood, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an organ damage marker, increased.
Also, treatment with kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS in the Lungs
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the lungs increased by 70% due to the RF-EMF exposure. Also, the kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase in the lungs decreased by 30% due to the RF-EMF exposure. Also, the kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in the lungs increased by 30% conversely due to the RF-EMF exposure.
MDAGSH-PxSOD
Increase in ROS in the Heart
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the heart increased by 50% due to the RF-EMFs exposure. Also, the kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase in the heart decreased by 30% due to the RF-EMF exposure. Also, the kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in the heart increased by 20% conversely due to the RF-EMF exposure.
MDAGSH-PxSOD
Increase in ROS in Blood
The total antioxidant capacity decreased by 60% due to the RF-EMF exposure. Also, the kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
An increase in lipid peroxidation and decreases in antioxidant activity and total antioxidant capacity mean an increase in ROS.
Organ Damage
The LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) activity, an organ damage marker, increased by 20% due to the RF-EMF exposure. Also, the kombucha, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Adult male rats were exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMFs with a strength of 5 μT for 5 minutes per day, every other day, for 6 months.
As a result, ROS increased in the lungs and liver.
Also, treatment with zinc, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the lungs increased 4-fold due to the RF-EMFs exposure. Also, the zinc, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the liver increased 6-fold due to the RF-EMFs exposure. Also, the zinc, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
LungsLiver
An increase in lipid peroxidation mean an increase in ROS.
A Wi-Fi router was placed and kept on data transfer for 4 hours per day, and male rats aged 12 weeks, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to their EMFs at a distance of 30 cm for 45 days.
As a result, ROS increased in the pancreas, and the insulin secretory capacity of the islets of Langerhans was impaired.
Increase in ROS
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased 3-fold due to the Wi-Fi EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione decreased by 30% due to the Wi-Fi EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 30% due to the Wi-Fi EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase decreased by 40% due to the Wi-Fi EMF exposure.
MDAGSHSODGSH-Px
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Next are the results of the insulin secretory capacity of the islets of Langerhans.
This compared the amount of insulin secretion when the islets of Langerhans removed from the mice were exposed to low or high levels of sugar (glucose).
Impaired Insulin Secretory Capacity
The insulin secretory capacity of the islets of Langerhans was impaired due to the Wi-Fi EMF exposure. Exposure to low levels of sugar (glucose) decreased insulin secretion by 20% and to high levels by 50%.
Rats aged 16-20 weeks, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to 2100 MHz RF-EMFs at a whole-body average SAR of 0.024 W/kg for 6-12 hours per day for 30 days
As a result, ROS and cell death in the kidneys increased, and renal tubules underwent necrosis.
Renal tubules are tissues that reabsorb water and needed substances from raw urine.
Increase in ROS
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased by 20% due to 12 hours per day of EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione decreased by 10% due to 12 hours per day of EMF exposure.
MDAGSH
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Increase in Cell Death
The cell death score in the kidneys increased as the duration of EMF exposure increased.
Necrosis of Renal Tubules
The tubular necrosis score increased as the duration of EMF exposure increased.
Rats aged 8 weeks, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to 900 MHz RF-EMFs for 1 hour per day for 10 days.
As a result, ROS increased in the kidneys, and renal tubules were damaged.
Treatment with melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased by 90% due to the EMF exposure. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of catalase decreased by 20% due to the EMF exposure. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 30% due to the EMF exposure. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase decreased by 20% due to the EMF exposure. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
MDACATSODGSH-Px
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Damage to Renal Tubules
Urine NAG, a marker for renal tubular damage, increased 5-fold due to the EMF exposure. Melatonin, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Cell phones with a local SAR of 1.2 W/kg were placed on top of the breeding cages and kept on incoming calls for 40 minutes per day, and female rats aged 6 weeks, equivalent to children, were exposed to their EMFs for 4 weeks.
As a result, In the corneas, ROS increased. In the lenses, both an increase and a decrease in ROS were suggested.
Treatment with vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage in the corneas.
Increase in ROS in the Corneas
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the corneas increased 10-fold due to the cell phone EMF exposure. Treatment with vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in the corneas decreased by 50% due to the cell phone EMF exposure. Treatment with vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase in the corneas decreased by 10% due to the cell phone EMF exposure. Treatment with vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of catalase in the corneas increased 3-fold conversly due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
MDASODGSH-PxCAT
Increase in ROS in the Lenses
Malondialdehyde, a marker for lipid peroxidation, in the lenses increased 2-fold due to the cell phone EMF exposure. Treatment with vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in the lenses increased by 20% conversly due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
There was no change in the antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase in the lenses due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of catalase in the lenses increased by 30% conversly due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
MDASODGSH-PxCAT
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Rats aged 5-6 months, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to pulse-modulated 2.45 GHz RF-EMFs with a strength of 3.6 μW/cm2 for 1 hour per day for 30 days.
As a result, ROS increased and DNA oxidation increased in the brain and blood.
Also, treatment with garlic, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS
TBARS, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased by 20% with the EMF exposure. Garlic, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it to some extent.
Increase in DNA Oxidation
8OHdG, a marker for DNA oxidation, increased 3-fold with the EMF exposure. Garlic, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
8OHdG, a marker for DNA oxidation, increased 3-fold with the EMF exposure. Garlic, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it to some extent.
For study participants recruited at the First Hospital of Jilin University, China, ROS increased and DNA oxidation increased in urine when they were occupationally exposed to EMFs from high-voltage lines.
Also, intake of green tea polyphenol supplements, which have antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in ROS
Isoplastane, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased by 50% with the exposure to EMFs from high-voltage lines. Green tea polyphenol supplements, which have antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Increase in DNA Oxidation
8OHdG, a marker for DNA oxidation, increased by 40% with the exposure to EMFs from high-voltage lines. Green tea polyphenol supplements, which have antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Rats aged 8-12 weeks, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to 60 Hz ELF-EMF with a strength of 500 μT for 2 hours.
As a result, DNA single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks in the brain increased.
Also, treatment with vitamin E and iron chelators (*), which have antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
By sequestering iron ions, the reaction that transforms hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals is suppressed.
Electrophoresis of the cells is used to detect DNA breaks. In electrophoresis, the more the DNA breaks, the longer the length of DNA migration.
Increase in DNA Breaks
The length of DNA migration, a marker for DNA single-strand breaks, increased by 40% with the ELF-EMF exposure. Treatment with vitamin E and iron chelators, which have antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
The length of DNA migration, a marker for DNA double-strand breaks, increased by 10% with the ELF-EMF exposure. Treatment with vitamin E and iron chelators, which have antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
For study participants in Aizawl city, Mizoram, India, ROS in blood increased and micronuclei in blood lymphocytes increased as the distance from homes to cell towers decreased.
The strength of RF-EMFs averaged 0.0035 μW/cm2 outside 300 m of the cell towers and 0.5 μW/cm2 within 80 m.
Increase in ROS
TBARS, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased by 70% within 20 m of the cell towers.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione decreased by 20% within 20 m of the cell towers.
The antioxidant activity of catalase decreased by 50% within 20 m of the cell towers.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 40% within 20 m of the cell towers.
TBARSGSHCATSOD
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Increase in Micronuclei
The frequency of micronuclei increased by 70% within 20 m of the cell towers.
Cell phones with a local SAR of 0.9 W/kg were placed on standby, and male rats aged 10 weeks, equivalent to adolescents, were exposed to their EMFs in close proximity for 2 hours per day for 35 days.
As a result, in the semen, ROS increased, the cell cycle was arrested, and cell death increased.
Increase in ROS
The ROS level increased by 40% due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
TBARS, a marker for lipid peroxidation, increased 2-fold due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase decreased by 40% due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 20% due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
The antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase increased by 40% conversely due to the cell phone EMF exposure.
ROSTBARSGSH-PxSODCAT
An increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in antioxidant activity mean an increase in ROS.
Cell Cycle Arrest
Cells in G0/G1 phase, S phase, and G2/M phase decreased due to the cell phone EMF exposure. It means that the cell cycle was arrested.
CRT televisions were placed and adult male rats were exposed to their EMFs at a distance of 1 foot (30 cm) for 6 hours per day for 2 months.
As a result, cell proliferation was inhibited, and the thickness of the epidermis and dermis (*) decreased.
The epidermis is the outer layer of skin, and the dermis is the middle layer.
Also, treatment with vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation
The cell proliferation marker in the epidermis decreased by 40% due to the CRT television EMF exposure. Vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Decrease in Skin Thickness
Thickness of the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, decreased by 50% due to the CRT television EMF exposure. Vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Thickness of the dermis, the middle layer of skin, decreased by 30% due to the CRT television EMF exposure. Vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Mouse embryonic fibroblast, skin-producing cells, were exposed to 1800 MHz RF-EMFs with a strengh of 121 μW/cm2 for 48 hours.
As a result, DNA damage increased, and cell death increased.
Also, treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which has antioxidant properties, suppressed the damage above.
Increase in DNA Damage
The percentage of cells with DNA damage increased from 0% to 60% due to 48 hours of EMF exposure. NAC, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
Increase in Cell Death
The cell death marker increased 4-fold due to 48 hours of EMF exposure. NAC, which has antioxidant properties, suppressed it.
That's all for the presentation of the studies.
We have confirmed that EMFs do indeed increase ROS and affect health in various ways.
Show More (5 studies)
Numerous Diseases Caused by Oxidative Stress
A condition in which ROS increase to a level that damages cells is called oxidative stress.
And this oxidative stress is involved in nemerous diseases.
Various Diseases Related to Aging
Oxidative stress is involved in several age-related conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. (Liguori et al. 2018)
ORIG
Oxidative Stress and Age-Related Diseases ( Cited and Modified from Liguori et al. 2018 )
Therefore, it is suggested that oxidative stress may be the cause of aging itself. (Liguori et al. 2018)
Smoking and COPD
Cigarette smoking causes oxidative stress and immune responses in the lungs, and the interplay of these factors leads to COPD. (Zuo et al. 2014)
Alcohol Drinking and Liver Diseases
Alcohol drinking causes oxidative stress on the liver, which leads to a variety of liver diseases. (Albano 2006)
Thalidomide and Malformations
Teratogens such as thalidomide, anti-epileptic drug phenytoin, and alcohol cause malformations in fetuses by inducing oxidative stress. (Dennery 2007)
Oxidative stress has emerged as a likely promoter of several pregnancy-related disorders, such as miscarriage, embryopathies (developmental abnormalities of an embryo or fetus), fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and low birth weight. (Al-Gubory et al. 2010)
For example, increased ROS in the placenta were observed in women with miscarriage and in women with fetal growth restriction. (Hempstock et al. 2003, Biri et al. 2007)
In an experiment using mice, excessive generation of ROS through genetic manipulation resulted in low-birth-weight fetuses and delayed neonatal development. (Ishii et al. 2011)
Male Infertility
The testes are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, which is an important factor for development of male infertility. (Asadi et al. 2017)
For example, a study reported that the oxidative damage to DNA is 100 times higher in infertile men than in fertile men. (Asadi et al. 2017)
In experiments using mice, oxidative stress caused by pesticides, anticancer drugs, etc., has been shown to increase DNA damage and cell death in the testes, resulting in decreases in sperm count and sperm quality. (Hung et al. 2015, Guo et al. 2022, Guvvala et al. 2016, Yeh et al. 2007)
Female Infertility
An egg is surrounded and nurtured by a grouping of cells called a follicle.
Death of the follicle is called follicular atresia, and has been shown to be strongly associated with female infertility. (Yao et al. 2021)
There is growing evidence indicating oxidative stress is involded in follicular atresia. (H. and M.H. 2012)
In animal experiments using rats, it has been shown that oxidative stress caused by high-calorie diets, ionizing radiation, etc., increases the death of brain cells, particularly in the hippocampus, resulting in a decline in memory. (Maiti et al. 2008, Fukui et al. 2001, Treviño et al. 2015, MANDA et al. 2008)
Developmental Disorder
A combined analysis of multiple studies has found a correlation between ADHD and oxidative stress. (Joseph et al. 2013)
A correlation between autism and oxidative stress has also been shown. (James et al. 2004)
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Oxidative stress is an early and prominent feature of Alzheimer's disease, and also plays an important role in the progression of the disease. (Wang et al. 2014)
Oxidative stress is a major culprit in the pathogenesis of ALS. An increase in ROS has been observed both in post-mortem samples and in experimental models for ALS. (Carrı̀ et al. 2003)
EMF Health Effects Can be Explained by Oxidative Stress
It follows that many of these can be explained by the oxidative stress induced by EMFs.
ROS Destroy the Molecular Structure of Substances
Molecular Structure of ROS
The types of ROS include superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals.
When oxygen receives an electron, it turns into superoxide, which turns into hydrogen peroxide by enzymes, etc. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with a surrounding metal ion and turns into a hydroxyl radical.
Among ROS, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are molecules called radicals.
In a normal molecule, all electrons exist in pairs, but in a radical, there is an unpaired electron.
Because of the presence of this unpaired electron, radicals have the dangerous nature of taking electrons from other molecules and destroying the molecular structure of the target.
Hydroxyl radicals, in particular, are the most harmful of all ROS and are the culprits in DNA oxidation and breaks by ROS.
Hydrogen peroxide is not a radical, but a certain amount turns into harmful hydroxyl radicals.
Therefore, an increase in hydrogen peroxide directly leads to an increase in hydroxyl radicals, so they are still dangerous to cells.
First, a hydroxyl radical pull a electron and a hydrogen atom at a time from a sugar, the backbone of DNA.
This stabilizes itself as a water molecule, but now the carbon atom that constitutes the sugar becomes radicalized.
Radicalization of a Carbon Atom by a Hydroxyl Radical
The carbon radical then radicalizes other molecules in a chain reaction that eventually leads to the DNA break.
This may be accompanied by base loss, which carries genetic information.
DNA Break by a Carbon Radical
DNA Break by ROS
Pathway of Cellular Damage by ROS
Based on a 2011 US-Greece paper, here is a pathway of cellular damage caused by ROS. (Kryston et al. 2011)
ORIG
Pathway of Cellular Damage by ROS ( Cited and Modified from Kryston et al. 2011 )
ROS are produced due to internal and external factors.
DNA is damaged by ROS.
Damaged DNA undergoes repair.
However, prolonged DNA damage leads to cell death and also to mutations.
Mutations destabilize the cell's genome (all genetic information) and turn it into a cancer cell.
On the other hand, ROS conversely act as a signal for cell proliferation.
That is, exposure to EMFs causes an increase in ROS in cells throughout the body, resulting in cell death and mutations.
In turn, mutations affect health by leading to cancer, infertility, miscarriage, genetic disorders, and more.
In addition, there are mechanisms that induce cells that have undergone large-scale mutations to cell death.
On the other hand, cell death affects health by leading to decrease in sperm count, decrease in follicle count, infertility, malformations, low-birth-weight babies, neurodegenerative diseases, decline in memory, developmental disorders, arrhythmias, COPD, asthma, diabetes, and more.
All of the diseases mentioned above have been shown to increase with exposure to EMFs.
In the following pages, I will explain mechanisms of cellular damage caused by ROS and how it leads to numerous diseases.
And, I will present a large number of studies that show that EMFs do indeed cause various cellular damages caused by ROS.
I live in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. I majored in information technology at college and have more than 10 years of experience as an engineer.
I hope that as many people as possible become aware of the dangers of EMFs through this site.
