Government-funded study shows radiation impact on male fertility, free radicals
An ongoing study on radiation from mobile towers and mobile phones at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has found that the exposure to radiation from mobile towers and mobile phones could have an adverse impact on male fertility and also pose health hazards by depleting the defence mechanism of cells.
Though these findings are based on experiments on male rats, Jitendra Behari, a professor in JNU's School of Environmental Sciences and lead researcher for the government-funded project, told The Hindu that the health implications were directly relevant to human beings too.
Prof. Behari and his team have been conducting tests on Wistar rats or lab rats, mainly focusing on two aspects of radiation — its effect on the reproductive system and on general health, particularly tumour promotion and genotoxic effects (causing damage to DNA). “We kept these rats in a simulated environment, creating similar levels of radiation as emitted by mobile towers and while using a mobile phone…and the results were alarming,” he disclosed.
“Chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation [RF-EMW] caused double-strand DNA breaks in sperm cells. The tests showed that mobile radiation exposure can cause a statistically significant decrease in the sperm count and testes weight,” Prof. Behari explained.
Pointing towards similar tests by leading institutions in the West which showed almost identical results, Prof. Behari said the reports have concluded that RF-EMW from commercially available cell phones might affect the fertilising potential of sperms. “Other studies too have shown that use of cell phones adversely affects the quality of semen by decreasing sperm count, motility, viability and morphology, which might contribute to male infertility,” he added.
Similarly, talking about the impact of radiation exposure tests on general health, Prof. Behari said: “Human cells have their own set of antioxidant defence mechanisms to fight with free radical formation and to overcome the limit of damaging effects. Our studies have shown that microwave radiation may alter the level of antioxidant due to free radical formations.”
“Tests have shown significant increase in ROS [reactive oxygen species — a kind of free radical] level in radiation exposed rats…an increased ROS production can damage macromolecules [lipid, protein, DNA], thus causing threat of heart disease, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and accelerate ageing. Electromagnetic field increases the concentration of free radicals which may enhance the probability of damage to the biological system,” he said.
Prof. Behari, who has been regularly submitting reports to the project sponsors – Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – and also apprising Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officials about his findings, is particularly concerned over the excessive and prolonged use of cellular phones as radiation levels from handsets could affect the brain. More usage of cellular phones means greater threat.
“Formation of free radicals in the brain is a matter of concern because of their potential toxic effects at high levels of brain function and its physiology and command on several other organs. It is well established that when there is an imbalance between free radicals and its neutralisation, it leads to oxidative stress. Such conditions can lead to tumour promotion,” he pointed out.
Present concern about mobile phone exposure to human beings is focused on brain. The effects of EMFs emitted by mobile phones on the central nervous system have become a particular focus of concern as mobile phones are kept near the head in talking mode and are in close proximity to the brain. During these operations, the antenna of a cellular phone emits radio frequency electromagnetic fields that can penetrate 4-6 cm into the human brain, he added.
Prof. Behari has further said that when a human body, which consists of 90 per cent water, is exposed to the electromagnetic field, it absorbs radiation. When food is cooked in a microwave oven, water in the food content is heated first. Similar is the case with human body. Microwave absorption effect is much more significant in body parts which contain more fluid-like blood or the brain.
Explaining how health could be affected as a result of radio frequency field exposure, Prof. Behari said there could be thermal effects caused by holding mobile phones close to the body and extended conversations over a long period of time. There could be possibly non-thermal effects from both phones and base stations whereby the effects could also be cumulative. Some people may be adversely affected by the environmental impact of mobile phone base stations situated near their homes, schools or any other place.
Keywords: mobile radiations, radiation exposure, DNA
Comments:
Nice information. A heat is generated after a long conversation holding the mobile phone in close proximity to the ear.For a while the ear fails to hear the outside conversation distinctly.People who use to talk long hours complain of loss or weakened hearing.Likewise people who use headphones and or ear phones too suffer from the same problem added with reddening of eyes and head aches. What might be the alternative when the mobile phones have become an indispensable item in the modern life? Can hands free mode be safer?
This is alarming. Reports of health hazards due to cell phone towers and cell phones in particular are being widely talked about everywhere. As a citizen one would want to know what is the government's response to this issue? There are so many cell phone base stations at every nook and corner in the residential areas. Smaller apartments which can't afford adequate monthly maintenance for upkeep get into the 'business' of renting their terraces for cell phone towers. I myself could see 3 towers from my balcony facing directly towards the apartment. Isn't this against our right to live in an environment which is free from 'Electro Magnetic Pollution'. Who gave the authority to pierce 'EM Waves' into our body without we being aware...?
This is atrocious. There was some noise about cell phone tower radiation some time back - no visible action seen till date. TRAI should immediately suspend licenses of cellphone towers in residential areas and realtime monitor the radiation dose and have control mechanisms built in.
Thanks to Prof. Behari for bringing out his startling findings based on scentific research. This should be an eye opener to TRAI's policies around Cell Phone Towers' radiation control. It is pathetic to see so many towers mushrooming with unmonitored radiation dose. Let us see how TRAI responds to this finding.
The adverse effects of Mobile Phone usage are a serious issue to which the public heeds little attention. There should be an article that also educates the readers how to reduce or get away from Mobile Phone radiation so that at least a few will be educated about the issue. Mobile phones being an everyday necessity there is a need to know how to prevent its after effects.
Everybody is talking on the individual handset. The radiation exposure of cell towers located indiscriminately around us pose more dangers! I don't know what is the stand taken by Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board in this regard and whether our laws are equipped to look into the problem.Of late, the Telcos have been entering with contracts with Apartment owners and errecting towers which again pose hazard when such ill framed structures are uprooted by strong winds/gale in cyclonic storm prone areas. We make a mess of the whole thing and then address it. Instead prevention is better than cure.Looking forward to more voices to come and speak up.
We cannot ignore the technologies for these, but we can definitely find some ways to limit it within threshold. Use your fixed phones when ever possible, than your mobile phones; Use Call diverts from mobile to Fixed phones while in office/home etc: this not only helps to reduce the risk of health, but to the whole society, just like quitting smoking. Let us Join together to reduce the EM Pollution
Just wait until big businesses shut-up Dr. Behari and other scientists who dare to tell the truth. What about the effect of coke and pepsi on human health?
I have one important question: Has the study been published in a peer-reviewed journal? Has it been presented in any scientific forum? In the absence of such critical review of the study methodology and the statistical accuracy of its findings, we should not rush to any hasty conclusions. In the past several unbiased, properly conducted scientific studies have proved otherwise & they have been published in many reputed international journals. Mr. Deekshitulu's point of concern is more appropriate - i.e. (possible) radiation exposure from cellphone towers and the physical dangers they pose in the event of cyclonic storm or strong winds are of more serious nature that everyone should be concerned of.
This article is significant to aware to use cell phone.Govt.should intervene in this regard. Towers should be made in remote areas.Researchers should immediately find its way how EMR impact lessen affect on users.
This is very relevant and useful at this stage of mobile revolution. When we can not avoid using mobile nowadays we can, at least, restrict our use of the same to the bare minimum and in urgency only. Thanks a lot!
The controversy has been raging for a long time. Some studies claim to have concrete evidence pointing to the adverse effects of EMFWs while other studies have failed to find any. Both types of studies have been published leading to alarmist reports as well as reports underplaying the alleged dangers. In my opinion, what needs to be done is that a team consisting of both engineering experts on EMFWs and medical experts on the effects of radiation on biological systems should be formed. An international team, with no conflict of interests whatsoever, will be the most suitable option. Firstly, the minimum strength of EMFW radiation needed for smooth functioning of the cellular network has to be worked out. These levels may be set as the maximum permissible levels of EMFW radiation (with a margin of deviation if needed). Then unified parameters defining biological effects (adverse or otherwise) of EMFWs need to be formulated. Subsequently, studies to find out the biological effects (based on the parameters formulated above) of EMFWs at the minimum strength required need to be undertaken a the largest possible scale for the longest possible follow-up period. I think that this is the only course of action that can bring out the truth regarding EMFWs and their biological effects in a fair and unbiased fashion. An international consensus on the permissible exposure based on solid scientific facts will be a huge achievement (though I doubt that it will become a reality). Till then just remember that cellular phones technology is like any other technology, its effects depend on how we use it. So use it sparingly and wisely.
The hazards of RF radiatin due to cell towers in residential area is a matter of great concern because the residents get exposed to such radiation continuously for 24 hours every day. This is particularly true for housewives and children who stay home for most part of the day. That is the reason why ICNIRP norm says to put these towers in parks and other open places away from schools, hospitals and residential areas. Where it can not be avoided, at least 100 meter distance should be maintained from these areas. But who listens ? Who cares ?
Goverment has turned a deaf ear to these complaints. The tower companies are going on adding towers in every nook and corner of the town. When regulation comes by that time it may be too late. I read somewhere that radiation is the No.1 pollutant for our generation. But automobile and industrial effusion are given more importance by the PCBs and there are several norms in place. Why can't these Boards address the No.1 pollutant ?