Wi-Fi and health: Review of current status of research

Health Physics

Volumn 105, Issue 6, 2013, Pages 561-575

  Foster, Kenneth R ^a   Moulder, John E ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA   (United States)

^b MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN   (United States)

Author keywords

exposure; health effects; radiation protection; radiofrequency

Indexed keywords

ANIMAL; ARTICLE; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE; HEALTH; HUMAN; RADIATION MONITORING; RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION; RISK ASSESSMENT; STANDARD; WIRELESS COMMUNICATION;

ANIMALS; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE; HEALTH; HUMANS; RADIATION MONITORING; RADIO WAVES; RISK ASSESSMENT; WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY;

EID: 84887360781     PISSN: 00179078     EISSN: 15385159     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1097/HP.0b013e31829b49bb     Document Type: Article

References (80)

1. Ait-Aissa S, Billaudel A, Poulletier de Gannes F, Hurtier A, Haro E, Ruffii G, Athane A, Veyret B, Lagroye I. In situ detection of gliosis and apoptosis in the brains of young rats exposed in utero to a Wi-Fi signal. C R Phys 11:592Y601; 2012a.
2. Ait-Aissa S, Billaudel B, Poulletier de Gannes F, Ruffii G, Duleu S, Hurtier A, Haro E, Taxile M, Athani A, Geffard M, Wu T, Wiart J, Bodet D, Veyret B, Lagroye I. In utero and early-life exposure of rats to a Wi-Fi signal: screening of immune markers in sera and gestational outcome. Bioelectromagnetics 33:410Y420; 2012b.
3. ABt ABssa S, Poulletier de Gannes F, Taxile M, Billaudel A, Hurtier A, Haro E, Ruffié G, Athané A, Veyret B, Lagroye I. In situ expression of heat shock proteins and 3-nitrotyrosine in brains of young rats exposed to a Wi-Fi signal in utero and in early life. Radiat Res 179:707Y717; 2013.
4. Angelone LM, Bit-Babik G, Chou C. Computational electromagnetic analysis in a human head model with EEG electrodes and leads exposed to RF-field sources at 915 MHz and 1748 MHz. Radiat Res 174:91Y100; 2010.
5. Ardoino L, Lopresto V,Mancini S, Marino C, Pinto R, Lovisolo GA. A radio-frequency system for in vivo pilot experiments aimed at the studies on biological effects of electromagnetic fields. Phys Med Biol 50:3643Y3654; 2005.
6. Atasoy HI, Gunal MY, Atasoy P, Elgun S, Bugdayci G. Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices. J Pediatr Urol 9:223Y229; 2013 Avendano C. Reply of the authors. Fertil Steril 97:e14; 2012.
7. Avendano C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento CA, Doncel GF. Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation. Fertil Steril 97:39Y45; 2012.
8. Baan R, Grosse Y, Lauby-Secretan B, El Ghissassi F, Bouvard V, Benbrahim-Tallaa L, Guha N, Islami F, Galichet L, Straif K, WHO Int Agcy Res Canc Monograph Wo. Carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Lancet Oncol 12: 624Y626; 2011.
9. Baliatsas C, van Kamp I, Bolte J, Schipper M, Yzermans J, Lebret E. Non-specific physical symptoms and electromagnetic field exposure in the general population: can we get more specific? A systematic review. Environ Int 41:15Y28; 2012a.
10. Baliatsas C, van Kamp I, Lebret E, Rubin GJ. Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF): a systematic review of identifying criteria. BMC Public Health 12; 2012b.
11. Bechet P, Miclaus S, Bechet AC. Improving the Accuracy of Exposure Assessment to Stochastic-like Radiofrequency Signals. IEEE Trans Electromagn Compat 54:1169Y1177; 2012.
12. Carranza N, Febles V, Hernandez JA, Bardasano JL, Monteagudo JL, Fernandez de Aldecoa JC, Ramos V. Patient safety and electromagnetic protection: a review. Health Phys 100(26): 530Y541; 2011.
13. Challis LJ. Mechanisms for interaction between RF fields and biological tissue. Bioelectromagnetics :S98YS106; 2005.
14. Collodel G, Rinaldi S, Moretti E, Fontani V, Castagna A, Iacoponi F, Terzuoli G, Cubeddu F, Careddu GM, Cossu I, Passino ES. The effect of radio electric asymmetric conveyer treatment on sperm parameters of subfertile stallions: a pilot study. Reprod Biol 12:277Y284; 2012.
15. European Parliament. Resolution of 2 April 2009 on health concerns associated with electromagnetic fields (2008/2211(INI)) Eonline. 2009. Available at www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2009- 0216+0+ DOC+XML+V0//EN. Accessed 30 September 2013.
16. European Telecommunications Standards Institute Standard EN 300328, ''Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Wideband transmission systems; Data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using wide band modulation techniques; Harmonized EN covering essential requirements under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive'', Sophia Antipolis Cedex-FRANCE, 2006.
17. European Telecommunications Standards Institute Standard EN 301893, ''Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 5 GHz high performance RLAN; Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive '', Sophia Antipolis Cedex-FRANCE, 2012.
18. Fang M, Malone D. Experimental verification of a radiofrequency power model for Wi-Fi technology. Health Phys 98:574Y583; 2010.
19. Federal Communications Commission OET Bulletin 65 Ed. 97-01, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, Washington, DC, Aug. 1997.
20. Findlay RP, Dimbylow PJ. SAR in a child voxel phantom from exposure to wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi). Phys Med Biol 55:N405YN411; 2010.
21. Foster KR, Repacholi M. Biological effects of radiofrequency fields: does modulation matter? Radiat Res 162:219Y225; 2004.
22. Foster KR. A world awash with wireless devices. IEEE Microwave Mag 14:73Y84; 2013.
23. Foster KR. Radiofrequency exposure from wireless LANS utilizing Wi-Fi technology. Health Phys 92:280Y289; 2007.
24. Foster KR. Thermal and nonthermal mechanisms of interaction of radio-frequency energy with biological systems. IEEE Trans Plasma Sci 28:15Y23; 2000.
25. Freour T, Barriere P. Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation. Fertil Steril 97: e14; 2012.
26. Gabriel S, Lau RW, Gabriel C. The dielectric properties of biological tissues: II. measurements in the frequency range 10 Hz to 20 GHz. Phys Med Biol 41:2251Y2269; 1996.
27. Habash RWY, Elwood JM, Krewski D, Lotz WG, McNamee JP, Prato FS. Recent advances in research on radiofrequency fields and health: 2004-2007. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 12:250Y288; 2009.
28. Hao Y, Foster R. Wireless body sensor networks for healthmonitoring applications. Physiol Meas 29:R27YR56; 2008.
29. International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO); 2011.
30. IEEE. IEEE Std 802.11 and various amendments. Piscataway, NJ: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.; 1997.
31. Available at http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/802.11.html. Accessed 30 September 2013.
32. Jauchem JR. Effects of low-level radio-frequency (3 kHz to 300 GHz) energy on human cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and other systems: a review of the recent literature. Int J Hyg Environ Health 211:1Y29; 2008.
33. Joseph W, Pareit D, Vermeeren G, Naudts D, Verloock L, Martens L, Moerman I. Determination of the duty cycle of WLAN for realistic radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure assessment. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 111:30Y36; 2013.
34. Joseph W, Frei P, Röö sli, M, Thuróczy G, Gajsek P, Trcek T, Bolte J, Vermeeren G, Mohler E, Juhasz P, Finta V, Martens L. Comparison of personal radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in different urban areas across Europe. Environ Res 110:658Y663; 2010.
35. Joseph W, Verloock L, Goeminne F, Vermeeren G, Martens L. Assessment of RF exposures from emerging wireless communication technologies in different environments. Health Phys 102:161Y172; 2012.
36. Juutilainen J, Höytö A, Kumlin T, Naarala J. Review of possible modulation-dependent biological effects of radiofrequency fields. Bioelectromagnetics 32:511Y534; 2011.
37. KhalidM,Mee T, PeymanA, AddisonD, CalderonC,MaslanyjM, Mann S. Exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from wireless computer networks: duty factors of Wi-Fi devices operating in schools. Progress in. Biophysics &Molecular Biology 107:412Y420; 2011.
38. Koutitas G, Samaras T. Exposure minimization in indoor wireless networks. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters 9:199Y202; 2010.
39. Kwon MS, Hämäläinen H. Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields: critical evaluation of behavioral and neurophysiological studies. Bioelectromagnetics 32:253Y272; 2011.
40. Laudisi F, Sambucci M, Nasta F, Pinto R, Lodato R, Altavista P, Lovisolo GA, Marino C, Pioli C. Prenatal exposure to radiofrequencies: effects of WiFi signals on thymocyte development and peripheral T cell compartment in an animal model. Bioelectromagnetics 33:652Y661; 2012.
41. Lee HJ, Lee JS, Pack JK, Choi HD, Kim N, Kim SH, Lee YS. Lack of teratogenicity after combined exposure of pregnant mice to CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Radiat Res 172:648Y652; 2009.
42. Lunca E, David V, Salceanu A, Cretescu I. Assessing the Human Exposure due to Wireless Local Area Networks in Office Environments. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal 11:385Y391; 2012.
43. Maganioti AE, Papageorgiou CC, Hountala CD, Kyprianou MA, Rabavilas AD, Papadimitriou GN, Capsalis CN. Wi-Fi electromagnetic fields exert gender related alterations on EEG. 6th International Workshop on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields. Bodrun, Turkey; October, 2010. Available at http://www.istanbul.edu.tr/6internatwshopbioeffemf/. Accessed 30 September 2013.
44. Maioli M, Rinaldi S, Santaniello S, Castagna A, Pigliaru G, Gualini S, Fontani V, Ventura C. Radio frequency energy loop primes cardiac, neuronal, and skeletal muscle differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells: a new tool for improving tissue regeneration. Cell Transplan 21:1225Y1233; 2012.
45. Malone D, Malone LA. Ambient radiofrequency power: the impact of the number of devices in a Wi-Fi network. Health Phys 96:629Y635; 2009.
46. Martinez-Burdalo M, Martin A, Sanchis A, Villar R. FDTD assessment of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from WiFi and bluetooth devices in some operating situations. Bioelectromagnetics 30:142Y151; 2009.
47. McNamee JP, Chauhan V. Radiofrequency radiation and gene/protein expression: a review. Radiat Res 172:265Y287; 2009.
48. Merhi ZO. Challenging cell phone impact on reproduction: a review. J Assist Reprod Genet 29:293Y297; 2012.
49. Michaelson SM. Tri-Service ProgramVa tribute to GM Knauf USAF. IEEE Trans Microwave Theory Tech MT19: 131Y146; 1971.
50. Mo L, Liu S, Gao RX, John D, Staudenmayer JW, Freedson PS. Wireless design of a multisensor system for physical activity monitoring. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 59:3230Y3237; 2012.
51. Mohr MR, Scott KA, Pariser RM, Hood AF. Laptop computerinduced erythema ab igne: a case report. Cutis 79:59Y60; 2007.
52. Ogawa K, Nabae K, Wang J, Wake K, Watanabe S, Kawabe M, Fujiwara O, Takahashi S, Ichihara T, Tamano S, Shirai T. Effects of gestational exposure to 1.95-GHz W-CDMA signals for IMT-2000 cellular phones: lack of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in rats. Bioelectromagnetics 30:205Y212; 2009.
53. Oni OM, Amuda DB, Gilbert CE. Effects of radiofrequency radiation from WiFi devices on human ejaculated semen. Int J Res Rev Appl Sci 9:Article 13; 2011.
54. Papageorgiou CC, Hountala CD, Maganioti AE, Kyprianou MA, Rabavilas AD, Papadimitriou GN, Capsalis CN. Effects of Wi-Fi signals on the P300 component of event-related potentials during an auditory hayling task. J Integr Neurosci 10:189Y202; 2011.
55. Parazzini M, Sibella F, Paglialonga A, Ravazzani P. Assessment of the exposure to WLAN frequencies of a head model with a cochlear implant. Bioelectromagnetics 31:546Y555; 2010.
56. Paulius K, Napoles P, Maguina P. Thigh burn associated with laptop computer use. J Burn Care Res 29:842Y844; 2008.
57. Peyman A,Khalid M,Calderon C,AddisonD,MeeT,MaslanyjM, Mann S. Assessment of Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields fromWireless Computer Networks (Wi-Fi) in Schools; Results of Laboratory Measurements. Health Phys 100:594Y612; 2011.
58. Poulletier de Gannes F, Billaudel B, Haro E, Taxile M, Le Montagner L, Hurtier A, Ait-Aissa S, Masuda H, Percherncier Y, Ruffii G, Dufour P, Veyret B, Lagroye I. Rat fertility and embryo fetal development: influence of exposure to the Wi-Fi signal. Reprod Toxicol 36:1Y5; 2013.
59. Poulletier de Gannes F, Haro E, Hurtier A, Taxile M, Athane A, Ait-Aissa S, Masuda H, Percherncier Y, Ruffii G, Billaudel B, Dufour P, Veyret B, Lagroye I. Effect of in utero Wi-Fi exposure on the pre-and postnatal development of rats. Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol 95:130Y136; 2012.
60. Rinaldi S, Fontani V, Moretti E, Rosettani B, Aravagli L, Sarago G, Collodel G. A new approach on stress-related depression and anxiety: neuro-psycho-physical-optimization with radio electric asymmetric-conveyer. Indian J Med Res 132:189Y194; 2010.
61. Röö sli M, Frei P, Mohler E, Hug K. Systematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations. Bull World Health Organ 88:887Y896F; 2010.
62. Rubin GJ, Das Munshi J, Wessely S. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: a systematic review of provocation studies. Psychosom Med 67:224Y232; 2005.
63. Sage C, Carpenter DO. Public health implications of wireless technologies. Pathophysiol 19:233Y246Y246; 2009.
64. Sambucci M, Laudisi F, Nasta F, Pinto R, Lodato R, Altavista P, Lovisolo GA, Marino C, Pioli C. Prenatal exposure to nonionizing radiation: effects of WiFi signals on pregnancy outcome, peripheral B-Cell compartment and antibody production. Radiat Res 174:732Y740; 2010.
65. Schmid G, Preiner P, Lager D, Uberbacher R, Georg R. Exposure of the general public due to wireless LAN applications in public places. Radiat Prot Dosimet 124:48Y52; 2007.
66. Schwan HP, Foster KR. RF-Field interactions with biological systemsVelectrical properties and biophysical mechanisms. Proc IEEE 68:104Y113; 1980.
67. Sheppard AR, Swicord ML, Balzano Q. Quantitative evaluations of mechanisms of radiofrequency interactions with biological molecules and processes. Health Phys 95:365Y396; 2008.
68. Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E. Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users. Hum Reprod 20:452Y455; 2005.
69. Sommer AM, Grote K, Reinhardt T, Streckert J, Hansen V, Lerchl A. Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS) on reproduction and development of mice: a multi-generation study. Radiat Res 171:89Y95; 2009.
70. Takahashi S, Imai N, Nabae K, Wake K, Kawai H, Wang J, Watanabe S, Kawabe M, Fujiwara O, Ogawa K, Tamano S, Shirai T. Lack of adverse effects of whole-body exposure to a mobile telecommunication electromagnetic field on the rat fetus. Radiat Res 173:362Y372; 2010.
71. Thota K. Quoted in Business Wire, April 04, 2012 Eonline. Available at www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news- view&newsLang=en&newsId=20120404 006331&div=-1063439563. Accessed 24 April 2012.
72. van Deventer E, van Rongen E, Saunders R. WHO research agenda for radiofrequency fields. Bioelectromagnetics 32: 417Y421; 2011.
73. Vecchia P, Matthes R, Ziegelberger G, Lin J, Saunders R, Swerdlow A. Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields, biological effects and health consequences (100 kHzY 300 GHz). Oberschleissheim: International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection; 2009.
74. Verloock L, Joseph W, Vermeeren G, Martens L. Procedure for Assessment of General Public Exposure from Wlan in Offices and in Wireless Sensor Network Testbed. Health Phys 98: 628Y638; 2010.
75. Verschaeve L. Evaluations of international expert group reports on the biological effects of radiofrequency fields. In: Eksims A, ed. Wireless communications and networksVrecent advances. New York: InTech; 2012: 523Y546.
76. Viel JF, Clerc S, Barrera C, Rymzhanova R, Moissonnier M, Hours M, Cardis E. Residential exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile phone base stations, and broadcast transmitters: a population-based survey with personal meter. Occup Environ Med 66:550Y556; 2009a.
77. Viel J, Cardis E, Moissonnier M, de Seze R, Hours M. Radiofrequency exposure in the French general population: Band, time, location and activity variability. Environ Int 35: 1150Y1154; 2009b.
78. Witthö ft M, Rubin GJ. Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF). J Psychosom Res 74: 206Y212; 2013.
79. World Health Organization. Radio frequency (RF) fields research agenda, Geneva Switzerland Eonline. 2010. Available at www.who.int/peh-emf/research/rf- research-agenda-2006.pdf. Accessed.
80. Wu T, Hadjem A, Wong MF, Gati A, Picon O, Wiart J. Wholebody new-born and young rats' exposure assessment in a reverberating chamber operating at 2.4 GHz. Phys Med Biol 55:1619Y1630; 2010.