In their 2014study, Vijayalaxmi and Scarfi focused on the biological and health impacts ofradiofrequency (RF) fields with special emphasis on the potential risk ofcancer. With more people adopting wireless technology, these concerns over thehealth issues likely caused by RF fields from such devices as mobile phones,Wi-Fi routers, and other wireless communication technologies also grew. Intheir study, Scarfi and Vijayalaxmi sought to alleviate those concerns byreviewing the available literature and explaining the biological impact of RFfields, including the risk of RF fields for carcinogenic processes.
Radiofrequency Fields: Definition and Characteristics
Radiofrequencyfields make up a portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum and are aform of non-ionizing radiation in the frequency range 3 kHz-300GHz. Such fieldsare, inter alia, generated by mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, microwaveovens, and television transmitters. Unlike ionizing radiation (for example,X-rays), radiofrequency fields are not energetic enough to ionize atoms andbreak chemical bonds or damage DNA directly. However, this increased use andsaturation of devices emitting RF fields has created the debate on thepotential long-term health effects and adverse outcomes such as cancer.
Vijayalaxmi and Scarfi (2014) Findings in a Nutshell
The paper byVijayalaxmi and MR Scarfi on the health effects of RF fields contains aconsiderable detail both on epidemiological as well as experimental studies.Their findings were relevant to the still ongoing discussion as to whether RFradiation, if present for prolonged periods, increases the risk of developingcertain types of cancers like the brain ones.
1. Epidemiological Evidence
Vijayalaxmiand Scarfi consulted a number of epidemiological investigations that sought tofind out whether, among other things, exposure to radio frequencies resulted incancer. The most frequently investigated of such conditions was that of braincancer, especially gliomas and acoustic neuromas, since such tumors grow inregions of the brain that are most RF-field affected by mobile phones. Althoughsome studies showed that the risk rate of getting brain cancer increased forheavy mobile phone users, almost all the epidemiological information was unableto support such a correlation to sustain the strong association.
However, theresearchers pointed out that the inconsistencies in the data are attributed toother factors including the nature of the assessment that was conducted, thedesign of the study and the length of treatment. However, the modestlyincreased risk of developing brain cancer among those who are habitual andheavy users of mobile phones for several years can be fully ignored.
2. Experimental Studies and Biological Mechanisms
Along withepidemiological data revision, Vijayalaxmi and Scarfi also took into accountsome of the experiments which aimed at the biological effects of RF fields oncells and animal models as well. Such studies offered some suggestions as tothe possible ways by which RF exposure may be related to the development ofcancer tumors:
· Oxidative Stress:In some studies RF exposure has been shown to lead to increased reactive oxygenspecies (ROS) production. Since ROS are capable of causing damage to biologicalmolecules including DNA, lipids, and proteins, then over a period of time, theaccumulation of such damage may influence the development of cancer throughstimulating the occurrence of mutations and abnormal proliferation of cells.
· Heat Generation:The generation of heat has been described as the most recognized biologicaleffect of RF frequency exposure, especially at high frequencies and powerlevel. Nevertheless, the amount of RF exposure from the routine use of wirelessdevices such as cell phones is not quite adequate to produce any heatingeffects. NON-thermal factors such as oxidative stress or the effects on variouscell signaling pathways are what these researchers think to be the cause of anycancerous effect that could arise.
· DNA Repair and Gene Expression: Some of the studies which were reviewed by Vijayalaxmi and Scarfishowed that exposure to RF electromagnetic energy could also modify some geneexpression dynamics and components of cellular crosslink repair. Suchalterations would tend to favour the accumulation of mutations and could fostercarcinogenesis.
3. Mobile Telephone Use Pattern and its association with cancerminimally invasive technics of impact
Anotheraspect of the mobile phone study which was quite important was the possibleexposure to mobile phone radiation and risk of cancer and particularly braintumors seen in frequent users. Relatively mobile phones are one of the mostoften used devices emitting RF radiation and therefore questions have arisenwhether such devices, if used often, could have a negative effect on one’shealth, namely, could one develop a tumor in the brain. As the epidemiologicalstudies could not strongly suggest a conclusion it was felt that there might besome correlation between chronic severe usage of mobile phones and developinggliomas and acoustic neuromas.
However, theyadded that the evidence from the studies was not strong enough to conclude thatone factor caused the other. They stressed the importance of carryon doingresearch, especially of prolonged cohort type studies where realistic exposureto RF is registered, in order to clarify the health effects.
Public Health Aspects
Vijayalaxmiand Scarfi’s study in 2014, however, contributed to the understanding of thehealth effects of RF exposure, including the risk of cancer. And althoughcausation between RF exposure and cancer was not obtained, the authors arguedfor further investigation and protective actions to be taken.
1. Precautionary Measures: Because of the uncertainty that still exists in the presentcontext, the investigators suggested several precautionary measures againstmobile phone radiation that include more hands-free mobile use, reducing headexposure by using hands-free devices, and limiting the mobile phone usage time.
2. Future Research:These incorporated voice over the Internet protocols significantly higherintegration of wireless technologies into daily life,” write Vijayalaxmi andScarfi, “gives the need for comprehensive long-term epidemiological studies toevaluate the cancer risk posed by RF radiation. Further research is also neededto explain the biological pathways by which RF signals could promote cancer.
Conclusion
Vijayalaxmiand MR Scarfi 2014 emphasized the biological and health impacts ofradiofrequency fields, especially in relation to cancer risk. Although data didnot explicitly prove RF exposure and elevated cancer risk, a concern concerningthe possibility of long-term health repercussions immediately comes to mind forheavy mobile phone users. Since the world’s dependence on wireless technologieskeeps on increasing, looking into potential health hazards associated with RFexposure is an important direction for further studies.
