Radiofrequency Energy, Biological Effects of
Kenneth R. Foster,
Kenneth R. Foster
University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Search for more papers by this authorKenneth R. Foster,
Kenneth R. Foster
University of Pennsylvania, Department of Bioengineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 14 April 2006
Abstract
This chapter reviews the interaction of radiofrequency (RF) energy with tissue, including mechanisms of interaction, principles of exposure assessment, and known or reported biological effects. Major therapeutic effects and potential hazards of RF energy are described, together with the basis for major exposure limits. Major areas of controversy about biological effects of radiofrequency energy are reviewed. A supplemental reading guide includes links to expert panel reports on health effects of RF energy.
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Further Reading
- C. Polk and E. Postow, eds., Handbook of Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1996 (A collection of review chapters including biological effects of RF energy, dosimetry, and electrical properties of tissue).
- S. M. Michaelson and J. C. Lin, Biological Effects and Health Implications of Radiofrequency Radiation, New York: Plenum Press, 1987 (a now-dated review, but with extensive discussion of earlier literature).
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- O. P. Gandhi, ed., Biological Effects and Medical Applications of Electromagnetic Energy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1990 (several excellent review articles on bioeffects, dosimetry, medical applications of RF energy).
- An entire issue of the journal Bioelectromagnetics appeared in 2003 (Volume 24, Supplement 6) with 12 reviews of biological effects of RF fields covering a wide variety of subject areas.
- J. D. Boice and J. K. McLaughlin, Epidemiological studies of cellular telephones and cancer risk—a review. Stockholm, Swedish Radiation Protection Authority, 2002. Available: http://www.ssi.se/ssi_rapporter/pdf/ssi_rapp_2002_16.pdf.
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- Health Council of the Netherlands, Mobile telephones; an evaluation of health effects. The Hague, the Netherlands: Health Council of the Netherlands, 2002. Available: http://www.gr.nl/pdf.php?ID=886.
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- New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. (2000). National Guidelines for Managing the Effects of Radiofrequency Transmitters (online). Available: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/radio-freq-guidelines-dec00.pdf.
- The Royal Society of Canada. (1999). A Review of the Potential Health Risks of Radiofrequency Fields from Wireless Telecommunication Devices (online). Available: http://www.rsc.ca/english/RFreport.html.
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- Zmirou. (2001). Report to the French Health General Directorate (online). Available: http://www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/dossiers/telephon_mobil/teleph_uk.htm.
Internet Sites
Bioelectromagnetics Society, the major professional society concerned with studies of possible health and safety issues related to RF energy http://bioelectromagnetics.org.
FAQ sheets related to electromagnetic fields and health by John Moulder at The Medical College of Wisconsin offers comprehensive and up-to-date reviews about mobile phones and health and other issues www.mcw.edu/gcrc/cop/cell-phone-health-faq/toc.html.
IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) prepares “technical information statements” on issues related to health and safety of electromagnetic fields. http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/embs/comar/.
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is an international agency that establishes exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields http://www.icnirp.de.
World Health Organization EMF Project offers an extensive array of information including “fact sheets: about health and safety issues related to RF energy, comparison of international exposure limits http://www.who.int/peh-emf/.
