Methodology of Studying Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on Organisms: Technical Aspects
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Types of Studies of Biological Effects
1.1.1. Laboratory Studies In Vivo
1.1.2. Recent Large In Vivo Studies
1.1.3. Laboratory Studies In Vitro
2. Experiments Investigating the Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation on Cells and DNA
2.1. Experimental Settings
- Method
- Cells
- Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR)
- Frequency
- Other parameters of the radiation
- Sources of radiation
2.2. Dosimetry
- Time of active use of the phone
- Using of speaker mode or hands-free device
- Distance and visibility of the nearest mobile phone tower
- The amount of mobile phone traffic in a certain place and time
- The model of mobile phone
2.3. Evaluated Parameters
3. Main Technical Aspects of Laboratory Experiments
Development of Mobile Phone Technologies (Radiofrequency Sources)
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Informed Consent Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Parameter | Details that Need to Be Set Observed, Indicated and Described |
---|---|
Working place | 1. Sample settings (placement, conditions, etc.) 2. Device setup (i.e., placement of devices with respect to the tested samples (animals or cells), use electrically non-conductive holders and cages, distance definition) 3. Scheme/block diagram |
Conditions and treatment | 1. Overall conditions (e.g., housing, temperature, light) 2. Treatment (e.g., feeding) of the exposed cells or live animals [40]) |
Details of RF radiation | 1. Mobile technology (3G, 4G, 5G, etc., 3GPP Release number) 2. Source of radiation (signal generator, SDR) 3. Details of signal (frequency, signal shape, intensity, modulation, antennas, reflection/absorption components) 4. Mode of mobile phone operation (avoid standby mode, i.e., calling mode, transmission (communication) mode) 5. Comparison with allowable limits (e.g., FCC [25] limits for Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE), ICNIRP [1] basic restrictions/reference levels, limits for controlled/uncontrolled environment/exposure, reference level for incident power density 40 Wm−2 for 2–6 GHz, etc.) |
Specific dosimetry and SAR (or absorbed power density) evaluation | 1. SAR setting and evaluation (below 6 GHz), using values 0.08 and 0.4 (whole body average), or 2, 4, 10, and 20 (local) Wkg−1 (exposure scenario, frequency range) 2. Absorbed Power Density evaluation (above 6 GHz), using values 20, 100 Wm−2 [1] 3. Comparison with allowable limits (e.g., SAR 1.6 W/kg [25]) |
Time of exposure | 1. Duration of in vitro experiments typically up to 24 h 2. Duration of in vivo studies on animals usually days to, ideally, years. Intermittent exposure can be used 3. Cumulative exposure consideration [43] |
Type of samples | 1. Type of cells or animals 2. Exact specification, source |
Sample size, groups of samples | 1. Number of samples (i.e., large enough to provide statistically significant results), taking into account the type of samples and evaluated endpoints 2. Comparison with an unexposed or sham-exposed group [21] |
Specific parameters of genotoxicity and DNA damage evaluation | 1. Using more genotoxic indices when the cell and DNA damage are evaluated 2. Detailed description of the evaluation methods 3. Description of the detection limit 4. All final analyses and evaluations should be performed blind |
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Bartosova, K.; Neruda, M.; Vojtech, L. Methodology of Studying Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on Organisms: Technical Aspects. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 12642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312642
Bartosova K, Neruda M, Vojtech L. Methodology of Studying Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on Organisms: Technical Aspects. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(23):12642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312642
Chicago/Turabian StyleBartosova, Katerina, Marek Neruda, and Lukas Vojtech. 2021. "Methodology of Studying Effects of Mobile Phone Radiation on Organisms: Technical Aspects" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 23: 12642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312642