EMF and Health: state of the science Bernard Veyret University of Bordeaux, France of Bordeaux, France

Cairo, October 04 2 Outline 1.Introduction 2.Research ELF 3.Research RF 1.Mechanisms 2.Exposure systems 3.Laboratory studies 4.Epidemiology 4.Health risk assessment 5.Conclusion

Cairo, October 04 3 Electromagnetic spectrum ELFintermediateRF 900, 1800 MHz Mobile telephony mm static 50/60 Hz Transport of electricity

Cairo, October 04 4 Evaluation by ICNIRP Research 1- data from each study 2- specific health effect Scientific criteria Global evaluation Coherence of data Recommendations 1- advice 2- basic restriction 3- limit values

Cairo, October 04 5 Scientific approaches Context animal cells Foundations epidemiology human Biological models Dosimetry Biological effect ≠ Health effect

Cairo, October 04 6 ELF research Much less research activity than in RFMuch less research activity than in RF Dozens of epidemiological studies (mainly residential)Dozens of epidemiological studies (mainly residential) Association between exposure and childhood leukaemia (x 2 above 0.4 microteslas)Association between exposure and childhood leukaemia (x 2 above 0.4 microteslas) No initiation nor promotion of cancer in animalNo initiation nor promotion of cancer in animal Mechanisms well known above thresholdMechanisms well known above threshold Exposure limit in terms of current (A/m 2 )Exposure limit in terms of current (A/m 2 ) Classified as 2B (possible carcinogen) by IARCClassified as 2B (possible carcinogen) by IARC

Cairo, October 04 7 RF research and mobile telephony Thermal vs. Non-thermal effects A thermal effect is due to  T (or triggering of thermoregulation)A thermal effect is due to  T (or triggering of thermoregulation) Exposure to base stations is negligible (ca. 1/10000 of the limit)Exposure to base stations is negligible (ca. 1/10000 of the limit) Exposure to mobile telephones is close to the limit (ca. 1/10 of the limit)Exposure to mobile telephones is close to the limit (ca. 1/10 of the limit) Temperature elevation in the skin is minimal and < 0.1°C at the periphery of the brainTemperature elevation in the skin is minimal and < 0.1°C at the periphery of the brain

Cairo, October 04 8 Specific aborption rate (SAR) SAR is the metric for local or whole-body deposition of microwave powerSAR is the metric for local or whole-body deposition of microwave power SAR in W kg –1SAR in W kg –1 SAR = c ∆T / ∆tSAR = c ∆T / ∆t ICNIRP’s exposure guidelines: basic restriction – local exposure: 2 W kg –1 averaged over 10 g – whole-body exposure: 0.08 W kg –1

Cairo, October 04 9 T = f(SAR) SAR Temperature Hirata et al., IEEE Trans EMC 2003

Cairo, October Research activity 15 M€ / year worldwide15 M€ / year worldwide International programmesInternational programmes –EU (Interphone, Perform A&B, Reflex, Cemfec, Ramp, Guard, EMF-NET) –Other multicenter programmes National programmesNational programmes –Italy, UK, Finland, France, etc. –Japan –Australia IndustryIndustry –ARIB, MMF, GSMA,etc.

Cairo, October WHO database Cancer relevant or related Type of study CompletedOngoingTotal Epidemiological studies Standard bioassays8715 Sensitized in vivo studies13720 Acute in vivo studies23831 In vitro studies Total cancer studies

Cairo, October WHO database Non-cancer studies WHO database Non-cancer studies Type of study CompletedOngoingTotal Epidemiological studies10111 Human studies Acute in vivo studies In vitro studies15722 Total non-cancer studies

Cairo, October Mechanisms Threshold mechanism is assumed: thermal effects are well establishedThreshold mechanism is assumed: thermal effects are well established Heating is the only mechanism accepted so far but others are being investigatedHeating is the only mechanism accepted so far but others are being investigated

Cairo, October Exposure systems: in vitro Coplanar Waveguide system Shorted waveguide Wire patch antenna

Cairo, October Exposure systems: in vivo Loop antenna carousel Ferris’ wheel

Cairo, October Cellular studies Genotoxicity (DNA damage, SCE, MN, etc.)Genotoxicity (DNA damage, SCE, MN, etc.) ApoptosisApoptosis ProliferationProliferation TransformationTransformation Gene expressionGene expression Enzyme activity (ODC, NOS2, etc.)Enzyme activity (ODC, NOS2, etc.) Gap junctionsGap junctions Heat shock proteins (HSP)Heat shock proteins (HSP) No overall evidence of genotoxicity; Open questions: HSPs, role of genomics & proteomics?

Cairo, October Animal studies: cancer Long-term bioassaysLong-term bioassays –8 published studies : negative –2 ongoing studies –1 planned study Promotion studiesPromotion studies –10 published studies All negative but that of Repacholi et al. 97 –8 studies ongoing (incl. replications) Generally no effects observed

Cairo, October Animal studies: non-cancer BehaviourBehaviour –perception, work stoppage, endurance, activity, learning and memory, performance –Evidence of effects at SAR above 4 W kg –1 (whole- body) Reproduction and developmentReproduction and development –very few studies related to mobile telephony Blood-brain-barrier (BBB), hearing, skin, immune systemBlood-brain-barrier (BBB), hearing, skin, immune system All positive effects seem to be related to temperature increase

Cairo, October Human studies CNSCNS –Sleep/EEG –Cognitive and behavioural functions (memory, task performance, reaction times, etc.) Cardiovascular systemCardiovascular system –heart rate, –arterial pressure,etc. HearingHearing HypersensitivityHypersensitivity Inconsistent data. No conclusive evidence of effects

Cairo, October Epidemiological studies Mainly on cancerMainly on cancer Mainly on mobile telephonesMainly on mobile telephones 8 published studies: negative but not informative (exposure assessment, statistical power,lag period, etc.)8 published studies: negative but not informative (exposure assessment, statistical power,lag period, etc.) Interphone (13 countries), coordinated by IARC:Interphone (13 countries), coordinated by IARC: –tumours of head and neck –one paper already published, more to come –conclusion by the end of 2005?

Cairo, October Health risk assessment ICNIRP had a statement on mobile telephony in 1996ICNIRP had a statement on mobile telephony in 1996 WHO has reviewed the science on RF and health and issued research recommendations in June 2003WHO has reviewed the science on RF and health and issued research recommendations in June 2003 The main conclusion from these reviews and others is that EMF exposures below the limits recommended by ICNIRP guidelines do not appear to have any known impact on healthThe main conclusion from these reviews and others is that EMF exposures below the limits recommended by ICNIRP guidelines do not appear to have any known impact on health

Cairo, October Health risk assessment (cont.) However, there are still some key gaps in knowledge requiring further research to provide definitive health risk assessmentsHowever, there are still some key gaps in knowledge requiring further research to provide definitive health risk assessments IARC will issue a cancer classification of RFR in 2005 and WHO and ICNIRP’s evaluations on RFR and health are due in 2006.IARC will issue a cancer classification of RFR in 2005 and WHO and ICNIRP’s evaluations on RFR and health are due in 2006.

Cairo, October Conclusion Major research activityMajor research activity Many national and international expert-group reports publishedMany national and international expert-group reports published Weight of scientific evidence today does not support health concerns or indicate any health risks from mobile phones in normal useWeight of scientific evidence today does not support health concerns or indicate any health risks from mobile phones in normal use Usage will change and exposure of the head will tend to decreaseUsage will change and exposure of the head will tend to decrease Open questions include a potential greater sensitivity of childrenOpen questions include a potential greater sensitivity of children