Cell phones and the brain

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, July, 2002 by John D. MacArthur

During the past century, electricity has become the driving force of civilization, yet much mystery still surrounds this primal energy. We don't really know to what extent biological processes are being influenced by the electromagnetic fields that emanate from everything electrical -- especially the long term effects on our extraordinarily complex and sensitive brains.

The most immediate concern involves the safety of cellular (mobile) telephones. Conflicting studies and conflicts of interest have led to considerable controversy, but some progress toward a realistic analysis of cell phone safety was finally made with the publication of a major British report -- the most thorough yet undertaken.

Adopting an evidence-based approach, the government-appointed Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones conducted "a rigorous assessment of existing research." For eight months the panel of 12 scientists consulted widely and heard evidence from experts, members of the public, representatives of government, interest groups, and the industry. On May 11, 2000, the Expert Group presented its report on Mobile Phones and Health. (1) Key findings include:

"First, the balance of the evidence available does not suggest that RF [radiofrequency] radiation from mobile phones or base stations causes cancer or other disease. However, there is now evidence that effects on biological functions, including those of the brain, may be induced by RF radiation at levels comparable to those associated with the use of mobile phones. There is, as yet, no evidence that these biological effects constitute a health hazard but at present only limited data are available.

"We conclude therefore that it is not possible at present to say that exposure to RF radiation, even at levels below national guidelines, is totally without potential adverse health effects.

"We recommend that a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available.... These should include the following: effects on brain function, consequences of exposures to pulsed signals,...the possible impact on health of sub-cellular and cellular changes induced by RF radiation....

"Children may be more vulnerable because of their developing nervous system, the greater absorption of energy in the tissues of the head, and a longer lifetime of exposure.... We believe that the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged."

Cellular Safety

In order to establish a basis for any discussion about the health effects of electromagnetic fields, especially those produced by cell phones, this comprehensive report explores fundamental information about how electricity is known to affect biological processes at the cellular level. Evidence is reviewed here showing that electromagnetic fields can increase free radicals, activate the stress response, and alter enzyme reactions.

Important new findings about the electrical nature of the brain and DNA are discussed. Also mentioned are several recent studies that may represent pieces to the neurodegeneration puzzle.

Current safety guidelines for cell phones assume no harmful effects as long as the microwave radiation they emit does not cause heating of body tissue. Exposure limits are intended to protect us only from excessive temperatures caused by absorption of energy -- a known danger linked to the intensity of radiofrequency microwaves.

But intensity and temperature are not the only considerations. Living cells also respond in non-thermal ways to the low frequency magnetic fields produced by cell phones. Consequently, bioeffects can occur at intensities well below the established safety threshold. Much of the new research is now focusing on these subtler cellular effects.

How Electricity Affects Biology

Electromagnetic Fields and Free Radicals

The mechanism by which an external electromagnetic field (EMF) interacts with an internal biological process is thought to be through the action of free radicals. These are highly reactive atoms whose unpaired electrons initiate chemical chain reactions that damage cells.

At its most fundamental level, biology is physics. During all biochemical reactions, bonds between atoms are constantly breaking and reforming. The atoms in a chemical bond share a pair of electrons whose opposite spins create a magnetic attraction. When a chemical bond breaks, each atom reclaims its electron and briefly becomes a free radical -- until it pairs up with another atomic partner whose electron has an opposite spin.

The magnetic field component of an external EMF can delay this "recombination rate" of free radical pairs. In other words, magnetic fields cause radicals to stay free longer. Although measured in nanoseconds, this extra time gives them the potential to do more damage.

Ongoing research by a team of chemists at the University of Ottawa has shown that magnetic fields increase the average concentration of free radicals, lengthen their lifetime, and enhance the probability of radical reactions with cellular components. (2)