Abstract collection

Bioelectromagnetics Society
Annual Meeting, June 9-16, 2000.
Mnchen, Germany
NOTICE: The data and conclusions presented in
these abstracts from the Twenty-Second Annual
Scientific Meeting may not present completed
work nor were they formally peer-reviewed for
technical content.
Individuals wishing to reference or quote from
these abstracts in whole or part should obtain the
author's permission. Abstracts were optically
scanned and then edited for entry into this
compilation. But since the process is not perfect,
errors may have been introduced, for which we
apologize.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM ABSTRACTS

BEMS 2000: PLENARY SESSION I
The impact of genome research and transgenic
techniques on the society. Urban Lendahl, Chair
THE IMPACT OF GENOME RESEARCH AND TRANSGENIC TECHNIQUES ON THE
SOCIETY. Prof Urban Lendahl, Dept of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, PO Box 285, S17177 Stockholm, SWEDEN
Within this year, several truly great steps in our understanding of biological processes will be taken by
scientists engaged in genome research. The undertaking of sequencing entire genomes brought biology into
the category of big science during the nineties. After completion of sequencing e.g. viral, bacterial, and
nematode genomes, we soon will be able to get corresponding information regarding the genetic material of
the fruit fly Drosophila and of ourselves. In parallel, the techniques of obtaining transgenic organisms, i.e.
organisms where parts of the genetic make-up has been complemented with genes from other organisms,
have been refined and are now providing us with tools whereby we to some extent can change the properties
of individual organisms. The biological background and possible implications of these advancements will be
discussed during this lecture.

PLENARY SESSION II
EMF Fourier analysis with applications to exposure
assessment Joe Bowman, Chair
EMF FOURIER ANALYSIS WITH APPLICATIONS TO EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT -- A
TUTORIAL. J.D. Bowman. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
45215, USA.
This tutorial introduces EMF researchers to Fourier analysis and other mathematical methods for assessing
exposures from three-dimensional waveform data. Miniaturized wave capture instruments such as the
Multiwave System (Electric Research and Management, USA) and the EMDEX WaveCorder (Enertech
Consultants, USA) now enable health researchers to measure exposures to a wide array of physical EMF
characteristics (frequency spectrum, polarization, total harmonic distortion, etc.) and exposure metrics based
on biophysical models (induced body currents, ion parametric resonance metric, etc.). Techniques for
measuring and calculating these exposure characteristics will be introduced with an emphasis on the
physical concepts and assumptions behind the mathematics. Examples will come from magnetic field
waveforms measured in workplaces (Figure). Topics to be covered are Fourier series for vector data, Fast
Fourier Transforms (FFT), measurement configurations, physical EMF characteristics, biologically-based
exposure metrics, and time-domain methods for calculating these metrics. To calculate biologic metrics for
complex environmental waveforms sometimes requires solving the original differential equations of the
biophysical model (e.g. the combination of Faraday's and Ohm's Laws for induced body currents). The
tutorial will outline several approaches to solving these differential equations with measured waveform or
FFT data, and discuss the biophysical and mathematical assumptions behind these methods. Depending on
the audience's interests, the tutorial will also consider a few advanced topics such as correcting FFT artifacts
resulting from probe motion, digital filters, noise reduction, and adaptive window selection for nonharmonic frequencies. In order to better target the tutorial to the audience, participants may send a list of
topics they would like discussed and other background information to Dr. Bowman at JDB0@CDC.GOV.
1

B-Field
(uT)

B-Field
(uT)

Z Axis

30.0

15.0

15.00

0.0

10.00

-15.0

5.00

-30.0
0.00

ELF Frequency Spectrum

20.00

8.33

16.67

25.00

33.33

0.00
0

Time (ms)

360

720

1080

1440

1800

Frequency (Hz)

SESSION 1: GENOTOXICITY
Co-chairs: Myrtill Simko/Ann Henderson
1-1
EVALUATION OF GENOTOXIC EFFECTS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN L929 CELL LINE
EXPOSED TO 50 Hz MAGNETIC FIELDS. F. Salvemini*, O. Zeni *1, M.V. Ursini**, F. Petrucci* and
M.R. Scarfi*1. 1 ICEmB, * Italian National Research Council, IRECE, Via Diocleziano, 328-80124 Naples,
Italy. ** Italian National Research Council, IIGB, Naples, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Due to widespread use of electromagnetic sources in industry, medicine and every day life, a
great concern exists in biological effects of such non ionizing radiation. The aim of this study is to
investigate in L929 cell line the effects of a 50 Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field, both in terms of
genotoxicity and oxidative stress, by means of cytokinesis block micronucleus (MN) assay and evaluation
of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity respectively. Cell kinetics was also evaluated by
means of the cytokinesis block proliferation index (CBPI).
METHODS: Cell cultures: 3x105 cells were plated in Falcon plastic flasks containing DMEM (Dulbeccos
Modified Eagle Medium) supplemented with 10% FCS, 2mM L-Glutamine, 5 g/ml penicillin/streptomycin
and growth in a CO2 incubator. MF exposure: samples were exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field, 10
mT field intensity in absence of CO2. In the case of MN induction, cells were exposed at the start of culture
period; two different exposure times, 0.5 and 1 hour, were tested. In the case of G6PD assay, 16 hours after
culture initiation cells were exposed for 1 and 3 hours, then replaced in a CO2 incubator for 2 hours.
Cytokinesis block MN assay: In order to block cytokinesis and visualize MN, 26 hours after culture
initiation, Cytochalasin-B (Cyt-B) was added to give a final concentration of 6 g/ml. At the end of culture
period, cells were harvested, slides prepared and scored at 1000X magnification. MN frequency was
evaluated as the ratio between CB cells presenting MN and the total number of CB cells scored. CBPI was
calculated by scoring the number of cells with 1, 2 or more nuclei in 500 cells as previously described
(Surralles et al., Mut. Res., 341, 169-185, 1995). G6PD activity: in order to evaluate oxidative stress, G6PD
activity was measured as previously described (Salvemini F. et al., J. of Biol. Chem., 274, 2750-2757,
1999). Briefly cells were harvested, lysed and G6PD activity was measured spectrophotometrically by
determining the rate of production of NADPH.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results here reported seems to indicate that 50 Hz
sinusoidal magnetic field doesnt affect neither MN formation nor G6PD activity. In contrast a slight
increase in CBPI was found in exposed cultures respect to unexposed ones confirming our previous results
on human lymphocytes (Scarf M.R. et al., Health Physics, 76, 244-250, 1999).

1-2
EFFECTS OF EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON CHROMOSOMAL
ABERRATIONS. H. Yaguchi1*, M. Yoshida1*, G.R. Ding2*, A. Fujimori1*, J. Miyakoshi1. 1Department
of Radiation Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-Ku,
Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. 2Department of Radiation Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University,
Xi'an, 710032, China.
OBJECTIVE: We previously reported (H Yaguchi et al. Mutat. Res. 440:189-194, 1999) that the frequency
of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in cultured mouse m5S cells was significantly increased by exposure to
extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF; 400 mT, 50 Hz). Chromosomal aberration is one of the
established biomarkers of exposure for mutagens or carcinogens as well as SCEs. The objective of this
study is to examine the level of chromosomal aberrations induced by high-density ELFMF exposures in
m5S cells.
METHOD: m5S cells, established from mouse embryonic skin, were continuously exposed to ELFMFs (5
mT, 50 mT at 60 Hz and 400 mT at 50 Hz) for 40 h, with the last 24 h in the presence of colcemid
(0.1g/ml; Gibco). As the unexposed controls, cells were incubated for the same period in a conventional
CO2 incubator. In addition, to examine effects of ELFMF exposure on carcinogen-induced chromosomal
aberrations, the cells in G1 phase were treated with mitomycin-C (MMC; 1M, 1h) or X-ray (3 Gy) and
then exposed to ELFMFs for 40 h. Chromosome preparations were performed according to the standard airdrying method and stained with 3% Giemsa (pH 6.4). For each culture, a minimum of 100 cells was
examined for the types and frequencies of chromosomal aberrations. The scoring criteria were essentially
the same as those of ISCN (1985). Cell kinetics were assessed with DNA flow cytometry and the mitotic
index.
RESULTS: Chromosomal aberration analysis (1) ELFMF exposure alone. The cells exposed to
ELFMF alone showed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, especially
chromatid-type aberrations. (2) ELFMF exposure after treatment with MMC or X-ray. ELFMF
enhanced the formation of MMC- and X-ray- induced chromosomal aberrations in proportion to magnetic
density. Because MMC is S phase-dependent, it produced chromatid-type aberrations, but did not produce
efficiently chromosome-type aberrations in the first metaphases after the treatment. The cells treated with
MMC plus ELFMF (400 mT) had a 3-fold higher level of chromatid-type aberrations than cells treated with
MMC alone. On the other hand, ionizing radiation, which is an S-independent agent, produced
predominately chromosome-type aberrations. ELFMF enhanced X-ray-induced chromosome-type
aberrations, but not in magnetic flux-dependent manner. In contrast, the cells treated with ELFMF and Xray exhibited a flux-dependent increase in chromatid-type aberrations, although this type was not efficiently
induced in the cells treated with X-ray alone. Cell kinetics. Mitotic index and flow-cytometry analyses
demonstrated that ELFMF-exposed cells showed a prolonged S or G2 arrest induced by MMC or X-ray.
DISCUSSION. In this study, we found that exposure to ELFMF increased the levels of spontaneous and
carcinogen-induced chromatid-type aberrations of m5S cells. It has been considered that ELFMF does not
cause DNA strand breaks directly. Our results suggest that exposure to high-density ELFMF may affect the
DNA synthetic and postreplication repair processes, resulting in an enhancement of spontaneous and
carcinogen-induced chromatid aberrations.
This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture,
Japan.

1-3
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS IN PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTES OF TRAIN ENGINE
DRIVERS. I. Nordenson1, K. Hansson Mild1, H. Norppa*2, H. Jrventaus*2, A. Hirvonen*2, M.
Sandstrm1, J. Wiln1, N. Blix*1. 1National Institute for Working Life, Ume, Sweden. 2Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Cytogenetic surveillance of groups of individuals is justified if they in their work environment are exposed
to potential carcinogens and/or mutagens. An increased level of chromosomal breakage has been suspected
to be one of the pathways in carcinogenesis. An increased risk of cancer morbidity among Swedish railway
employees and an increased risk of chronic lymphatic leukemia in train engine drivers have been reported.
The drivers are exposed to relatively high magnetic fields, ranging from a few to over a hundred T, and
mean values for the working hours are in the range 2-15 T. In vitro experiments have shown that MF
exposure may cause chromosomal aberrations and recent reports support the hypothesis that increased
chromosome damage is a relevant marker of future cancer risk. To see if MF exposure has a genotoxic
effect we did a pilot study on 18 nonsmoking male engine drivers, and a significant difference was found in
the number of cells with chromosome-type aberrations between drivers and a control group of dispatcher
(group II) and one consisting of office workers (group III). The study has now been repeated using a larger
group of exposed men. Now we report the results from the pilot study and from the follow-up study on 30
engine drivers and 30 referent individuals.
METHODS: The local occupational health units took the blood samples by venipuncture immediately after
the work shift. From each sample two cultures were established within 24 hours. In the pilot study all
slides were analyzed in Ume, Sweden. In the follow-up study half of the slides from each subject were
sent to a laboratory in Helsinki, Finland, and the remaining were used for analysis in Ume. The scoring of
chromosomal aberrations was done according to ISCN (1985).
RESULTS: In the pilot study the mean rate of cells with aberrations (gaps included or excluded) was higher
among the engine drivers compared with the reference groups. The difference was statistically significant in
comparison with the office workers (group III). The engine drivers had about four times as many cells with
chromatid breaks as group III (p<0.01) and cells with chromosome breaks as group II and III (p<0.05). In
the follow-up study engine drivers had more cells with chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks and
exchanges than the policemen, but the differences were statistically significant only for chromosome
exchanges (p < 0.05). Of the 18 engine drivers in the pilot study, 14 (78%) showed at least one cell per
hundred with chromosome-type aberration compared with two of seven (29%) in group II and five of
sixteen (31%) in group III. Thus, the aberrations were more frequent among the engine drivers and the
differences are statistically significant in comparison with the two other groups. Very small discrepancies
were seen in the distribution of aberrations in the second study between engine drivers and policemen with
the exception of chromosome type breaks; 18 engine drivers (60%) had two or more chromosome type
aberrations among the analyzed cells compared to nine (30%) of the policemen, and the corresponding
number for three or more was 10 drivers and 4 policemen.
DISCUSSION: Both studies showed a significant increase in the number of cells with chromosome
aberrations among the engine drivers in comparison with respective reference group(s). The pilot study was
based on few individuals and only seven non-exposed dispatchers, which made the interpretations uncertain.
The result of the second study, however, supports the hypothesis that exposure to EMF at these intensities
may induce DNA damage.

1-4
EXPOSURE TO LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS LEADS TO
CHROMOSOMAL-INSTABILITY COUPLED WITH MODIFICATION IN THE REPLICATION
MODE OF CENTROMERIC DNA - A PHENOMENON CHARACTERIZING MALIGNANCY. M.
Mashevich1, A. Korenstein1, A. Barbul2, L. Avivi1 and R. Korenstein2. 1Department of Human Genetics &
Molecular Medicine and 2Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, TelAviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
OBJECTIVE: The question whether exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), produced by
electrical equipment found in the modern surroundings of man, is a factor associated with increased
malignancy risks is now under intensive debate. The aim of the present study was to examine (i) whether
human cells exposed to EMF display losses and gains of chromosomes (aneuploidy), a phenomenon highly
associated with the cancerous phenotype; and (ii) whether exposure to EMF affects components associated
with chromosomal segregation.
METHOD: Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we analyzed the consequences of being exposed to
EMF, in vivo as well as in vitro, by analyzing both, frequency of losses and gains of two chromosomes (10
and 17) and the temporal order of replication of homologous DNA sequences associated with human
centromeres of the very same chromosomes. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) derived from 21 males
occupationally exposed to EMF and 15 samples obtained from a group of control males were used for the
study. Each sample was analyzed prior to and following in vitro exposure to EMF performed using a home
made set-up based on two Helmholtz coils (each of the coils possessed 150 windings, 176mm in diameter,
distanced at 105mm from each other with a total inductance of 11.5 mH and connected directly to a high
power pulse generator delivering a train of square unipolar pulses of 30 s duration at a frequency of 50 Hz.
The exposure system yielded a peak value of 2.8 mT (equivalent to rms of 32 T)).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the control samples the level of chromosome losses and gains for each
chromosome was significantly lower (P<10-4) when compared to the corresponding values obtained in the
samples derived from the occupationally exposed individuals. Moreover, in each sample for each
chromosome studied the frequency of losses and gains significantly increased (P<10-4) following in vitro
exposure. The increased levels of aneuploidy associated with the in vivo exposure to EMF as well as with
the in vitro exposure, were accompanied by modification in the replication timing of homologous
centromere-specific -satellite DNA sequences. PBL of patients suffering from hematological
malignancies displayed chromosomal instability coupled with modification in the replication mode of
centromeric DNA, similar to that observed in the PBL exposed to EMF. These findings suggest that the
EMF insult interferes with the temporal order of DNA replication, a process known to be highly associated
with DNA functioning and gene expression. Thus, our results strongly support the view that EMF provides
an environmental factor that increases the risk for genomic destabilization leading to cancer.

1-5
THE EFFECT OF EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON TELOMERASE
ACTIVITY. A. Fujimori*1, G.R. Ding*2, M. Yoshida*1, H. Yagachi*1 and J. Miyakoshi1. 1Department of
Radiation Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 6068501, Japan. 2Department of Radiation Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032,
China.
OBJECTIVE: Extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF) of 50-60 Hz is generated from a variety
of sources such as power distribution networks, industrial machinery, and common household electric
appliances. Because of the recent increase in the exposure of humans to ELFMF, there is concern about
possible carcinogenic effects. Telomere is a structure including the telomeric DNA repeats (TTAGGG)n
protecting the ends of chromosomes, preventing chromosome fusion, and facilitating chromosome
5

segregation. Telomeres are maintained in the germ line but shorten with age in most of somatic cells,
however, most cancer cells and immortal cell lines commonly demonstrate telomerase activity. Recent
studies show more evidences that telomere maintenance plays a role in the genomic instability. We,
therefore, examined if the telomerase activity can be affected by ELFMF in mammalian cells.
METHOD: CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary) cells line were maintained in Ham F-12 with 10% fetal calf
serum at 37C with 5.0% CO2. Cells (5 x 105/plate) were plated in 10-cm culture dishes and were allowed
to grow under ELFMF (sham, 5 mT, 50 mT, and 400 mT). After a period of 24 h, the cells were harvested
and the telomerase activity was evaluated by using a telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). The
PCR-amplified DNA ladder was quantified by using NIH image (ver. 1.62). The value was normalized by
the amount of each internal standard band. In another experiment, the cells were exposed to the ELFMF
under the same condition above after X-ray (8 Gy) irradiation with a dose rate of approximately 1.2 Gy/min
at 150 kVp and 20 mA equipped with a filter of 0.5 mm Al and 0.5 mm Cu.
RESULTS: The CHO-K1 cells exponentially grew without any difference in their growth rates under the
different density of ELFMF (0 - 400 mT). Exposure to the ELFMF was appeared to slightly decrease the
telomerase activity depending on the increasing intensity of the ELFMF. This effect seemed quite marginal,
however, it showed a good contrast to the effect of X-rays, which could increase the telomerase activity by
2.6-fold in the CHO-K1 cells. We further investigated the telomerase activity in the cells exposed to the
ELFMF for 24 h after irradiation, however, we could not obtain any evidence supporting an idea that the
ELFMF exposure can alter the X-ray-induced activation of telomerase activity.
DISCUSSION: This is the first study that attempts to assess the effect of magnetic fields on telomerase
activity. Our preliminary results demonstrated a possible inhibitory effect of ELFMF on the telomerase
activity, implying that the electromagnetic fields with greater duration and intensity could increase genetic
instability, which generally correlates with reduced telomerase activity.
This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and
Culture, Japan.

1-6
EVALUATION OF GENOTOXIC EFFECTS IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES EXPOSED TO
MODULATED RADIATION IN THE 1800 MHz BAND. *G. dAmbrosio 1,2, *R. Massa1,2, *M.R.
Scarf1,3, *O. Zeni1,3. 1ICEmB, Italy; 2Dip. di Ingegneria Elettronica e delle Telecomunicazioni, Univ. di
Napoli Federico II, via Claudio, 80125 Napoli, Italy; 3IRECE-CNR, via Diocleziano, 80124 Napoli, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Recently we have reported results concerning the genotoxic effects induced in human
peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures exposed to a frequency used by GSM 1800 and DCS 1800 mobile
communication system (dAmbrosio et al., 4th EBEA Congress, 1998). The results obtained after exposure
to both continuous wave (CW) and frequency modulated (by Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying, GMSK)
showed an unchanged cell cycle progression in comparison with controls; the MN frequency resulted
unchanged in CW exposed cultures, but in samples exposed to frequency modulated field a statistically
significant increase was found. Following the above results we have extended the experiments by adding
TDMA amplitude modulation in order to compare the effects of the full GSM 1800 signal to those, if any,
of the unmodulated radiation (CW, same frequency and power).
METHOD: Human peripheral blood samples from healthy donors were employed. For each subject and
for each experiment three cultures were set up following standard methods: an unexposed culture, a culture
exposed to unmodulated (CW) field, and a culture exposed to frequency (GMSK) plus amplitude (TDMA)
modulated field. The unexposed cultures were kept at 37C and used as a control. The signal source Rohde
Shwarz SM03 was employed in order to simulate a GSM 1800 signal; a WR430 waveguide exposure
chamber (110 mm x 55 mm x 400 mm) was used; it was terminated at both ends by waveguide-coax
adapters. The chamber was termostated and was kept in such a way that electric field was horizontal, i.e.
parallel to the liquid slab (10 ml culture). Measurement of incident, reflected, and transmitted power was
6

provided. Calorimetric measurements on a dummy culture served to evaluate the SAR uniformity. The
exposures were carried out in CW or in modulated wave (GMSK+TDMA), for 15 min and at different SAR
levels (in the range of 1.5 mW/g 6 mW/g); during the exposure the culture temperature was always and
everywhere less than 37 C. After the exposure, cultures were grown at 37C for 72 h. 44 h after PHA
stimulation, 6 g/ml of cytochalasin B were added in order to obtain cytokinesis-blocked cells. At the end
of cell growth, cultures were harvested and slides were made up following standard procedures. For each
culture binucleated cells were scored for MN induction. On the same slides prepared for MN scoring, cell
proliferation was also evaluated by counting the number of nuclei and determining the cytokinesis block
proliferation index (CBPI).
RESULTS: Preliminary data do not reveal any CBPI change, while, following GMSK+TDMA exposure, a
small increase in MN percentage is present, although no statistically significant. Further experiments are
under way to give statistically sound answers to the questions raised.
SESSION 2: THEORY, MODELS AND
MECHANISMS I
Co-chairs: Stefan Engstrom/Jeffrey Carson
2-1
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ACCELERATE OSCILLATING REDOX REACTIONS. M. Blank
and L. Soo*. Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New
York 10032, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Weak low frequency electromagnetic (EM) fields activate the stress response in cells
(1), and we have suggested that they initiate this process by interacting with moving charges in DNA (2, 3,
4). Earlier studies with the enzymes Na,K-ATPase (5, 6) and cytochrome oxidase (7, 8) have shown that
EM fields increase reaction rates. As would be expected from the moving charge interaction (MCI) model,
the increases vary inversely with enzyme reaction rate, and frequency optima are close to reaction turnover
numbers.
OBJECTIVE: To further test the MCI model, we have studied the effects of EM fields on the classic
Belousov-Zhabotinski reaction (9), an oscillating redox reaction involving malonic acid, Br-, BrO3- in the
presence of Fe+2/Fe+3 catalyst.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Under conditions where the reaction oscillates at about 0.03Hz, a 60Hz
10T field accelerates the reaction by about 10%, similar to the effect on the enzyme reactions previously
studied. The force (in newtons) due to EM fields, F = q v B, where q = 1.6x10-19 coulombs, v = velocity (in
m/s) and B = 10T. Velocity can be estimated from measured electric and magnetic field thresholds by
assuming equal threshold forces in the two fields. If F = q E = q v B, then E = v B and v = E/ B. The
measured thresholds for Na,K-ATPase (5, 6) are 5x10-4 volts/m and 5x10-7T for E and B, so v = 103 m/s.
The magnetic force, 10-22 newtons, causes an acceleration of 108m/s2 on an electron or 107 times gravity,
and is comparable to the force produced by an electric field of 10-2 volts/m. This may be sufficient to
change electron transfer in the DNA at sites where electric fields are weak. Since DNA can conduct
electrons along the stacked bases within the double helix (10), and EM fields interact with moving charges,
we have suggested that weak EM fields initiate transcription by accelerating electrons moving within DNA
(2-4). The velocity of charge movement calculated from our measurements, 103 m/s, is similar to ultrafast
electron transfer in DNA of 400 m/s (11). It would appear that the forces which affect enzyme reactions at
low field strengths may also cause changes in DNA when electrons move at comparable velocities. In
another report at this meeting, Goodman and Blank identify a 900 base pair DNA segment associated with
the response to EM fields. Removal of the segment eliminates the response, and transfection into a
promoter construct renders it EM field responsive.
References.
7

(1) Goodman and Blank (1998) Cell Stress & Chaperones 3:79-88.
(2) Blank and Goodman (1997) Bioelectromagnetics 18: 111-115.
(3) Blank and Goodman (1999) J Cell Biochem 75:369-374.
(4) Blank and Goodman (2000) IEEE Trans Plasma Science, vol. 28(1), in press
(5) Blank and Soo (1992) Bioelectromagnetics 13:329-333.
(6) Blank and Soo (1996) Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 40:63-65.
(7) Blank and Soo (1998) Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 45:253-259.
(8) Blank and Soo (1998) Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 139-143.
(9) Field and Burger. Oscillations and Traveling Waves in Chemical Systems. Wiley, 1985.
(10) Arkin, Stemp, Holmlin, Barton, Hormann, Olson and Barbara (1996) Science 273: 475-480.
(11) Wan, Fiebig, Kelley, Treadway, Barton (1999) Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 96: 6014-6019.

2-2
LARGE MAGNETIC FIELD EFFECTS ON THE CHAOTIC DYNAMICS OF THE
PEROXIDASE-OXIDASE ENZYME OSCILLATOR: NONLINEAR AMPLIFICATION. J.
Walleczek and J.J.L. Carson. Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology,
Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California 94305-5304, USA.
OBJECTIVE: One apparent limitation of the radical pair mechanism (RPM) as a plausible mechanism of
direct magnetic field interaction with biological activity is its usually small effect size (~ 0.1-5%). However,
this assessment is based on measurements in simple chemical systems. We have previously proposed [ 1 ]
and theoretically verified by computer simulations [2] that much larger acute effects (50-100% and more)
could occur in biological systems as a result of the nonlinear dynamics of living processes due to features
such as nonlinear biochemical amplification [3]. To test our predictions in a simple model of biological
activity we have employed the nonlinear peroxidase-oxidase (PO) oscillatory enzyme system in which the
RPM is known to operate (see accompanying abstract). Since it was known from our theoretical work that
chaotic dynamics would represent a highly magnetic field-sensitive biochemical state, the potential effects
of magnetic fields on chaotic PO enzyme dynamics were studied.
METHOD: For details of the experimental set-up see the accompanying abstract by Carson and Walleczek.
The applied DC magnetic flux densities (B) were from 1 to 100 mT.
Results: Two types of real-time magnetic field effects on chaotic enzyme dynamics were found. The first
type of effect was a suppression of the amplitude of oscillations in PO enzyme dynamics by ca. 50%. The
second type of effect was even more dramatic in nature: immediately after onset of the field exposure the
chaotic oscillations rapidly turned into regular, periodic (P 1) oscillations; i.e. the field caused a chaos-toorder transition. An example of this latter behavior at B = 20 mT is illustrated in the figure (A), which
shows the time series of enzyme oxygen consumption, which is direct measure of enzyme activity. The
second part of the figure (B) shows the Fast-Fourier-Transforms of the two segments of the time series (in
A) with the relative power of the 20-mT run offset by 25% for clarity.
DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate that large, acute magnetic field effects on biological activity are
indeed possible through the RPM. To our knowledge, these results represent one of the largest acute
magnetic field effects on biological activity ever observed. They confirm our past theoretical predictions
that complex enzyme dynamics is highly sensitive to magnetic field perturbations [ 1-3]. Finally, it is worth
noting that the biologically-active DC magnetic flux densities employed here are on the same order-ofmagnitude as those of the permanent DC magnets employed in magnetotherapy.
References.
[1] Walleczek, J. (1995) ACS Adv. Chem. Ser. 250, 395-420.
[2] Eichwald, C. and Walleczek, J. (1998) Biophys. Chem. 74, 209-224.
[3] Walleczek, J. (Ed.) (2000) Self-organized Biological Dynamics and Nonlinear Control. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK.
8

Figure: Chaos-to-Order Transition in the Peroxidase-Oxidase Enzyme Oscillator Induced by a 20-mT

Magnetic Field. For explanation see abstract.
This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, the Fetzer Institute and the Medical Research
Council of Canada.

2-3
A MODEST PROPOSAL: EXTREMELY-LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD AS A
HORMONE MIMIC. I. Nair, Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
This paper proposes an alternate view of the biological effects of ELF magnetic fields in order to generate
hypotheses for testing. The general nature of these fields as they act on a biological system seems to
resemble the action of a hormone rather than simply the behavior that would result from a transfer of
energy. Would viewing the field behavior as analogous to that of hormones provide a set of working
hypotheses?
Over a decade ago, Wilson et al. proposed that a range of biological actions of ELF magnetic fields may
occur through the suppression of melatonin secretion. The large body of work on biological effects of ELF
magnetic fields at the cellular level includes behavior such as windowed response, target specificity,
dependence on the state and conditioning of the cell, and suppression of hormones, growth factors or
hormone-like substances. Animal studies point to changed physiological behaviors. The exquisitely
specific dependence on the experimental conditions has even led to scientists claiming that others' results
are fallacious.
The general agency of the fields as they act on a biological system seems to resemble of a hormone rather
than the response that would result from a simple transfer of energy. Could we ask new questions
proceeding from the assumption of a hormone-like behavior than an energy-like behavior by the field?
While the question arises from a phenomenological basis, there could be a theoretical basis as well. At
these low frequencies, the "temporal behavior" of the field-cell system may be more (or indeed solely)
relevant than simply the behavior of the cell resulting from energy of the field being transferred to the cell.
The particular dependence of effects on frequency, pulsed nature and on waveforms seen in some
experiments underscore the possibility that time may play a dynamic ro1e in the interaction in a way that
has not been considered hitherto. Theories and experiments based on this premise may unravel a different
side of the truth and reconcile some of the behavior considered mutually conflicting.
9

The paper develops this scenario for hypothesis generation. It will group evidence and explore whether new
perspectives may emerge from this vantage point.
Note: Due to the large number of papers from which are generally referred to, no reference list is provided
in the abstract.

2-4
INTERPRETATION OF EMF EXPERIMENTS USING AN EXPERIMENTAL SIGNAL-TONOISE RATIO, (S/N)obs, AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO A GENERALIZED (S/N)gen BASED ON
UNDERLYING MOLECULAR CHANGES. J.C. Weaver and T.E. Vaughan, Harvard-MIT Health
Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Many in vitro and in vivo experimental results have been reported in which some type of effect is attributed
to an exposure to "weak" electromagnetic fields (EMF).1 Disagreement and controversy persists as to
whether the reported effects are "real", in the sense that it is questioned whether the observed effect is truly
due to the applied field exposure rather than some other influence.2-4 We describe a general approach to
interpretation of experiments reporting biological effects due to weakly interacting electromagnetic fields
ranging from steady (dc) to microwave frequencies. Our approach is based on classical detection theory, the
recognition that weakly interacting electromagnetic fields cannot break chemical bonds, and the
consequence that such fields can only alter rates of ongoing, metabolically driven biochemical reactions and
transport processes.

Fig. 1: Illustration of approach. Left: Typical experimental result used to compute (S/N)obs, the observed
signal-to-noise ratio. The left bar representing "control" and the right bar "exposed" mean values of a
measured quantity, "X", such as cell biomass, enzyme activity or incorporated radioactive substance.
Center: Hypothetical bar plots for (S/N)obs values of 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 and 10. Right: Representation of errorfree (conservative assumption) amplification of a primary, field-induced molecular change ("signal" = "S")
by an EMF exposure. Other molecular (ionic) change contributions for the same biochemical specie are "N"
(molecular shot noise), "V" (change due to temperature variations4), "C" (concentration changes), 'T'
(interfering changes due to mechanical coupling5) and "B" (changes due to background electromagnetic
fields). These molecular changes allow a generalized signal-to-noise ratio, (S/N)gen, to be defined and then
compared to an observed signal-to-noise ratio that is computed from the reported result (Fig. 1-Left).
Our approach allows both fundamental fluctuations (molecular shot noise) and other sources of competing
molecular changes to be compared quantitatively to the field-induced change. If known biophysical
mechanisms cannot account for the inferred, underlying molecular change signal-to-noise ratio, (S/N)gen, of
a reported result, then either a previously unknown, strongly interacting biophysical mechanism or an
artifactual influence must be involved.
[1] Bersani, F., editor. Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine. Plenum, New York, (1999).
[2] Valtersson, U., Mild, K.H., and Mattsson, M.-O. In E1ectricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine,
Bersani, F., editor, 449 - 452. Plenum, New York (1999).
[3] Zhao, Y.L., Johnson, P.G., Jahreis, G.P., and Hui, S.W. Radiat. Res. 151,201 - 208 (1999).
[4] Weaver, J.C., Vaughan, T.E., and Martin, G T. Biophys. J. 76, 3026-3030 (1999).
10

[5] Vaughan, T.E. and Weaver, J.C. Bioelectrochem. Bioenerget. 46, 121-128 (1998).
Supported by the MIT EUP Consortium.

2-5
THE ION INTERFERENCE AND ELECTRIC FIELD-INDUCED WOUND-CELL
PROLIFERATION. V.N. Binhi1 and R.J. Goldman2. 1General Physics Institute RAS, Moscow 117942,
Russia. 2Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,
USA.
OBJECTIVE: There are many experiments showing that weak, non-thermal electric fields influence living
tissues. In many cases, biological effects display windows in biologically effective parameters of electric
fields: Most dramatic is the fact that relatively intense electric fields sometimes do not cause appreciable
effect while smaller fields do. Linear resonant physical processes do not explain frequency windows in this
case. Both frequency and amplitude windows are evident from experiments on human dermal fibroblasts in
a collagen matrix. For this in vitro model of skin, exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields
in the frequency range 10100 Hz and the amplitude range of 0130 A/cm2 macroscopic current density
demonstrates such unusual window behavior. Amplitude window phenomena suggest a nonlinear
physical mechanism. We consider nonlinear quantum-interference effects on protein-bound substrate ions:
These ions experience, due to electric fields in the media or biological tissue as small as 1 mV/m, electric
gradients produced by polarized binding ligand atomic shells. The electric gradients cause an interference
of ion quantum states. This ion interference mechanism predicts specific electric-field frequency and
amplitude windows within which fibroblast proliferation occurs. We failed to find in the literature the
theoretical mechanism capable of predicting both amplitude and frequency selectivity in the biological
reception of ELF weak EFs below 1 V/m. However, for weak magnetic fields (MFs), accurate predictions
for amplitude and frequency biological spectra are provided by the ion interference mechanism (Binhi, V.
1997 Elect Magnetobiol 16(3), 203; 1998 Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 45(1), 73) that describes the behavior of
bound ions. Unlike free-charge carriers, some ions bound within proteins demonstrate enhanced
windowed sensitivity to MF. This effect originates from the Zeeman splitting in MF. With the
assumption that weak ELF EFs can also cause ion-interference effects (for EF the windowed sensitivity
occurs as a result of Stark splitting), we 1) consider the ion interference mechanism regarding specific EF
exposure used in the experiments (Goldman, R. and Pollack, S. 1996 Bioelectromagnetics 17, 445; 457), 2)
summarize data on DNA synthesis in collagen matrix caused by such exposure, and 3) discuss the
consistency between experimental data and theoretical predictions.
RESULTS: We found theoretically that the expected dose dependence follows the form J12(1.8 E/E*),
where E* Eth , Eth ~ h c R2/2q ~ 1 mV/m, where R is the radial size of the cavity, is electronic
polarizability of ligands' atoms, which is usually of order of 1024 cm3, q is ion charge, c is the ion
cyclotron frequency, and h is the Planck constant. This assessment agrees more or less with experimental
data published by many investigators, where EFs were applied externally, by capacitive or inductive
coupling, and also internally through electrodes by direct coupling. In all the cases, windows were observed
for the EFs ranges of 10100 Hz and 5500 mV/m, in order of magnitude, determined retrospectively.
Retrospectively, the ion-interference mechanism is applied to the above cited work of Goldman et al., where
biological effect was measured over a broad range of frequency and amplitude, by means of a system that
carefully quantified electric field dose-response. Goldman sought to determine if proliferation in an in
vitro wound model was caused by electric fields similar to postulated endogenous fields in wounds. These
fields, if generated by the skin battery could be simulated by sinusoidal signals of 10-100 mV/m at 3-100
Hz. Electric fields within this range were then applied to the wound model and proliferation was
determined, which did occur within precise frequency and amplitude windows.
DISCUSSION: Some magneto-biological phenomena relate to the Zeeman effect of ions in static MF, and
are evident from experimentally determined biological effects of a magnetic vacuum. Additional AC MF,
11

index of the reaction, rel. units

A: J1 (1.8E/E*)
B: 10 sub-units
zero AC EF

DNA
DPM

1
1

20

40

60

dissociation probability P, arb.units

perpendicular to static MF, cause quantum transitions and results in the special type of the ion interference.
Zeeman splitting determines the effective AC MF frequency. However, static EFs of order of 10100 V/m
should also influence those biological effects, because they result in the same, in magnitude, splitting of
ions energy levels and change the effective frequencies. Consequently, it is of importance to conduct
magneto-biological experiments under the strict control of static EFs. The threshold field Eth and
consequently characteristic field E* are in direct proportion to the frequency c or the static MF HDC.
Therefore, the position of peak in the dose dependence of the EF biological effects should shift in relation to
the magnitude of the static MF. The ion-interference mechanism predicts the proliferative response-profile
of dermal fibroblasts in dermal equivalent matrix within a direct-coupled system. Direct coupled electric
fields from 31000 Hz and 201000 mV/m reveal frequency and amplitude windows of 3459 mV/m, with
peak at 41 mV/m, and frequency window from 3100 Hz, centered at 10 Hz. These frequency and
amplitude windows are consistent with non-linear, quantum-interference effects on protein-bound
substrate ions described as the ion-interference mechanism, see Figure. However compelling, the ioninterference mechanism predicts frequency and amplitude-response after-the-fact. Further work includes a
priori selecting constants, calculating the ion-interference solution, and experimentally verifying this
solution.

100 1000

E, mV/m

Figure. Amplitude response of human foreskin fibroblasts in dermal equivalent matrix subjected to 10 Hz
sinusoidal EFs. O is the total DNA response of each observation normalized to its control mean and then
re-normalized to unity. is the 3H-thymidine DPM (disintegrations per minute) increase normalized and
re-normalized the same way. For eight experiments, DNA and DPM were both determined; for these, O and
are graphed at the same E. For six other experiments only DNA was determined. Error bars are standard
deviations. Typical theoretical amplitude spectrum of the dissociation of a single ion-protein
macromolecule in AC electric gradient, J12(1.8 E/E*), E* ~ 40 mV/m, curve A. The dissociation probability
is raised to the ten power to represent the combined probability of activation of an enzyme with ten protein
sub-units, curve B.

12

2-6
STOCHASTIC LIMITS FOR DETECTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS BY THE RADICAL PAIR
MECHANISM. P.C. Gailey, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701
USA.
The purpose of this study is to develop a first-order model for determining the effects of stochastic
fluctuations on a magnetochemical field detector. A limited number of different physical mechanisms have
been proposed to explain the detection of weak magnetic fields by organisms such as sea turtles, certain bird
species, newts, and sea slugs. Detection limits for many of the proposed processes are determined by effects
of thermal noise or local Brownian motion. An exception to this general rule is the radical pair mechanism
whereby an imposed magnetic field affects one member of a spin-correlated electron pair formed during a
chemical reaction. The physical transduction events involved occur on nanosecond time scales and are little
affected by thermal motion. If these processes are not limited by thermal noise in the conventional sense,
the question of how to compute detection thresholds arises. Most reported radical pair effects in chemical
reactions (also known as magnetochemical effects) have been observed at magnetic flux densities in the
millitesla to Tesla range. However, the effects generally fail off smoothly with flux density such that small
effects are expected even for weak field strengths (e.g. sub geomagnetic field strengths as required for
animal geomagnetic navigation). Because biological systems commonly employ dramatic amplification of
weak signals, the small magnitude of the effects cannot, by itself preclude detection. Instead, the magnitude
of a magnetochemical effect must be compared to other sources of fluctuations. In this paper, a model
magnetochemical field detector similar to the one proposed by Eichwald and Walleczek1 is considered. The
detector is based on a biochemical oscillator that includes a field-sensitive, radical-pair reaction step.
Fluctuations in the period of oscillations are calculated numerically and evaluated as a function of the
number of molecules involved in the reaction (assumed limited by cellular or sub cellular dimensions).
These fluctuations are compared to changes in the oscillator period induced by small, magnetochemically
induced changes in one of the reaction rates. Although the model does not include the full complexity of
molecular dynamics involved at very small length scales, it represents the first description of a formalism
for evaluating the possibility that magnetochemistry serves as the basis for animal geomagnetic navigation.
1. C Eichwald and J Walleczek (1998). Magnetic field perturbations as a tool for controlling enzymeregulated and oscillatory biochemical reactions. Biophysical Chemistry 74: 209-224.

SESSION 3: MOBILE PHONES AND RADIO

COMMUNICATIONS
Co-chairs: Kjell H Mild/Niels Kuster
3-1
CALCULATION OF RF/MW EXPOSURE DOSIS FOR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL
STUDIES OF WORKERS. R. Kubacki*, Z. Ciolek*, E. Sobiczewska* and S. Szmigielski*. Department
of Microwave Safety, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4 Kozielska str., 01-163 Warsaw,
Poland.
BACKGROUND: There exist reports on increased risk of various functional abnormalities in subjects who
work in RF environment. These functional abnormalities may be, at least partially, related to bioeffects of
RF exposures which develop in the central nervous system. One of the possible outcomes of such effects
may be dysregulation of autonomous control of various physiologic systems, including the cardiovascular
system. However, it is difficult to establish causal links and relations between such functional abnormalities
and individual RF/MW exposure at work, as the best-fitting parameters of the exposure (e.g. maximal
levels, mean levels, averaged 6-minute exposure, cumulated time of exposure) have not been characterized.
13

Numerous observations revealed that for personnel servicing RF/MW-emitting equipment the exposure at
work tends to be highly interval, with series of short (lasting few-several minutes) periods of exposure in
relatively strong fields, followed by long periods of negligible exposure levels. Therefore, an exposure
dosis, which shows the best possible relation to health symptoms, should be developed and used for
epidemiological and/or medical studies of RF/MW-exposed workers.
MATERIAL and METHODS: Polish military personnel servicing and/or repairing RF/MW equipment
(mostly radio transmitters and radars) has been monitored for exposure during whole 12-hour day or night
shifts. More than 300 subjects from 6 different units (2 repairing workshops, 2 radar stations, 2 radio
transmitting centres) were monitored individually during whole working shifts, additionally measurements
were performed on all working posts. RF exposures were expressed in maximal levels (Emax), average
levels (Eav) and cumulated time of exposure (Texp) during the shift. From these data daily exposure dose
rates for the shift (Dsf) and life exposure dose rates (Dlf) were calculated.
RESULTS: It was found that during the 12-hr shift individual workers were exposed in RF fields in series
of 3-5-min. periods, counting for a total exposure time of 0.5 2 hr per shift. Individual exposure levels
differed considerably (Emax from 9 to 174 V/m; Eav from 0.5 to 11.4 V/m) with the daily exposure dose
rates for the shift ranging from 22 to 3120 (V/m) 2 x h. Except of assessment of individual exposure levels,
it was possible to differentiate five groups of personnel which differed in their exposure parameters
(intensity of exposure, frequency of RF/MWs). With such large individual differences in RF exposure
levels, the most conclusive relations between the exposure and results of medical (e.g. cardiac) tests could
be obtained by multistep correlation of single parameters. The best correlation coefficients between
exposure levels and number of cardiac symptoms (e.g. slight ECG abnormalities, shifts in heart rate
variability) were found for shift dose and life exposure dose rates.
CONCLUSIONS: There exist a need for better assessment of exposure levels in medical and
epidemiological examinations of personnel exposed to RF/MW fields; it is recommended to apply a concept
of exposure dosis during working shift, which includes both intensity and cumulative time of exposure.
This work was sponsored in part by the funds from the Concerted Action ERB CT15 IC980303 from the
INCO-COPERNICUS Project of the European Commission DG XII.

3-2
INDUCED ANKLE CURRENT AND SPATIALLY AVERAGED ELECTRIC FIELD STRENGTH
FOR WORKERS EXPOSED NEAR AM AND FM TOWERS: PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS.
D.L. Conover1, C.E. Moss2* and R.M. Edwards1*. 1MS C-27, Physical Agents Effects Branch, Division of
Biomedical and Behavioral Science, and 2Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, Division of
Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
Workers near AM and FM radio antenna towers (e.g., antenna tower climbers and other maintenance
personnel) are commonly exposed to nonuniform fields due to reflections from the earth and metallic
objects (e.g., antenna tower, guy wires, buildings and chain link fence). The IEEE C95.1-1999 guidelines
for RF exposure of personnel specify several methods to spatially average nonuniform fields to determine
compliance with RF exposure guidelines. Another exposure assessment approach is to utilize induced body
current methods. This relatively new technology shows promise for assessing RF exposure to nonuniform
fields near AM and FM towers.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our research is to determine if the new induced body current methods
improve exposure assessments near AM and FM antenna towers and secondary metallic structures
(buildings, guy wires, fencing, etc.) on or near antenna sites.
METHODS: An induced current meter was used to measure the RF current induced in a workers ankle
during exposure. The meter has a circular sensor coil with a two-piece, hinged construction (similar to a
clamp-on AC ammeter) that opens to enable it to be clamped around an ankle. Electric field strength was
14

measured with isotropic broadband meters. Measurements were made in a vertical plane (approximately 6
feet high) at five anatomical measurement points: eyes, chest, waist, knees and ankles. As specified in IEEE
C95.1-1999 guidelines, measurements were made over the plane occupied by the body (but in the absence
of the body) and E2 values were spatially averaged (straight line linear) over this vertical plane. Spatial
averages of E2 values were determined for 5 measurement points (eyes, chest, waist, knees and ankles) and
3 points (eyes, waist and ankles). During NIOSH exposure assessments, field strength and induced ankle
current measurements were conducted for personnel on the ground near one AM and one FM antenna tower.
RESULTS: The survey results indicate that worker exposure can be over or under estimated without
induced ankle current measurements. This is particularly true near towers or secondary metallic structures
(buildings, guy wires, fencing, etc.) near antenna sites. These areas are commonly occupied by workers.
Spatially averaged (5 measurement points), electric field strength over estimated worker exposure near an
AM tower by factor of 2.6 to 6.4. In contrast, near an FM tower the electric field strength results (5 point
averaging) ranged from under estimating exposure (factor of 0.87) to over estimating exposure (up to factor
of 2.4). The coefficient of variation for spatially averaged E2 (5 points) ranged from 71 to 149% for AM
towers and from 40 to 58% for FM towers. All of the above results for AM and FM towers (averaging
5 measurement points) changed only slightly when spatial averaging was done for 3 measurement points.
CONCLUSIONS: Several conclusions are clear from the field surveys. Induced body current
measurements are essential for reliable exposure assessments near the AM and FM towers and secondary
metallic structures (fences, buildings, guy wires, etc.) selected for our measurements. Field strengths were
less uniform near the AM tower than near the FM tower. Spatially averaging E2 over 5 or 3 measurement
points had little effect on our exposure assessment results. More field testing is needed to address field
spatial averaging, secondary metallic structures, multiple RF source sites, on-tower (aerial) exposures, and
the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Further field testing is also needed to determine the
effectiveness of induced body current and contact voltage/current methods to assess exposures near
broadcast antenna towers and secondary metallic structures (buildings, guy wires, fencing, etc.) near
antenna sites.

3-3
EXPOSURE NEXT TO BASE STATIONS IN AUSTRIA. G. Neubauer. Austrian Research Center
Seibersdorf, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
OBJECTIVE: Due to the increased use of mobile phones the number of base stations is growing in most
European countries. In Austria more than 8,500 GSM base stations were in use at the end of 1999. The
construction of base stations in residential areas led to concerns about possible health consequences due to
the electromagnetic fields emitted by the base station antennas in parts of the population. Therefore
measurements of the field emissions were performed in several locations in Austria to determine compliance
with existing exposure standards. In the frame of a project of COST 244bis data on the exposure next to
base stations in Austria, Belgium, Hungary and Sweden are analysed. The results presented here will be
used in the mentioned project.
METHODS: From January 1997 to August 1999 202 frequency selective measurements were performed in
multiple positions in Austria in the environment of GSM 900 and DCS 1,800 base stations by accredited
institutions. 100 of these measurements were performed in cities and towns, 102 in rural areas.
Measurements were performed by using spectrum analysers and logarithmic periodical and newly
developed biconical antennas. In some of the locations measurements were also performed using broadband
fieldstrength - meters.

15

Diagram 1: Summarisation of maximum power densities at single frequencies in the GSM band measured at
different locations in Austria
RESULTS: The highest power density measured at a single frequency in the GSM 900 and DCS 1,800
band was 13.4 mW/m2; which corresponds to 0.28 % of the limits of the ICNIRP guidelines of 1998 for the
general public. In diagram 1 the maximum power densities measured at single frequencies at 202 different
locations in Austria are given. The power densities are summarised in classes of above 10 mW/m2, 1 to 10
mW/m2, 0.1 to 1 mW/m2, 0.01 to 0.1 mW/m2, 0.001 to 0.01 mW/m2 and below 0.001 mW/m2. The
maximum power density measured with a broadband field meter was 66.3 mW/m2 or 3.3% of the ICNIRP
guidelines.
DISCUSSION: The results show that of 202 measurements at single frequencies in the GSM band 8 are
above 1 mW/m2. In all examined positions the power densities were well below the limits of the ICNIRP
guidelines.

3-4
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY DISTANCE LIMITS FOR A HUMAN NEAR A CELLULAR
BASE STATION. J. Cooper*, B. Marx*, J. Buhl* and V. Hombach*. T-Nova Deutsche Telekom
Innovationsgesellschaft mbH, Technologiezentrum, D-64307 Darmstadt, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to determine the distances between a human body and a GSM
base station below which the local or overall body absorption rates are exceeded, according to the ICNIRP
occupational safety thresholds (0.4 W/kg for whole-body absorption and 10 W/kg for local absorption
averaged over 10 g of body tissue at 935 MHz). As good agreement between measurements and numerical
calculations for a homogeneous body model was found, the calculations were extended to a heterogeneous
body model with the aim to determine the safety threshold distances.
METHOD: (a) Measurements: A typical base station antenna (Urban 120) was used to expose the front of a
whole-body liquid phantom from various distances and the maximum averaged local SAR values were
determined with the computer-controlled SAR measurement system DASY2 SPEAG developed by the ETH
Zrich. The measurements were made at 935 MHz. (b) Calculations: Data from the Visible Human Project
(National Library of Medicine, USA.) were used to represent an anatomically-correct male human body on
the solution grid of the numerical method used. The model human body was set to face the radiating
antenna of the simulated base station with a configuration as close as possible to that of the measurements.
The finite integration technique (FIT, software program MAFIA from the Technical University Darmstadt)
was employed to solve Maxwells equations. The whole-body absorption rate, and the location and value of
the maximum local absorption rate averaged over 10 g tissue, were determined as functions of body-antenna
16

distance. A comparison was made with the liquid-phantom measurements, after which calculations were
made for the heterogeneous body model.
RESULTS: All absorption rates were referred to a calculated radiation power of the antenna of 40 W r.m.s.
For the homogeneous body model, the ICNIRP occupational safety threshold for whole-body absorption
was not reached even for the smallest calculated body-antenna distance of 0.01 m. The ICNIRP local
absorption occupational threshold was exceeded only for very small distances. For the heterogeneous body
model, the whole-body threshold was found to be exceeded for distances less than 0.02 m, and the localabsorption threshold was exceeded for distances less than 0.06 m.
DISCUSSION: The results indicate that it is possible for a human being to approach within 6 cm of a base
station antenna without any of the ICNIRP occupational safety limits being exceeded. Other types of base
station antennas or different body models may give different results. For the general public, the ICNIRP
whole-body limit becomes 0.08 W/kg, and the local limit averaged over 10g becomes 2 W/kg. The present
calculations indicate that the whole-body limit is exceeded for this case at a distance of 65 cm, whereas the
local limit is exceeded for body-antenna distances below 50 cm.
This work was supported by DeTeMobil Deutsche Telekom MobilNet GmbH.

3-5
EFFECTS OF GSM-900 MICROWAVES ON THE EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC
ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (EAE) RAT MODEL. R. Anane, M. Geffard*, M. Taxile*, D. Bodet*, B.
Billaudel*, P.E. Dulou*, B. Veyret: PIOM Laboratory, ENSCPB, University of Bordeaux 1, B. P. 108,
33402 Talence, France.
In view of the huge development of mobile communications, concerns about health hazards have been
expressed and research is being performed world-wide on biological effects of radiotelephones. In this
context, we have investigated the effects of exposure to GSM-900 microwaves on the clinical parameters of
a rat model of neurodegeneration. Acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was used as a
model of the autoimmune aspects of multiple sclerosis. It is characterised by lymphocyte and monocyte
invasion and microglial activation in CNS myelin, 10-15 days post-inoculation of the antigen.
In two independent experiments (rats either trained or nontrained to the rockets), female Lewis rats were
divided into 4 groups: control (8), sham-exposed (8) and exposed (2 groups of 8) to 1 and 4 W/kg local
specific absorption rate (SAR). Animals were exposed in individual rockets using a loop antenna
positioned vertically above the head. Acute EAE was induced by sensitisation in each hind using 50 l of
inoculum containing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) and Freund complete
adjuvant (H37 Ra). Results obtained after a 21-day exposure (2 hours/day) of Lewis rats, showed no effect
of GSM-900 microwaves on the onset, duration and termination of the crisis in two experiments. There
were statistically significant differences between the sham-exposed and the cage-control groups in the first
experiment (nontrained rats; p=0.02) and between the 4-W/kg exposed and the cage-control groups
(p=0.013) in the second experiment (trained rats; p=0.01). However, we noted no significant differences
between sham-exposed and exposed groups in both experiments. This suggests that the modulation of the
clinical scores may be due in part to the stress caused by restraining animals.
This work was supported by France Telecom, The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the
Research Council of Aquitaine.

17

3-6
CELL PHONE SAFETY STANDARDS SHOULD INCORPORATE THE BIOLOGICAL
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THERMAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSES. R. Goodman1
and M. Blank2. Departments of Pathology1 and Physiology2, Columbia University, 630 W 168th St., New
York, New York 10032, USA.
INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of cell phones and associated transmission towers has raised
concern regarding human exposure to electromagnetic (EM) signals. Upregulation of stress proteins is an
early indicator of potentially harmful extracellular stress, and the stress response is one of the many changes
induced by EM fields (1-3). Current safety standards for cell phones are based on the biological effects of
heating: a thermal stress causes a general shut-down of normal transcription and translation, and results in a
large accumulation of stress proteins. Low frequency EM fields also induce stress proteins, but at 14 orders
of magnitude lower energy input levels. Thus, long before the effects of heating are measurable, the effects
of EM fields are manifest.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the stress proteins induced by cell phones are EM and/or thermal in
origin. To determine whether the induction of stress proteins by the low frequency components of cell
phones can serve as biomarkers to monitor cellular reactions to EM fields.
METHODS: References (4-8) below describe HeLa Cells and Transfections; Preparation of Protein
Lysates; HSP70 Promoter Constructs; C-Myc Protein Expression Vector; DNA Sequencing of Plasmids;
Site-Directed Mutagenesis; Band shift analysis; Magnetic Field Exposure of Transfectants and CAT Assay;
and Electromagnetic Field Exposure Conditions, Helmholtz coils, Mu metal shielding and Heat shock.
RESULTS: Stress proteins induced by low frequency components of cell phones can serve as biomarkers
for the cellular reactions to both EM fields and increased temperature. These two stressors use different
signaling pathways, MAP Kinase for EM fields and heat shock pathway for thermal, that can be identified
by binding-activity of pathway-specific transcription factors.

only EM fields induce binding of Myc and AP-1, pathway-specific transcription factors.

only EM fields induce phosphorylation of MAPK ERK1/2.

specific DNA sequences act as EM field response elements (EMRE).

Removal of EMRE eliminated the EM field response. When EMRE was placed upstream of an HSP70
reporter construct that was initially unresponsive to an EM field, EMRE-HSP70 reporters demonstrated a
60% increase in (CAT or luciferase) activity.
CONCLUSION: It can now be determined whether the stress response is EM and/or thermal in origin. If
the stress response is induced by the considerably lower EM field exposures (1), it is imperative that a new
and relevant exposure safety standard be developed for cell phones.
References.
(1) Goodman and Blank (1998) Cell Stress & Chaperones 3:79-88.
(2) Blank and Goodman (1999) J Cell Biochem 75:369-374.
(3) Blank and Goodman (2000) IEEE Trans Plasma Science, vol. 28(1), in press
(4) Lin, Opler, Head, Blank and Goodman (1997) J Cell Biochem 66: 482-488.
(5) Lin, Head, Blank, Han, Jin and Goodman (1998) J Cell Biochem 69: 181-188.
(6) Lin, Han, Blank, Head and Goodman (1998) J Cell Biochem 70: 297-303.
(7) Lin, Blank and Goodman (1999) J Cell Biochem 75: 170-176.
(8) Jin, Blank and Goodman (2000) J Cell Biochem (in press)
We thank the Robert I Goodman Fund for financial support, Abraham Kremer for his editorial expertise and
Hana Lin for technical assistance.

18

3-7
REPRESENTATIVITY OF HOMOGENEOUS PHANTOMS IN TESTING COMPLIANCE OF
MOBILE PHONES TO SAR LIMITS. C. Dale*1, V. Monebhurrun*2, S. Chaillou*1, J.Ch. Bolomey*2
and J. Wiart*1. 1France Telecom CNET/DMR/IIM, 38-40 rue du Gnral Leclerc, 92794 Issy Les
Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. 2Suplec LSS, Plateau de Moulon, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
International organisations such as IEEE or ICNIRP provide limits of exposure to electromagnetic fields
(EMF) in terms of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), to protect people from possible adverse health effects.
SAR should be evaluated in the real head but measurements are difficult in inhomogeneous head models. A
consistent homogeneous head model representative of the real head is therefore required for measurement
purposes.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to present the methodology chosen in the framework of the
COMOBIO project to determine, via numerical simulations, the validity of dielectric properties of the tissue
equivalent liquid used in homogeneous head models during measurements. Such a study is very useful
since standardisation needs strong scientific rationale, especially to gain public confidence.
METHOD: A numerical approach based on the FDTD algorithm is used for simulations. Although being
relatively weak when modelling mobile phones (modelled as a quarter-wave monopole placed on top of a
Plexiglas-covered metallic box), FDTD appears well suited when handling highly inhomogeneous media.
Simulation results obtained with an inhomogeneous head model consisting of 8 different tissues (hereafter
called "head") have been compared with those obtained using the homogeneous counterpart having same
external shape but surrounded by a 2 mm thick layer of Plexiglas and filled with a liquid of given
electromagnetic characteristics (hereafter called "phantom"). The SAR is averaged over a mass of 1g or 10g
for various shapes of tissue (cube, sphere or contiguous tissues) which should represent the SAR limits
requisites. Head and phantom are considered either with or without the presence of the ear so as to evaluate
its influence on the SAR. Several simulations have been carried out by varying the dielectric properties of
the tissue equivalent liquid in order to obtain, via eventual interpolation techniques, the same maximum
average SAR value as that in the head.
RESULTS: Preliminary results show that the average SAR is more sensitive to a conductivity change of the
tissue equivalent liquid than to a permittivity change. Furthermore, when the head is considered with the
ear, rather high averaged SAR values are reached and the electromagnetic parameters of the liquid are quite
different from those employed currently. But in the absence of the ear, consistent values are obtained at 900
MHz and 1800 MHz. Of course, the characteristics of the liquid also depend on the mass and the volume
chosen for averaging.
DISCUSSION: A relevant reference value has to be chosen for a 1-g and 10-g average SAR. This value
will differ depending whether the ear is considered as an extremity and the dielectric properties of the tissue
equivalent liquid will accordingly be different. Of course, stability of the results has to be checked by
varying the position of the mobile, the shape of the phantom, etc. to ensure that the proposed values are
reliable.
This research was sponsored by the French government in the COMOBIO project (RNRT program).

3-8
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE OF GSM MOBILE PHONES WITH IMPLANTABLE
NEUROLOGICAL PULSE GENERATORS. W. Kainz*1), G. Neubauer1), R. berbacher*1). 1)Austrian
Research Center Seibersdorf, Seibersdorf A-2444, Austria
Today, the use of mobile phones is widespread and the number of users is increasing rapidly. It is known
that an electromagnetic field of adequate intensity and frequency may interfere with implants. Mobile
phones are increasingly regarded as a potential source of interference with pacemakers and defibrillators.
The increasing use of neurological pulse generators (NPG) has motivated us to find out whether this implant
19

type could disturbed by mobile phones. Neurological pulse generators are used in the treatment of
Parkinson patients. Located in the chest region under the skin, the NPG stimulates the ventral intermediate
nucleus, a certain area in the thalamus. All tests were performed in vitro with a phantom especially
developed for NPGs. The phantom consists of three parts: the skull, the trunk and the skull-trunk
connection. Skull and trunk are filled with phantom materials simulating brain tissue and muscle tissue
respectively. These phantom materials are liquid and were mixed for the use at frequencies of 900 MHz and
1.800 MHz. The skull-trunk connection establishes the electrical connection between the two liquid
phantom materials avoiding that the liquids are mixed. It consists of a tube with an inside diameter of 44
mm and is filled with a jelly-like phantom material simulating muscle tissue. The NPG was exposed to 10
different GSM mobile phones working at 900 MHz and 10 mobile phones working at 1800 MHz and tested
for its immunity. All tests were carried out in an anechoic chamber. Each mobile phone was tested in three
positions with regard to the phantom, taking into account 4 various electrode configurations and 4 different
NPG stimulation settings. Altogether 960 different test configurations were examined. The power control
was adjusted at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz with a GSM tester. The radiated peak power of the GSM 900
mobile phones was 2 W and 1 W for the GSM 1800 mobile phones. The three positions next to the
phantom were: 1. in front of the chest -- directly over the implant, 2. next to the ear - in a typical user
position and 3. directly over the entry point of the leads into the skull. In none of the 960 tests any
interference occurred. Neither the pulse form changed nor it came to failures of single pulses. However,
when exposing the implant to the GSM 1800 field outside the phantom some interference occurred. Single
pulses were inhibited and the pulse repetition rate was changed when the implant was touched by the
antenna of the mobile phones. Although no interference was observed in realistic exposure situations, we
wanted to clarify whether interference with the NPG would occur and which radiated power it had to be. As
the transmit power of mobile phones is limited and cannot be increased for test purposes we used broadband
dipoles supplied by RF amplifiers as sources. The objective was to determine the interference level of the
NPG at higher field levels in the frequency range from 500 MHz to 2400 MHz. For each frequency the
power was increased until an interference with the implant occurred. The interference level is defined as the
minimum radiated power necessary to disturb the NPG. The dipoles were stuck to the phantom surface
directly over the implant. The interference level was 1.24 W (CW) at 900 MHz and 136 mW (CW) at 1800
MHz. The extremely low interference level at 1500 MHz has to be noticed. At 1.5 GHz a radiated power of
a few mW only lead to malfunctions of the NPG. The accuracy of the interference level is 30% in the
frequency range used. The examinations have shown that GSM-900 and GSM-1800 mobile phones do not
interfere with NPGs. Tests with increased transmit power have shown that the NPG inhibits as of a certain
transmit power level. Particularly the frequency range around 1500 MHz show a rather low interference
level. The low interference level at 1.5 GHz could be an indication for high sensitivity of NPGs in respect
of the emission of Japanese mobile phones. Further examinations are required. The following graph shows
the interference level from 500 MHz to 2.4 GHz.

Graph 1: Interference level versus frequency of the neurological pulse generator examined

20

SESSION 4: THEORY, MODELS AND

MECHANISMS II
Joint BEMS/EBEA Session; In memoriam of
Alessandro Chiabrera
Co-Chairs: Guglielmo DInzeo/Charles Polk
4-1
SURFACE CHARGE DENSITY MEDIATES SPONTANEOUS FIBRONECTIN MATRIX
FORMATION IN THE ABSENCE OF CELLS. N. Pernodet*, M. Rafailovich*, J. Sokolov*, and K.J.
McLeod. Musculo-Skeletal Research Laboratory, Program in Bioengineering and Department of Materials
Science and Engineering, State University of New York Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281 USA.
Fibronectin is a major adhesive protein, acting as the primary intermediate between cells and the collagen
matrix for many cell types. It is a large (Mw= 450-500 kDa) glycoprotein, consisting of two nearly identical
covalently linked subunits, each composed of three types of repeated modules. This complex takes on a
globular tertiary structure in solution, but an elastic, extended fibril forming structure in the presence of
cells. The forces of extension operating on this globular molecule, permitting it to form a fibrillar structure,
remain undefined. Recent work has led to the suggestion that plasma membrane lipid domain expansion
could provide the needed tensile forces required to permit fibril assembly (1). As an alternative explanation
we have proposed that the high surface charge density associated with cell plasma membranes may serve as
the initiating factor in the formation of fibronectin networks, in the absence of cell membranes.
METHODS: Polysulfonated polystyrene surfaces were used to model the electrically charged surface of the
cell. Substrates were formed by spin coating polysulfonated polystyrene (kindly provided by Prof. Nan-Loh
Yang, CUNY, Staten Island) onto flat silicon wafers. Sulfonation concentrations of 0-24% were utilized
corresponding to final fixed charge densities of the growth substrates of 0-0.15 C/m2. Surfaces were
flooded with a fibronectin (100 g/ml) solution, and allowed to incubate for up to 96 hours at 37oC.
Following incubation, adsorbed fibronectin was measured using the BCA assay, (Pierce) with a 2 hour
incubation at 37oC, and absorption read at 562 nm. Fibronectin network morphology was characterized
using contact mode atomic force microscopy (Topometrix Explorer) in a phosphate buffered salt solution.
RESULTS: A 25 ng/mm monolayer was observed to rapidly form whenever the surface charge density was
less than 0.01 Coulombs/m2, consistent with previous reports on fibronectin adsorption (2). Analysis by
AFM demonstrated this monolayer thickness to be approximately 25 nm. On higher charge density surfaces
(>0.03 C/m2), multilayer adsorption was observed, with up to 20-30 monolayers adsorbing at a charge
density of 0.15 C/m2. In addition, on surfaces with charge densities exceeding 0.08 Coulombs/m2 the
spontaneous formation of distinct fibrillar structures was observed to develop over a time course of 42-96
hours at 37C. At 0.15 C/m2 fibers of up to 1 m in diameter and 40 m in length formed within 96 hours.
DISCUSSION: Because cell surface charge densities typically exceed 0.1 C/m2, we suggest that in addition
to cells ability to attach to and mechanical modify the ECM through integrin interactions, large scale
electrodynamic interactions also play a key role in the formation and organization of the extracellular
matrix. How a high charge density surface is capable of triggering multilayer protein adsorption, and more
importantly fibril formation, remains unclear, though several phenomena associated with colloidal
interactions and/or polyelectrolyte effects could be playing a dominant role. The high charge density at
which multilayer adsorption and network formation were observed would be associated with a concentrated
cation double layer extending several tens of nanometers above the surface, and so in this region hydrogen
ion concentration would be significantly enhanced. This drop in pH can titrate species in solution resulting
in morphologic changes and correspondingly alterations in adsorption kinetics and equilibria. Such pH
effects, for example, have been implicated in the acceleration of mineralization at highly charged interfaces
(3). Preliminary studies demonstrate that pH shifts can influence the degree of fibronectin adsorption on
these surfaces, though we have yet to investigate the existence of any morphologic changes caused by pH
21

shifts. In addition, we have begun investigations on the extent to which induced surface charge, similar in
density to that which could be caused by endogenous physiologic currents, can alter fibronectin adsorption
and matrix formation.
Baneyx, G. and Vogel, V. (1999) PNAS 12518-12523.
Asthagir, A., Nelson, C., Horwitz, A. and Lauffenburger, D., (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:27119-27127.
Lochhead, M.J., Letellier, S.R. and Vogel, V. (1997) J. Phys. Chem. B. 101(50):10821-10827.
This work supported by NIH grant ES-07803.

4-2

IMPLICATIONS OF MEASURED ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF DNA FOR

BIO-EFFECTS OF E.M. FIELDS. C. Polk. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Based on measurements of aqueous DNA solutions, DNA has been considered in the
past as an electrical insulator with very high dielectric constant at extremely low frequencies (~4x103 at 0.1
Hz) (Takashima, 1989) and a peak of dielectric losses between 3 and 6 Hz. In recent years electronic
conduction through DNA has been reported (Arkin et al.,1996), but measurements involved injection of hot
electrons. Only very recently the electrical conductivity of DNA strands was measured by applying a
potential difference and measuring the resulting current (Fink and Schonenberger, 1999). Measurements
were performed at room temperature and in vacuum (~10-7 mbar) where all water would have evaporated.
The resulting conductivity is reported to be at least 105 S/m. This value is 10 times larger than that of most
electrically conducting polymers (Pauskin et al.,1974) and about 0.1 of the conductivity of mercury. Such
high electrical conductivity has implications for possible and reported biological effects of electric and
magnetic fields.
DC and LOW FREQUENCIES: At frequencies below about 1 MHz electric fields do not penetrate
significantly into cells where the DNA is located. However magnetic fields do penetrate. Large static fields
(~ T) would affect any preexisting nA currents inside DNA by the Lorentz force. Over m DNA lengths
several nA would give pN forces capable of stretching DNA molecules (Cluzel et al., 1996). At the present
time very little is known about the conduction mechanism within DNA. Since neither temperature
dependence of DNA conductivity nor electrical noise characteristics are known, it is at least premature, if
not improper, to apply to a DNA strand the relation that gives the RMS noise voltage across a resistor Vn =
[4kTR(f)]1/2. That relation would however show that the voltage induced by a 0.1 mT, 60 Hz magnetic
field in a 2 nm thick DNA wire having a resistance of 13 M and formed into a circle of 1 m diameter
would be many orders of magnitude smaller than the intrinsic noise (3x10-14 V versus 7x10-6 V), even if one
assumes a very narrow bandwidth f of 100 Hz. If the same DNA wire is oriented along a straight line
and experiences a typically 3 mV/m electric field induced by a 0.1 mT 60 Hz magnetic field in the cell
interior, the signal-to-noise-ratio would still be about 10-9/(7x10-6) ~ 10-4.
UHF and MICROWAVES: Above 1 MHz an electric field will easily penetrate the cell interior where it
can directly affect DNA. If the SAR in the fluid saturated DNA environment is 1 W/kg, the rate of
temperature increase in that environment would be only 2.9x10-4 C/s, even without cooling, assuming a
specific heat C of about 3500 J/(kg C). However the electrical conductivity of the environment is about 1
S/m, while that of the DNA interior appears now to be 105 S/m. Since SAR = E2/ , where is the density
of the medium, the rate of temperature increase in the DNA interior, (T/t) = SAR/C, would be about 60
C/s assuming continuity of the tangential electric field at the DNA to surrounding boundary and essentially
no decrease of the field over the nm thickness of a DNA strand (tissue ~ 1000 kg/m3, DNA ~ 1700
kg/m3; C of DNA at 37 C estimated as 103 J/( kg C). Cooling mechanisms would strongly depend upon
the structural arrangement of the densely packed DNA within the surrounding medium. However when its
temperature increases only a few degrees above 37 C, the DNA double helix increasingly transforms itself
22

to irregularly intertwined coils as the bonds between the two complementary strands of the molecule are
ruptured. A very rapid temperature increase may conceivably also cause sufficient mechanical stress to
break the bonds connecting nucleotides within single strands. This could be the mechanism responsible for
the reported increase in DNA strand breaks under 1.2 W/kg SAR, 2 hr, 2450 MHz CW exposure (Lai and
Singh, 1995).
References.
Arkin MR et al. (1996): Rates of DNA mediated electron transfer between metallo intercalators. Science
273:475-480.
Cluzel P et al. (1996): DNA-An Extensible Molecule. Science 271:792-794.
Fink H-W and Schonenberger C (1999): Electrical conduction through DNA molecules. Nature 398: 407410.
Lai H and Singh NP (1995): Acute Low-Intensity Microwave Exposure Increases DNA Single Strand
Breaks. Bioelectromagnetics16:207-210.
Paushkin YM, Vyshniakova TP, Lunin AF and Nizova SA (1974): Organic polymeric semiconductors.
Halstead Press, John Wiley and Sons.
Takashima S (1989): Electrical Properties of Biopolymers and Membranes. Adam Hilger, IOP Publishing
Ltd.

4-3
OBTAINING MICROWAVE PROPERTIES OF NEAR-SURFACE BODY TISSUES USING 2-D
FDTD INVERSE-SCATTERING TECHNIQUE. M. Popovic and A. Taflove*, Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal is to demonstrate a 2-D FDTD inverse-scattering algorithm that, when extended to
3-D, will permit a noninvasive measurement of microwave properties of the near-surface body tissues.
METHOD: We use the measured early-time response of an ultrawide-band sensor element to unfold the
dielectric properties and thickness of the skin and the average dielectric properties of the tissue beneath the
skin. The measured data are time samples of Z(t), the ratio of the voltage and current waveforms observed
at the driving point of the element. We analyze the Z(t) data by adapting the technique reported
(Umashankar et al., J. Electromagn. Waves Apps., 1994) for unfolding the properties of a layered half-space
from plane-wave pulse-reflection measurements taken at its surface. Here, an initial guess for the layer
thicknesses and dielectric parameters is provided to an FDTD forward-scattering code which calculates the
reflected pulse at the surface. This pulse is subtracted from the measured response to yield an error signal
that is provided to a Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) nonlinear optimization routine. Based upon the norm of
the error signal, the LM routine generates an improved guess for the layer thicknesses and dielectric
parameters. This improved guess is fed back to the FDTD forward-scattering code which calculates a new
reflected pulse at the surface and the process repeats. Convergence occurs when no further reduction of the
error signal is possible. At this point, the final layer thicknesses and electrical properties used in the FDTD
element are taken to be parameters of the physical system. In the present problem, the excitation is not a
normally incident plane wave. Instead, it is an approximately spherical wave originating at the feedpoint of
the antenna element. The method reported in the literature must therefore be adapted. In this initial work,
we implement this change by substituting a 2-D forward-scattering FDTD code for the 1-D forwardscattering FDTD code. Representative numerical simulations are provided that include the effects of
simulated additive Gaussian noise.
RESULTS: We have found that a 2-D FDTD inverse-scattering algorithm yields accurate data for skin
thickness, skin dielectric properties and the dielectric properties of the tissues immediately under the skin in
the presence of the additive Gaussian noise.
DISCUSSION: The proposed technique may assist the development of recently reported noninvasive
microwave imaging schemes utilizing the backscatter of short pulses. Such methods require a good estimate
23

of the average skin thickness and properties of the underlying tissues to unfold the impulsive backscattered
waveform, thereby obtaining an image of subcutaneous tissues.
This work was supported by United States Department of Defense Pre-doctoral Traineeship BC981143.

4-4
PHOTON ENERGY ARGUMENTS (E=hv) ARE OFTEN HIGHLY MISLEADING WHEN
DISCUSSING POSSIBLE EFFECTS FROM POWER LINE FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC
FIELDS. A.I. Vistnes and K. Gjtterud*, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo,
Norway.
The phenomenon of light is described by two complementary pictures: as classical electromagnetic waves
and as individual quanta of the electromagnetic field. Dependent on the experimental conditions light, on
the single quantum level, can show wave-like or particle-like character. An individual quantum of light is
called a photon, and have an energy E given by the famous equation: E = hv, where h is Planck's constant,
and v is the frequency of the "radiation". The relationship E = hv is often used for all known different
appearances of electromagnetic waves, even for very low frequency electromagnetic fields like the one
found near a power lines. Since the photon energy at power frequencies is very small (E = 2.1x10-13 eV at
50 Hz), some people seem to believe that power frequency electromagnetic fields are (almost by definition)
incapable of yielding any biological effects. In this presentation it will be pointed out that such arguments,
based on photon energy alone, are often highly misleading when used for very low frequency fields.
In fact, 50 Hz electric fields lead to ionization of molecules in air at practically speaking every high voltage
power line in the world, at least on rainy days (when there are drops on the conductors). The corona effect
is nothing but ionization of molecules in the air. Even "static" electric fields, with a frequency very close to
zero, and a corresponding infinitesimal small calculated "photon energy", lead to a massive ionization of air
molecules in so-called "ionizers" used in electrostatic air filters or in the management of static electricity
e.g. in printing machines. The fact that both UV and power frequency electric fields lead to ionization,
demonstrate clearly that the concept of "photon energy" alone is not sufficient to explain the experimental
findings. On the other hand, it is clear that ionization in the presence of high frequency photons (UV, Xrays etc.) and in the presence of 50 or 60 Hz electric fields, are based on quite different mechanisms. More
focus on the differences may lead to a better understanding of the physical mechanism underlying effects at
low frequency electromagnetic fields.
In the presentation we will give estimates of "photon densities" for visible light and higher frequencies on
one hand, and power frequency fields at 50 (or 60) Hz on the other hand. The estimated values are
sensational, and show clearly the tremendous difference between these two situations. While photons
behaves like single wave-packets at visible light, "photons" at power frequency fields (if one wants to use
the concept of photons even here) are characterized by a very high inter-photon coherence. We conclude
that discussions of the effects of 50 Hz electric or magnetic fields should be made on the basis of classical
electrodynamic fields rather than on photons.
A main difference between ionizing radiation and low frequency electromagnetic fields, is (as pointed out
above) not the energy that a system can pick up from the radiation, but the difference in time-scale of the
possible mechanisms. If the electric field component changes direction in a time-scale much slower than
the electron's movement in the atom/molecule, the electric field will only lead to a time-dependent
polarization of a neutral atom/molecule, or it may lead to a macroscopic displacement of (more or less) free
charges. The consequences are induced electrical currents and changes in electrical potentials that certainly
can lead to biological effects (e.g. "magneto-phosphenes"). Thus, we should appreciate the importance of
the time scale when we seek explanations, or if we look for possible mechanisms of action, for various
biological effects caused by low frequency electromagnetic fields.
This work was partly supported by grants from the Effekt program at the Norwegian Research Council.
24

4-5
A COMPARISON OF THE IMPEDANCE SPECTRA OF FROG GASTROCNEMIUS, OCTOPUS
ARM AND CRAYFISH TAIL MUSCLES, MEASURED IN VIVO. F.X. Hart. The University of the
South, Sewanee Tennessee 37383, USA.
The great majority of the measurements of the electrical properties of muscle have been performed on
mammalian systems. Similar frequency responses have been reported for feline, canine, bovine, porcine
and rat models. In contrast, few studies have been carried out on other animal systems. A comparison of
the electrical properties of muscle tissue across a broader range of animals could provide some insight
regarding the relationship of the electrical properties of the tissue to muscle structure. Impedance spectra
were obtained, in vivo, using a Solartron 1260 Impedance Analyzer for frog gastrocnemius muscle and a
Hewlett Packard 4192A Low Frequency Impedance Analyzer for octopus arm and crayfish tail muscles.
The figure below illustrates the real and imaginary parts of the impedance spectra for each of these animal
models. Clear differences are apparent in the spectra. A peak in the imaginary part of the spectrum can be
characterized by the presence of a constant phase angle element (CPE) with an exponent denoted by n. The
impedance spectrum for frog muscle is similar to that measured for mammalian systems with n ~ 0.7. For
crayfish tail muscle n = 0.5, which characteristic of a diffusion process. The octopus arm does not exhibit a
peak in the kHz region. These differences in the spectra must be related to structural variations in the
muscles.

4-6
THE PEROXIDASE-OXIDASE OSCILLATORY REACTION DYNAMICS EXHIBIT A
MAGNETIC FIELD DOSE DEPENDENCE CONSISTENT WITH THE RADICAL PAIR
MECHANISM. J.J.L. Carson and J. Walleczek. Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Department of
Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California, USA 94305-5304.
OBJECTIVE: The original proposal that the oscillatory peroxidase-oxidase (PO) enzyme reaction is an
ideal in vitro model for the study of the interaction of magnetic fields with biological systems [1] has been
supported in principle by the finding that the non-oscillatory reaction kinetics of the peroxidase enzyme
were influenced by a static magnetic field in a manner consistent with the radical pair mechanism (RPM)
[2]. Theoretical and simulation work with the PO oscillator predicted state-dependent qualitative responses
to magnetic fields [3] some of which were verified experimentally in two independent laboratories [4, 5].
The objective of this work was to extend the experimental results by determining if limit-cycle PO
oscillations are influenced by a static magnetic field in a manner consistent with the RPM.
METHOD: Experiments were performed in a quartz cuvette temperature-controlled to 28.00.1C as
described previously [6]. The cuvette was held between the poles of a water-cooled electromagnet which
was capable of producing uniform static fields up to 200 mT. PO oscillations were recorded using timeresolved absorbance spectroscopy and an O2-electrode. The observable reaction species included the native
25

peroxidase enzyme, several enzyme intermediates and the substrates NADH and dissolved oxygen. With
this system we were able to observe stationary limit-cycle oscillations for several hours.
RESULTS: Fig. 1 shows the response of the PO limit-cycle oscillator to a range of uniform flux densities
from <0.05mT to 175mT. Each point represents the change in average amplitude of dissolved oxygen
during a 1000s exposure to a static magnetic field exposure compared to a 1000s interval before exposure
and a 1000s interval after exposure. Error bars represent one standard error of the mean. The observed
response was biphasic with an apparent low field resonance at 5mT followed by a zero crossing at 10mT
and a plateau region for fields above 50mT.
DISCUSSION: The shape of the dose dependence curve suggests that the PO oscillator dynamics were
influenced by the RPM. The biphasic response is characteristic of the combination of the hyperfine and Dgmechanisms governing radical pair spin mixing [7]. Future work could examine the structure of the low
field resonance in detail to establish the lower limit or threshold by which the PO oscillator can detect
magnetic fields.
References.
[1] Walleczek, J. and C Eichwald. Department of Energy Contractors Review, Palm Springs, Nov. 12-16,
p24. 1995.
[2] Taraban, M.B., TV Leshina, MA Anderson and CB Grissom. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 119, 5768-5769. 1997
[3] Eichwald, C. and J Walleczek. Biophys. Chem., 74, 209-224. 1998.
[4] Carson, J.J.L. and J Walleczek. Bioelectromagnetics Society Annual Meeting, Long Beach, June. 20-24,
1999 p72.
[5] Moller, A.C. and LF Olsen. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 121, 6351-6354. 1999
[6] Carson, J.J.L. and J Walleczek. Department of Energy Contractors Review, San Antonio, Nov. 19-21,
1996 p119.
[7] McLauchlan, K.A. and UE Steiner. Mol. Phys. 73, 241-263. 1991

Fig. 1. Dependence of PO limit-cycle oscillation amplitudes on magnetic field flux density.

This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, the Fetzer Institute and the Medical Research
Council of Canada.

26

4-7
CONSTRAINTS ON THE EFFICACY OF PERMANENT MAGNET THERAPIES. A.R. Liboff.
Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309 USA.
The spurt in interest in permanent magnet therapy is connected to the discovery of ultra-high coercive force
(He) magnetic materials, which enable one to fabricate extremely thin magnets while still providing very
large flux densities, of the order of 0.1 T. To the best of our knowledge there has been no credible
explanation advanced as to the physical mechanism(s) underlying the therapeutic values that are claimed for
these magnets. However, because tissues are essentially diamagnetic in nature, there are well-understood
constraints on the potential physical interactions between such magnets and living tissue. There are two
types of possible mechanical interaction, the translational force due to the field gradient and the torque due
to the diamagnetic anisotropy found in many biomolecules, e.g., DNA, lipids, and alpha-helical proteins. A
third possibility is that the motion of electrically conductive tissue relative to the spatially fixed permanent
magnet field will lead to physiologically significant induced currents in the tissue. We obtained a group of
NdFeB magnets (typically 12.7 mm dia x 1.59 mm thick) used for therapeutic applications with surface
magnetization in excess of 0.1 T. Utilizing a flat Hall probe, a jig was constructed to measure the field
gradient in the magnet's vicinity along the magnet axis as well as radially from the axis. It was determined
that at 1 mm from the magnet surface the maximum gradient occurred in the radial direction. At this point,
the product of field intensity and gradient was found to be approximately 1.5 T2/m. The latter value allows
one to estimate the specific translational force on tissue, 1.3 x 10-3 N/kg, suggesting that there is little or no
likelihood of any physiological effect that will arise due to gradient effects stemming from such magnets.
Similarly, faradaic currents induced in tissue components moving within the magnetic field can also be
shown to be negligible. For example, we estimate the induced current in a red blood cell moving at a speed
of 1 x 10-3 m/s in a capillary located at one mm below the skin surface to be about 3 x 10-19 A, or roughly
two electrons per second. The magnetic torque on biomolecular arrays will also be small for such magnets,
but not necessarily vanishingly small. This is because rotational potential energies in excess of thermal kT
are readily obtained in high fields when the molecules are aligned in large numbers, as often occurs in
biological systems. However, such an effect, if physiologically significant, would be expected to be even
more manifest in individuals undergoing MRI exposures, where the field intensities can be 10-100 times
larger than those arising from high Hc magnets. Lacking any such evidence, one must conclude that there is
no credible physical mechanism that might provide a basis for the alleged therapeutic values that many have
attached to high coercive force magnets.

SESSION 5: CELLS AND TISSUES I

Joint BEMS/SPRBM-Session
Co-chairs: Gaby Nindl/Robert Fitzsimmons
5-1
TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS IN CELLS EXPOSED TO EMF. A. Henderson, K. Nie,* V.
Martirosyan* and Q. Tao*. Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Gene Structure and
Function, Hunter College of the City University of New York, The Graduate Center of the City University
of New York, New York, New York, 10021, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Studies that analyze TPA induction provide a model for EMF-cell interactions, but to date,
there is no direct proof that TPA and EMF are associated with a common signaling pathway. Several
approaches were taken to address this problem. The first measured components of signaling pathways
relative to the response to TPA or EMF. The second determined whether the time of activation for EMF
and TPA induction was the same. A third comparison tested whether TPA and EMF act in a synergistic
27

manner. Our initiation point was the finding that differentiation can be induced in HL-60 cells using either
TPA or EMF exposure. This provided a strategy to identify transduction steps in differentiation that result
from EMF exposures since portions of the TPA-induced differentiation pathway are known. Direct
measurements of downstream events known to be involved in the differentiation process were made.
METHODS: Cells (HL-60, MCF-7 or rat fibroblasts) were given no treatment, or exposed to EMF (60 Hz;
1Grms), growth in TPA (0.25 to 1 ng/ml) or TPA plus EMF. Exposures were between 0 and 24 hours in a
Helmholtz Coil System designed by ERM, Inc. Phagocytic activity in HL-60 cells was measured by the
uptake of fluorescent particles; fluorescence was quantified by flow cytometry. PKC, Raf-1 and MAP
kinase were identified by immunoblotting using monoclonal antibodies. Immunoprecipitation and Western
Blotting was used to determine PKC translocation and specific PKC subtypes, phosphorylation of RAF
(anti-RAF-1 antibody, with immunoblotting against an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody) and MAPK
(antibody recognizing the dually phosphorylated activated form of MAPK). Quantitation used ImageQuant
(Molecular Dynamics).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The role of PKC in EMF-cell interactions was tested by measurements
of PKC-, - , - and -, in exposed HL-60 cells. Membrane translocation of PKC- was followed since
the response of the other subtypes was weak, even after immunoprecipitation. Measurements of PKC- in
membrane fractions showed very small increases at exposures of less than 20 minutes with no definitive
peak of activity. PKC- in membrane fractions never exceeded that in cytoplasmic fractions. This is in
contrast to measurements made following exposure of the cells to TPA. After twenty minutes treatment,
most of the PKC- is associated with membrane fractions. Overall, the results testing PKC were surprising
since a time-dependent increase in PKC activity has been observed previously following EMF exposures
and is predicted event assuming that TPA and EMF influence similar reactions. There is a correlation,
however, between TPA and EMF induced Raf-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. The effect of EMF exposure on
Raf-1 phosphorylation peaks at about 10 minutes of exposure with approximately a 50% increase. Raf
protein serine/threonine kinase is one of the components of the MAP kinase cascade which transduces the
extracellular mitogen stimuli to the nucleus. Via phosphorylation, activated Raf turns on MEK, which
stimulates MAPK. Measurements of MAPK in cells exposed to TPA or EMF show a distinct and
significant peak of at 15 minutes. Data, to date, show synergism between TPA and EMF at low
concentrations of TPA (<500 pg./ml); this was also observed using different end point parameters. Based
on the present results alone, we cannot rule out the possibility that TPA and EMF affect different pathways
to achieve similar endpoints. The results, however, provide further support for the hypothesis that signaling
pathways provide a means of EMF interaction with cells.
This research was supported by PSC-CUNY Award 667162, and RR-03037, from the National Center for
Research Resources, NIH.

5-2
INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT ENHANCES THE RELEASE OF CYCLIC AMP IN fMLP
STIMULATED HL-60 CELLS. W. Sontag, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut fr Medizintechnik
und Biophysik, Postfach 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: At the last meeting we reported that the release of the inflammatory mediators prostaglandin
E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) was strongly influenced by interferential current
(IFC) in HL-60 cells when prestimulated with the chemotactid peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (fMLP), whereas no response was seen in unstimulated cells [1]. In order to see whether
fMLP-stimulation would also influence the action of IFC on other endpoints we examined in detail changes
of the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 at different levels of
prestimulation and under various exposure conditions.
METHODS: HL-60 cells (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, MD), maintained in RPMI 1640
medium supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum, were used. They were differentiated into granulocytes by
28

adding 1.25% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to the culture medium for 5 days. Prior to exposure, the cell
density of the suspension culture was adjusted to 5x106 cells/ml; 2 ml of the cell suspension was washed by
centrifugation and cells were resuspended in fresh medium with different concentrations of fMLP. The cell
suspension was divided into two equal fractions (for sham and IFC treatment) and placed in a 37C
thermoholder for exposure. Unless otherwise specified, cells were exposed at 250 uA/cm2 over a period of
5 min. Subsequently, the concentration of cAMP in the cells was quantified using commercial enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Cells were treated with IFC, the simplest type of a modulated
waveform obtained by superimposing two sinewave currents centered at 4000 Hz, and with a modulation
("beating") frequency equal to their frequency shift. IFC was applied to the cell suspension via two
platinum electrodes separated by 8 mm.
RESULTS: a) In HL-60 cells, pretreatment with different concentrations of fMLP (0 to 1 M) enhanced the
intracellular cAMP level up to 45%. IFC exposure had no effect in non-and fully stimulated cells, but
enhanced cAMP concentration at intermediate levels of fMLP concentration. b) With the optimum fMLP
concentration (~100 pM), the influence of exposure time was examined resulting in a "time window''
between 5 and 15 min. c) No window effect for the enhancement of cAMP was found for the current
density, ranging from 8.5 to 2500 uA/cm2. d) Under optimal exposure conditions (100 pM fMLP, 10 min
exposure time and 250 A/cm2 current density) the dependence upon modulation frequency was examined
between 0 to 50 Hz in 5 Hz steps. Pronounced window effects were found with maxima at IFC 15 and 32
Hz. e) Further examinations yielded that the change of cAMP is a result of the interaction of IFC with the
cAMP-generating enzyme adenylate cyclase, but not with the cAMP-degrading enzyme phosphodiesterase.
DISCUSSION: This study confirms the existence of "windows" for maximum response to cellular
activation status, exposure time, IFC-current density and -modulation also for changes of the second
messenger cAMP, thus supporting similar results obtained earlier for the release of the mediators LTB4,
PGE2 and IL-8. The results are interpreted in context with the cellular signalling pathways involved.
1. Sontag, W, Interferential current enhances the release of leukotriene B4, Prostaglandine E2 and
interleukine-8 in fMLP stimulated HL-60 cells (3-3). Twenty-first Annual Meeting in Long Beach, USA,
1999, pp. 20-21.

5-3
GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING AS A MEANS FOR CHARACTERIZING SUBTLE
CELLULAR RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES. K.J. McLeod, L. Porres*, M.
Hadjiargyrou* and D.W. Sommerfeldt*. Musculo-Skeletal Research Laboratory, Program in
Bioengineering, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York, 11794-5281, USA.
The responses of cellular systems to ELF electric fields, at intensities similar to those arising from either
environmental exposures or endogenous sources, are invariably small and difficult to detect. Phenotypic changes are
often found to be variable from experiment to experiment, and indeed, the entire population of cells within a single
experiment does not necessarily respond in a uniform manner (1). Similarly, recent experiments attempting to
identify underlying changes in the expression of specific genes have been confounded by both a lack of robust
changes and reproducibility. The lack of a profound endpoint response to a subtle environmental perturbation,
however, should not be surprising. Cells are highly adaptive entities which should be fully capable of maintaining a
steady state in the presence of environmental alterations. Nonetheless, adaptation implies a change in the underlying
dynamics of cell activity, and assays which address the dynamic state of the cell, rather than just the steady state,
should be capable of identifying cellular responses even in the absence of clear endpoint differences. Here, we
attempt to define the dynamic state of a cell population exposed to subtly different growth substrates using gene
expression profiling techniques.
METHODS: MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells were plated out in serum free media onto one of four substrates:
1) polystyrene (PS) petri dishes pre-treated for 24 hours with serum containing media (10% fetal bovine serum in MEM); 2) PS dishes with no pre-treatment; 3) tissue culture polystyrene (TCP) dishes with serum pretreatment; or, 4)
TCP dishes with no pretreatment. Following three hours of incubation, all dishes were washed to remove non-

29

adhered cells, cells were trypsinized, mRNA extracted, cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription, and gene
expression characterized using standard differential display techniques with three arbitrary primers (GenHunter, Inc)
using A,C and G anchor primers. Differential display gels were digitized, converted to optical densities, and
redisplayed as number of gene fragments vs. relative expression level. Six replicates of each growth condition were
executed and averaged in the final analyis.
RESULTS: While in the long term the four surfaces utilized in this study would have profoundly different effects on
cell growth, at three hours of incubation neither attached cell number or cell morphology appeared to be significantly
different. Similarly, classic two point analysis of differential display gels could not identify any significant and
reproducible differences in the expression of any gene fragments. Conversely, gene expression profiling
demonstrated consistent and significant differences between the four culture conditions. Profiling gene expression by
spectral analysis, i.e. displaying gene fragments as a function of expression level rather than fragment size,
demonstrated a power law (1/f) distribution. Very large number of fragments were found to be expressed at low
levels, while very few fragments were expressed at the highest recordable levels. Differences in expression levels
between the four growth conditions were identified by comparison of the number of fragments expressed in the lower
range (lower 1/3) of expression levels.
DISCUSSION: The level of expression of any single gene or gene fragment only represents the value of a dynamic
variable at a point in time. In any dynamic system the value of an arbitrary variable may or may not be maintained
from time point to time point. Conversely, the relationships between variables can be expected to remain relatively
constant over time, and so we believe the relationship between gene expression levels represents a superior way to
characterize the dynamic state of a cell. Gene expression levels might be anticipated to manifest a normal or lognormal distribution with a small number of genes expressed at both very high or very low levels, and the majority of
expressed genes at some average level. In fact, this work demonstrates that gene expression follows a power law
distribution over the range of expression levels evaluated. This result should perhaps not be surprising as gene
expression levels can be viewed as resulting from a complex of interacting genes which attain a self-organized state.
A self-similar, or power-law-like distribution, would then be expected in the distribution of gene expression levels,
much like it is observed in the distribution and abundance of species in an ecological niche (2). In future studies we
will utilize this analysis technique to identify cell responses to ELF electric and magnetic field exposures.
1. Lee & McLeod, Bioelectromagnetic (2000) 21(2):1-8.
2. Harte, Kinzig, & Green, Science (1999) 284:334-336.
This work supported by NIH grant ES-07803.

5-4
INFLUENCE ON PHAGOCYTOSIS AND FREE RADICAL PRODUCTION IN MOUSE
MACROPHAGES FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO 50 HZ EMF - EMF AS POSSIBLE STIMULI
FOR CELL ACTIVATION? M. Simk; S. Droste*; R. Kriehuber* and D.G. Weiss*. Division of
Environmental Physiology, Institute of Cell Biology and Biosystems Technique, University of Rostock,
Universitatsplatz 2, D-18051 Rostock, Germany.
INTRODUCTION: Macrophages play an essential role in the immune system. Activated macrophages
possess enhanced phagocytosis and elevated production of toxic oxygen as well as nitrogen intermediates.
Measurement of phagocytic activity can be quantified using microspheres as surrogate microorganisms and
is therefore a useful tool assessing immunotoxicity. The presented data might describe a possible
mechanism of the interaction of EMF and the immune system.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to investigate the possible activating effect of the exposure to
electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the phagocytic activity and the production of free radicals in mouse bone
marrow-derived macrophages (MBM-cells) as well as to compare the effects of different concentrations of
12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 1nM, 10nM, 1M) and a combination of both. TPA was
chosen because it interacts directly with protein kinase C (PKC) by mimicking the action of diacylglycerol
and is able to activate the PKC mediated signal transduction pathway.
METHODS: Mononuclear phagocyte precursor cells were prepared from tibial and femoral mouse bones
and kept 5 days in cell culture for differentiation to mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (MBM).
Cells were exposed to 50 Hz EMF at 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mT for 45 min for phagocytic assay and free radical
30

production or for 1, 2, and 4 h for investigating the intracellular transport of beads. MBM-cells were
cultivated on coverslips, incubated for 30 min in fresh culture medium containing 1 m latex beads in the
presence or absence of EMF, TPA or both. The numbers of internalised beads per MBM-cells were
determined with Normaski interference contrast (DIC) light microscopy in 100 cells. For O2 determination
the reduction of NBT to formazan within the cells was assayed by measuring optical density at 550 nm
using a microplate reader. The production of NO was measured by the colorimetric method based on the
Griess nitrite assay.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: It can be concluded, that EMF induced a significantly increased phagocytic
activity in MBM cells in a dose dependent manner. Phagocytic activity was assessed by measuring the
increased internalisation of latex beads (up to 36.3 15.11%) and the cellular activation was compared to
chemical stimulation with TPA. It could be shown that a flux density of 1 mT led to the same level of
activation as 1 nM TPA, whereas co-exposure to EMF and TPA lead to no additive effect. This finding
suggests that the activation of MBM cells by EMF seems not to involve the PKC mediated signal
transduction pathway. Our data indicate small differences in O2-production but no differences in NOproduction after stimulation with EMF compared to control cells. In order to investigate the involvement of
motor proteins, the intracellular transport of beads toward the nucleus was studied. No differences could be
detected between the EMF-exposed and unexposed cells, suggesting that motor proteins as well as
cytoskeletal elements are not influenced by EMF in MBM cells.
This work is supported by the "Ministerium fr Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur", MecklenburgVorpommern, Germany.

5-5
EFFECTS OF STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS ON NEURITE OUTGROWTH OF DORSAL ROOT
GANGLIA NEURONS IN VITRO. B.F. Sisken, P. Midkiff*, A. Twehues* and M.M. Markov. Center for
Biomedical Engineering and Dept. Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
40506-0070 and EMF Therapeutics, Chattanooga, TN 37405, USA.
INTRODUCTION and OBJECTIVES: In 1999 (Annual BEMS Meeting) we reported that dorsal root
ganglia were stimulated by static magnetic fields to produce enhanced neurite outgrowth. In our current
work we have been examining specific variables underlying this effect.
METHODS: A chick embryo explant model (Sisken et al., 1984, 1990) was used to assess bioeffects by
measuring areas of neurite outgrowth and central and total areas. Tectonic ceramic magnets, 4 cm in
diameter, and surface field strength of approximately 900 gauss were used to generate static magnetic fields
(MF). Culture dishes were placed at successive vertical distances from the surface of the magnet in order to
assess the effects of different magnetic field amplitudes of 900, 450 and 225 gauss on the growth of the
cultured neurons. In all experiments nerve growth factor (N-GF) was included since it is a factor essential
for normal growth and differentiation of sensory (DRG) neurons.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) dissected from 8-9 day chick embryos were
explanted to 35 mm collagen-coated culture dishes. All cultures were incubated for 2 days @ 37C in a
CO2 incubator. Three to five DRG were placed in each dish containing 2 ml Neurobasal medium. All sets
of dishes were matched to have comparable additions of nerve growth factor (0.2, 2, 10 or 20ng/ml NGF)or
saline. The dishes were divided into sham control (no MF) or experimental (MF). This plan was repeated
at least 4 times. The plates were exposed to magnetic fields for 1 hr/day for 2 days. Then the DRG explants
were fixed with formalin and growth areas were determined on photographs using image analysis
techniques (Shah et al., 1998).
STATISTICS: Differences between groups were evaluated using ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer
Multiple Comparisons Test.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Four parameters were analyzed on each DRG: neurite area, total area of
the explant, central neuronal area and perimeter. The most pronounced effects were found when 900 gauss
31

MF plus 10 ng/ml NGF was applied to the cultures; neurite area was increased by 39.5% (p<0.04) relative to
DRG treated with 10 ng/ml NGF but no MF. The central area that originally contained 5,000-10,000
neuronal cells was increased significantly (41%, p<0.002) relative to sham + 10 ng/ml NGF only by the
combination of 900 gauss + 10 ng/ml NGF. This effect may be the result of the 900 gauss MF and NGF
interacting to inhibit cell death that normally occurs in cultured neurons, thus preserving neuronal
populations. The growth response to NGF + 450 or 225 gauss was not significantly different from NGF +
sham. No effect of any magnetic field was found in DRG grown without NGF. The data to be presented
show that relatively high magnetic fields are required to produce a significant effect in this biological
system.
Supported in part by Magnetherapy Inc., Riviera Beach, FL 33404, USA.

5-6
COMBINED EFFECT OF CIRCULARLY POLARISED MILLIMETER WAVES AND ETHIDIUM
BROMIDE ON E. COLI CELLS. I.Ya. Belyaev1,2, V.D. Ushakov2*, V.S. Shcheglov2*, and M. HarmsRingdahl1*. 1Department of Molecular Genome Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, S-10691,
Sweden; 2Department of Radiation Physics, Biophysics and Ecology, Moscow Engineering Physics
Institute, Moscow, 115409, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: It has been previously shown, that left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized (CP)
millimeter waves (MMW) at the same resonance frequency exerted significantly different effects on E. coli
cells [1]. The effective circular polarization (left or right) inverted in-between different resonances and was
attributed to helicity (Z- or B-) of DNA sequences which could effectively interfere with MMW. It is
believed that Z-B alternations of DNA sequences occur in cells in coordination with changes in DNA
supercoiling. To change these alternations, the cells were irradiated with X-rays before exposure to MMW
[2]. The efficiency of both polarisations was inverted when the cells were irradiated at high doses. The
inversion was dose-dependent and effects of both CP MMW become to be equal at the dose, which
produced approximately one single-strand DNA break per genome. The data supported hypothesis about
relationship between sign of effective MMW polarization and DNA helicity. In this study, we used a
specific DNA intercalator ethidium bromide (EtBr) to further test this hypothesis.
MATERIALS and METHODS: The E. coli AB1157 cells were incubated in M9 buffer with/without EtBr,
1 g/ml. This concentration was chosen to provide effective binding to DNA and low cytotoxicity. The
changes in the conformation of DNA-protein complexes were studied by the method of anomalous viscosity
time dependence (AVTD). The cells were exposed to circularly polarized MMW (51.76 GHz, 10 min, 0.1
mW/cm2). The cells were lysed for AVTD measurements 40, 90 or 120 min after exposure.
RESULTS: In four independent experiments, significant increase in the AVTD peaks was observed after
exposure of cells to MMW at left-handed polarization. Positive control with EtBr showed that this increase
corresponded to decondensation of nucleoids, which was produced by intercalator at the concentration of 1
g/ml in cell lysates. The left-handed CP MMW was about 2-3 times more effective than right-handed
polarization at all tested time points (40, 90, 120 min). On the contrary, the left-handed CP MMW affected
the cells less than right polarization (p < 0.005, paired t-test) if cells were exposed to MMW in combination
with EtBr. Thus, the DNA intercalator inverted the efficiency of CP MMW.
CONCLUSIONS: The data provided new evidence that DNA is a primary target for resonance interaction
of nonthermal MMW with cells.
References.
1. Belyaev, I.Ya., VS. Shcheglov, YeD. Alipov, Existence of Selection Rules on Helicity during Discrete
Transitions of the Genome Conformational State of E. coli Cells Exposed to Low-level Millimetre
Radiation, Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics, 27: 405-411, 1992.

32

2. Belyaev, I.Ya., YeD. Alipov, and VS. Shcheglov, Chromosome DNA as a Target of Resonant Interaction
between Escherichia Coli Cells and Low-intensity Millimeter Waves, Electro- and Magnetobiology, 11: 97108, 1992.
This work was supported by the Swedish Council for Work Life Research and the Swedish Radiation
Protection Institute.

5-7
CAN LOW FREQUENCY INTERFERENTIAL ELECTRIC FIELDS INDUCE
DIFFERENTIATION IN THE EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA CELL P19? E. Gottwald*, W. Sontag*,
A.M. Wobus*1, K.-F. Weibezahn*, H. Dertinger*. Institut fr Medizintechnik und Biophysik,
Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Postfach 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. 1lnstitut fr Pflanzengenetik
und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Leibniz Institut, Corrensstrae 3, D-06466 Gatersleben, Germany.
In 1998 we reported (Gottwald et al.) that electric interferential fields (two superposed 4kHz sinewaves
"beating" with 10, 50 and 100 Hz "modulation frequency", field strength in air 100V/m) seem to induce
differentiation in the pluripotent mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 (ECC P19) when cultured as socalled embryoid bodies (EB). Additional experiments revealed that P19 EB treated with interferential
electric fields modulated with 100Hz show a slightly increased rate of differentiation into beating
myocardial cells compared to sham exposed controls (9.3% vs. 3.9%, student's t-test, p<0.05). To confirm
these results on a molecular basis, we tried to correlate the microscopic results with cAMP-levels, gene and
protein expression characteristic of myocardial cells, by performing cAMP-measurements, semiquantitative
RT-PCR and 2D-electrophoresis. Cyclic AMP measurements in P19 EB treated for 5 min at 100 Hz
modulation either with interferential field (100 V/m field strength) or with interferential current (current
density 250uA/cm2) did not reveal a statistically significant increase in cAMP-levels neither for current nor
for field exposure. Also the semiquantitative RT-PCR experiments failed to show significantly elevated
levels of the cardiac specific mRNAs - and -Myosin Heavy Chain (MHC). As an attempt to detect
differences in protein expression patterns we performed 2D-electrophoresis of P19 cells which were either
sham-exposed or treated with interferential fields (100V/m) repeatedly for 5 min followed by a 3 hour pause
interval for a period of 72 h during days 4 to 6 of suspension culture. Cells were harvested at culture day 17
and total protein was prepared. Although a certain fraction of the experiments showed eye-springing
differences in the protein expression patterns between controls and treated cells, no significant difference
was seen when the averaged gels were compared. From these results we conclude that interferential electric
fields may induce differentiation in the pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 to a statistically
significant extend when cultured as EB. However, statistical analysis of pooled molecular data from cAMP
measurements, semiquantitative RT-PCR and 2D-electrophoresis does not resolve significant differences
between controls and treated cells. Several reasons may account for this pattern of the molecular data. The
most likely one seems to address particular physiological factors prevailing in the three-dimensional cell
matrix of the EB, which may vary in time as well as from experiment to experiment and also within
individual aggregates, thus being extremely difficult to control. In fact, due to the spherical geometry of the
EBs, radial gradients of signalling molecules as well as of oxygen may form as is known for multicellular
spheroids, leading to locally inhomogeneous distributions e.g. of cAMP. This problem was also discussed
by Schimmelpfeng et al. who showed that treatment of SV40-3T3 spheroids with 50 Hz magnetic fields
caused characteristic changes in the radial cAMP profiles. However, comparing the spheroid results in toto
to controls yielded no significant results. For the P19 EB this leads, in particular, to the conclusion that
pooling of molecular data from three dimensional cultures might not be appropriate when performing
statistical analysis of field effects.

33

References.
Gottwald E, Weibezahn K-F, Knedlitschek G, Krger E, Wobus A, Dertinger H. Can extremely low
frequency interferential electric fields induce differentiation? Bioelectromagnetic Society Meeting, June 711, 1998, Florida, USA.
Schimmelpfeng J, Stein J-C, Dertinger H. Action of 50 Hz Magnetic Fields on Cyclic AMP and
Intercellular Communication in Monolayers and Spheroids of Mammalian Cells. Bioelectromagnetics 1995;
16:381-386.

5-8
THE ACTION POTENTIAL OF THE PLANT MIMOSA PUDICA UNDER MOBILE PHONE
RADIATION. G. Nimtz*, A. Spanoudaki*, and M. Weidner**. *II. Physikalisches Institut der Universitt
Kln, Zlpicher Str. 77, 50937 Kln, Germany. **Botanisches Institut der Universitt Kln, Gyrhofstrae
15, 50923 Kln, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: We report on in vivo experiments on a plant Mimosa pudica carried out under 1.8 GHz
radiation. The investigation on the plant's membranes is up to a certain point representative for all
biological membranes. Between the intra-cellular space and the plasma-lemma of the plant, there is
normally a potential difference of about-170 mV. As a response to any thermal, mechanical or electrical
stimulus, M. pudica reacts with a visible motion (feather leaves closing and petiolus relaxing downwards)
accompanied by the action potential: The trans-membrane flux equilibrium is destabilised and the potential
difference is reduced by 20-100 mV. The reduction of the potential takes the form of a pulse with a
duration of 1 2 s, that propagates from cell to cell with a speed of the order of 1 cm/s and is referred to as
the action potential. The action potential generation and propagation in M. pudica is analogue from the
physico-chemical point of view to the nerve reaction of animals and humans. It is obvious that being able to
experiment on plants has a tremendous advantage, as it distances us from any questions of ethics
surrounding experiments on humans or animals.
METHOD: The action potential is stimulated through a current pulse applied between two needle
electrodes placed at the petiolus of one leaf at a small distance of each other. In order to exclude the
possibility that a coupling of the EM-field at the stimulation electrodes takes place some experiments were
carried out with a thermal stimulus. In this case a plastic knife was cooled in liquid nitrogen and then
delicately touched to the petiolus. The action potential is detected by means of two electrodes placed about
10 cm away from the place of stimulation. The microwave radiation is produced by a signal generator
Rohde & Schwarz, SME 23. The carrier frequency was 1.87 GHz (GMSK digital modulation). Some
complementary measurements where carried out without any AM. All other parameters remained
unchanged. The immission was 10 mW/cm2. The physical quantities chosen to be examined were the
height and the half-width of the action potential puls.
RESULTS: Comparing the non-irradiated and the irradiated measurements we noticed, that in spite of their
similarity, the potential peaks get higher with a smaller half-width under irradiation. This effect was
reproduced in 300 measurements including 27 plants. An average half-width decrease of 6 % compared
with the non-irradiated action potential response was observed. Similar results correspond to measurements
where the action potential was stimulated through local cooling. They prove that the alteration of the pulse
is not due to interference of the HF-field with the stimulation electronics. In order to test whether the
change in the half-width is due to the microwave frequency or to the low frequency modulation, additional
measurements were taken up, comparing the response under modulated with the response under nonmodulated field. The results did not show any difference between the two cases. This result is interesting
since it was speculated that microwaves cause only thermal effects, where as the low-frequency carrier
modulation may interfere non-thermally with biological systems.

34

DISCUSSION: The study on the action potential has revealed an influence of microwave fields. The
potential shows a significant deformation of 6 % under irradiation. For the time being we cannot explain
the observation.

SESSION 6: DOSIMETRY
Co-chairs: Georg Neubauer/Arnt Inge Vistnes
6-1
TRANSDUCTION METRICS AND DOSIMETRY FOR STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS. S.
Engstrm, M.J. McLean, R.R. Holcomb. Neuromagnetics Institute, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt
University Medical Center, Nashville 37232-3375, USA.
We address putative metrics for the physical transduction of static magnetic fields in biological systems.
Experiments in our laboratory suggest the possibility that non-uniform fields may have special properties in
terms of biological effects on action potentials, cell swelling, as well as in animal models of epilepsy. These
observations do not occur at the positions of maximum magnetic field or field gradient, but rather at
locations governed by a currently unknown metric.
By assuming detector isotropy in the biological system, it is possible to reduce the number of possible
metric components to the absolute field magnitude and its gradient expressed as components parallel and
perpendicular to the field vector. We will discuss consequences of this decomposition, and give examples
of this way to view the magnetic field. The experiments at our disposal appear to respond to field
geometries in which the gradient is aligned approximately perpendicular to the field vector itself.
Experiments on cell cultures and work in animal models are underway to critically test this hypothesis.
In order to analyze and characterize the geometry of an arbitrary magnetic field, we have developed a
method to calculate the field and its gradient in an exposure volume that must be located in a source-free
region of space. The method requires knowledge of the magnetic field component normal to a surface large
enough to see the field drop to near zero at its edges. Given this information, all aspects of the magnetic
field at any point above this plane can be accurately determined from a surface integral over the known data.
As an example of the method, the field at an arbitrary point over the plane z=z0, in which we know the field
component normal to the plane: Bz ( x ' , y ' , z0 ) is given by:
v
{x x ' , y y ' , z z 0 }
1
B( x, y, z ) =
B z ( x' , y ' , z 0 )
dx ' dy ' ,
3/ 2

2 z ' = z 0
( x x' ) 2 + ( y y ' ) 2 + ( z z0 ) 2

where {x,y,z} denotes a vector. The field Bz ( x ' , y ' , z 0 ) is assumed to be measured by a magnetic scanner, or
modeled by some other means (e.g. Finite Element Methods.)
The method can actually improve on noisy data since it works by estimating the scalar magnetic potential
over the the whole volume, a feature that works especially well for field values some distance away from
the defining boundary. The quantities which are derived from this potential (field and gradient) are
expressed as separate integrals, so numerical differentiation is not necessary, making this an ideal tool for
estimating magnetic field gradients from measured data or numerical models.

35

6-2
DOSIMETRY FOR STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD BIOEFECTS AND THERAPEUTIC
APPLICATIONS: SATURATION WITH INCREASING FIELD STRENGTH AND TREATMENT
DURATION. D.J. Muehsam and A.A. Pilla. Department of Orthopaedics, Mount Sinai School of
Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Static magnetic fields have been conclusively found to have significant therapeutic
application, most notably for treatment of pain and edema from musculoskeletal injuries and pathologies.
Double-blind studies on post-polio pain, post-operative pain, edema and discoloration and fibromyalgia
have shown that treatment with static magnetic fields can produce significant benefits. However, very little
is presently understood regarding optimal dosimetry and the effects of prolonged use of therapeutic
magnets.
MAGNETIC FIELD EFFECTS: It has been proposed by us that weak magnetic fields modulate the
kinetics of binding processes by inducing precessional motion at a characteristic (Larmor) frequency in the
polarized ion/water complex bound at the electrified interface of an ion binding site. The model predicts a
threshold in the 0.1-1 T range for magnetic field effects on the kinetics of ion binding in the presence of
thermal noise, with increased bioeffects for stronger magnetic fields. The model also predicts a saturation
effect for field strengths above a characteristic threshold, determined by the kinetics of the ion/ligand
binding system. The effect of treatment time upon dose-response is also considered. Assuming the primary
magnetic field transduction pathway operates via time-independent kinetics, therapeutic effects are thus due
to secondary responses (biochemical cascade) to changes in ion/ligand binding. A damped second-order
dependence of bioeffect, (i.e. analgesia, edema reduction, increased peripheral blood flow) upon the primary
transduction pathway is assumed, resulting in an assessment of the time-dependence of bioeffect upon
treatment duration. The addition of damping satisfies the condition that changes in the target state
secondary to responses to magnetic field transduction result in changes in the use of ions, nutrients or
neurotransmitters. Thus, the rate at which these substances are taken up in the bioresponse to the magnetic
field determines the relative damping strength.
SATURATION WITH INCREASING FIELD STRENGTH AND TREATMENT DURATION: The
model presented here predicts that magnetic field bioeffects on ion/ligand binding will increase with
increasing field strength, up to a saturation value, at which point further increases in field strength no longer
significantly increase binding kinetics. Field strength at saturation, and thus dosimetry, is determined by the
binding kinetics of the target system. For the model considered here, Ca2+-calmodulin myosin
phosphorylation, saturation is expected to occur in the vicinity of approximately 1000 Gauss, suggesting
that higher field strengths may not yield further improvements in clinical outcome. The effect of treatment
duration is determined by an estimation of the changes in use of ions, nutrients and neurotransmitters,
relative to their zero-field rate of replenishment or decay. In general, secondary responses to the primary
transduction step will result in some damping introduced into the time-response of the system. Conditions
for which damping is high enough, (i.e. leading to critically or overdamped dynamics) will yield a decrease
in bioeffect with increasing treatment duration. Thus, optimal therapeutic effects may be achieved by
interrupting continuous treatment for suitable refractory periods determined by rates of replenishment or
decay of substances involved in the secondary response to the primary magnetic field effect upon ion/ligand
binding.

36

This study was supported in part by the Horace W Goldsmith Foundation.

6-3
TEM CELL EXPOSURE SYSTEM OPERATING AT 900 MHz FOR IN VITRO AND IN VIVO
EXPERIMENTS. L. Ardoino 1*, G. DInzeo2, G.A. Lovisolo 1*, D. Asta1*, S. Mancini1*, R. Pinto1*, and C.
Marino1*. 1Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Science, ENEA Casaccia, 00060 Rome, Italy;
2
Department of Electronic Engineering, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
Performing exposure setups includes development, construction, maintenance and quality control of
optimised systems as well as dosimetry. The dosimetry must include precise prediction of the field at the
site of the cells and a study on its variability. It should be performed using both numerical tools such as the
Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) technique and experimental tools.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this work was the development and characterization of an exposure system,
operating at 900 MHz: a modified TEM cell for in vitro or in vivo studies.
METHOD: A non standard TEM cell (12cm x 12cm x 120cm(*)) operating at 900 MHz has been set up for
in vitro exposure to investigate cellular toxicity after 900 MHz exposure at different levels of power density.
The structure has been designed according to the electromagnetic restraints about cut-off frequency
(superior modes), minimization of VSWR and maximization of the uniform field volume; it has been
decided to make it longer than standard TEM cells to allow simultaneous exposure of multiple biological
samples to a uniform EM field. The EM field distribution with and without objects inside, has been
carefully assessed by numerical code HFSS and by measurements with Network Analyzer and calibrated Efield probe, in order to evaluate the disturbances due to the dishes filled of the medium. The numerical
dosimetry has been performed by using a numerical FDTD code (XFDTD) and validated by measurements
with fiberoptic temperature probe (LUXTRON). SAR distribution in Petri dishes ( 7cm) filled of cell
culture medium was measured by a temperature probe (power pulse method 50W/30s). Specific heat and
electric parameters of all the media were measured by a calorimeter and a HP dielectric probe. Because of
this structure cannot be put inside standard incubators, particular arrangements have been realized to
maintain and control the environmental parameters for the in vitro experiments. One of the sides of the
outer conductor can be substituted with a grilled one for performing in vivo experiments: in such a way
the system can be employed to radiate small rodents as mice.
RESULTS: The TEM cell has been characterized with different biological samples. The homogeneity of
SAR distribution is variable in Petri dishes or in mice (>3dB). Some of the average SAR values in mice
obtained by the experimental dosimetry are shown in the following figure.
DISCUSSION: The assessment of the EM field distribution confirms that the disturbance due the objects
inside is negligible for in vitro experiments, while, for in vivo experiments, the disturbance due the objects
(mice or phantom) doesnt allow to expose more than four mice to the same level of power density.

37

Average SAR values by different power input

References.
Burkhardt, M., Pokovic, K., Gnos, M., Schmid, T., and Kuster, N., Numerical and Experimental Dosimetry
of Petri Dish Exposure Setups, Bioelectromagnetics 17:483-493, 1996.
VanHese, J., Martens, L., DeZutter, D., DeVagter, C., Persson, B.R.R., Malmgren, L., and Salford, L.G.,
Simulation of the Effect of Inhomogeneities in TEM transmission Cells using FDTD-Method, IEEE Trans.
Electromagn. Compat., vol.EMC-34, 292-298, August 1992.

6-4
THERMAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION FROM CELLULAR TELEPHONES. P.R. Wainwright*.
NRPB, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: A computational model of heat transfer in the human head has been developed to calculate
temperature rises generated in the brain by electromagnetic radiation from cellular telephones. Exposure
standards recommended by the UK National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and the International
Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) place limits on the permissible specific
absorption rate (SAR) in the head in order to avoid thermal injury. However, the relationship between SAR
and the resulting temperature rise is complicated, and depends on antenna configuration, location and
frequency. It is therefore timely to review the application of exposure standards using a heat flow model
based on an anatomically correct phantom. In evaluating exposure situations cases where the SAR lies
close to the threshold, additional insight may be gained by applying this model to obtain a detailed picture
of the temperature distribution.
METHOD: A 1 mm resolution MRI dataset was segmented semi-automatically, assigning each volume
element to one of ten tissue types. A finite element mesh was then generated using an automatic tetrahedral
mesh generator developed at NRPB; the mesh was graded for maximum resolution on the side of the head
adjacent to the phone. Commonly accepted values of the density, thermal conductivity, specific heat and
blood perfusion rate were assigned to each tissue type. The SAR distribution in the head was derived from
the results of a previous study using a finite difference time domain model of the head coupled to a model
mobile phone (represented by a quarter-wavelength antenna mounted on a metal box). Exposures at 900
and 1800 MHz were modelled, and both vertical and horizontal orientations of the antenna were considered.
The steady-state temperature distributions with and without power from the phone were calculated using the
standard Pennes bioheat equation; the difference of these two distributions is the temperature rise T due
to irradiation. The rate of heat loss from the skin and the blood perfusion rate in the brain were varied to
determine the sensitivity of the model to these parameters.
RESULTS: The maximum value of T in the brain varies from 0.14 to 0.4 C per watt of time-averaged
transmitter power. Taking into account the duty factor, the time-averaged power of a typical modern GSM
phone is 0.25 W; for this power the maximum T in the brain is predicted to be about 0.1 C. SAR and
temperature rise were found to be greater at 1800 MHz than at 900 MHz. In each case the greatest T
38

occurred in skin or muscle, and fell off rapidly with increasing depth. The ratio of the maximum T in the
brain to the maximum SAR (averaged over 10 g) was never more than 0.16 CkgW-1 in the cases studied.
Values of T were quite insensitive to the brain perfusion rate, although varying this parameter had a
significant effect on the predicted absolute temperature.
DISCUSSION: This study appears to confirm that exposure at the ICNIRP-recommended SAR limit
(10 Wkg-1) is unlikely to cause the temperature in the brain to rise by more than about 1 C above the
normal body core temperature. Prolonged exposure (i.e. longer than about 6 or 7 minutes) to radiation from
a typical cellular telephone may cause the temperature on the surface of the brain to rise by about 0.1 C.

6-5
PREDICTED SAR VALUES IN MAN AS A FUNCTION OF EMF EXPOSURE PARAMETERS.
P.A. Mason1,2, P. Gajsek*1,3,4, J.M. Ziriax5, W.D. Hurt*1, and T.J. Walters1,6. 1Air Force Research
Laboratory, Directed Energy Bioeffects Division, San Antonio, Texas, 78235; 2Conceptual MindWorks,
Inc., San Antonio, Texas, 78228; 3Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, 78212;
4
National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 5Naval Health Research Center Detachment at
Brooks AFB, Texas, 78235; 6Veridian Engineering, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, 78216, USA.
The ability to predict specific absorption rate (SAR) values requires digital anatomical models and computer
algorithms (e.g., FD-TD code). The U.S. Air Force has developed a man model based on the images from
the Visible Human project (National Library of Medicine). We are reporting the effects of frequency and
exposure orientation on the localized and whole body normalized SAR values. The 1 x 1 x 1 mm man
model is composed of 1878 axial slices and over 30 tissue types are distinguished. Due to limitations in
computer processing power, we used a 3 x 3 x 3 mm man model in the present study. The frequency was
varied from 70 to 2000 MHz and the exposure orientation was EHK. The plane wave was delivered from
either the ventral to dorsal (+EHK) or dorsal or ventral (-EHK) directions. Table 1 shows that frequency
and predicted normalized SAR values for the whole body and brain (gray matter).
Normalized SAR (W/kg/mW/cm2)

Frequency
(MHz)

70
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
2000

+EHK
.261
.053
.064
.065
.063
.062
.061
.061
.059
.057

Whole Body
-EHK
.270
.049
.062
.067
.064
.064
.062
.060
.058
.055

Brain (Gray Matter)

+EHK
-EHK
.102
.109
.095
.112
.064
.103
.098
.103
.176
.091
.116
.125
.077
.110
.070
.088
.072
.075
.040
.054

Results showed that 70 MHz was the approximate resonant frequency for the man model (105 kg) and is
consistent with that published in the Radiofrequency Radiation Dosimetry Handbook (Durney et al., 1986).
As expected, increasing the frequency produced higher SAR values on the skin surface facing towards the
field. Although orientation had a minor effect on whole body SAR values, there was a more pronounced
effects on individual organs. Shown above are the results for gray matter. At 800 MHz, altering the
exposure direction by 180o produced substantially different SAR patterns in the brain. Projection of the
39

plane wave in the ventral to dorsal direction resulted in higher SAR values in a larger percentage of the
brain as compared to when the plane wave was projected in the dorsal to ventral direction. The EMF passing
through the sinuses and multiple layers of bone in the frontal region of the skull may contribute to these
different SAR patterns. While the ratio of these internal organ SAR values to whole body SAR values may
provide important information in the establishment of health and safety EMF exposure limits, it is also
critical to consider the actual values of these numbers. Although the ratio may be high, the actual SAR
values may be so low as to produce a non-measurable thermal response.

6-6
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF HUMAN TISSUE AND BROADBAND PHANTOM MATERIALS
FOR 800 MHz TO 2.45 GHz. G. Schmid*1, H. Haider*1, G. Neubauer1 and H. MollaDjafari*2.
1
Austrian Research Center Seibersdorf, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria, 2Allgemeine
Unfallsversicherungsanstalt, A-1201 Vienna, Austria.
In order to develop a broadband heterogeneous head phantom for dosimetric measurements we have
prepared phantom materials which well meet the dielectric properties of brain tissue, muscle tissue and eye
(vitreous body) tissue over the frequency range from 800 MHz to 2.45 GHz. The target values for the
dielectric properties of the tissues of interest were obtained from measurements on real human tissue
samples of one male human of a post-mortem age of about 50 hours performed in Seibersdorf (see diagram
1). All dielectric property measurements on human tissue were made at a tissue temperature of 37 C over
the frequency range from 300 MHz to 2.45 GHz using a measurement system based on the open-ended
coaxial line method.

Diagram 1: Relative permittivity and conductivity of human tissue and phantom materials developed
The measurement results obtained were well within the scattering range of about 25 % of the dielectric
property values found in literature. By adjusting the mixture ratios of two different phantom materials,
which are principally known from literature, we prepared phantom materials for the tissue types in question,
which have similar dielectric properties compared to the corresponding real human tissues with a deviation
of less than 10 % over the frequency range from 800 MHz to 2.45 GHz. The average values measured in
human grey and white matter were the basis for the target values of permittivity and conductivity of brain
phantom material. Taking into account the relatively broad scattering range of dielectric property values
found in literature a maximum deviation of 10 % of the dielectric properties of our phantom materials from
40

the target values seems to be acceptable. The reasons for the variations found in literature are the natural
biological variance on the one hand and different measurement conditions with respect to tissue
temperature, post mortem age, preparation and origin of the measured tissue sample on the other hand.
Thus, the phantom materials developed can be used for dosimetric measurements in the whole frequency
range mentioned.
This work was sponsored by AUVA, Allgemeine Unfallsversicherungsanstalt, Adalbert Stifter Strae 63, A1210 Vienna, Austria.

6-7
HEATING INDUCED IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED IN THE FAR-FIELD OF RADIOFREQUENCY
BROADCASTING SOURCES. P. Bernardi, M. Cavagnaro*, S. Pisa* and E. Piuzzi*. Department of
Electronic Engineering, University "La Sapienza" of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy.
The most recognised radio frequency (RF) protection standards adopt the specific absorption rate (SAR) as
the basic parameter to establish the safety of exposure in the VHF and UHF bands (e.g. [1, 2]). The limits
on SAR must guarantee that tissue heating remains below the threshold for the induction of adverse thermal
effects. Therefore, the evaluation of steady-state temperature increases induced by the exposure is an
important issue. In this work we have considered a subject exposed to the far field of RF broadcasting
sources. The incident field has been modelled as a plane wave with frequency in the range 20-900 MHz
(VHF-UHF bands), and with a power density of 1 mW/cm2. The electromagnetic and the thermal problems
have been solved by using a detailed anatomical human model (0.5 cm resolution) which has a total height
of 180 cm and is constituted of 14 different biological tissues. The subject has been considered barefoot and
directly in contact with the ground. The FDTD method has been used for computing the electromagnetic
field distribution inside the body, while an explicit finite difference formulation of the bio-heat equation has
been adopted for computing the temperature increase. The tissue electrical parameters have been evaluated
on the basis of the most recent measurements performed on freshly excised animals [3], while the thermal
parameters have been obtained from [4]. The thermal behaviour of the human body has been modelled
considering the classical formulation of the bio-heat equation (heat conduction, metabolic heat production,
blood perfusion) together with an accurate model of the thermoregulatory mechanisms (e.g. heat losses due
to sweating and vasodilatation). As an example, in the figure below the maximum local temperature
increase obtained inside the body at steady-state is shown as a function of the frequency, both in the absence
and in the presence of thermoregulation. In the range 20-100 MHz, where the highest temperature increases
are obtained, the maximum is localised in the ankle. From the figure it appears that, for the considered
example, the frequency range 20-100 MHz is also the one in which the thermoregulatory system plays an
important role.

T (C)

Frequency (MHz)
41

References.
[1] ICNIRP Guidelines, Health Physics, vol. 74, n 4, pp. 494-522, 1998.
[2] IEEE C95.1 - 1991, IEEE standard for safety levels with respect to human exposure to radio frequency
electromagnetic fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz, 1992.
[3] C Gabriel Compilation of the dielectric properties of body tissues at RF and microwave frequencies,
Brooks Air Force Technical Report AL/OE-TR-1996-0037.
[4] FA Duck, Physical Properties of Tissue, Academic Press, 1990.

6-8
CALCULATION OF MILLIMETER WAVE ABSORPTION IN SKIN NEAR HAIR AND SWEAT
PORES AND IN OTHER NON-HOMOGENEOUS MEDIA. S.I. Alekseev* and M.C. Ziskin. Richard
J. Fox Center for Biomedical Physics, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19140, USA.
The presence of hair, sweat pores, and capillaries in skin results in a distortion of an otherwise uniform mmwave field distribution. The same is true of the presence of an air bubble or a thermocouple in an otherwise
homogeneous medium as water. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of data on this topic in the literature. The
objectives of this study were to calculate SAR distributions in the area of a thermocouple and an air bubble
in water and in hair and sweat pore containing skin, when irradiated with plane mm-waves. The E-vector of
mm-waves was parallel to the skin surface and perpendicular to hair and sweat pores as well as to a
thermocouple. A 2-D impedance method was employed to calculate the SAR distributions of 42.25 GHz
irradiation. With a uniform incident field, the SAR distribution is uniform in a homogeneous medium.
Insertion of a small (# 0.1 mm) thermocouple or similarly sized air bubble into water produced a notable
local disturbance of the field in the immediate vicinity of these objects. The maximal and minimal
concentrations of the field in the presence of a thermocouple occurred in the E-direction and in the direction
perpendicular to E-vector, respectively. In the presence of an air bubble, the maximal and minimal
concentrations of the field switched places, but their values were close to those of the thermocouple. The
maximal value of SAR in the presence of a thermocouple exceeded the average bulk value more than two
times. SAR values obtained by averaging SAR values immediately around the thermocouple were close to
the overall average SAR for the entire sample. Larger (>0.2 mm) thermocouples and air bubbles cause
more significant disturbances of the field. Sweat pores produced a small disturbance of the mm-wave field
not exceeding 10% from the average SAR in the skin. The presence of sweat on the surface of the skin
resulted in an increase of absorption by sweat. The change in the SAR distribution in the vicinity of a hair is
qualitatively similar to that produced by an air bubble. The maximal value of SAR was 1.7 times higher
then the average SAR value in the skin. Thus, for the frequency studied, small thermocouples (up to 0.1
mm) can be used for reasonably accurate (within 10%) measurements of average SAR during irradiation.
Formation of air bubbles in biological preparations can notably change local SARs during exposure.
Absorption of mm-waves in the skin is higher in the vicinity of hair but not at the locations of sweat pores.
In contrast to the relatively small absorption occurring in the vicinity of a sweat pore, sweat lying on the
skin surface is a major absorber of mm-waves. This results due to the E-vector was parallel to the skin
surface and perpendicular to the sweat pore.
This work was sponsored by the Richard J. Fox Foundation.

42

SESSION 7: CELLS AND TISSUES II

Co-chairs: Frank Prato/Igor Belyaev
7-1
PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MOUSE SKIN
CAUSED BY MM-WAVELENGTH ELECTROMAGNETIC IRRADIATION. E.P. Khizhnyak1, V.N.
Voronkov*1 and M.C. Ziskin2. 1Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino,
Moscow Region, 142292 Russia. 2Richard J. Fox Center for Biomedical Physics, Temple University
Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
Because mm-wave radiation is rapidly absorbed in water-containing media, it is reasonable to assume that
the initial stage of biological and therapeutic effects of mm-waves should be taking place in the epidermal
and dermal layers of the skin. The objective of this study is to determine the dynamic of physiological
temperature reactions associated with superficial blood perfusion during mm-wave exposure, and the
sequence of morphological changes in mice skin 2-48 hours after mm-wave exposure. Double blind studies
were performed using two groups BALB/C mice 7-8 weeks old. One group of 20 mice was irradiated from
the open side of a rectangular waveguide at 42.25 GHz, and a second group of 20 mice received sham
exposures. All exposure durations were15 minutes. All of the mice were anesthetized using Isoflurane
during the real and sham irradiation procedures. A Russian-made generator model G4-141, based on a 3753 GHz backward wave oscillator with an up to 100 mW output power, a better than 0.02% central
frequency stability and a less than a 1 MHz half power bandwidth was used as the source of electromagnetic
irradiation. Incident and reflected power were measured during exposure using an M3-75 digital power
meter and an HP 8565E spectrum analyzer. A 40 mW/cm2 incident power density was maintained in the 5
mm in diameter area of exposure with less than 30% variation due to variations in the coupling condition.
Such a value of incident power density is approximately equal to the power density in the area of local hotspots during exposure of the skin using a YAV - 7.1 generator for EHF-therapy. Heating patterns and
physiological temperature reaction due to mm-wave irradiation were recorded during exposure using an
AMBER model 4256 Infrared camera with a better than 0.02 K temperature sensitivity. SAR distribution
was calculated as a function of initial temperature rise. Steady-state overheating was 1-3 K. Morphological
changes were studied using optical electron microscopy. Biopsy was performed 2,6,12,24 and 48 hours
after exposure. Physiological temperature reactions were observed during the entire time of exposure. The
local increase of temperature in the area of projection of blood vessels located close to the surface of the
skin was found 5-7 minutes after the beginning of exposure. These reactions were due to vasodilatation,
which was confirmed by studying morphological changes. Morphological changes were also observed in
such skin structures as sweat glands and nerve endings. Altered areas of the cytoplasm represented by
lamellar structures (LS) were detected in many types of skin cells, but in most cases LS were formed from
mitochondria. The maximum number of cavities containing LS was observed in the area close to the sweat
glands, which indicates the selective absorption of mm-waves in these skin structures. The number of dead
cells reached its maximum 12 hours after exposure. Microscopic morphological changes were observed 12
hours after irradiation in the peripheral nerves manifested by untwisting of the myelin membranes of
myelinized axons. At this stage the dermal cells were infiltrated by phagocytes and eosinophils. The level
of these morphological changes decreased 24 hours after exposure, and very few changes were observed 48
hours after a single 15-minute exposure. The temporal pattern of morphological changes demonstrates that
the observed processes are most likely reversible. At the same time the observed reactions may be sufficient
to produce whole organism responses to mm-wave exposure.
This work was supported by the Richard J. Fox foundation.

43

7-2
A COMPARISON OF IMMUNOMODULATING POTENCY OF PULSE-MODULATED AND
CONTINOUS 1300 MHz MICROWAVES ON ISOLATED HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD
MONONUCLEAR CELLS. W. Stankiewicz*, M.P. Dabrowski*, E. Sobiczewska*, S. Szmigielski*, Z.
Ciolek * and R. Kubacki*. Department of Microwave Safety, Military Institute of Hygiene and
Epidemiology, 4 Kozielska str., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland.
OBJECTIVE: To determine potential immunomodulatory influences of low level microwave (MW) fields
and to compare immunotropic effects of continuous and pulse-modulated MWs , isolated human peripheral
blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were exposed to continuous (CW) or pulse-modulated (PM) MWs in vitro
at the same mean power density and afterwards cultured in the microculture system (MCS).
METHOD: The samples of PBMC isolated from heparinised vein blood by density gradient centrifugation
were suspended in RPMI 1640 with 15% of autologous inactivated serum (3 x 106 cells / 3 ml) and exposed
for 1 hour in CW or PM fields. The PM microwave energy was provided by radar operating at 1300 MHz
(5 s pulse duration, 330 pps pulse repetition frequency) at average power density of 10 W/m2. The CW at
the same average power density level was emitted by Rhode-Schwarz type SMT-06 generator with TMD
type PTC6341 TWT amplifier (250 W).
Before and after exposure the viability of cells was estimated and microcultures in triplicates were set up in
Nuncoln mikcroplates (105 cells/0.2 ml RPMI 1640 + 15% autologous inactivated serum) and incubated in
ASSAB CO2 incubator at 37oC, 5% CO2 for 72 hours. At the 24th hour of incubation the rearrangements of
microcultures were performed as described elsewhere (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 496,697). The following
functional parameters of T-lymphocytes and monocytes were measured:
spontaneous 3HTdR uptake , lymphocyte mitogenic response to PHA, lymphocyte mitogenic response to
Con A, ratio of PHA to Con A response (P/C index), monokine influence on lymphocyte proliferation (LM
index), suppressive activity of T cells (SAT index) and IL-2 saturation of T lymphocyte receptors.
RESULTS: The influences of PW and CW on the values of separate parameters representative for different
immune activities of tested cells are presented in the table :
Parameter tested

Spontaneous 3HTdR
incorporation
(x 103 DPM)
Mitogenic response to PHA
(x 103 DPM)
Mitogenic response to Con-A
(x 103 DPM)
P/C (PHA/Con-A) index
LM index (lymphocytemonocyte cooperation ind.)
SAT index (suppressive
activity of T lymphocytes)
IL-2 saturation of Tlymphocyte receptors

Pulse-modulated (PM)
1300 MHz MWs
Control Exposed
(p)
2.9
1.8
< 0.01
0.7
0.3

Continuous wave (CW)

1300 MHz MWs
Control Exposed
(p)
2.8
1.8
< 0.01
0.5
0.2

75.8
9.8
40.2
16.8
1.95
0.45
9.7
4.2
19.8
11.4
72.1
7.6

70.1
11.6
41.6
22.8
1.97
0.7
9.8
3.6
15.3
11.8
75.1
10.8

98.2
13.7
47.7
2.4
2.03
0.3
19.7
8.2
28.9
11.8
87.1
10.4

< 0.01
=0.15
NS
=0.63
NS
< 0.01
=0.08
NS
<0.01

82.1
23.6
65.6
36.4
1.89
0.9
6.5
1.7
22.5
10.8
88.2
8.3

(p)
PM/CW
=1.00
NS

=0.18
NS
=0.11
NS
=0.83
NS
<0.05

=0.07
NS
=0.11
NS
=0.63
NS
<0.01

=0.19
NS
<0.05

=0.22
NS
=0.80
NS

CONCLUSIONS: Exposure in vitro of human PBMC to 1300 MHz CW or PM at 1 mW/cm2 caused

measurable changes in lymphocytes and monocytes (a tendency for higher mitogenic response to PHA and
Con-A, increase of SAT and IL-2 saturation). These changes were more pronounced in samples exposed to
PM fields, as compared to those exposed in CW. The most striking differences between effects of PM and
CW exposures were seen in the LM index (a measure of monocyte influence on T-lymphocyte responses).
Further studies are planned to establish thresholds for the above effects.
44

7-3
A PULSING MAGNETIC FIELD INHIBITS CALCIUM RELEASE FROM BONE IN VIVO:
EVIDENCE FOR A PTH MEDIATED MECHANISM. J.A. Spadaro* and W.H. Bergstrom*,
Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New
York, 13210, USA.
INTRODUCTION: The current work provides new evidence that bone calcium metabolism can be
affected by relatively weak pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) when applied in vivo and suggests that
the inhibition of parathyroid hormone-controlled release of bone calcium is a possible mechanism. Such
fields are apparently able to influence regulatory pathways in cultured bone cells and explanted bone in
vitro. The mechanisms of this interaction are under investigation and there is some evidence that specific
receptor signaling, cytokine expression and calcium transport are sensitive to such fields and are possible
targets 1-3,6. A better understanding of how a PEMF affects bone physiology should improve and extend the
clinical application of PEMFs in the musculoskeletal system such as in site-specific management of
osteopenia and fracture prevention.
METHODS: Ca flux experiments in rats utilized calvarial bone excised after whole body PEMF exposure.
This bone continues to metabolize and exchange calcium, reflecting the in vivo rate of net Ca uptake (total
uptake - release). This biologically controlled flux is sensitive to calciotropic agents such as PTH,
calcitonin, PTHrP, IL-1b, etc.4,5. The PEMF used in this work was a horizontal, 15 Hz pulse burst
waveform commonly used for long bone fracture treatment (each 5 ms long burst had 20 asymmetric 2 mT
pulses, 255 s apart). Litters of S-D rats, 12-20 days of age, were used. Half of each litter was placed in a
small plastic cage within the active area of a PEMF U-shaped transducer coil (model AME-207, Orthofix
Inc) for from 1 to 240 minutes, while the other half was placed in a control (inactive) coil. After exposure,
the animals were sacrificed and 6-mm discs of calvarial bone were immediately removed and placed in 0.2
ml of PBS buffer containing 1.25 mM [Ca] for 15 min. at 37oC. The rate of net calcium uptake (total uptake
- release) was measured by fluorometric titration of the Ca remaining in the supernatant after 15 min.
incubation 4,5.
In the serum Ca experiments, two large litters of young rats were divided into 5 groups (n=5-6 each). Two
groups of animals were given intraperitoneal PTH (10 gm/rat, =50U, human 1-48 PTH in PBS). Of these,
one group was immediately placed in the PEMF for 2 hr. A third group received PEMF exposure without
exogenous PTH. The two remaining groups were control groups, one receiving vehicle only and one placed
in a sham coil. After 2 hours, the animals were euthanized and blood was collected. The serum calcium
was determined by fluorometric titration as above.
RESULTS: Ca flux data: For in vivo PEMF exposures of 2.5 min. or more, net Ca-uptake activity was
significantly enhanced above basal levels by 20-55% after exposure to PEMF (p< 0.001 to 0.05, t-test).
Linear regression plots of relative Ca-uptake showed a mean log dose response vs. exposure time (r2 = 0.83,
p<0.001) (Fig.1.). In separate animals, delayed harvest of bone showed an enhancement of Ca-uptake
which persisted to 24 hrs after PEMF exposure.
Serum Ca experiments: After 2 hrs, the mean serum Ca in rats receiving only PTH was 14% higher than
control (p< 0.001, t-test) as expected since under these conditions PTH stimulates bone resorptive activity
(Fig 2). In contrast, PEMF-only treated animals had a reduced serum calcium on average (9%, p<0.001)
while those receiving both PTH and PEMF simultaneously had approximately normal serum calcium.
Control groups (sham injection and sham PEMF) both had normal serum Ca levels.
DISCUSSION: These observations suggests that the apparent (net) calcium uptake (uptake - release) in
normal bone can be increased by a PEMF of short duration in vivo and that the response is largely due to a
reduction in calcium released from the bone. The time frame is consistent with earlier in vitro experiments
with excised calvaria in which Ca-uptake was increased by a short exposure to a PEMF 3 and also with
related osteoblast studies 1,6. The similarity of effects seen in vitro and in vivo supports the idea that PEMFs
45

applied in vivo act locally, at the cellular level in bone. Furthermore, the serum Ca observations support the
idea that PEMFs act at the level of the osteoblast PTH receptor or some subsequent signaling mechanism
leading to osteoclastic resorption. Systemic mechanisms, however, cannot yet be ruled out. If the PEMF
indeed acts at the bone tissue level, the serum Ca reduction seen here (a new finding) is unlikely to be
observed unless a sufficient fraction of the skeleton is exposed.

NET Ca UPTAKE vs. CONTROL

2.5
R 2 (means) = 0.83
2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5
1

10

100

1000

PEMF EXPOSURE (min.)

Fig. 1. Linear regression analysis of the rate of net Ca uptake by the bone specimens vs. in vivo PEMF
exposure time. An increase in net bone uptake is interpreted here as a reduction in Ca release rate from the
bone. (+) are ratios of individual animal 15 min. net uptake to control; (O) is mean ratio for each exposure
time . R2 is the coeff. of variation. Significance at p<0.001

[Ca] mg/dl SD

12
SERUM CALCIUM

*
10

*
8
Control

PTH

PTH+PEMF

PEMF

Fig. 2. Serum calcium levels in groups of animals after a 2-hr. exposure to PEMF, PTH injection, or both.
(* signif. different from control p<0.001)
References.
1. Luben, R.A., et al., Proc. Nat. Acad Sci., 79:4180, 1982.
2. Cain C.D. et al., J. Bone and Mineral Res 2:437-441. 1987.
3. Spadaro, J.A. and Bergstrom, W.H., Trans. Orthop. Res. Soc., 20:452, 1995.
4. Schurman, S.L. et al., J. of Rheumatology, 25: 161, 1998.
5. Bergstrom, W., J. Bone Mineral Res. 7 (S1): 224, 1992.
6. Fitzsimmons, R.J., et al., J. Cell Physiol. 150:84-89, 1992.
This work supported by the Depts. of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, S.U.N.Y-HSC, Syracuse, NY,
USA.

46

7-4
THE BIOCHEMICAL MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH PEMF ACT ON BONE CELLS MAY
INVOLVE VEGF. R.J. Fitzsimmons1 and C.J. Dillman*2. 1BioCore Technologies, Loma Linda,
California, 92354, USA and 2Orthofix Inc, Huntersville, North Carolina, 28078, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The first pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) was approved by the FDA for treating nonunion bone fractures in 1979. However, neither a physical mechanism nor a biochemical mechanism of
action has been validated by the scientific community explaining how these weak electromagnetic fields
(EMF) produce their beneficial endpoints. As such, there is a need for further research exploring the action
of PEMFs on at least one cell type involved in the fracture healing process. The purpose of this study was
to determine whether exposure to a PEMF could produce direct effects on isolated bone cells and whether a
biochemical mechanism could be elucidated.
METHOD: Normal human bone cells were obtained from Clonetics Inc. and grown on tissue culture plates
in culture medium supplied by Clonetics in an incubator at 37oC with 5% CO2. For 6-day time period the
media was changed after 3 days. The PEMF signal includes numerous spikes in the pulse burst and is
repeated at a frequency of 15 Hz. The PEMF signal is similar to Orthofixs Physio-Stim signal used for
treating non-union bone fractures. Cell number was measured by the MTS method (Promega Inc.) and
alkaline phosphatase (ALP) normalized to total protein was used as an index of bone cell differentiation.
Protein was measured by a protein dye binding method.
RESULTS: Although the clinical PEMF is used for 3 to 6 hours per day we exposed isolated bone cells to
the PEMF signal for only 30 minutes per day. As shown in figure 1, PEMF resulted in an increase in cell
number and total protein 1 day after treatment. This change persisted after 6-days with the additional
change of an increase in ALP. In previous experiments we had found that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFI) also produced similar effects. However, when we included blocking antibodies against IGF-I protein or
IGF-I receptor in the culture media we did not block the action of PEMF. Vascular epithelial growth factor
(VEGF) is another growth factor that we found to have direct effects on bone cells similar to those observed
with PEMF. As shown in figure 2, when an antibody against the VEGF receptor was included in the culture
media the action of PEMF was blocked.

Figure 1. PEMF has direct effects on bone cells.

Normal human bone cells were treated for 30
minutes per day to PEMF. After 1-day or 6-days
cultures were terminated and indicated endpoints
measured. Results are compared to non-treated
controls (n=6).

Figure 2. Antibody to VEGF receptor blocks action

of PEMF. Normal human bone cells were incubated
with or without an antibody against the VEGF
receptor prior to addition of factors. IGF-I was
added to 100 ng/ml and VEGF was added to 10
ng/ml. After 24 hrs the anabolic action of treatment
was measured by protein content of cell layer.
Results are compared to non-treated controls (n=6).

DISCUSSION: One hypothesis is that exposure to PEMF increases angiogenesis thereby enhancing healing
of non-union bone fractures. This study did not test this possibility but it does demonstrate that PEMF
47

treatment can have direct effects on bone cells. The experimental results indicate that PEMF produces an
anabolic action resulting in increased numbers of differentiated bone cells. We found that IGF-I is also
anabolic when tested on isolated bone cells and, as such, could be part of the biochemical mechanism for
PEMF. The lack of inhibition with blocking antibodies to IGF or IGF-I receptor suggests IGF-I is not a key
player. However, an antibody against the VEGF receptor did block the ability of either VEGF or PEMF to
produce an anabolic effect indicating that VEGF may be part of the biochemical mechanism. Whether
PEMF is acting predominantly on bone cells or on another tissue type in the clinical setting remains to be
determined. As VEGF is also involved in angiogenesis, PEMF could have effects on multiple tissues
involved with fracture healing.

7-5
PULSED SIGNAL THERAPY (PST) ENHANCES PROTEOGLYCANS CONCENTRATION IN
HUMAN CHONDROCYTE CULTURES. A. Nerucci1,2, R. Marcolongo1,2, R. Markoll3 1Not member of
BEMS, 2Department of Rheumatology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, 3Bio-Magnetic Therapy Systems,
Inc., Boca Raton, Florida 33432, USA and Munich, Germany
OBJECTIVE: The clinical use of Pulsed Signal Therapy (PSTTM) has proven efficacious in the treatment
of over 70,000 patients suffering from arthritic joint disease. To explain this efficacy, it is hypothesized that
the PST-induced Faradic potentials serve to mimic intrinsic pressure-generated streaming potentials. In
healthy cartilage the latter act to enhance existing cartilage via glucosamine, chondrocyte and chondroitin
sulfate production, leading to higher concentrations of proteoglycans. The purpose of the present study was
to explore this hypothesis, in particular asking whether human articular chondrocytes in culture that are
exposed to PST will produce greater proteoglycans concentrations.
METHODS: The experimental procedure entailed the use of chondrocytes taken from the femoral heads of
eight osteoarthritic patients during prosthesis procedures. The chondrocytes were cultivated in alginate gel
for 72 hours in the presence of IL-1 and then randomly and equally divided into control and treated groups.
The latter were exposed for 3 hours a day to PST. Control cultures were maintained under identical
conditions to the treated cells, but without PST exposure. A small fraction of treated cell samples
underwent sinusoidal pressurization at 0.25 Hz, with pressures ranging from 1 MPa to 5 MPa, just prior to
PST exposure. The addition of IL-1 to all culture samples served to reduce PG production in both groups,
with an eye to enhancing any possible differences between the two groups. All cultures were assayed for
proteoglycan (PG) concentration. In addition, electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron
microscopy (STM) were employed to provide morphological evaluations.
RESULTS: We found a significant (p <.05) increase in PG concentration in the culture medium of cells that
were subjected to PST exposures over that found in the control groups. No significant additional
differences were found for those treated cell cultures to pressure cycles. These metabolic data were
confirmed by the morphological analyses using TEM and STM. These results provide evidence in general
support of the explanatory hypothesis, in particular giving in vitro confirmation for the argument that PST
exposures tend to enhance proteoglycan concentrations in challenged human cartilage tissues.
CONCLUSION: Human chondrocytic cells exposed to PST fields produce significantly greater
proteoglycans concentrations. PST, a noninvasive therapy without untoward effect, could represent an
additional therapeutic approach in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders.
This work was supported by Bio-Magnetic Therapy Systems, Inc.

48

7-6
ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ENHANCES SELECT OSTEOBLAST FUNCTIONS. P.
Supronowicz, P. Ajayan*, K. Ullmann, and R. Bizios. Department of Biomedical Engineering, *Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180-3590, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Bone repair (occurring, for example, in osteotomies in animal models) can be accelerated
through the use of electrical stimulation (Black et al, 1983). In such instances, the underlying mechanisms,
especially those on the cellular/molecular level, are not fully understood. The present in vitro study
examined the effects of alternating current on the proliferation and mineral deposition functions of
osteoblasts (the bone forming cells) cultured on a novel current-conducting polylactic acid/carbon nanotube
composite.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preparation of Polymer/Nanophase Composite Substrates: Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT), produced by the electric arc method (Ajayan, 1999), were added (20%
w/w) to a solution of dissolved polylactic acid (PLA; molecular weight 100,000) in chloroform. The
polymer solution was sonicated for 15 minutes, allowed to air dry for 48 hours, and vacuum dried at room
temperature for 24 hours. These non-porous, composite substrates (each 4 cm in diameter) were sterilized
in a 70% ethanol solution for 15 minutes prior to experiments with cells.
Cell Culture: Osteoblasts were isolated via sequential enzymatic digestion of neonatal rat calvaria (Puleo et
al., 1991) and cultured in Dulbeccos Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal
bovine serum and 1% penicillin/streptomycin under standard cell culture conditions (that is, a 37 C,
humidified, 5% CO2 / 95% air environment). Osteoblasts were characterized by alkaline phosphatase
activity and by formation of calcium-containing mineral deposits in the extracellular matrix. Cells of
population number 2 - 3 were used in the experiments.
Alternating Current System: Osteoblasts were exposed to externally applied electrical stimulation using a
laboratory system of our own design. Briefly, a stainless steel electrode (the anode) was suspended into the
supernatant media at a distance of 0.5 cm from osteoblasts cultured onto the surface of individual current
conducting PLA/CNT substrates (the cathode). An HP8110A pulse/function generator provided the
electrical stimulus, consisting of an alternating current of 10 A at a frequency of 10 Hz with a 50% duty
cycle.
Proliferation of Osteoblasts Under Electrical Stimulation: Osteoblasts (6,000 cells) were cultured on the
PLA/CNT composite substrates in DMEM (supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum) under standard cell
culture conditions for 24 hours. These cells were exposed to the first electrical stimulus, which lasted for 6
hours, followed by a rest period of 18 hours. At that time, the second application of electrical stimulation
was repeated for 6 hours, followed by another 18 hour rest period. Controls were osteoblasts maintained
under standard cell culture conditions, but no electrical stimulation, for three days. Cells were fixed in situ
with 10% formalin, stained with Hoechst 33258, and counted using fluorescence microscopy. Cell density
(cells/cm2) was determined by averaging counts of adherent cells in each of five random fields per substrate.
Osteoblast proliferation was determined at four separate times. Statistical analysis was performed on group
mean values using the student t-test; a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Formation of Mineral Deposits by Osteoblasts Under Electrical Stimulation: Osteoblasts (38,000 cells)
were cultured on the PLA/CNT composite substrates in DMEM (supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
serum) under standard cell culture conditions for 48 hours. These cells were exposed to the first electrical
stimulus, which lasted for 6 hours, followed by a rest period of 18 hours. This stimulation/rest cycle was
repeated every day for 21 days. Controls were osteoblasts maintained under standard cell culture
conditions, but no electrical stimulation, for the same time period. At the end of the prescribed time periods,
the osteoblast cell layer was scraped off each substrate, placed in 500 L of Hydrochloric acid, and shaken
on a plate rocker at 4 C for 6 hours. A 10 L-aliquot of the acid solution (containing the dissolved
calcium) from each sample was treated with the reagents of a Calcium Kit (Sigma) following manufacturer's
instructions. Total calcium concentrations were determined using a standard curve correlating light
49

absorbance to known calcium concentrations of samples prepared and run in parallel to the experimental
specimens. These mineralization experiments were repeated at four separate times.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Compared to controls (that is, osteoblasts cultured on PLA/CNT
substrates under standard cell culture conditions but no electrical stimulation), exposure of osteoblasts to the
electrical stimulation regimes employed in the present study resulted both a 50% increase in cell
proliferation and a 200% increase in extracellular calcium concentration. These in vitro results provide
evidence at the cellular level that electrical stimulation affects osteoblast functions pertinent to the bone
repair process.
References.
Ajayan, P.M., Chem. Rev., 99, (1999) 1787.
Puleo, D.A. et al., J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 25, (1991) 711.
Black, J. et al., Bioelectrochem. and Bioenerg., 173, (1984) 323.

7-7
A NEW WAY OF OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF FIELD EFFECTS ON SINGLE CELLS. R.
Glaser*, B. Habel*, L. Haberland*, F. Schubert*, G. Reinke*. Institute of Biology, Experimental
Biophysics, Humboldt-University Berlin, Invalidenstrae 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany.
In order to investigate primary mechanisms of interaction of EMF with biological systems, it is necessary to
perform experiments on cellular level. Mostly signal cascades, such as internal calcium concentrations,
AMP, ODC or other cellular responses are investigated, expecting to find the beginning of a cascade of
biological acceleration. Investigating these kinds of specific effects, however, the physiological situation of
particular cells must be taken into consideration. Assuming a real biological acceleration effect in vivo, it
may be sufficient if only a few number of cells, would trigger it. The problem arises, how to find out these
sensible cells in the mass of non reacting? Surveying the corresponding papers, two different kinds of
evaluation usually are used. On one hand, typical" patterns of behavior are defined, and subsequently their
frequency of occurrence is calculated, on the other hand, the concentrations of the investigated indicator
were averaged for a large amount of investigated cells, and subsequently, statistical differences are
calculated between exposed and sham exposed cells in several experiments. The first method opens the
door for all kinds of subjectiveness. Our own experiments indicated us that it would be easy to find out
cells with clear oscillations of intracellular calcium concentration, or with an increase of calcium
concentrations, or calcium peaks immediately after switching the field on. On the other hand, there are
some control experiments indicating the same events at the corresponding point of time with sham exposure.
Furthermore, frequently it is impossible to assign a given behavior of a cell to a defined pattern. The second
method is quite objective, however it is useful only if a sufficiently large percentage of cells were
responding. In other cases, field effects could have been averaged out. In our experiments calcium effects
and redox-state of lymphocytes and osteosarcoma cells under the influence of EMF and pulsed electric
fields are investigated. Although relatively strong fields were applied (up to 1 kV/m), no statistically
significant deviations were found using averaged values of exposed and shame exposed experiments.
Attempts, to develop programs to find out typical patterns" in an objective way had not been successful.
Finally, we found that even in cases of non-statistical differences of average concentrations, the pattern of
frequency distribution differs. Using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test, significant effects were observed.
Thereby the number of cells with increased calcium content in some cases increases. This method really
cannot indicate the individual cells, responding on the field effect, but it seems that this method of
evaluation would be more successful as the two methods, mentioned above.
This work was supported by Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk, and the Bundesministerium f0r Bildung,
Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Germany.

50

SESSION 8: MEDICAL DEVICES

Co-chairs: Shogo Ueno/Ren DeSeze
8-1
A POSSIBLE ION CHANNEL DISPLACEMENT BASIS FOR PRODUCING NERVE BLOCK
WITH HIGH GRADIENT STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS. H. Wachtel, F.S. Barnes, D. Beeman, and
U.K. Hand. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Campus Box 425, University of Colorado
Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility that high gradient, magnetic fields could block axonal action
potential propagation by displacing weakly diamagnetic ionic channels involved in nerve excitation.
BACKGROUND: Studies at Vanderbilt University have reported analgesic effects of certain quadrupole
magnetic arrays. Such arrays produce a small region (on the order of 1 mm wide) in which there is both an
intense B field (on the order of 0.1 to 1 T) and a very high spatial gradient (on the order of 100 T/m). In
principle, the conmittance of these two factors could produce enough force to displace even weakly
diamagnetic particles such as the sodium (and potassium) channels that underlie action potential (A.P.)
generation and propagation in axons. If that displacement were large enough, it could provide a
biophysically plausible basis for blocking nerve conduction. To test the plausibility of this hypothesis we
attacked two questions: 1) For a given type of axon, how far would the channels have to be displaced to
break the sequence of excitation? 2) How far (and how fast) is it likely that channels could be
magnetophoretically displaced by an intense, high gradient, B field (of the sort used in the Vanderbilt
studies)?
METHOD: To explore the question of how much channel displacement is needed to block A.P.s, we
modeled axons using the Generalized Neural Simulation System (GENESIS). This axon model allowed
us to simulate the effects of a large variety of channel displacements and note their effect on the A.P. To
explore the question of how far, and how fast, the diamagnetophoresis effect might operate, we calculated
the forces that might plausibly be exerted on channel proteins and compared those to the electrophoretic
forces known to produce fairly rapid displacement of similar particles.
RESULTS: The GENESIS simulations showed that, for unmyelinated axons, excitable sodium (and
potassium) channels had to be displaced about 1.5 times the space constant in order to block A.P.
propagation. For C fibers in a human nerve trunk, this would be equal to about 0.7 mm but for the larger
(A and B) fibers, the space constant is much greater. Somewhat surprisingly, we also found that depletion
of the channels had to be well over 90% complete to break the regenerative A.P. cycle. The
diamagnetophoretic forces we calculated, for the region of very high B combined with very high gradient B,
were much greater than the likely gravitational forces (weight) of a channel and were comparable to the
magnitude of electrophoretic forces that are known to displace membrane receptors at a velocity of
approximately a micron per second. However, this magnetophoretically effective field (from the
quadrupole arrays) would extend over a distance of no more than a mm or two.
DISCUSSION: These results, taken together, lend some support to the hypothesis that C fibers (in human
nerves) might be blocked as a result of diamagnetophoretic displacement (DMPD) of excitable channels.
However, it seems unlikely that this effect would apply to A and B fibers since their space constant greatly
exceeds the plausible range of the DMPD action. It is interesting to note that the Vanderbilt clinical
observations indicate no paralytic or even parasthetic effects from these quadrupole arrays. This would be
consistent with a selective blockage of C fibers, and not of A or B fibers just as our model seems to
predict.
This work was partially supported by the National Science Foundation and by the Magnetic Health Society
of Japan. We also appreciate the support from and discussions with Prof. S. Ueno.

51

8-2
THE USE OF TECTONIC PERMANENT MAGNETS FOR TREATMENT OF SCAPHOID
NONUNIONS. R.A. Rogachefsky1,2 and M.S. Markov3. 1Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation,
University of Miami, School of Medicine, 2Good Samaritan Hospita1, Long Island, New York,
3
Bioelectrochemistry Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York,
USA.
OBJECTIVES: Scaphoid fractures have a high incidence of non union due to the fact that the majority of
the surface is cartilage and that the blood supply to the bone is tenuous and easily disrupted during fracture.
As a result these fractures can be very challenging and difficult to heal. Poor healing in a cast is common
and surgical fixation and bone grafting is frequently necessary. We demonstrated in a series of patterns that
permanent magnets are effective for accelerating healing of scaphoid nonunion.
METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of eleven cases of scaphoid fractures that went on to
nonunions. They were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and bone grafting. Five of the cases
were treated post operatively in a cast until healing and the other six cases reviewed were treated with a cast
and a 1000 gauss ceramic magnet placed over the fracture site externally at the wrist and incorporated into
the cast. Each patient was treated in a cast until the fracture was determined to be healed by plain x rays and
clinically by demonstrating no tenderness at the wrist to palpation. Once the cast was removed the patient
was placed into a removable splint and slatted in a course of therapy. The charts were retrospectively
reviewed to assess time from injury to surgery, type of fixation and bone grafting, healing time, follow-up
time, and pre-op and post operative range of motion.
RESULTS: In the group treated with the cast only the mean time from injury to surgery was 10 months
(range 4-24). The mean age of the patients was 22 years (range 16-32) and all the patients were male. The
types of fixation used were small AO cannulated compression screws or Herbert screws. Cancellous bone
graft was used in three patients and tricortical and cancellous in two. The average time to healing was eight
weeks (range 6-12). The mean follow-up time was six months (range 3-10) and the mean follow-up flexion
and extension are of motion was 103 degrees (range 95- 120) with an average improvement from the
preoperative motion of 16 degrees. The group that had the cast and the magnet had a time from injury to
surgery an average of 6 months (range 2-12). The mean age of the patients was 29 years (range 17-55) and
all the patients were male. Fixation used were AO small cannulated compression screws or Herbert screws.
Cancellous bone graft was used in five cases and tricortical and cancellous in one patient. The mean time to
healing was five weeks (range 4-8). The mean follow-up time was six months (range 2-7) and the average
flexion and extension arc of motion was 100 degrees (range 80-120) with an improvement from
preoperative of 33 degrees.
CONCLUSION: Permanent magnetic fields have been shown to stimulate osteosarcoma cell proliferation
and to increase the level of IGF-2 production, the major bone stimulating growth factor.(l) Others have
shown that in an animal model magnetic fields accelerate fracture healing.(2) This series of patients
demonstrates a significant acceleration in the healing time of scaphoid non unions by approximately 3
weeks by the magnetic field. The most likely mechanisms involve not only the stimulation of metabolic
activity of the osteoblast but the increased in blood flow to the fracture region.
References.
1. Fitzsimmons RJ, Ryaby JT, Subburaman M, Magee FP, Baylink DL: Combine magnetic fields increase
insulin- like growth factor-II in TE-85 human osteosarcoma bone cell cultures. Endocrinology, 136:31003106, 1995.
2. Darendeliler MA, Darendeliler A, Sinclair PM: Effects of static magnetic and pulsed electromagnetic
fields on bone healing. Int J Adult Orthodon Orthognath Surg, 12: 43-53, 1997.
We thank Magnetherapy, Inc, Riviera Beach, Florida.

52

8-3
THEORY OF ELECTROSTIMULATION APPLIED TO STIMULATION OF PERIPHERAL
NERVES BY SWITCHED MAGNETIC FIELDS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. A.
Hoffmann*, S. Faber*, M. Reiser*. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Klinikum Grosshadern of the
Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: In clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gradients of magnetic flux density (further
referred to as magnetic gradient fields) are used to localize the nuclear resonance signal. In order to achieve
the required spatial resolution of the MR image, a certain number of gradient switching periods are needed.
To achieve a fast imaging of moving organs or for functional imaging the gradients must be switched very
fast, i.e. with high amplitudes and short rise times. However, a switched magnetic field induces an electric
field in the human body that can cause a stimulation of peripheral nerves. The induced electric field E is
proportional to the time rate of change of the magnetic flux density B: E~dB/dt. In several studies the
influence of different parameters of the magnetic gradient fields in MRI, such as amplitude, rise time,
waveform or number of oscillations on the stimulation threshold of peripheral nerves was examined (1-6).
Up to now, there was no suitable theory describing these dependencies. The stimulation of peripheral
nerves with electric fields is a standard examination in neurology. The influence of different electric field
parameters on stimulation have been widely examined and theories for the dependence exist (7). So far the
magnetic gradient field systems used in MRI are the only devices that allow magnetostimulation by various
waveforms. The transfer of knowledge of electrostimulation to magnetostimulation by switched magnetic
fields should therefore allow to explain the dependence of MRI magnetic gradient field parameters on
stimulation thresholds. The aim of this study was to show the applicability of this transfer.
METHOD: All volunteers were positioned with the bridge of the nose at the isocenter of the gradient
system of a 1.5 T whole body MR-scanner (MAGNETOM Vision, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany, maximum
magnetic gradient fields of 25 mT/m within approx. 0.3 m at a rise time of 300 s). The anterior-posterior
gradient axis was used for stimulation. Informed consent was obtained from all volunteers and all
experiments were approved from the local ethical committee. The fundamental law of electrostimulation
describes the stimulation threshold current IT of peripheral nerves in dependence on the amplitude I0 and
duration t of a rectangular electric pulse with two physiological parameters Rheobase I0 and Chronaxie e

(Weiss equation): I T = I 0 1 + e (7). The same equation is also valid for the electric field E, because E~I.
t

Gradient wave forms were programmed with a time rate of change of the magnetic field gradient
corresponding to the electric fields used for the experiments of electrostimulation. Fig.1 shows a magnetic
gradient field, which produces a rectangular electric pulse. In a first experiment with three volunteers the
amplitude and rise time of the magnetic field gradient (corresponding to the amplitude and duration of the
induced electric field) were varied, until stimulation was reported. Another electric stimulation model, the
SENN-model (see equation in Fig. 3) describes the dependence of stimulation thresholds of a sinusoidal
oscillating electric field on the frequency. Magnetic gradients with frequencies from 500 to 2500 Hz were
programmed for a second experiment under the same conditions as described above with six subjects. The
amplitude of the gradients at the different frequencies was increased stepwise until a stimulation was
reported.
RESULTS: The stimulation thresholds of the electric field were plotted against the duration of the electric
pulse for the three subjects (Fig.2). The data points of the three subjects could be fitted to the Weiss
equation with an I0 of 0.053 (a.u.) and a e of 160 ms (Weiss1 in Fig.2) and with an I0 of 0.053 (a.u.) and a
e of 260 ms (Weiss2 in Fig.2). It also could be shown that the SENN-model is able to describe the
stimulation by oscillating magnetic field gradients. Fig.3 shows the dependence of the stimulation
thresholds on the frequency for the six subjects. The fitted parameters of all models were in the same range
as those obtained from experiments in electrostimulation (7).

53

DISCUSSION: We could show that the dependence of thresholds for stimulation of peripheral nerves by
switched magnetic gradient fields in MRI on various gradient parameters can be explained by theories of
electrostimulation (7).
References.
1. Abart J et al. J Comput Assist Tomo 1997; 21: 532-538.
2. Budinger TF et al. J Comput Assist Tomo 1991; 15: 909- 914.
3. Cohen MS et al. Magn Reson Med 1990; 14: 409-414.
4. Ehrhardt JC et al. J Magn Reson Imag 1997; 7: 405-409.
5. Ham CLG et al. J Magn Reson Imag 1997; 7: 933-937.
6. Irnich W, Schmitt F. Magnetostimulation in MRI. Magn Reson Med 1995; 33: 619-623.
7. Reilly JP. Electrical Stimulation and Electropathology. Cambridge: University Press; 1992. 504 p.

Fig.1: Electric rectangular pulse induced by a magnetic gradient.

Fig.2: Weiss-equation of electrostimulation reproduced by magnetic gradient fields in MRI.

Fig.3: SENN-model of electrostimulation reproduced by magnetic gradient fields in MRI.

The study is supported by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.

54

8-4
A 915-MHz ANTENNA FOR MICROWAVE THERMAL ABLATION TREATMENT:
NUMERICAL MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENT. S. Pisa1, M. Cavagnaro1,
J.C. Lin2, P. Bernardi1, A.M. Aloe1, and Yu-J. Wang2. 1Department of Electronic Engineering, University
of Rome "La Sapienza", Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy and 2Department of Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, (M/C 154), 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL
60607-7053, USA.
Therapeutic uses of minimally invasive microwave technology for transcatheter treatment of a wide range of
disease conditions have been suggested. Some of the current and potential applications include
transcatheter ablation of benign prostatic hyperplasia, intracardiac ablation for tachyarrhythmias,
hyperthermia treatment of cancer, microwave balloon angioplasty, and gynecologic ablation for
endometriosis. A critical element in a minimally invasive microwave therapeutic system is the catheter
antenna. It is used to deliver the microwave energy appropriately to the target tissue without damaging the
surrounding normal tissue.
This paper describes design of a 915-MHz antenna that produces SAR distributions with preferential power
deposition in tissues surrounding the distal end of the catheter antenna. This antenna consists of special
design features: an annular cap and a coaxial choke. The choke matches the antenna to the coaxial
transmission line. The design minimizes reflected microwave current from the antenna flowing up the
transmission line, and, consequently, minimizes heating of the coaxial cable. The paper provides a
comparison of results obtained from computer modeling and experimental measurements made in tissue
equivalent phantom material: there is excellent agreement between the two approaches. The cap-choke,
matched-dipole antenna performances are not affected by the depth of antenna insertion into tissue. This
antenna is well suited for intracavitary microwave thermal ablation therapy.

8-5
THERAPEUTIC ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD INHIBITS ANGIOGENESIS AND RETARDS
TUMOR GROWTH IN AN ANIMAL MODEL. C.D. Williams*, M.S. Markov*, I. Cameron#, E.
Hardman. EMF Therapeutics, 1200 Mountain Creek Rd, Suite 160, Chattanooga TN and University of
Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio TX 78284, USA.
While electromagnetic fields have been applied worldwide to various musculo-skeletal injuries and
pathologies, few studies report the application of static magnetic/electromagnetic fields for the treatment of
cancer. EMF Therapeutics, Inc., Chattanooga TN, USA, has developed a new approach to cancer therapy
based on the application of a therapeutic electromagnetic field (TEMF). We present the results of a
systematic study of the effects of TEMF on tumor growth and angiogenesis in a solid tumor animal model.
Interest in antiangiogenic therapy comes from the notion that tumor growth requires recruitment of a bloodvessel network. This study was therefore designed to assess the effect of TEMF on reduction of
angiogenesis and growth of murine 16/C mammary adenocarcinoma cells in C3H/HeJ mice.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Tumors were allowed to grow for seven days until the tumor mass
reached 100 mg before the treatment started. Animals (10 per group) received daily treatment (10 mT, 15
mT or 20 mT) with 120 Hz rectified magnetic field. The control group consisted of 20 animals. The fast
growth of tumors in the control group limited the length of the experiment to 12 days. The extent of
vascularization was evaluated by the expression of CD31. Tumor growth was analyzed for 3 different
periods of treatment (day 1-3; day3-7, day 7-10).

55

Relative changes of CD31 staining

experiment vs. control [%]

Inhibition of angiogenesis
depending on the magnetic flux density

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70

10 mT

15 mT

20 mT

Fig. 1
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: The results of this study demonstrate that relatively weak pulsating
magnetic fields significantly reduce the percentage of CD31 staining in the tumors of all three groups: by
39% (at 10 mT), 68% (at 15 mT) and 62% (at 20 mT) thus indicating a reduction in the extent of
vascularization. The greatest inhibition of tumor growth rate (by 35-41% for the first three days and by 1926 % for days 7-10) was found for the groups treated with 15 mT and 20 mT TEMF. At present, the
mechanism(s) for the anti-angiogenic effect of the applied pulsating magnetic fields is not known. The
maximum effect at 15 mT (as shown on fig.1) suggests a therapeutic window at 15 mT, consistent with
results already reported in several papers.
We want to thank the Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL for providing the facilities for treatment
of animals, as well as for sample preparation and analysis for CD31 staining.

8-6
PACEMAKER INTERFERENCE BY ELECTRIC FIELDS AT POWER LINE FREQUENCIES. A.
Sastre*1, T.W. Dawson*2, M.A. Stuchly2, K. Caputa*2, R.B. Shepard3 and R. Kavet4. 1A.S. Consulting &
Research Inc, Overland Park, Kansas 66207, USA. 2University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 3P6, Canada. 3University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. 4EPRI,
Palo Alto, California 94303, USA.
There have been several clinical reports of EMI from 50 or 60 Hz electric fields over 1.5 kV/m, and similar
reports from laboratory studies. The latter are more informative, as they give the short circuit current
(current from the body to ground) associated with EMI, in addition to the type of pacemaker and the
character of any malfunction. Two types of laboratory experiments have been reported. In one type of
study, subjects have been exposed to known 50-Hz uniform electric fields, the induced short-circuit current
measured and the interference type determined for several pacemakers. Since high-voltage facilities in
laboratories are costly and relatively rare, and there are operational difficulties in obtaining continuous
variations in short circuit current, an alternative type of study has been reported, in which 50-Hz current is
injected into volunteers with pacemakers. For people who are likely to be exposed to electric fields over 1.5
kV/m, it is important to test EMI with cardiac pacemakers before their implantation. Such testing requires
knowledge of potentials induced between the sensing electrodes for realistic exposure scenarios and
placements of the pulse generator and electrodes. The objective of the investigation presented here is to
provide such data for pacemakers in a realistic model of the human body in an external electric field.
Numerical modeling is performed of induced electric fields in a heterogeneous model of the human body
with a few locations of the pacemaker electrodes. These computations give the potential (voltages drop)
between the electrodes. Exposure to either uniform electric field or localized current source is modeled and
56

quantified in terms of the short circuit current to ground (represented as perfectly conductive). The
following configurations of the electric field source are considered: exposure to uniform electric field of a
frequency of 60 Hz, two current electrodes placed symmetrically on the shoulders and two electrodes placed
on the feet, and two asymmetric configurations. The latter are: one electrode on the right shoulder and the
second on the left foot and the left shoulder right foot electrodes.
Potential differences in V/cm (normalized to electrode separation) are shown below.
Source
Bipolar electrodes
Unipolar electrodes
Atrial
Ventricular
Atrial
Ventricular
26
108.5
41.9
124
Electric field 155 A
Symmetric electrodes
100 A
Left shoulder &
right foot electrodes

25

100

42

121

80

125

88

174

Comparison of our computed results with the laboratory measurements indicate that symmetric shoulder
electrodes represent well exposure to electric field with proper short-circuit current normalization. It has
also been concluded that numerical modeling can provide essential data for testing of EMI by 50/60 Hz
fields outside the body.
Supported by EPRI Projects WO2966 (Stuchly) and WO4309(Sastre).

8-7
ANALYSIS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) OF HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT
BY WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES. J.J. Morrissey, M.L. Swicord, and Q. Balzano.
Motorola Labs, Department AC497, Room 2107, 8000 West Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33322,
USA.
The advancement of wireless technology in our society over the last two decades can be most easily
evidenced by the growing popularity of wireless telephones among the general public. In addition to
personal communication, however, other exciting new and specialty applications of wireless technology are
beginning to emerge. The use of wireless technology in the healthcare industry to make patient monitoring,
treatment, data transfer, and communication more efficient is one such application with almost endless
possibilities. In the healthcare environment, however, wireless transmitters must co-exist with sensitive
medical monitoring and delivery equipment containing high gain amplifiers, numerous patient leads, and
sensitive microprocessors. At present, wireless telephones are programmed to communicate in an outside
environment with control sites in the middle of cells at distances of 9 to 10 kilometers away, and are
therefore capable of significant power output when at maximal transmit strength. Although the FDA
currently endorses an IEC 60601-1-2 recommendation that critical life support devices adhere to a minimum
electromagnetic immunity level of 3V/m, wireless telephones at maximal output have been observed to
produce electric fields of 3 V/m at distances of up to 1.8 meters (Davis et al. 1999, Foster et al. 1996,
Kimmel and Gerke 1995, Segal et al. 1994). Although the effects of elevated RF power densities from
wireless phones on sensitive medical devices have not been well defined, isolated incidences of interference
with EEG equipment (Silbert et al. 1994), infant ventilators and radiant warmers, infusion pumps, and other
sensitive medical equipment (AAMI TIR #18, 1997) have been reported. These isolated reports of EMI
have lead to non-uniform restrictions of wireless phone use in various hospitals across the US and around
the world. In addition, newer digital communication technologies (TDMA, CDMA, GSM, PCS, iDEN)
have pulse modulations that may cause additional interference effects. The ability to control
electromagnetic emissions from RF transmitters, however, offers the opportunity to make them entirely
57

compatible with the hospital environment. Before such a hospital compatible wireless system can be
designed, however, a detailed characterization of EMI caused by the various cellular communication signals
must be performed. The following study analyzes the effects of analogue-800 MHz, TDMA-800 MHz,
TDMA-1900 MHz, CDMA-800 MHz, PCS/CDMA-1900 MHz, GSM-900 MHz, GSM-1800 MHz, iDEN800 MHz, pagewriter-900 MHz communication devices operating at maximal power on selected sensitive
medical devices.

8-8
INFLUENCE OF MODULATED UNCHARGED-PARTICLE BEAMS ON THE SPONTANEOUS
BRAIN ACTIVITY. K.G. Markov*, A.I. Enikova*, D. Chavdarov*, P. Zubov*, Institute of Electronics,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72, Tsarigradsko Chaussee Blvd., Sofia 1784, Bulgaria.
In Influence of Uncharged Particles Beams on the Spontaneous Brain Activity and Principle of
Interaction, Markov, K et al., XXI Annual Meeting of BEMS, Long Beach, California, June 20-24, 1999,
we presented experimentally obtained statistically correct brain responses to previously registered
uncharged-particle beams (equivalent light-energy density in unit solid angle of EpbS = 6 cd.s/cm2 increasing
towards the axis of the monolith single-crystal quartz resonators that generate the beams, Solitons in
Molecular Systems, A.C. Davidov, Naukova Dumka, Kiev, pp. 121-138, In Russian) possessing high
penetrating capability in metals (attenuation coefficient < 2 dB/cm). As biological sensors we used neuron
ensembles in the PO brain region of volunteers with the exposure time of 12 min. We continued this type of
investigations mainly in two directions: increasing the exposure time to t > 15 min (increasing the dose at
the same average pumping electromagnetic power P = 60 W that excites eddy solitons in the bulk of singlecrystal resonators - = 8 - 32 mm, h = 80 - 4 mm), and applying low-frequency (LF) modulation in the 1 4, 4 - 8, 8 - 12, and 12 - 16 Hz ranges to high-frequency EM signal excited in ringing coils with
frequency equal to twice the electromechanical eddy frequency f = (0.3 - 0.9) x 106 Hz; the coils and the
resonators are screened together (density of the leaked EM and sound power PS = 10-8 W/cm2). In this work
we present the results of these studies. Fig.1 is a schematic diagram of the pumping and modulation set-up
and their location with respect to the biological objects investigated (four healthy volunteers). The
experiments started with LF modulation with repetition rate f = 10 Hz, duty coefficient of 2/1, modulation
depth of 92 %, exposure time of 25 min. Six spectrograms were taken in the , , , spectral ranges for a
total time of 3 min before and after the irradiation and processed by means of a standard computer BergFourier technique using a Medikor (Hungary) spectrum analyzer with sensitivity of 0.2 V2/Hz, minimal
spectral band of 0.2 Hz, frequency bandwidth 0.2 - 32 Hz. The data of each volunteer were subsequently
statistically processed with respect to the amplitude and frequency in the respective ranges. The clearlyseen increase of the spectral components amplitude in the -range (Fig.2) is accompanied by a upward shift
of the averaged amplitude maximum f = 1.4 Hz. The experiments performed on the same volunteers after
one week using modulation in the -range (f = 5.5 Hz) with the same exposure time leads to a shift of the
amplitude maximum in the -range and a decrease of the amplitude in the -range (Fig.3). A similar
behavior is observed when modulation in the -range is applied. For comparison, Fig.4 presents results
obtained without modulation of the uncharged beam. One can see a broadening of the amplitude-frequency
spectrum in the case of increased exposure times. Such a broadening can be eliminated by applying a
specific type of modulation. The results of the investigations reported give us ground to believe that the
information content of the uncharged-particle beams (contained in the LF modulation) is revealed via the
effect these beams have on the spontaneous brain activity in the specific case when the PO-region is
irradiated. In this respect, it might be useful that further studies be directed to establishing (using the
Dawson lock-in averaging technique) the influence of a least periodically-repeated dose, so that the evoked
brain potentials resulting from the application of such an information source will be obtained.
58

Fig.1. Schematic diagram of the experimental set-up used to register the effect of modulated unchargedparticle beams on the spontaneous brain activity: 1. Stabilized tunable LF square-pulse generator;
2. Voltage-controlled HF oscillator; 3. Divider by three; 4. Waiting multivibrator; 5. Shift
register; 6. Emitter repeaters; 7. Compound emitter repeaters; 8. HV power FET switches; 9. Quartz
resonators and coils; 10. Stabilized HV power supply; 11. Control piezo-crystal transducer; 12. HF
oscilloscope; 13. Biological objects; 14. Berg-Fourier spectrum analyzer.
f =1.4 Hz

12

f m= 10 Hz

7
6
5
4
3

befor exponation

2
1

10

Spectral power density, V /Hz

Spectral power density, V /Hz

Spectral power density, V /Hz

8
9

fm= 5.5 Hz

befor exponation

fm= 0
8

befor exponation
2

0
0

10

Frequency, Hz

Fig. 2

12

14

16

18

10

12

14

16

18

Frequency, Hz

Fig. 3

10

12

14

16

18

20

Frequency, Hz

Fig. 4

SESSION 9: EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT I

Joint BEMS/EBEA Session
Co-chairs: Yngve Hamnerius/Stuart Allen
9-1
EFFECTS AND ASSESSMENT OF PULSED ELECTRIC, MAGNETIC AND
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. W. Heinrich*. Institute for Electrical Power Systems, University
Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
INTRODUCTION: Today pulsed electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields are used in many areas.
However, there is little or no information in current guidelines, rules or standards dealing with safety in
electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on how to assess these pulsed fields.
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to develop a new method for the assessment of pulsed electric, magnetic
and electromagnetic fields which is based on the physiological data.
59

DESIGN: Safety in electromagnetic fields is based on a concept of basic restrictions and reference levels
which are in general frequency dependent and different for occupational exposure and the general public.
These values can only be used to assess the effects of continuous-wave single-frequency sinusoidal signals
and are mostly stated as rms values. Multi-frequency signals or complex-shaped signals, which have to be
transformed into the frequency domain, could be assessed by using special formulas provided by most
guidelines and standards. In order to avoid the overhead introduced by this approach, the proposed method
works completely in the time domain. The following statements are focused on magnetic fields. However,
it is possible to obtain equivalent results for the electric field. Faradays Law of electromagnetic inductance
states that there is only a current or current density induced in the tissue, if and only if there is a change in
the surrounding magnetic field. Based on this statement the given reference levels for continuous-wave
single-frequency sinusoidal magnetic fields can be transformed into frequency-dependend maximum and
averaged values for the change of the magnetic flux density associated with the rise and fall times of the
field. Regardless of the form of the time-function of the magnetic field safety is guaranteed if neither the
corresponding maximum value nor the averaged value are exceeded. If the time-function of the magnetic
field consists of single pulses, puls trains and periods with no change in the magnetic flux density it can be
shown that the reference levels derived from continuous-wave single-frequency sinusoidal magnetic fields
are far too restrictive. By introducing a new factor, which roughly reflects the ratio between the added up
times with changes of the magnetic flux density and the time until the whole pulse repeats itself, it is
possible to allow higher reference levels for pulsed fields without neither compromising safety nor the basic
restrictions. However, for very short pulses this factor must be limited in order to insure safety. Different
limits can be set for occupational exposure and the general public. For continuous-wave single-frequency
sinusoidal magnetic fields this factor yields to a value of one, which allows a seamless integration of pulsed
fields into the current safety concepts.
CONCLUSIONS: The method presented allows a practical approach for the assessment of pulsed electric,
magnetic and electromagnetic fields with frequencies up to 100 kHz. For higher frequencies additional
factors have to be taken into consideration. Research for a unified assessment method of pulsed electric,
magnetic and electromagnetic fields for the whole frequency domain beginning with ELF fields up to UHF
fields is currently in progress.
This research supported by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Berlin, Germany.

9-2
MAGNETIC-FIELD EXPOSURES OF CABLE SPLICERS IN ELECTRICAL VAULTS. T.D.
Bracken*, R.F. Rankin**, R.S. Senior*, R. Kavet+, L.G. Geissinger++. *T. Dan Bracken, Inc., Portland,
Oregon 97202, USA. **Applied Research Services, Inc., Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035, USA. +EPRI, Palo
Alto, California 94303, USA. ++Seattle City Light, Seattle, Washington 98104, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Many studies have documented 60-Hz magnetic-field exposures of electric utility workers,
though some jobs and locations have been characterized more extensively than others. A review of existing
literature indicated there were no systematic magnetic-field exposure data for utility employees that work in
network distribution vaults. Given the large currents present in network vault facilities, the emergence of
new exposure guidelines, and interest in measurements expressed by workers, our objectives were to: a)
measure exposures inside energized electrical vaults at one utility, b) compare exposure measurements to
occupational guidelines and c) determine to what extent modifying work schedules around peak electrical
loading might reduce exposures.
METHOD: Cable splicers working in energized vaults were recruited to collect personal exposure (PE)
data. These volunteers wore EMDEX II magnetic-field meters during normal work shifts. Fixed-location
reference measurements were made while cable splicers performed a task and fixed-location long-term (LT)
measurements were performed for one month in preselected vaults. Load currents on the three phases of the
secondary or primary circuit nearest the work location in the vaults were measured with clamp-on ammeters
60

and reported by the workers. Each task was assigned an average current based on measurements at the
beginning and end of the task. The principal summary measures for the PE data from a person-task were
mean, maximum, 95th percentile, and fraction of time above selected thresholds. Annual estimated peak
loads (currents) in a vault were computed using the utilitys system load-flow program.
RESULTS: PE data were collected during 77 tasks in 69 vaults for 191 person-tasks in energized vaults.
Sixty-seven tasks had valid load current measurements and 61 had historical load data. These data represent
approximately 400 hours of in-vault PE. The average time for most tasks was more than 2 hours. The
summary measures were highest during tasks that entailed work near secondary cables serving customers.
The PE measurements indicated that cable splicers in this study experienced fields above the guideline
levels established by ICNIRP and ACGIH: 14 percent of person-tasks had at least one measurement above
0.42 mT (ICNIRP), and 8 percent of person-tasks had measurements above 1.0 mT (ACGIH) (Figure 1).
Almost 40 percent of person-tasks had maximum measured fields above 0.1 mT, the ACGIH recommended
limit for workers with pacemakers or other implanted devices. Based on the LT measurements, the average
ratios of mean workday field to mean weekend and mean nighttime fields were 1.5 and 1.6, respectively.
On average, a field reduction of approximately one third occurs during off-peak periods.
DISCUSSION: Based on the frequency and duration of these exposures, cable splicers working in
energized network distribution vaults can be considered one of the most highly exposed groups in the
electric utility industry. Limitations to the study are that only one utility was involved and the sample sizes
for some tasks were small. Adjusting work schedules to accommodate a later shift or weekend period
could result in exposure reduction. However even during off-peak hours, exposures for certain tasks in
heavily loaded vaults could still be above guideline levels.
This work was supported by EPRI under contract WO3349 and Seattle City Light.
Figure 1: Cumulative distributions of personal exposure means, 95th percentiles, and maximums for in-vault
person-tasks.

61

9-3
ELECTRIC WORKER EXPOSURES TO BIOLOGICALLY-BASED MAGNETIC FIELD
METRICS AT LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY J.D. Bowman1, D. Sassone2*, J.
McDevitt3*, and P.N. Breysse3. 1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
45215, USA. 2Industrial Hygiene and Safety Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New
Mexico 87545, USA. 3Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
OBJECTIVES: In a study of magnetic field exposure metrics derived from biophysical mechanisms,
exposures in five electric occupations were compared with a sample of non-electric jobs. A secondary
objective was to survey magnetic field characteristics from various sources, especially unusual electric
technologies used at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
BACKGROUND: Exposure metrics have been proposed for biophysical mechanisms such as induced
currents, free radical production, magnetosome interactions, ion parametric resonance, and temporal
consistency. If some of these mechanisms are factors in disease etiology, risks should be more strongly
associated with the corresponding biologically-based metrics than with the TWA magnitude of the ELF
magnetic field currently measured in epidemiologic studies. Personal exposure to these biologic exposure
metrics can now be measured with the Multiwave III waveform capture monitor (Electric Research and
Management, State College, PA). As a first step towards health studies, we collected Multiwave III
measurements on five of the electric occupations which have been sometimes associated with cancer and
neurodegenerative diseases.
METHODS: Measurements were taken on LANL workers recruited from the following Standard
Occupational Classifications (SOC) that previous studies had designated "electrical work": Electrical Power
Installers and Repairers, Electricians, Welders, Engineering Technicians, and Electrical and Electronic
Repairers of Commercial and Industrial Equipment. The number of electric workers and the sample of nonelectric jobs was determined by a power calculation for the TWA magnitude of the ELF magnetic field. For
at least half the work day, each worker wore a Multiwave III and an EMDEX II in a vest designed to
eliminate motion and ferric artifacts in the static magnetic field. Once a second, the Multiwave III took a
measurement of 3D magnetic field waveforms within a 1/30 sec. window and a 0-3000 Hz bandwidth, and
stored them as a time series for computer analysis. A researcher recorded the times at which different tasks
were performed and the electrical characteristics of EMF sources. Computer software was used to calculate
the biologically-based metrics and other magnetic field characteristics from the waveforms (figure). For
each worker and metric, the software calculated summary metrics such as the TWA and the standardized
rate-of-change metric (RCMS). Correlations between the EMDEX measurements and the summary metrics
were calculated to determine when the EMDEX was a good surrogate. Means tests were performed for each
metric to determine which of the electrical occupations were different from the non-electric jobs.

62

Exposure metrics measured with the Multiwave III on a LANL electric line repairer.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: Monitoring on electric line repairers (see figure) demonstrated that the
Multiwave III, the custom-made vests, and the analysis software met the study's specifications. The
magnetic field to which the LANL line workers were exposed had frequency spectra similar to other studies.
DISCUSSION: The reliability of the biologically-based metrics depends on the accuracy of the models
from which they are calculated. Because most biophysical models assume a single-frequency, linearlypolarized magnetic field, assumptions are often needed to adapt these models to the waveforms found in the
occupational environment. Since the Multiwave III stores all 3D waveforms, more accurate metrics can be
calculated from future improvements in the models.

9-4
RF EXPOSURE OF NON RESTRAINED ANIMALS IN AN OVERMODED RADIAL
WAVEGUIDE. A.K. Bitz*1, J. Streckert*1, V.W. Hansen1, and J. Buschmann*2. 1 Chair of
Electromagnetic Theory, University of Wuppertal, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany, 2Fraunhofer Institute of
Toxicology, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
INTRODUCTION: In order to perform long-term whole body exposure of a large number of animals, one
approach is to design exposure setups based on radial waveguides. Inside the waveguide the animals are
kept in cages which are arranged at a constant distance from a radiating antenna in the centre, thus a highly
uniform exposure can be achieved. Another advantage is that the radial waveguide is an electromagnetic
shielded system, on that score no costly shielding of any laboratory is necessary. The height of the
waveguide is preferably chosen smaller than half a wavelength [1]. Thereby, single-mode operation of the
fundamental TEM-mode is possible and a homogeneous field distribution inside every cage can be
guaranteed. For the exposure of small rodents like mice or hamsters to fields around 900 MHz this is easily
fulfilled. If the exposure is intended for animals which have dimensions comparable to one half of a
wavelength, and especially for long-term experiments when the required space for the free movement of the
animals increases, waveguides with a height bigger than half a wavelength are needed. As a result, higher
order modes are able to propagate in addition to the fundamental TEM-mode. These modes have
63

inhomogeneous field distributions in the waveguides cross-section. Furthermore, the simultaneous

propagation of several modes leads to interference effects and thus to an unstable exposure field. In order to
produce a uniquely defined field, one higher order mode was selectively excited by the antenna system in
[2], but due to the field distortions raised by the animals the excitation of other modes could not be avoided.
These problems have been solved during the development of a new radial waveguide exposure system for
experiments with 48 rats at 890 MHz. The implemented waveguides allow the propagation of the TEMmode alone, although the height of the waveguides exceeds half a wavelength.
METHOD: In order to produce a well defined field distribution, the cage region is excited only by the
fundamental TEM-mode in a first step. Therefore, for small radii the height of the waveguide is kept so
small that only the propagation of the fundamental mode is possible. For larger radii the height is increased
to the required value for housing the cages. Since it is still possible that the unwanted higher order modes
are excited by the scattering field emanating from the rats, metal bars are attached to the upper and lower
plate of the waveguide in order to shift the cut off frequencies of these modes up to higher values, so that
they cannot propagate at the exposure frequency. The metal bars run between the cages from the centre of
the waveguide to its radial boundary. Their optimum height and width can be determined by solving
numerically the eigenvalue problem of the waveguide.
RESULTS: The numerical calculations yielded that a maximum attenuation of the higher order modes is
reached for specific heights and widths of the metal bars. Therewith, it has been shown that the unwanted
modes can be forced to become evanescent and thus a stable field distribution can be achieved. Further
important results are that the bars do not alter the propagation constant of the TEM-mode and that the
influence on the field distribution of the original TEM-mode is negligible for the cage volume.
Measurements of the electric field distribution inside the implemented waveguides showed a field variation
of only 13% across the cages. This measure already considers the influence of the metal bars, the standing
wave ratio due to the termination of the waveguide with real absorbing material, and the field decay inside
the waveguide in radial direction. The measured coupling factor between the radial waveguide for exposure
and the waveguide for sham-exposure was 75 dB. A whole body SAR of 119 mW/kg could be achieved at
an input power of 1 W.
References.
[1] VW Hansen, AK Bitz, JR Streckert, "RF Exposure of Biological Systems in Radial Waveguides", IEEE
Trans. EMC, Vol. 41, No. 4, 1999.
[2] SJ Bonasera, JC Toler, and VP Popovic, "Long-term bioeffects of 435 MHz radiofrequency radiation on
blood-borne end points in cannulated rats. I. engineering considerations", J. Microwave Power EE, vol. 23,
pp. 95-104, 1988.
Supported by a grant from the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk, Bonn, Germany.

9-5
CHARACTERISTICS OF AEROSOL-ATTACHED AND AEROSOL-UNATTACHED CORONA
IONS NEAR HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES -- IMPLICATIONS FOR DOSE TO INTERNAL
ORGANS. A.P. Fews, D.L. Henshaw, R.J. Wilding and P.A. Keitch. H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory,
University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL, UK.
We have recently reported measurements of the modification of DC electric fields in the atmosphere by
corona ions emitted from high voltage powerlines of 132 kV and above1. We estimated a 20% increase in
electrical charging of pollutant aerosol particles, which occurred on average up to 200 metres from 132 kV
powerlines, although in two cases the effect was seen out to 500 metres. These observations suggest
increase lung deposition of inhaled pollutants near powerlines may occur. Once in the lung such pollutants
may reach all body organs. Childhood cancer is known to be associated with traffic pollution and we have
suggested that our observations may explain the increased incidence of childhood cancer near high voltage
powerlines. Following the 1996 National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council2 meta-analysis
64

of various studies, showing that the association of childhood cancer with distance to powerlines is stronger
than that of either measured or calculated magnetic fields, a similar effect is reported in table 5 of the recent
UK Childhood Cancer Study3. Our studies have continued with a more detailed analysis of corona ion
density near high voltage (>100 kV) powerlines. A series of measurements of atmospheric DC fields were
made simultaneously at various distances upwind and downwind of high voltage powerlines. Each set of
measurements were time integrated, typically over periods of 10 minutes. As a general finding the DC field
upwind of powerlines was steady with time at approximately 100 V m-1, typical of the Earth's natural DC
field. In contrast the values downwind were highly erratic with time indicating the presence of clouds of
space charge passing close to the DC field mill meter. In most cases negative space charge was observed
downwind while occasionally positive space charge was seen. Examples of these findings are given in
figure 1 and 2. Typically, the negative fields downwind extended to -340 V m-1. As indicated above the
effects ranged in distance to an average 200 metres downwind, although in two cases effects up to 500
metres from a 275 kV powerline were seen. These measurements suggest that for the average distances
considered around 2,000 excess charges per cm3 are present. This corresponds to around 20% of pollutant
aerosols will either become charged or will carry enhanced charge. The increased lung deposition of
charged versus neutral aerosols has been demonstrated by Cohen et al.4. Further work is now required to
provide quantitative estimates of increased lung deposition of pollutant aerosol particles as a result of
corona ion charging near high voltage powerlines.
References.
1. AP Fews, DL Henshaw, RJ Wilding and PA Keitch, Corona ions from powerlines and increased exposure
to pollutant aerosols. International Journal of Radiation Biology, Vol. 75. No. 12, pages 1523 - 1531, 1999.
2. National Academy of Sciences & National Research Council Possible Health Effects of Exposure to
Residential Electric and Magnetic Fields. National Academy Press (Washington DC), 1997.
3. N Day, lead author of UK Childhood Cancer Investigators, Exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields
and the risk of childhood cancer. The Lancet, Vol. 354, 1925-1931, 1999.
4. BS Cohen, JQ Xiong, Fang Ching-Ping and W Li. Deposition of charged particles on lung airways.
Health Physics, 74(5), 554-560, 1988.

65

9-6
RMS INDUCED CURRENT - A BROADBAND MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
METRIC. K. Holte1 and M. Hiles2. 1Grid Technology Associates, Walnut, California, 91789, USA.
2
Field Management Services, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Simple numeric comparison of magnetic field exposure from different sources has not been
practical when the waveform and frequency of the magnetic fields differ significantly between the sources.
An approach, using total RMS induced current, is proposed which unifies magnetic field magnitude,
frequency and waveform exposure metrics into a single easily computed metric. Furthermore, the metric,
RMS induced current, may be used to compare other potential magnetic field effects, including induced
power, heat, voltage differentials, etc.
APPROACH: The magnetic field is made of a fundamental, typically 50 or 60 Hz for fields produced by
power lines and most appliances, along with an infinite series of harmonics, each having a frequency equal
to an integer times the fundamental frequency. If a toroidal conductor is placed perpendicular to the
magnetic field, the field will produce a current (in the toroid) proportional to the derivative of magnetic
field. The RMS magnitude of this current can be calculated as follows:

B(t ) magnetic = Bdc + n=1 Bn Sin(nt + n )

= 2f

I (t ) n=1 Bn nCos(nt + n )

I rms

n =1

f = fundamenta l

Bn2 n 2 2

METHOD: A broadband instrument is used to digitize and record the magnetic field waveform(s) as shown
in Figures 1 and 2. If necessary, multiple instruments may be used to cover the desired frequency spectrum.
For example, one instrument may record the waveform using a low pass cutoff filter of 2 kHz and a second
instrument may record the waveform using a band pass filter of 2 kHz to 125 kHz. A Fast Fourier
Transform is used to calculate the frequency components in the magnetic field waveform (Figures 3 and 4).
Each of the Fourier (frequency) components of the magnetic field (in mG) is then multiplied by it's
frequency (in Hz) to produce the induced current Fourier (frequency) components (Figures 5 and 6). Each
of the induced current components is squared and summed and the square root of the sum is calculated to
give the RMS induced current. Calculation of the current requires one to know the "conductor's" geometry,
conductivity and orientation to the magnetic field. However, in many cases, one is more interested in a
comparison of induced current from different sources. In this case, the proportionality equations given
above can be used to compare magnetic fields.
RESULTS: The RMS induced current metric has been used by the authors to compare magnetic fields
produced by various sources. Figures 1 through 6 apply the method to a heavy-duty drill press using a 1.5
horsepower universal motor. All measurements were taken at a distance of one foot from the motor. The
low frequency (0 to 2 kHz) measurement utilized a Bartington Flux Gate sensor with a 2 kHz low pass filter.
The high frequency measurement utilized a Horizon 44A sensor. Absent specific data on orientation,
conductivity and geometry of the conductive body placed in the field, the authors use the term "RMS
Current Induction" in place of current and express the results in mG-Hz. The RMS Current Induction is
defined as:

InductionRMS =

n =1

Bn2 n 2 2

In the example presented, RMS Current Induction by the frequency components of the magnetic field in the
0 to 2 kHz band is 380 mG-Hz. The RMS Current Induction in the 2 kHz to 125 kHz band is 107 mG-Hz.
The total RMS Current Induction is found from:
InductionRMS Total = (380) 2 + (107) 2 = 395 mG Hz

66

DISCUSSION: The RMS Induced Current metric, proposed by the authors, provides investigators with a
powerful and simple method to compare magnetic fields; even if those magnetic fields differ significantly in
frequency and waveform. Furthermore, the metric represents known effects, including induced current,
induced voltage, power, and heat. The metric RMS Current Induction (mG-Hz), is independent and requires
no specific knowledge of the conductive body placed within the field. Instrumentation capable of digitizing
and recording magnetic field waveforms over a broad frequency spectrum is readily available for this
application. And finally, the approach recognizes and accounts for the substantially greater ability of higher
frequency fields to induce voltages and currents into conductive bodies.

67

SESSION 10: CME

Abstracts not available.
SESSION 11: EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT II
Co-chairs: Joe Bowman/Damijan Miklavcic
11-1
WAVEGUIDE CHAMBER FOR SIMULTANEOUS EXPOSURE OF 25 MICE TO 900 MHz
MOBILE PHONE FIELDS. L. Puranen1, P. Hyysalo 2, R. Pitkaho 3 and P. Heikkinen4. 1STUK Radiation
and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 14, FIN-00881 Helsinki, Finland, 2Price Waterhouse Coopers Inc,
FIN-02110 Espoo, Finland, 3VTT Information Technology, P.O. Box 1202, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland,
4
University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a compact, efficient and inexpensive system
which is easy to use and which enables an accurately known and uniform exposure for a large group of mice
to 900 MHz radiofrequency (RF) fields.
METHOD: Three identical rectangular waveguide chambers were constructed for a continuous, pulsed and
sham exposure. Mice were exposed 1.5 per day and on 5 days per week during two years or life time. The
total length of the chamber with the adapters was 190 cm. The width and the weight of the chamber were
24.8 cm and 20 cm, respectively. To restrict the movement of mice during the exposure the mice were
placed in acrylic cylindrical restrainers with a 32 mm inner diameter and adjustable length. The restrainers
were set on a styrofoam holder so that each mouse was in the centre of the cross section of the waveguide.
The longitudinal axis of the mice were perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and the
direction of the electric field. The separation distance of adjacent mice was 5 cm which enabled to place 25
mice in the chamber. In the continuous RF exposure system a normal hand-held NMT 900 mobile phone
was used as signal source and a booster amplifier increased the output power up to 7 W. In the pulsed RF
exposure system a modified computer-controlled GSM phone was used together with a booster providing a
maximum average power of 1.2 W. The input, output and reflected powers were measured with Rohde &
Schwarz NAS-Z7 RF power meters. The waveguide was matched with a coaxial termination absorbing the
output power. The determination of the specific absorption rate (SAR) in mice was based on the
measurements of the power absorbed in the mice. The average SAR of an individual mouse was calculated
by dividing the absorbed power by the measured mass of 25 mice. The absolute SAR determination based
on the power measurements was verified by the calorimetric measurements performed with a few mouse
phantoms located in the middle of the waveguide. The maximal relative variation of SAR between the mice
was estimated by electric field measurements with a small dipole sensor. Electric field measurements also
revealed that there were no higher order waveguide modes present in the waveguide chamber. Measured
SARs were compared with the results computed with an FDTD model. The FDTD calculations enabled
also the determination of SAR distribution in the body of a mouse.
RESULTS: According to power measurements the average whole-body SARs of mice were 1.5 W/kg in the
continuous RF exposure and 0.35 W/kg in the pulsed RF exposure. These values were in excellent
agreement with the results of calorimetric measurements (difference 2%). FDTD calculated SARs were
36% lower for adult mice (26 g) and 32% lower for small mice. The measured relative variation of SAR
between the mice were 10% for small mice and 30% for adult mice. The calculated variation were 9%
for small mice and 5% for adult mice. The ratio of the maximum local SAR calculated inside the torso and
the head of the mouse to the whole-body averaged SAR was 4.5 for a small mouse and 7.5 for an adult
mouse.
CONCLUSIONS: The developed exposure system enable the simultaneous exposure of 25 mice. The
average SAR is 1.5 W/kg in the continuous RF exposure and 0.35 W/kg in the pulsed RF exposure. The
68

relative SAR variation between the mice is 30% in maximum during an exposure session. The mice are
randomly placed for each exposure session which reduces the estimated uncertainty of the average SAR to
15%. The difference between the measured and calculated SARs are within the interval 40% estimated
from the uncertainties associated with the measurements and calculations.
This work was supported by the Finnish COST 244 research program and the German FGF
(Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk).

11-2
SPACE-EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR SMALL-ANIMAL WHOLE BODY MICROWAVE
EXPOSURE AT 1.6GHZ. B.W. Wilson1, A. Faraone2, D. Sheen1, M.L. Swicord2, W. Park, J.J.
Morrissey2, L.E. Anderson and J. Creim1. 1Battelle Pacific Northwest Division, Richland, WA USA,
2
Motorola Florida Research Laboratories, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA.
Studies to address public concern over possible biological effects of wireless communications signals often
require whole body exposures for large numbers of laboratory animals. Design of a recently initiated
chronic bioassay study called for exposure of pregnant rat dams and subsequent exposure of the dams and
their offspring. The requirement that the exposure and sham exposure systems be located in the same
animal suite resulted in severe space constraints that were addressed in the present design. The resulting
system is a parallel plate horn whole-body exposure system that provides uniform exposure to animals in18
standard 25cm X 25cm X 46cm animal cages.
The tapered parallel plate horn is excited by a conventional coax-to-waveguide transition. Excitation of the
TEM mode having fairly uniform distribution of the incident power density across the horn cross-section
allows the simultaneous RF exposure of a larger number of animals than allowed by a conventional
rectangular horn. Consequently, this exposure system is both more space and energy efficient than
comparable rectangular horns. The design was first modeled at 1/10 scale and then a working model at
scale (2X frequency) was built and tested. In the final system design, a 1.6GHz signal modulated in a
wireless format is used to drive a 400W power supply amplifier. The resulting signal is fed through a coaxto waveguide transition (13 cm X 6.5 cm.) to a set of parallel plate conductors (copper sheeting on finished
plywood). These plates separate and flare over a distance of 2.48 meters to an aperture of 1.11 m X 2.11 m.
Cages are placed with their front surfaces in the plane of the aperture. A schematic of the system is shown in
Figure 1.

Figure 1. Exposure system schematic.

Cage enclosure walls and side panels of the exposure system are lined with pyramidal or grooved absorber
to reduce RF energy outside the enclosure. Measurements confirmed the specified field uniformity across
the aperture (better than +/- 3dB) as well as inside the cages themselves.
Target SAR values for rat brain (0.16W/kg) and whole body were achieved using the 400 W power supply
and amplifier modulated by an iridium source with a peak-to-average power ratio of approximately 21:1.
The parallel plate configuration operates only in the TEM mode and thus provides excellent field uniformity
over the entire aperture. The sham exposure cage enclosure is identical to that the field exposure system.
69

The sham exposure horn is truncated but includes the same lighting and ventilation equipment and was
designed to appear the same as the field horn from inside. Animal change-out in the both the field and sham
exposure systems was readily accomplished and the field exposure system proved reliable during operation.
The authors wish to acknowledge the valuable collaboration of Prof. Niels Kuster (ETH, Zurich) and the
earlier work of Prof. Ross Adey (VA Loma Linda) in the conceptualization of this exposure system.
This work is supported by Motorola Corp.

11-3
ENGINEERING FACTORS RELEVANT TO POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED
WITH RESIDENTIAL MAGNETIC FIELDS. R. Kavet1, L.E. Zaffanella*2, J.P. Daigle*2, K.L. Ebi1.
1
Environment Department, EPRI, Palo Alto, California 94303, USA. 2Enertech Consultants, Lee,
Massachusetts 01238, USA.
Epidemiologic research conducted over the past two decades suggests a possible relationship between
childhood leukemia and magnetic fields associated with powerlines and residential electrical service.
Recent research suggests that the physical location of power lines in the backyard, in contrast to the street,
may be relevant to this relationship. We present a computer model of a 40-house neighborhood to address
how various physical characteristics of residential electrical service may affect current in the ground
pathway, the residential magnetic field and open circuit voltage (VOC) on appliance chassis. VOC - the
product of the current in the ground return pathway and that pathways electrical resistance - may cause
currents to flow in individuals who are not isolated from ground when they contact an appliance chassis.
The houses in the neighborhood model had various combinations of electric service attributes: line location
backyard or street; relative length of the ground return pathway short or long; and service line type overhead or underground. The model reports the highest ground currents were associated with overhead
lines, the highest magnetic field exposure levels were associated with backyard, overhead lines, and the
highest VOCs were associated with backyard lines with long ground paths. Across the entire neighborhood,
magnetic field exposure was highly correlated with VOC (r = 0.93). Dosimetry modeling illustrates that
modest levels of contact current (~ 18 A) will lead to much greater induced electric fields and current
densities in tissue (such as bone marrow and heart) than would result from very high residential levels of
magnetic fields (10 T) or electric fields (100 V/m). Open circuit voltage is an exposure variable that needs
to be factored into an evaluation of the relationship between proximity to power lines and childhood
leukemia.
This work supported by EPRI under Project WO6929.

11-4
THEORETICAL EVALUATION OF THE DISTRIBUTED POWER DISSIPATION IN
BIOLOGICAL CELLS EXPOSED TO ELECTRIC FIELDS. T. Kotnik*1,2 and D. Miklavcic1.
1
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Trzaska 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
2
PPMB/UMR 8532 CNRS, Institut Gustave-Roussy, 39 rue C. Desmoulins, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
The objective of this theoretical study is to evaluate the power dissipation caused by exposure of biological
cells to electric fields of various frequencies. With DC and sub-MHz AC frequencies, power dissipation in
the cell membrane is of the same order of magnitude as in the external medium. At MHz and GHz
frequencies, dielectric relaxation leads to dielectric power dissipation gradually increasing with frequency,
and total power dissipation within the membrane rises significantly. Since such local increase can lead to
considerable biochemical and biophysical changes within the membrane, especially at higher frequencies,
the bulk treatment does not provide a complete picture of effects of an exposure. To theoretically analyze
the distribution of power dissipation as a function of field frequency, we have proceeded from the
70

established first-order model which includes only conductive power dissipation and is valid at sub-MHz
frequencies, and enhanced it in two steps. We have first introduced the capacitive properties of the
cytoplasm and the external medium to obtain a second-order model, which still includes only conductive
power dissipation. Then we improved this model further by accounting for dielectric relaxation effects,
thereby introducing dielectric power dissipation. The calculations show that due to the latter component, in
the MHz range the power dissipation within the membrane significantly exceeds the value in the external
medium, while in the lower GHz range this effect is even more pronounced (see figure below). This implies
that even in exposures that do not cause a significant temperature rise at the macroscopic, whole-system
level, the locally increased power dissipation in cell membranes could lead to various effects at the
microscopic, single-cell level.

Left: model of the cell in electric field; R = 10 m, d= 5 nm, i(0) = 0.3 S/m, m(0) = 3 x 10-7 S/m, e(0) =
1.2 S/m, i(0) = e(0) = 6.4 x 10-10 As/Vm, m(0) = 4.4 x 10-11 As/Vm, i1 = el = 6.2 x 10-12 s, il = e1 =
5.9 x 10-10 As/Vm, ml = 3.0x 10-9 s, ml = 2.3 x 10-11 As/Vm, m2 = 4.6x 10-10 s, m2 = 7.4 x 10-12 As/Vm,
Ee = v2 x 100 V/cm.
Right: the power dissipation per unit volume in the cytoplasm (Pi), in the membrane (Pm), and in the
extracellular medium (Pe) as functions of frequency. The three bold dotted verticals correspond to the
relaxation frequencies; from left to right: Vrml = 1/(2pml), Vrm2 = 1/(2pm2) and vre = 1/(2pe1).
This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia.

11-5
MICROWAVE AND RADIOFREQUENCY EXPOSURE FROM WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS IN SWEDEN. Y. Hamnerius1, and T. Uddmar2. 1Department of Electromagnetics, Chalmers
University of Technology, SE-412 96 Goteborg, Sweden. 2EnviroMentor AB, P. O. Box 5124, SE-402 23
Goteborg, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: For the last 15 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of wireless
communication. The percentage of cellular phone users in Sweden, is among the highest in the world. To
assess the exposure of the general population, measurements of the radiofrequency intensity in the
frequency range 30 MHz to 2000 MHz, was performed at 26 sites in Sweden, representing different
environments such as cities, towns and rural areas. On each site, the measurement position has been chosen
randomly. The measurement results will not reflect an average from these locations, each measurement is
only a sample (time and location).
METHOD: The physical properties, which have been measured, are field strength together with frequency.
We used a portable, battery operated, Hewlett Packard E4402B spectrum analyzer. In the frequency range
of 30-200 MHz, an ARAP01 antenna from York EMC and in 200-2000 MHz, a PBA10200 bi-conical

71

antenna from Austrian Research Center, were used. The antennae were mounted 1.5 m over ground, on a
non-conducting tripod. To get the total electric field strength, all three polarizations were measured. For
each polarization, a measurement during 50 seconds was done, with the analyzer in the peak hold mode.
RESULTS: The frequency range has been divided into seven different frequency bands, these are: Radio:
87.5-108 MHz, Television: 47-68 MHz, 174-230 MHz and 470-854 MHz, NMT 450*: 463-467.5 MHz,
NMT 900*: 935-937 MHz, GSM 900*: 937-959 MHz, GSM 1800*: 1805-1880 MHz, (* cellular phone
systems) and Various: All other frequencies within the used frequency range. In city area (outdoors), eight
measurements were done. The mean power density for these locations was 0.8 mW/m2 and the median
value was 0.5 mW/m2. The largest contribution was from GSM 900 base stations, with a mean value of 61
% in all sites. These values are shown in figure 1.
Power density [W/m 2 ]
3500
Radio
Television
NMT 450
NMT 900
GSM 900
DCS 1800
Various

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

D
E
F
Measurement sites

Figure 1 Site A - H, power density in city area locations, the highest value was measured in site E with an
power density of 3 mW/m2.
Three measurements were carried out outdoors, in a town area, the mean value of these locations was 0.03
mW/m2 and the median value was 0.03 mW/m2. In the rural area, five measurements were done outdoors,
with a mean value of 0.002 mW/m2 and a median of 0.0006 mW/m2. Seven measurements were done
indoors in city area, in residential locations, a mean value of 0.006 mW/m2 and a median value of 0.005
mW/m2 was registered and in offices, a mean value of 0.6 mW/m2 and median value to 0.3 mW/m2 was
found.
DISCUSSION: This measurements show that the power density levels from wireless communication
systems are very low compared to the ICNIRP reference levels. The total mean value for all sites was 0.5
mW/m2, and the median value was 0.04 mW/m2. Reference level has not been exceeded in any site. Major
contributor in most sites was GSM 900 base stations, with 47 % of the total, in city areas GSM 900 base
stations contributed to 61 % of the total power density. In rural areas, the major contributor was television
transmitters, with 48 %.

72

SESSION 13: ELECTROMEDICINE

Co-chairs: Marvin Zisken/Dina Simunic
13-1
THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ELF MAGNETIC FIELDS IN INFLAMMATORY SKIN
DISEASES. G. Nindl1, D.F. Spandau*2, D.N. Vesper3, J.A. Swez3, J.B. Travers*2 and W.X. Balcavage1.
1
Terre Haute Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of Medicine, Terre Haute, Indiana
47809, USA. 2Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
46202, USA. 3Department of Physics, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, 47809, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The most common therapeutic strategies for controlling psoriasis involves phototherapy
using ultraviolet A or B light. UVA or UVB induce apoptosis in inflammatory epidermal lymphocytes and
thus diminish the appearance of cytokines that causes abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes, a hallmark of
psoriasis. However, UV therapy is potentially carcinogenic, thereby limiting its clinical use. We have
shown that ELF magnetic fields (EMFs) appear to stimulate the T cell receptor and that they also induce
apoptosis in a Jurkat lymphocyte cell model. These observations have led us to hypotheses that weak noncarcinogenic EMFs might also kill inflammatory skin lymphocytes and eliminate the need for UV therapy
or, that they might act synergistically with UV and reduce the dose of UV light needed to treat psoriasis.
Our objectives for this study were (a) to determine if EMFs can be used to modulate the dose of UV
radiation required to induce Fas or caspase-3 linked apoptosis in Jurkat cells and (b) to investigate the effect
of UV plus EMFs on production of caspase-3, Fas and FasL in keratinocytes.
METHOD: All experiments were performed with Jurkat cultures (E6-1, ATCC) maintained at -70C and
grown to mid-log phase. Cells were harvested, resuspended at 106 cells /ml in fresh medium and treated
with EMFs and/or UVB light. Keratinocytes were released from neonatal human foreskins by digestion
with trypsin and co-cultured with mitomycin C treated 3T3/J2 fibroblasts. Keratinocytes were then
transferred into serum-free medium in the absence of feeder cells and experiments were conducted on
second passage cells. Cell cultures were exposed for 20 min. to a 0.04 mT static EMF plus a 0.1 mT (rms)
sinusoidal EMF (15 Hz - 100 Hz) using a double wound 4- coil Merritt coil system housed in a dedicated 37
C room. As controls, cells were exposed to sham conditions in an identical Merritt coil or to the earths
magnetic field alone in the same 37 C room. In some experiments, cells were exposed to a commercial, 1.8
mT pulsed bone-healing EMF provided by Electro Biology Inc. During the first 15 min. of EMF exposure
some cultures were simultaneously irradiated with 200 J/m2 UVB light. Caspase-3 activity and Fas/FasL
expression of Jurkat cells and keratinocytes were analyzed at selected time points for 3-4 days after
stimulation. To detect caspase-3 activity, cells were lysed for 15 min. on ice. Supernatants from a 16,000xg
centrifugation step were diluted twofold with reaction buffer and incubated with 50-500 mM synthetic
substrate Ac-DEVD-AMC. Fluorescence was measured every 2 min. for at least 30 min. at 380/ 460 nm
using a Perkin Elmer LS 50B fluorometer. To monitor Fas and FasL expression, cell lysates were separated
by SDS-PAGE, transferred to Immobilon P membranes by semi-dry electrophoresis and stained with HRP
labeled monoclonal antibodies for Fas and FasL. The protein bands were visualized using Supersignal
ULTRA.
RESULTS: In experiments with the Jurkat T lymphocyte model we found that UVB potently induces
apoptosis accompanied by a 3 to 4 fold increase in caspase-3 activity. Power frequency EMFs cause a 50%
reduction of caspase-3 activity in controls and in UVB treated cells. Low frequency EMFs (below 50 Hz)
and high frequency EMFs (above 80 Hz) also inhibit UVB induced caspase activity while intermediate
frequencies (50 Hz and 80 Hz) have little effect on UVB induced caspase-3 activity. In keratinocytes power
frequency EMFs and 100 Hz EMFs similarly reduce caspase-3 in controls and in UVB treated cells while
other frequencies tested have little or no effect on caspase activity. FasL expression of Jurkat cells was
increased in cells co-treated with UVB and EMFs compared to UVB plus sham treated cells 5 to 68 hours

73

after treatment. However, FasL expression also continuously increased over the same time period in cells
treated with sham alone.
DISCUSSION: In this study we found that EMFs can modulate the dose of UVB required to induce Fas or
caspase-3 linked apoptosis in Jurkat cells and keratinocytes, and that this effect is frequency dependent.
These results suggest that EMFs can be used to modify the course of inflammatory skin diseases like
psoriasis.
This work was supported by the Research Enhancement Grant POT 253, Indiana University School of
Medicine, Centers for Medical Education.

13-2
ELECTRO-HYPERTHEMIA ADVANTAGES IN ONCOLOGY. A. Szasz, Department of
Engineering, Szent Istvan University, Pater K. u. 1. Godollo, H-2103, Hungary.
Classic hyperthermia applies heat to achieve curative influence. Starting from the methods used in ancient
cultures, various procedures have been applied to deliver heat into the malignant area. The treatment
temperature has been considered as the main technical parameter. Unfortunately, the heat-shock protein
(HSP) synthesis may considerably suppress the treatments efficiency, adapting cells to survive the shock.
Electro-hyperthermia is devoted to enhance the efficiency of hyperthermia by non-thermal effects with the
aim of suppressing the existing disadvantages of the classical thermal treatments. Electro-hyperthermia
heats up the targeted tissue by means of electricity, producing less HSP-synthesis in the cells than a usual
hyperthermia process does. The main idea is to keep the energy absorption in the extracellular liquid and,
by heating it, increase the ion-mobility, intensify the metabolic rate of the cells, and destroy the cell
membrane before the heat-shock activates the intra-cellular HSP mechanisms. The dominant extra-cellular
action is the main advantage of the well-tuned (personalized and automatically matched) electrohyperthermia. The heat (from the absorbed energy) penetrates only into the cell by heat-diffusion, which
acts secondary in the cell, while the primary, direct effect heats the extra-cellular liquid. Temperature in the
relatively small amount of extra-cellular electrolyte rapidly increases. The speedy temperature rise at the
membrane surface can rapidly flow through the membrane, which could damage it. Accompanying this
effect, the suppressed primary intracellular field absorption reduces the non-thermal HSP synthesis.
Moreover, the elevated temperature distributes tumor-specific antigens on the surface of various tumor cells,
and assists in their secretion in the extra-cellular fluid. The extra-cellular HSP90- has a stimulatory effect
on the growth of some lymphoid cells. HSPs are involved in the antigen presentation in the extracellular
liquid, and that mechanism increases the immune efficiency.

13-3
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND FIBROMYALGIA PATIENTS EXPOSED TO A SPECIFIC
PULSED 200T MAGNETIC FIELD: EFFECTS ON NORMAL STANDING BALANCE. A.W.
Thomas1, K.P. White2 and F.S. Prato1. 1Bioelectromagnetics Western, The Lawson Research Institute,
Department of Nuclear Medicine & MRI, St. Josephs Health Centre, 268 Grosvenor Street, London,
Ontario, Canada N6A 4V2; and the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario.
2
Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada.
Specific time-varying pulsed magnetic fields (PEMFs*, patent pending) have been shown to alter
subjectively assessed animal and human behaviors, such as learning, pain perception (analgesia) and
anxiety-related behaviors1. Here, we test a preliminary protocol which it is hoped will produce an objective
human assay that will advance the technology of developing clinically relevant magnetic field therapies.
Clinically diagnosed patients (10 rheumatoid arthritis [4 male, 6 female, mean age 539.7] and 10
fibromyalgia [10 female, mean age 468.3]) were placed within 3 square Helmholtz coils (2m, 1.75m,
74

1.5m) arranged orthogonal with the uniform magnetic field volume centered at head level for standing
volunteers. Patients (blind to the exposure conditions) stood (feet apart) on the center of a 3-D forceplate,
with all forceplate and PEMF (3-D fluxgate magnetometer) values continually digitally recorded at 20
samples per second (National Instruments D/A and Labview 5.0). The four 2 min exposure conditions were
randomized (eyes open/eyes close, sham/PEMF [ambient sham 14.7T horizontal, 43.3T vertical, 60Hz <
0.2Trms; PEMF 2001Tpk vertical]). Twelve track-mounted dimmable florescent lights provided a
uniform light level of 0.51 W/m2 (350.0 Lux) within the uniform magnetic field volume of the Helmholtz
coil array. Mixed design analysis of variance of the preliminary data show a significant interaction of eyes
open/closed and sham/PEMF conditions (side to side motion [F=5.671,18, P<0.03], pattern of movement
[F=4.391,18, P<0.05]) and an interaction approaching significance with clinical diagnosis [F=3.51,1,16,
P<0.08] (see Fig. 1). Post-hoc analysis (repeated t-test) implies that the PEMF exposure weakens or
removes the significant differences normally present between the eyes open / eyes closed conditions, and the
strength of the effect appears to be diagnosis dependent. The preliminary data has suggested the feasibility
of a short, objective assay for the interaction of PEMF exposure and clinical diagnosis. Utilizing the
potential of this protocol as a diagnostic aid will also be examined.
*
International PCT Application PCT/CA97/00388 Thomas, Prato, Kavaliers and Persinger.
Reference.
1
Prato F.S. et al. Bioelectromagnetics. 21 (2000) in press.
CUMULATIVE AREA OF STANDING BALANCE MOVEMENT
.18
.16
.14

Standing Balance Area (sq. m)

.12
.10
Eyes Open Sham

.08
.06

Eyes Open PEMF

.04
Eyes Closed Sham
.02
0.00
N=

Eyes Closed PEMF

10

10

10

Arthritis

10

10

10

10

10

Fibromyalgia

Figure 1. Standing Balance Area represents an estimate of the cumulative area of movement during
normal standing balance. The center of balance is projected vertically through the force plate, and the area
of movement around the normalized center of standing balance to each x-y coordinate (20 samples per
second for each of the four 2 min trials) is summed to produce an Area value in square meters. Other
measures (not shown here) include the relative distribution of x (front to back) and y (side to side)
movements, an estimate of the pattern of movement and the path length of the standing balance
movements. Magnitude Fourier transforms of the x and y movement data (not shown here) are also
computed. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean.
This research was funded, in part, by: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,
the Medical Research Council of Canada, Elizabeth Dianne Hughes Mann, the Lawson Research Institute,
the St. Josephs Health Centre Foundation, the Plunkett Foundation, the Fred Soyka Memorial Fund, and the
Canada Foundation For Innovation.

75

13-4
PULSED SIGNAL THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS: DOUBLE
BLIND AND RANDOMIZED STUDY RESULTS IN OVER 50,000 PATIENTS. R. Markoll. BioMagnetic Therapy Systems, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida 33432, USA and Munich, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Double-blind clinical trials and other open label randomized studies were conducted in the
USA, Canada, France, Italy and Germany, to determine the effectiveness of a specific pulsed
electromagnetic field called Pulsed Signal Therapy [pulsed DC magnetic field: 0.28 W., max. 20 gauss; 524 Hz; quasi-rectangular wave form], for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, lower back and
cervical spine. Previous studies had shown that changes in placebo groups had less significance at the end
of treatment, and had lost significance for most variables at the one-month follow-up. In contrast, treatment
groups consistently demonstrated statistically significant and sustained benefits.
METHODS: Controlled double-blind and observational open label studies were undertaken by Dr. David
H. Trock and Alfred J. Bollet at Danbury Hospital, Conn. USA, (Teaching Affiliate of Yale University
School of Medicine), Dr. Cecil Hershler, University of Vancouver, Canada, Prof. Menkes, Cochin Hospital,
Paris, France, Prof. Radaelli, Ospedale Niguarda - Ca Granda, Milan, Italy, Prof. Fhr. von Gumppenberg,
TU University School of Medicine OM, Munich, Germany and Prof. Rainer Breul, LMU University School
of Medicine, Munich Germany. More than 50,000 patients have been studied to date. Initially, 18 half-hour
treatments and then 9 one-hour treatments, (active or placebo in the double-blind and active in the open
label studies) were conducted over a ten year period in the USA, Canada and Europe. Pain was evaluated
using WOMAC and later OMERACT III validated instruments of outcome measures. Functionality was
measured using WOMAC and modified Ritchie scales, as well as global evaluations of improvement by the
patient and examining physician. The LMU two year multi-center clinical study completed November 1999
produced data from >20,000 patients treated in 104 PST clinics throughout Germany.
RESULTS: Matched pair tests and other statistical analysis showed highly significant changes from
baseline for the treated patients irrespective of the joint treated. The changes in the placebo patients showed
lesser degrees of significance at the end of treatment, and had lost significance for most variables at the one
month follow up. The open label analysis and results were consistent with the double-blind results.
CONCLUSION: Pulsed Signal Therapy (PST) provides significant improvement in pain and limitation of
motion, the two major complaints of patients suffering from osteoarthritis. It is not associated with any
discomfort or side effects, and long-term follow-up evaluation has confirmed its safety, sustained
improvement, and cost effectiveness. PST is a patented, non-invasive treatment that should not be confused
with other approaches or devices frequently referred to as Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy; the most
important difference lies in the variability of the amplitude and repetition rate that is employed in PST.
This work was supported by Bio-Magnetic Therapy Systems, Inc.

13-5
THE EFFICACY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAL
RADICULOPATHY. M. Walzl, C. Thuile*. State Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry, Graz, Austria.
*IGEM, Vienna, Austria.
STUDY DESIGN: The study is a prospective, randomized, investigation of patients with lumbal
radiculopathy regarding the segments L5/S1.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a treatment modality utilizing electromagnetic fields with respect to pain, and
neurological parameters (e. g. sensitivity, positive Lasgues sign).
METHODS: The Patients had to fulfill the following criteria: Clinical verificated lumbal radiculopathy
regarding the segments L5/S1 and Lasgues sign of 30 degrees or above. Exclusion criteria were prolapsed
intervertebral discs, systemic neurological diseases, epilepsy, and pregnancy. Finally 100 patients had been
selected and entered the study following a 1:1 ratio. Both groups (magnetic field treatment group and
76

controls) received "standard medication", consisting of Diclofenac and Tizanidine, while the magnetic field
was applied only in group 1 twice a day for a period of two weeks.
RESULTS: Average time to be free of pain was 8.2 days in group 1 but 11.7 days in the control group. At
the end of the study Lasgues sign was average 68 degrees in the magnetic field group and 49 degrees in
the controls. Finally 8 patients of the verum group showed disturbances in sensitivity in contrast to 15
patients of the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic fields seem to have a considerable and statistically significant potential in the
treatment of lumbal radiculopathy with regard to pain, and neurological symptoms while the tolerability of
the application was optimal.

13-6
PULSED MAGNETIC FIELDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE. K.
Davey1, N. Galloway2, T. Bavendam3, Y. Greene1, K. Bowley1. 1Neotonus, Inc. 835B Franklin Ct.,
Marietta, Georgia 30067, USA. 2Emory Continence Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30080, USA. 3Associate
Professor of Surgery/Urology, MCP Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Magnetic stimulation has mainly been investigated as an alternative to electrical stimulation
for neurodiagnostic uses. Magnetic stimulation is only now beginning to catch up to electrical stimulation
in terms of clinical applications. It is even being utilized to directly stimulate cortical neurons to map
attention, memory, movement, speech and vision. Preliminary investigations indicate transcranial magnetic
stimulation may have therapeutic utility as well. Magnetic stimulation has many advantages over electrical
stimulation including the ability to penetrate bone and tissues without significant alteration and passes
uninterrupted through clothing. Therefore, patients do not need to undress or be exposed to invasive and
potentially irritating probes. Pulsed magnetic technology has been developed for the stimulation of the
pelvic floor. Our objective was to test a purely magnetic protocol on both stress and urge incontinent
patients wherein the patients would be exposed to rapidly changing magnetic fields in the pelvic floor region
twice weekly for six weeks. The desired goal was to reduce leakage episodes and pad usage and improve
quality of life.
METHOD: A double C shaped core is mounted under a chair to drive magnetic flux through the muscles of
the pelvic floor and urethral sphincter. The result is stimulation of the muscles within the perineum.
Treatment consists of ten minutes of low frequency stimulation (5 Hz), followed by a rest interval of one to
five minutes, then ten minutes of high frequency stimulation (50 Hz), repeated twice weekly. The repetition
frequency only affects the number of times per second a pulse is repeated. Each pulse has a constant
frequency of 3636 Hz. Each individual pulse is realized through the resonance of a capacitor discharging
into the stimulation coil and is a decaying sinusoid.
RESULTS: Patients were treated biweekly for 6 weeks. Changes in incontinence status were gauged by
comparing the voiding diary parameters. Seventeen (34%) patients were dry and used no pads, 16 (32%)
were using not more than one pad per day, and 17 (34%) were using more than one pad per day. The
average number of pads per day was reduced from 2.51.6 (median=2.2) to 1.31.8 pads per day
(median=0.8), before and after treatment respectively (p=0.001). The frequency of leak episodes was
reduced from 3.32.5 (median=2.6) to 1.72.3 (median=1.0), before and after treatment respectively
(p=0.001). Using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, the mean rank for leak episodes per day was reduced from 27
to 20 after treatment. The mean pad weight was reduced from 20g to 15g at 8 weeks. The Incontinence
Quality of Life (I-QOL) is a valid, reproducible and responsive instrument developed as a self-report
instrument specific to urinary incontinence. 66 women who completed the 6 week protocol completed the IQOL at baseline and 2 weeks following treatment (8 weeks). Eighty percent (53/66) demonstrated an
improved I-QOL score. The mean score was increased from 71.6 20.5 to 90.5 17.0 (p-value = 0.01).

77

DISCUSSION: The results strongly suggest that magnetic stimulation using pulsed magnetic technology is
an effective therapy for urinary incontinence in women as measured by voiding diary and improved I-QOL
score.
This work was supported by Neotonus Inc., Marietta, Georgia, USA.

13-7
COMBINED MAGNETIC FIELDS ACCELERATE PRIMARY SPINE FUSION: A
PROSPECTIVE, DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO CONTROLLED CLINICAL
STUDY. J.T. Ryaby1, R.J. Linovitz2*, F.P. Magee1*, J.S. Faden3*, R. Ponder1* and L.R. Muenz4*.
1
Research and Development, OrthoLogic, Tempe, Arizona 85281, USA. 2San Dieguito Orthopaedics and
UC-San Diego, San Diego, California USA 92024. 3Joel S. Faden, Ph.D., Inc., Rockville, Maryland 20852
USA. 4LR Muenz Associates, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878 USA.
This paper demonstrates that combined magnetic fields as an adjunctive treatment accelerate fusion in
primary non-instrumented spine fusion surgery. This study, conducted under an FDA IDE, was a
prospective, multicenter, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial at ten sites. Eligible
patients had one or two-level fusions (between L3 and S1) without instrumentation, and with either
autograft alone or in combination with allograft. The combined magnetic field device used a single
posterior coil, centered over the fusion site, with one 30-minute treatment per day for nine months.
Randomization was stratified by site and number of levels fused. Evaluation was at 3, 6, and 9 months postsurgery and 3 months after the end of treatment. The primary endpoint was a majority assessment of fusion
at nine months, based on radiographic evaluation by a blinded panel consisting of the treating physician, a
musculoskeletal radiologist, and a spine surgeon. There were 201 evaluable (120 female, mean age 57; 81
male, mean age 56) out of 243 total patients. Among all active device recipients, 64 percent healed at nine
months compared to 43 percent of placebo device patients, a significant difference (p=0.003 by Fishers
exact test). In addition, 67 percent of active-device females fused compared to 35 percent of placebo device
females (p=0.001 by Fishers exact test). For the overall patient population, repeated measures analysis of
fusion outcomes (by Generalized Estimating Equations) showed a main effect of treatment, favoring the
active treatment (p=0.030) and also a significant time by treatment interaction (p=0.024), indicating
acceleration of healing. This is the first randomized clinical trial of non-instrumented primary fusion, with
evaluation by a blinded, unbiased panel. Overall fusion rates were lower than expected; this may be due to
reliance only on radiographic evaluation of fusion success without surgical confirmation. In conclusion, the
adjunctive use of the device was significantly beneficial in all patients (Odds Ratio 2.37, 95% CI 1.3484.171, p=0.003 for comparison with placebo). Adjunctive use of a combined magnetic field significantly
increases the nine-month rate of radiographic spinal fusion.

78

SESSION 14: NERVOUS SYSTEM AND

SENSORY PHYSIOLOGY
Co-chairs: Bernard Veyret/Betty Sisken
14-1
THE HUMAN VESTIBULAR SYSTEM IS AFFECTED BY EXPOSURE TO PULSED ELF
MAGNETIC FIELDS: LIGHT LEVEL DEPENDENT EFFECTS. F.S. Prato and A.W. Thomas.
BioElectroMagnetics Western, The Lawson Research Institute, Department of Nuclear Medicine & MRI, St.
Josephs Health Centre, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4V2; and the Department of
Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
There is increasing evidence in animals1 and humans2 that behavioral and physiological responses to static
and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMF) is affected by the presence of visible light during
magnetic field exposures. We have previously reported that a specific pulsed ELFMF (PEMF*) can be
designed to provide a specific behavioral effect3. Also, we examined a specific PEMF design to see if it
would disturb the human vestibular system i.e. interrupt normal standing balance. Further, we decided to
investigate whether this phenomenon was sensitive to light levels. We initially exposed 9 normal healthy
human volunteers (mean age 26.4 (sd2.6), 6 male / 3 female, Ethics Review Board approved, University of
Western Ontario). Subjects were placed within an orthogonal Helmholtz coil array (2m x 1.75m x 1.5m)
mounted such that the uniform MF volume was centered at head level for average volunteers. Subjects
stood (feet slightly apart) in the center of a 3-D forceplate, with all forceplate and MF (3-D fluxgate
magnetometer) values continually digitally recorded at 10 samples per second throughout the four 2 min
exposures (eyes open/eyes close, sham/2001Tpk). The order of exposure conditions were randomized
(sham, PEMF exposure and eyes open/eyes closed). The initial experiments were carried out under a low
light condition i.e.0.12 W/m2 (79.8 Lux). Statistical analysis of the data (analysis of variance) indicated that
there was a significant increase in standing movement during PEMF exposure during eyes closed but not
during eyes open (see Fig2). In a second experiment 22 normal subjects (mean age 25.7 (sd7.2), 12 male /
10 female) were exposed in an identical protocol except horizontal light levels were increased to 0.51 W/m2
(350 Lux) (see Fig. 1 for visible light spectra). For this second group all force plate parameters measured
were not significantly different between sham or exposed for either eyes open or eyes closed. Failure to
replicate the original observation that a specific PEMF can reduce the accuracy of standing balance seems to
be related to light levels during magnetic field exposure. Magnetic field exposure was only effective when
eyes were closed under low light conditions. This seems contrary to previous findings that the absence of
light decreases the effectiveness of ELFMF to modify opioid induced analgesia in animals1. However, it
may not be. Perhaps light levels strong enough to provide optic nerve stimulation even under eyes closed
may provide significant stochastic input to the vestibular system while under sufficiently low light
conditions this would be lost. If magnetic field detection requires light stimulation via a non-optic nerve
reception mechanism then our low light condition may still be sufficient for magnetic field reception, which
then becomes a relatively strong input to the vestibular system with eyes closed; enough to cause a
measurable effect. Future experiments will address these possibilities.
*
International PCT Application PCT/CA97/00388 Thomas, Prato, Kavaliers and Persinger.
References.
1
Prato F.S. et al. Bioelectromagnetics. 21 (2000) in press.
2
Thoss F. et al. Bioelectromagnetics. 20 (1999) 459-461.
3
Thomas, A.W. et al. Neurosci. Lett. 22 (1997) 107-110.

79

Figure 1. Real-time spectral analysis of the light level conditions (Hi vs. Low florescent light levels) and
our typical office light level (daylight from window, and florescent lighting) (McMahan LightSpex, NC).
Light levels were recorded in a horizontal attitude by pointing the recording device in the same direction
as a subjects eye, from the same position in the apparatus or typical office working position. The office
lighting condition is presented for comparison only and is not an experimental test condition.

Figure 2. Line represents an estimate of the pattern of movement during normal standing balance. The
center of balance is projected vertically through the force plate, and the distance from the normalized center
of standing balance to each x-y coordinate (10 samples per second for each of the four 2 min trials) is
summed to produce a Line length value in meters. Other measures (not shown here) include the relative
distribution of x (front to back) and y (side to side) movements, the cumulative area of the pattern of
movement and the path length of the standing balance movements. Magnitude Fourier transforms of the x
and y movement data (not shown here) are also computed.
This research was funded, in part, by: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,
the Medical Research Council of Canada, Elizabeth Dianne Hughes Mann, the Lawson Research Institute,
the St. Josephs Health Centre Foundation, the Plunkett Foundation, the Fred Soyka Memorial Fund, and the
Canada Foundation For Innovation.

80

14-2
DYSREGULATION OF AUTONOMIC CONTROL OF CARDIAC FUNCTION IN WORKERS
EXPOSED TO RF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. S. Szmigielski* , E. Sobiczewska*, R. Kubacki*
and Z. Ciolek*. Department of Microwave Safety, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4
Kozielska str., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland.
BACKGROUND: There are no convincing data which confirm the possibility of development of specific
diseases which could be causally linked to long-term exposures in RF fields, however there exist reports on
increased risk of various functional abnormalities in subjects who work in RF environment. These
functional abnormalities may be, at least partially, related to bioeffects of RF exposures which develop in
the central nervous system. One of the possible outcomes of such effects may be dysregulation of
autonomic control of various physiologic systems, including the cardiovascular system. Some time ago we
reported increased number of slight, subclinical ECG abnormalities, accompanied by symptoms of
sympathicotony in heart rate variability (HRV), lowered day/nigh ratio of blood pressure and heart rate
(Bortkiewicz A et al.: Dysregulation of autonomic control of cardiac function in workers at AM
broadcasting stations (0.783 - 1.503 MHz). Electro-Magnetobiology. 1995;14:177-192) in a group of 77
workers of AM radio broadcasting stations who were exposed to 0.7-1.5 MHz RF.
MATERIAL and METHODS: In the present study a group of 38 workers of radio transmitting centres
(RTC), exposed to 10-50 MHz RF, and 38 unexposed control workers were examined with identical
cardiological tests (ECG at rest, HRV, 24-hr Holter ECG, 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure ABP), as the
above mentioned workers of AM radio broadcasting stations. RF exposure was monitored during whole 12hr shifts and expressed in maximal levels (Emax), average levels (Eav) and time of exposure (Texp) during the
shift. From these data daily exposure dose rates for the shift (Dsf) and life exposure dose rates (Dlf) were
calculated.
RESULTS: It was found that during the 12-hr shift individual workers were exposed in RF fields in series
of 3-5-min. periods, counting for a total exposure time of 0.5 2 hr per shift. Individual exposure levels
differed considerably (Emax from 9 to 174 V/m; Eav from 0.5 to 11.4 V/m) with the daily exposure dose
rates for the shift ranging from 22 to 3120 (V/m) 2 x h. With such large individual differences in RF
exposure levels the most conclusive relations between the exposure and results of cardiac tests could be
obtained by multistep correlation of single parameters. Statistically significant correlation with RF exposure
parameters (Dsf and Eav) was found for HRV (fast/slow component ratio) and HR and BP day/night ratio.
In general, the results indicate dysregulation of autonomic control of cardiac function with shift toward
sympathicotony, a phenomenon similar to that observed in workers of AM radio broadcasting stations, who
are exposed to lower frequencies of RF (0.7-1.5 MHz).
CONCLUSIONS: From results obtained in these two independent studies, which used 115 RF-exposed
workers, we conclude that multiyear occupational exposure to RF may lead to dysregulation of autonomic
control of cardiac function and cause increased risk of development of functional symptoms of cardiac
liability. However, clinical relevance of these findings is not firmly established and an increased risk for
cardiac pathology could not be established in the tested material.
This work was sponsored in part by the funds from the Concerted Action ERB CT15 IC980303 from the
INCO-COPERNICUS Project of the European Commission DG XII.

81

14-3
EFFECTS OF HEAD RESONANT RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION ON TIME ESTIMATION
BEHAVIOR OF RHESUS MONKEYS. J.A. DAndrea1, J.M. Ziriax1, D.J. Hatcher1, D.D. Cox1, P.J.
Henry1, K.R. Kosub2, and P. Mason3. 1Naval Health Research Center Detachment, Brooks Air Force Base,
Texas 78235 USA, 2Jackson Foundation, San Antonio, Texas, 78235 USA, 3Conceptual Mindworks Inc.,
San Antonio, Texas, 78235 USA.
OBJECTIVE: Tinniswood and Gandhi (1999) used FD-TD numerical techniques to predict the absorption
of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) in both a human and rhesus monkey models. One significant feature was
the prediction of head resonant absorption which for the monkey was very near 500 MHz. This study was
designed to use behavior to evaluate the effects of head resonant absorption. Determining the specific
absorption rate (SAR) at which an animal will cease an ongoing behavior has proven useful in the
development of safe exposure levels for humans. Behaviors that have been used are simple tasks and the
point at which behavior changes significantly or ceases has often been referred to as "work stoppage" and
occurs near a whole-body SAR of 4 W/kg. In this experiment we attempt to evaluate the effects of head
resonant microwave exposure on rhesus monkey ability to perform a time discrimination task and determine
if the threshold is at or below the 4 W/kg SAR needed to cause work stoppage.
METHOD: Four adult rhesus monkeys (Maccaca mulata) were trained on a temporal response
differentiation (TRD) for food pellet reward while individually seated in a plastic chair. TRD requires the
monkey to press a lever for a minimum period of 10 sec and release the lever before a maximum time of 14
sec. Releasing the lever too early or too late starts another trial. Food pellets were delivered following
releases during the 10-14 sec time interval. A daily session lasts one hour. Once monkeys were trained to
stable performance they were exposed, for up to one hour. Microwave exposures were conducted at 500
MHz continuous wave (CW) or pulsed (PW, 1000 pps, 5ms pd) with the electric field parallel to the body
and direction of propagation from the monkeys back to front. Exposures were conducted using a stable
microwave source (Wavetek No.2500A), 1 kW linear solid state amplifier (Amplifier Research
No.1000HB), and horn antenna (AH No. SAS 200/570). Monkeys were exposed to average power densities
ranging from 5.2 to 20.8 mW/cm2 which produced whole-body SARs of 1, 2, 3, and 4 W/kg.
RESULTS: Monkeys quickly learned the TRD task. Shown in the figures are distributions of hold times.
The shaded area indicates those hold times (10-14 sec) that were rewarded with food pellets. Two different
monkeys are shown and sham exposures are indicated by solid symbols. Monkey 10 performed better than
Monkey 46 by placing a greater percentage of its hold times in the reward zone. Monkey 46 emitted fewer
hold times per session. Hold time distributions for several CW and PW exposure sessions are shown for
each monkey at different whole-body SARs. The major effect that can be seen is a slight reduction in the
total number of hold times during exposure sessions. The distribution of hold times, however, does not
appear to change. Additional exposures are planned for these and two other monkeys.
DISCUSSION: Based on the data gathered at the writing of this abstract the ability of the rhesus money to
make time perceptions does not appear to be significantly disrupted by head resonant absorption at wholebody SARs that are lower than those that cause work stoppage. The primary effect observed is an overall
reduction in the rate of responding which has been known to occur at dose rates near the threshold of work
stoppage. Determining the SAR at which an animal will change ongoing behavior has proven useful in the
development of safe exposure levels for humans. Evaluation of other cognitive behaviors which evaluate
memory, learning and motivation can provide additional information to assess the effects of RFR exposure.
"The animals involved in this study were procured, maintained, and used in accordance with the Federal
Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, prepared by the Institute of
Laboratory Animal Resources -- National Research Council." The Air Force Research Laboratory at Brooks
AFB, TX, has been fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory
Animal Care, International, (AAALAC) since 1967.

82

Supported by the Office of Naval Research Work Unit No. 61153N.MR04101.001.1603. This document is
approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

14-4
SEARCH FOR PHOSPHANES INDUCED BY EXPOSURE TO RADIO-FREQUENCY FIELDS
WITH ELF AMPLITUDE MODULATION. M. Taki*. K. Wake*, Y. Watanabe*, and S. Watanabe
*Department of Electrical Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Research Section, Communication Research Laboratory, the Ministry of

Posts and Telecommunications, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: There exist a number of reports that suggest similarity of biological effects between ELF
fields and RF fields with ELF amplitude modulation. A possible explanation of this similarity is that the
internal electric field is rectified due to some nonlinearity of electrical properties of biological material such
as molecules in and around membrane. Consider an internal electric field corresponding to the current
safety guideline of 10 [W/kg] for occupational exposure with regard to the localized exposure. The internal
field in this case is about 200 [V/m] assuming the conductivity of tissue to be 0.5 [S/m]. Then a distortion
of 0.005 % due to unsymmetry of the response to the positive and negative fields should yield the baseband
ELF field of 10 [mV/m] when the RF field is amplitude modulated by a baseband signal at an ELF
frequency. The conductivity of tissue at ELF region is about 1 [S/m]. So the internal field could induce 10
mA/m2 of ELF current density in tissue. This current density should be enough to cause visual sensation of
phosphenes, which is a well-established biological effect of ELF fields. The objective of this study is to
search for the possible sensory perception of phosphenes caused by exposure to RF fields modulated at ELF
signal based on the hypothesis described above.
METHOD: Subjects are exposed to 900 MHz microwaves modulated at 20 Hz radiated from a dipole
antenna located near the eye. The modulation frequency of 20 Hz is chosen because it is the most sensitive
frequency for the magnetophosphanes. The peak dose rate was approximately 10 W/kg. The exposure
continues for less than one minute for each trial. The subjects are to report whether or not they perceive
fluctuation of brightness due to phosphenes. A 20 Hz magnetic field is superimposed to the modulated RF
field with the phase difference of 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees from the modulation signal. It is expected that
superposition of the current induced by the ELF magnetic field and the field derived from modulated RF
field should change the threshold to perceive phosphenes. The volunteers were one female and three males
of the age 27 46.
RESULTS: The subjects did perceive the magnetophophenes elicited by the 20 Hz magnetic field, but they
did not find any change in the perception of phosphanes whenever they were or they were not exposed to
the modulated microwaves in any conditions examined.
83

DISCUSSION: We have good reason to believe the hypothesis that we discussed here although we failed to
detect any effect so far. One possible reason for the failure could be attributed to the choice of carrier
frequency. The relaxation of the molecules around the membrane should occur at much lower frequencies
than 900 MHz. The energy should have been dissipated by free water molecules, which could respond to
900 MHz oscillations but are not likely to affect membrane function. Further experiments using lower
carrier frequencies are in preparation. The additional results will be reported at the conference.
This work was supported in part by the Grantin-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of
Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan.

14-5
NUMERICAL CALCULATION OF MICROWAVE INDUCED SOUND IN RATS EXPOSED TO
GSM AND PDC BURST SIGNALS. Y. Watanabe*1, T. Tanaka*1, T. Taki*1, S. Watanabe2. 1Department
of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 1920397, Japan. 2Electromagnetic Compatibility Research Section, Communications Research Laboratory,
Tokyo 184-8795, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Microwave hearing effect is an established biological effect in both animals and humans.
Animals and humans can perceive an apparent sound when they are exposed to appropriately modulated
microwaves. The mechanism of this phenomenon is explained by thermoelastic expansion. It is feasible
that the animals could hear the pulsed microwaves in exposure experiments. The auditory stimuli could
cause stress in exposed animals. In order to investigate the possibility of the perception of sound we made
numerical studies on microwave hearing effect in rats.
METHOD: We decomposed the analysis into two steps of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD)
calculations to compute thermoelastic waves generated by pulsed microwaves. First we calculate the
distribution of specific absorption rate (SAR) using conventional FDTD method for the Maxwell's
equations. The SAR produces temperature rise, whose thermal energy exerts stress in the tissue. Second we
calculate the elastic waves generated by the thermal stress based on the elastic wave equations. An
anatomically-based Sprague Dawley rat model developed in Brooks AFB. (Fig. 1) is employed for
numerical calculations. A quarter wavelength monopole antenna is placed 1cm away from the body surface
of the rat. The frequency of the microwave is 915 MHz and pulse duration is 6.67 ms (PDC: Japanese
TDMA digital cellular telephone standard), or 0.577 ms (GSM).
RESULTS: Calculated peak stresses of alternating components at the head of the rat are 0.4 X 10-3 Pa for
both PDC and GSM pulse whose peak input power is 1 W. Power spectrum of the thermoelastic wave is
shown in Fig. 2. The dominant frequency of the thermoelastic waves is about 40 kHz that corresponds to a
resonant frequency of the rat.
DISCUSSION: The pulse duration does not significantly affect the amplitude of the alternating components
of the generated stress waves as the waveforms have much longer durations than the period of the acoustic
resonant frequency in the rat (about 25 s). The pulsed microwaves with the average antenna input power
of 1 W cause 0.0004 Pa in the rat head for both the PDC and GSM waveforms. This value is lower than the
threshold of human bone conduction hearing of 60 dB or 0.02 Pa at 6-10 kHz, where the human head has
the acoustic resonance. Rats could perceive auditory sensation if the threshold of hearing at 40 kHz should
be 34 dB lower (1/50 in amplitude) than human's at 6-10 kHz. The stress waves generated by pulsed
microwaves should depend on the exposure conditions such as pulse durations or the exposed part in the
body. We are now investigating the stress waves in rats for other exposure conditions.

84

Fig. 1 Rat model and antenna

configuration

Fig. 2 Spectrum of thermoelastic

waves

This work was supported in part by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education,
Science, Sports and Culture, Japan.

14-6
EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WAVES ON RAT
REFERENCE MEMORY IN A T-MAZE TASK. H. Yamaguchi*1, 2, G. Tsurita*1, 2, H. Nagawa*1, S.
Ueno2, S. Watanabe3, and M. Taki*4. 1Dept. of Surgical Oncology, 2Biomedical Engineering, Graduate
School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. 3Comm. Research Laboratory, MPT.,
Tokyo, 184-8795, Japan. 4Dept. of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan
University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
OBJECTIVES: Cellular phones that use high-frequency (800~2000 MHz) electromagnetic waves (HFEMWs) have come into wide use in recent years. Social concerns have been raised about their effects on
memory. The memory system is supposedly composed of two components, long-term reference memory
and short-term working memory. The purpose of this study was to establish whether exposure to HFEMWs would produce reference memory deficits in rats during a T-maze task.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Subjects were 12 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Reference memory
was tested with a T-maze. Each arm and the stem of the T-maze were 90 cm long and 15 cm wide. A
guillotine door separated the starting box from the stem. A food cup was placed at the end of the arms.
Each rat was food deprived to 75% of its ad-lib body weight. After a 5-day shaping period in the T-maze,
the rats performed 16 identical tasks per day for 4 days. At the beginning of each trial, a food pellet was
placed in the food cup at the end of one of the arms. For a particular rat, the same arm (either left or right)
contained food during the trials. Each rat was allowed to enter one of the arms. If a rat chose the arm with
food, it was allowed to eat the food on the maze. If a rat chose the arm without food, it was removed from
the maze immediately. The rat either reached a criterion of over 14 correct choices per day or completed 4
days of trials. One week after the trials, the rats were exposed to HF-EMWs. The exposure system and the
calculation of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) were described by Watanabe et al. [1]. This system
consisted of a small anechoic chamber and a round turntable with eight tubes mounted circularly. Rats were
restrained in the tubes with their heads positioned toward the central antenna. Each tube was equipped with
ample ventilation (from head to tail) to decrease stress on the rat. The frequency of the HF-EMW field was
1,439 MHz based on the PDC standard, the main frequency of cellular phones in Japan. The peak SAR
within the brain was 7.4 W/kg, and the whole-body average SAR was 1.4 W/kg when the time-averaged
antenna radiation power was 6.0 W, which was about 10 times greater than that of a cellular phone. The
rats were divided into two groups, EM (+) and EM (-) groups. The EM (+) group was exposed to HFEMWs in the above stated condition for four hours. The EM (-) group, without HF-EMW exposure, was
also placed in the same condition as the EM (+) group. After exposure, the rats again performed 16 tasks in
the T-maze and the ratio of correct choices was evaluated.
85

RESULTS: The mean number of correct choices (S. E. M.) was 14.60.2 in the EM (+) group, and
15.00.4 in the EM (-) group (P =0.48).
CONCLUSIONS: No significant effects on reference memory performance of rats due to HF-EMF
exposure were found. These results support evidence that cellular phones are safe for human consumption.
[1] S Watanabe, et al., Bioelectromagnetics Society Annual Meeting, 1999

14-7
AN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ATTENUATES IONOTROPIC- AND METABOTROPICACTIVATED KAINATE INDUCED EXCITOTOXICITY. L.M. Sanderson, P.W. McDonald, M.J.
McLean, R.R. Holcomb. Neuromagnetics Institute, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University
Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies in our lab have shown the protective effects of electromagnetic fields
against kainic acid (KA) induced swelling in vitro. In this study, examine the possible mechanisms
involved in this protective process.
METHODS: Cultured mouse spinal cord neurons were superfused at 37C with control buffer, buffer
containing 125microM kainic acid, or buffer containing KA with different drugs Emag. Different neurons
were positioned in regions of an electromagnetic field containing steep field gradients produced by a square
array of four electromagnets of alternating polarity for 30 min prior (preRx) to changing over to the
experimental superfusate containing KA drug. Digital imaging techniques were used, detection of
changes in luminance of the soma of selected neurons was used as a measure of cell swelling cell size, and
intracellular microelectrode recording techniques were used to assess function in different experimental
solutions. To assess survival, digital images of cells were taken before experimental treatments. Cells were
preRx with drug for 30 min and then switched to buffer containing KA plus drug for 30 min. After
treatment the cultures were returned to DMEM and incubated overnight. After overnight incubation, cell
counts were done to determine number of survivors.
RESULTS: Cells pretreated in the electromagnetic field alone for 30 min at 75 mT were completely
protected against KA induced neuronal death (controls 85% survival, Emag 85%, KA 40%). KA induced
depolarization was not attenuated in magnetic field. However, action potentials associated with
depolarization were greatly reduced. The AMPA/Kainate antagonist CNQX reduced swelling in a dose
response manner with 10-5M having a maximal effect. When the magnetic field was used in conjunction
with CNQX, the efficacy increased 10 fold such that 10-6M CNQX produced maximal protection. The
mGluR antagonist MCPG reduced swelling associated with KA by 83% and increased survival by 25%.
The mGluR agonist ACPD caused no significant swelling and did not cause significant cell death in
concentrations used. The intracellular IP3 receptor antagonist Heparin completely blocked swelling as did
Dantrolene which blocks release of intracellular calcium from sarcoplasmic reticulum.
SUMMARY and CONCLUSIONS: An electromagnetic field attenuates kainic acid excitotoxicity
(swelling and death) that is dependent on both the ionotropic kainate receptor and a metabotropic kainate
receptor. This metabotropic receptor is inhibited by both CNQX and MCPG but not activated by ACPD.
This receptor leads to the generation of IP3, and the release of calcium from intracellular stores.

86

SESSION 15: HUMAN STUDIES

Co-chairs: Monica Sandstrom/Alan Preece
15-1
ADDITIVE EFFECTS OF MILD EXERCISE ON THE HEAT LOSS RESPONSES OF HUMAN
VOLUNTEERS BEFORE AND DURING PARTIAL-BODY RF EXPOSURE AT 2450 MHz. E.R.
Adair1, K.S. Mylacraine*2, B.L. Cobb1 and D.D. Cox*3. 1Air Force Research Laboratory, Human
Effectiveness Directorate, Directed Energy Division, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235, USA. 2Veridian,
Inc., Brooks AFB, Texas 78235, USA. 3Naval Health Research Center Detachment, Brooks AFB, Texas,
78235, USA.
The goal of much research on the interaction of radio frequency (RF) fields with living systems ultimately
concerns the effects in human beings of exposure to such fields. Until very recently, controlled laboratory
studies of human responses to imposed RF fields have been meager and largely limited to sensory
endpoints. To date, we have reported results of 3 studies (Adair, et al., 1998, 1999a, b) in which human
volunteers underwent partial-body irradiation for 45 min to 450 MHz (CW) and 2450 MHz (CW and PW)
fields in controlled thermal environments. The results showed that thermophysiological responses of heat
loss (skin blood flow and sweating) were mobilized efficiently during RF exposure to maintain a stable core
temperature. However, no change ever occurred in metabolic heat production because the subjects were
resting quietly during the tests. To investigate the role of metabolism, we introduced a 15-min bout of light
pedaling exercise (~1.5 W/kg, doubling the resting metabolic rate) into our standard protocol (30-min
baseline, 45-min RF or sham exposure, 10-min baseline), either just before or midway during RF (or sham)
exposure. The exercise device was a non-metallic structure equipped with foot operated press levers
(pedals). Pneumatic cylinders provided the workload for the levers, which could be varied for individual
subjects as necessary. Seven adult volunteers (3 female, 4 male, aged 26 to 69) were tested inside an
anechoic chamber at 3 ambient temperatures (Ta = 24, 28 and 31 C). Peak power density, at 2450 MHz
CW dorsal irradiation, was 35 mW/cm2, measured on the antenna boresight in the center of the subjects
back. The normalized peak SAR at this location was 7.7 W/kg. Esophageal and 6 skin temperatures,
metabolic heat production, skin blood flow at 4 loci and local sweating rates at 2 loci were measured
continuously. Group mean data showed minimal changes ( 0.2 C) in core temperature under all test
conditions. Increases in thigh skin temperature, local skin blood flow and sweating rate were measured
during exercise in all Ta. These increases were exaggerated when the RF field was present and often
produced a fall in other skin temperatures due to evaporative cooling. Exercise bouts preceding the RF
exposure primed the sweat glands, so that local sweating, especially on the back, increased at a higher rate
than normal. In Ta = 24 C, sweating seldom occurred to RF exposure alone, but did occur in most subjects
when the glands were primed by prior exercise. Analysis of the data indicated that the general effects of
mild exercise, equivalent to twice the resting metabolic heat production, were additive with absorbed RF
energy, rather than synergistic, confirming data collected earlier on nonhuman primates (Adair and Adams,
1982).
References.
1. Adair, et al., Bioelectromagnetics, 19:232, 1998.
2. Adair, et al., Bioelectromagnetics, 20 (Suppl 4):12, 1999a
3. Adair, et al., BEMS Abstract, 21st Annual Meeting, 59:1999b.
4. Adair and Adams, J. Appl. Physiol.,52:1049, 1982.

87

15-2
CHANGES IN OXYGEN SATURATION LEVEL IN BLOOD DUE TO EXPOSURE TO STATIC
MAGNETIC FIELDS. T.D. Kutrumbos* and F.S. Barnes. Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, Campus Box 425, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Static magnetic fields have been shown to have effects on microcirculation(1), and the
conformation of hemoglobin(2). The objective of this study was to determine if static magnetic fields
ranging between .05T and .5T and with peak gradients less than 225T/m have an effect on the oxygen
saturation (SpO2) level in blood. Oxyhemoglobin is diamagnetic and will be repelled by the magnetic field.
Deoxyhemoglobin is paramagnetic and will be attracted by the magnetic field. It is therefore possible that
the rate of release of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin is modified by the magnetic field.
METHOD: A study has been conducted on the SpO2 level in the human index fingers using pulse
oximetry, before, during and after exposure to a static magnetic field. The SpO2 level was recorded on both
of the subjects index fingers. The SpO2 level on one index finger was used as a control. The subjects other
index finger was used to record the SpO2 level under exposure to the static magnetic field. Each subject
was exposed to two different static magnetic field configurations for 20 minuets in separate trials. One
magnetic field configuration consisted of two cylindrical magnets with peak fields of greater than 0.3T on
each side of the finger. The other magnetic field configuration consisted of an array of fourteen smaller
rectangle magnets with peak fields greater than 0.03T applied to each side of the index finger.
RESULTS: Subjects exposed to an array of four magnets with peak fields in excess 0.3T showed changes
in the SpO2 level during the magnetic filed exposure in either positive or negative direction. This is
consistent with changes in microcirculation described in reference 1. Two of the four trails for fingers
exposed to the array of small magnets show an increase in the difference between the SpO2 levels for the
control and exposed fingers.
CONCLUSION: An array of strong magnets may change the SpO2 levels in blood in either the positive or
negative direction.
1. OHKUBO, C., XU, S., (1997): Acute effects of static magnetic fields on cutaneous Microcirculation in
Rabbits, in vivo., 11, pp. 221-226
2. Atef, MM, El-Baset, MSA., EL-Kareem, A, Aida, S, and Fadel, MA, (1995): Effects of a static magnetic
field on hemoglobin structures and function, Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 17, pp. 105-111

15-3
IS THERE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO COMBINED DC/AC MF EXPOSURE WITH
PARAMETERS SIMULATING ELECTRIC ENGINE CONDITIONS? E. Lyskov, M. Chernyshov,
I. Nikeshina, V. Mikhailov, G. Sokolov and A. Vishnevskiy. Institute of Human Brain, Russian Academy
of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia. National Institute for Working Life, Ume, Sweden.
OBJECTIVES: An increased rate of coronary heart diseases was recently found among Russian engine
drivers of electric locomotives. Presumption that this adverse effect might be associated with elevated
magnetic field exposure was a starting point of the international project IMMORTALITY. The general
goals of the project included monitoring of DC-ELF MF in different types of electrical trains, description of
typical MF patterns and examination of possible biological responses to specific exposure conditions. The
aim of the present study was to investigate possible deviations in basic physiological markers (e.g. heart
rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, EEG, performance of cognitive task) in conditions of wholebody, 30 minutes exposure to combined DC and 12 Hz magnetic fields, emulated EL environment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteens healthy volunteers participated in experiments. Subjects were
informed of project aims and experimental procedure. Each participant was exposed to both real and sham
exposures and served as his own control. Consequence of sham and real exposures was randomized, and
interval between them was not shorter than 48 hours to exclude possible cumulative effects. Sessions began
88

at 11.00 or 13.30. Experiments took place in the whole-body exposure facility consisted of a system of
orthogonal coils with size 3.90x2.25x2.25m. Signal generators and power amplifiers provided the
generation of DC and AC components along fixed orthogonal directions. The following exposure was
considered as EL - 12 Hz: 3; 2.5; 2 T in Z; Y and X axes respectively. DC: linearly polarized (Y-axes)
with flux density regularly varied from 40 T to 20 T with the intermittence steps 30 T lasting 90 sec
each. Non-energized coils provided sham exposure. Natural non-homogeneity of the earth field did not
exceed of 1.5 T and homogeneity of the generated field did not exceed 10%. Performance of Memory and
Attention tasks, blood pressure measurements, heart rate and eight channels EEG records were obtained
before, during and after exposures. Dynamic of systolic and diastolic pressure, mean values of heart rate
and heart rate variability spectrum, spectral power of alpha, beta, theta, delta bands of EEG, and error rate
and reaction time in cognitive performance have been calculated.
RESULTS: Small but significant difference between responses to real and sham exposure was observed in
mean values of heart rate during exposure (67.5 vs.69.7 bpm). This transient effect disappeared after
exposure. There were no other exposure-related differences in observed psychophysiological parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: Data do not conflict with main project hypothesis. However, more pronounced CNS
and ANS stress responses would be expected, in context of possible links between MF exposure and
chronic cardiovascular disorders.
This work was supported by European Commission (contract N ERBIC15-CT96-0303).

15-4
PROJECT NEMESIS: DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY ON EFFECTS OF 50HZ EMF ON SLEEP
QUALITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM
ELECTRICAL HYPERSENSITIVITY. Ch.H. Mueller, H. Krueger and Ch. Schierz. Institute for
Hygiene and Applied Physiology (IHA), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, 8092 Zurich,
Switzerland.
OBJECTIVE: The Electrical Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS) is a very complex problem with a variety
of non-specific health symptoms. The difficulty in finding a correlation between electric and magnetic
fields and effects in humans stands in contrast to the rising numbers of case reports. In many cases sleep
disturbances such as problems with falling asleep, multiple awakenings with long waking hours and waking
up early is reported. In order to investigate an effect of 50Hz EMF on subjective sleep quality and objective
physiological parameters in people with EHS, a double-blind study (Project NEMESIS) was performed.
METHODS: A double-blind study was conducted in the homes of subjects suffering from EHS. The
testing of subjects in their home environment renders practical results and allows including realistic
confounding factors of an EMF effect. a) The subjects were interviewed personally; general and
psychosomatic personality traits were analyzed using psychological tests (FPI-R, SOMS) Magical Ideation).
b) Subjective sleep parameters were measured using a diary containing questions on sleep quality and
emotional states (pleasure and arousal).
c) Objective sleep parameters such as movements, heart rate and breathing frequency were measured
making use of indirect actigraphy (Dormograph).
d) A battery powered field generator induced a 50Hz electric and magnetic field (80-160 V/m. 2-6 T). The
provocation field was switched according to a double-blind schedule.
RESULTS: A robust linear regression method was used to test the hypothesis of a link between sleep
quality and field exposure on/off. The robust linear regression produced a p-value for each of the three a
priori parameters (sleep quality, pleasure, arousal). The p-values were averaged and the distribution of the
averaged p-values was tested (Wilcoxon: one-sided, median=0.5) for a deviation from the uniform
distribution assumed for no effect. There was a significant overall effect of the EMF-provocation on
subjective parameters in the morning: p=0.042. The EMF-provocation affected the emotional scores
pleasure and arousal in the morning (pPleasure=0.011; pArousal=0.046), the sleep quality score was not affected.
89

Further inspection of the results revealed a trend towards a positive correlation between the EMFprovocation and well-being in the morning.
DISCUSSION: The results from the subjective parameters suggest, that subjective sleep parameters are
affected by weak 50Hz electric and magnetic fields in some people. In addition, a laboratory experiment
with 47 subjectively hypersensitive subjects and 16 controls showed, that several subjects perceive weak 50
Hz EMF of 200 V/m and 6 T. Although the ability to detect the field was not correlated with the perceived
degree of subjective hypersensitivity, it is nonetheless important to take case reports of people suffering
from EHS seriously. The ability to detect a field does not mean that EMF cause health effects. The results
presented in this paper point to an association between EMF exposure and subjective parameters in the
morning. A purely psychosomatic reaction or placebo effect can be dismissed. Further studies on
psychophysiological aspects of EMF perception and on changes in subjective sleep parameters though EMF
have to be carried out.

15-5
PREVALENCE OF REPORTED HYPERSENSITIVITY TO ELECTRICITY IN A POPULATIONBASED SURVEY. L. Hillert1,2, N. Berglind*1, B.B. Arnetz*3. 1 Department of Environmental Health,
Norrbacka/Karolinska Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. 2Division of Occupational Medicine,
Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. 3 Section of
Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-75185 Uppsala,
Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of persons suffering from ill health, in the form of medically unexplained
symptoms, attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields is still largely unknown. In Sweden, a self-help
group (the Swedish Association for the ElectroSensitive) has approximately 2000 members, but information
from e.g. trade unions indicates that the number of persons reporting hypersensitivity to electricity is larger.
There are no diagnostic criteria or evaluated test available. The use of the syndrome label is based on the
experience of the afflicted persons that symptoms are triggered in the vicinity of activated electric
equipment. The aim of this study was 1) to estimate the prevalence of self-reported hypersensitivity to
electric and magnetic fields and 2) investigate symptoms and other types of hypersensitivities associated
with hypersensitivity to electricity.
METHOD: Information on the prevalence of reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields, was
obtained in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in Stockholm County in 1997. The questionnaire was
mailed to 15,000 randomly selected adults (age 19-80 years) of the 1.3 million people in these age groups
living in the county. The response rate was 73 %. Persons reporting hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic
fields (one of several choices in a question on allergies and hypersensitivities) are in our analysis considered
as cases and compared to respondents not reporting this syndrome. Differences in proportions were tested
with the chi-square statistic, p<0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.
RESULTS: Of all respondents, 1.5 % reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields. The
prevalence was higher in women than in men and the syndrome was most common in the age group 60-69
years (2.1 %). The most commonly reported symptom experienced at least once a week was fatigue (52 %
of cases, 27 % of referents, p<0.001). The prevalence of reported asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, allergies
or hypersensitivities to dust, mites, moulds and food was significantly higher in the group of persons with
hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields as compared to referents. Reported hypersensitivity to amalgam
and nickel was significantly more common in cases. Cases also reported being disturbed or affected by
other factors like noise from neighbors and traffic, car exhaust gases to a significantly higher degree than
referents.
DISCUSSION: Information from cross-sectional studies must be interpreted with caution, but it is of
interest to note the rather large proportion of respondents who report hypersensitivity to electricity. The
proportion that reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields would represent 19,000 3000 people
90

in Stockholm County. More research is needed in order to learn more about the degree of ill health in these
people and possible disability due to perceived hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields. The result
presents a picture of a group of people with increased prevalence of several types of reported
hypersensitivities, as well as perceived discomfort from different environmental factors. No causal
relationship between electromagnetic fields and skin or neurovegetative symptoms has yet been proven, but
the results in the present study may at least be interpreted as an indication of great concern in the general
population of health risks from electric and magnetic fields. This should be taken seriously and strategies
for risk communication and risk information should be developed.

15-6
PROVOCATIVE TESTING OF HYPERSENSITIVITY TO CELLULAR PHONES. M. Hietanen and
A.-M. Hmlinen. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Department of Physics, Laajaniityntie 1, FIN 01620 Vantaa, Finland.
OBJECTIVE: Concurrently with the increasing use of mobile phones, the number of people with nonspecific health problems which they claim to be related to the phone use, seems to be growing in many
countries. The objective of this study was to examine if the reported subjective symptoms, such as
headache, pain in different parts of the body, fatigue or dizziness, are associated with exposure to RF fields
emitted by mobile phones.
METHOD: The study population consisted of 20 volunteers, who insisted to perceive strong subjective
symptoms in connection with cellular phone use and claimed to feel when a mobile phone is used in their
vicinity. Most of the subjects were so called electrosensitive persons being members of the Finnish Society
for Electrosensitive People. The ability of the test persons to feel whether the phone is on or off and the
incidence of subjective symptoms were examined using provocation tests. The subjects were exposed to
GSM and NMT mobile phones operating at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz. The cellular phones were positioned
close to the head of the test person, simulating normal use of a cellular phone, and they were configured to
transmit at the maximum power and operated via a PC without any sound emission by the phones. The test
persons were seated comfortable in a wooden armchair during the 30 minute experiments. The phones were
located in a fabric bag in order to avoid the persons to see the types of them. The test persons were asked to
describe in detail if they experienced any symptoms during the experiments. The experiments were carried
out in wooden houses at two rural areas with low background fields.
RESULTS: All of the test persons had more or less severe subjective symptoms during the provocative
tests. However, none of them could correctly differ a real exposure from a sham exposure. Hence, the
results of these experiments did not demonstrate clear connection between perceived health problems and
the RF field exposure.
This study was a part of the Finnish National Program within the European COST 244bis co-operation, and
it was supported by the Technical Development Center of Finland (TEKES).

91

SESSION 16: ANIMAL STUDIES

Co-chairs: Larry Andersson/Jukka Juutilainen
16-1
FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR INCREASED TESTICULAR CELL PROLIFERATION IN
HAMSTERS BY EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (900 MHZ AND 1800 MHZ). A.
Lerchl1, H. Brendel*2, A. Bitz*3, J. Streckert*3, V. Hansen3. 1Institute of Zoology II, D-76131 Karlsruhe,
2
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Mnster, D-48129 Mnster, 3Chair of Electromagnetic
Theory, University of Wuppertal, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The discussion whether electromagnetic fields (EMF) are a possible health risk remains
controversial. A study in transgenic mice published by Repacholi et al. in 1997 (Rad. Res. 147: 631) is
currently repeated. The results of that first investigation showed a markedly increased risk for developing
lymphomas when mice were exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 30 min each day for up to 18 months. Apart
from practical aspects, two critical points weakened the study: first, the dosimetry revealed large differences
between different animals / locations; second, in several aspects a transgenic animal may behave differently
than a non-transgenic one. We have therefore decided to expose non-transgenic Djungarian hamsters
(Phodopus sungorus) to radiofrequency EMFs at various frequencies at low variations in the energy
absorption. Parts of the results from the study at 900 MHz have been reported at the BEMS meeting 1999
(poster P-80).
METHOD: For each frequency, 120 male hamsters were exposed and another 120 were sham-exposed in a
blind fashion. Each experiment was performed for 60 days at continuous exposure. Radial waveguides
ensured a high uniformity of the electric field. Measurements and calculations revealed SAR variations of
less than 30% at a mean value of 80 mW/kg (Hansen et al., BEMS 1998, P-11A; Hansen et al., BEMS 1999,
P-163). Animals were weighed at regular intervals, while every 10 days, 20 animals per group were
hemicastrated. The testicular tissue was analyzed by flow-cytometry. At the end of the experiment, animals
were sacrificed during nighttime hours. Organ weights were recorded (brain, kidney, testes, liver).
Melatonin concentrations in the pineal glands and serum samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay.
Only after all analyses have been completed for each frequency, the codes were broken.
RESULTS: In no case were there substantial differences in the organ weights. Likewise, no effects were
observed for melatonin concentrations. At 900 MHz and at 383 MHz, body weights were found to be
increased by exposure (p<0.001, and p<0.01, respectively) with a tendency towards a transient pattern and
less pronounced effect at 383 MHz. At 1800 MHz, no effects on body weights were seen. In all three
experiments significantly enhanced proliferation rates of the testicular tissue were identified (p<0.01 at 383
MHz and p<0.001 at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, respectively).
DISCUSSION: This is the first set of experiments showing resembling effects of RF-EMF at three different
frequencies on proliferating tissue in non-transgenic animals. Testicular tissue has a very high proliferation
rate with an output of many million sperm cells per day. Thus it is a tissue with properties comparable to
those from malignant tissue except that the latter is out of physiological control. Since many of the genes,
hormones, and protein factors by which proliferation in testicular tissue is regulated are known, future
studies should address the mechanisms underlying the effects as described here in more detail.
Supported by a grant from the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk, Bonn, Germany (contract no. 5991).

92

16-2
ON THE AVIAN MAGNETIC COMPASS. A.R. Liboff1 and K.A. Jenrow2. 1Department of Physics,
Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309 USA. 2Department of Neurosurgery, Henry Ford Hospital,
Detroit, Michigan 48202 USA.
It has been difficult to formulate a reasonable hypothesis to explain the remarkable sensitivity of birds to the
geomagnetic field (GMF), estimated by some to be in the range of .01-0.1 T. Closely connected to this
question is the inability to describe a credible model for the avian magnetic compass (AMC). It is proposed
that the functioning of the AMC depends on the angle between the horizontal component Bh of the GMF
and Er, the endogenous radial electric field generated by -oscillations within the optic rectum (TeO). We
hypothesize that the orientation of the brain relative to Bh is perceived as a set of electric-field ion cyclotron
resonance (ICR) frequencies that are distributed in spatially recognizable regions within the TeO. For
typical GMF intensities, the expected ICR frequencies fall within the 20-50 Hz range of -oscillation
frequencies observed during visual stimulation. The model builds on the well-documented fact that the
superficial lamina of the TeO receive signals from the retina that spatially map the visual field. We assume
that GMF-determined ICR frequencies are recruited from the local wide-band -oscillations, and are
superposed on the tectum for interpretation along with other sensory data. Our analysis is restricted, as a
first approximation, to the medial horizontal plane of the TeO. For the bird to fly in a preferred, previously
mapped direction relative to Bh, it hunts for that orientation within the horizontal plane that positions the
frequency maxima at appropriate locations on the TeO. This condition can be maintained even as Bh varies
with geomagnetic latitude over the course of long-distance flights. If is the angular position on the tectal
surface, and is the frequency at any point on the rectum, it is convenient to describe a magnetovisual
coordinate system (,) that overlays the two halves of the rectal surface. One interesting consequence of
this model is that there is an additional orienting function for the TeO over and above that of a simple
compass, one that provides homing navigation as well as migrational navigation. Our hypothesis also helps
explain the exquisite sensitivity of birds to magnetic fields, since GMF-intensity fields are translated within
the TeO into frequencies to which the bird is already highly sensitive. In addition to processing visual
information, the TeO is also known to receive spatially organized auditory and somatosensory inputs,
superposing these onto the map of visual space. In this way one can regard the detection of magnetic fields
by birds as merely one more sensory ability.

16-3
THE EFFECT OF A PULSED ELECTOMAGNETIC FIELD (PEMF) ON OSTEOMYELITIS IN A
RABBIT TIBIAL MODEL. D.C. Fredericks*, P. Kraemer*, J.V. Nepola*, B. Simon+ *Bone Healing
Research Lab, Orthopaedic Surgery, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA., +EBI Medical
Systems, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if a short daily exposure to PEMF decreases the incidence of infection in an
acute osteomyelitis model.
METHODS: Twenty male New Zealand White Rabbits were entered into the study. An anteromedial
incision was made on the left tibia of all rabbits. A four-pin external fixator was placed medially and a
2mm hole was drilled in the diaphysis between the two innermost screws. The incision was closed in a
routine surgical manner. One tenth of a milliliter of staphylococcus Aureus (108), suspended in saline, was
injected through the closed incision into the 2mm drill hole. No antibiotics were given during the study.
Starting one day post surgery, rabbits were placed in a commercially available restrainer daily for three
hours until time of sacrifice. Half of the rabbits were in a control group and did not receive the active
signal. The remaining ten were exposed to a signal consisting of a pulsed magnetic field comprised of 4.5
ms duration bursts of 20 pulses repeated at 15 Hz. During each pulse the magnetic field rises from 0 to 1.6
93

mT in 200 s and then decays back to zero in 25 s. Rabbits were sacrificed at fourteen days post surgery
and biopsies of the drill hole were obtained and bacterial quantification was done.
RESULTS: All ten of control rabbits were infected at the site of inoculation with greater than 5.4 x 105
colony forming units (CFU) per ml. Fifty-six percent (5/9) of the rabbits treated with a three hour daily
dose of the PEMF signal showed no CFU of staphylococcus aureus. One rabbit in the treated group was
infected with a contaminant other than the initial inoculum.
CONCLUSIONS: Short daily exposures to this pulsed electromagnetic field decreased the incidence of
infection in this animal model.
This work was supported by the Bone Healing Research Lab, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.

16-4
SURFACE HEATING FROM MILLIMETER WAVE IRRADIATION: MODELING INTERSPECIES VARIATIONS. T.J. Walters1,2, D.A. Nelson5, K.L. Ryan1,4, J. DAndrea3, D.W. Blick1,2, L.R.
Johnson1and P.A. Mason1,6. 1Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Bioeffects Division,
2
Veridian Engineering, Inc., 3Naval Health Research Center Detachment, Brooks Air Force Base, TX
78235, USA. 4Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. USA. 5Michigan
Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA. 6Conceptual MindWorks, Inc., San Antonio, Texas,
78228, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Models for extrapolating microwave-induced heating effects from animals to humans are
useful in estimating the effects of exposures that cannot be directly tested in human subjects. We have
previously compared the rate of skin heating in response to short duration, high power (HP) millimeter wave
irradiation (MMW) in selected laboratory animal species and humans (Walters et al., 1998). Under these
conditions, the rate of skin heating was substantially similar across species, and could be described
satisfactorily by a simple conduction model. However, during lower power exposures for longer periods of
time, other avenues of heat transfer influence the heating rate, e.g., blood flow and evaporative cooling.
However, the ability to access these avenues varies significantly across species. The objective of this
investigation was twofold: 1) to expand our initial cross-species comparison using lower power, longer
duration exposures to MMW; and 2) to expand our simple conduction model to include skin blood flow
(skBF) as an avenue of heat transfer.
METHOD: Four subjects from the following species were examined: Sprague-Dawley rat, Rhesus monkey,
and Human. Two exposure conditions were examined, Low Power (LP) 175 mW/cm x 180 sec and High
Power (HP) 1.0 W/cm x 3 sec. Each exposure condition was done in triplicate. All exposures took place
under identical environmental conditions (22 C; 56% humidity). Rats were exposed on the ventral, lateral,
and dorsal abdomen; rhesus monkeys and humans were exposed on the dorsal forearm. The exposure areas
of all species were shaved prior to exposure. Skin temperature (Tsk) was measured using infrared
thermography and relative skBF was determined using Doppler flow imagery (LDI). Predictions regarding
the influence of skBF on the heating curves were made using the Pennes bio-heat transfer equation (BHTE)
for three different skBF rates: 5; 50; and 500 ml/min/100g and compared to the experimental results.
12

Rat, Monkey, and Human Data

for Low Power

11
Temperature Change (C)

10

15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Rat

Human

8
7

Monkey

6
5
4
3
2

Figure 1

1
0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

R a t D a t a vs . M o d e l a t T h r e e L e v e l s
of Blood Flow for Low Power
0.5 ml/min/100g
5.0 ml/min/100g
Rat Data
50 ml/min/100g

Figure 2
0

200

Time (sec)

94

10

20

30

40

50
60
70
80
Dimensionless Time

90

100

110

120

RESULTS: The baseline range of Tsk across all species was 33.1-34.5C. Under the HPM conditions, the
change in Tsk was similar among humans, monkey, and rats. Under the LPM conditions, the three species
examined displayed significantly different heating curves (see Fig. 1). Analysis of the LDI data showed no
increase in skBF during HPM. During LPM rats and monkeys showed no increase in skBF. However,
humans showed a marked increase in skBF between 70 90 sec, which coincided with a plateau in skin
heating. The modeled curves agreed well with the experimental data for HPM. Under these conditions
skBF did not significantly affect heating. The modeled curves were in poor agreement with the
experimental data for LPM (Fig. 2).
CONCLUSIONS: As previously demonstrated, skin heating in response to HP MMW can be explained by
a simple conduction model. However, skBF plays an important role in response to LPM, particularly in the
case of humans. The BHTE describes HPM heating well across species. However, the experimental data
for the longer exposure conditions occurring during LPM appear to be too complex to be adequately
described by the current model. More complex models will have to be developed to adequately account for
species differences if meaningful extrapolation from animal-to-humans is to be done.
Supported by USAF Contract #F41624-96-C-9009.

16-5
MILLIMETER-WAVE IRRADIATION HAS NO EFFECT ON CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDEINDUCED LEUKOPENIA IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS. M.K. Logani, T. Ha*, A. Agelan*, and
M.C. Ziskin, Richard J. Fox Center for Biomedical Physics, Temple University Medical School,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
Millimeter wave (mm-wave) therapy is widely used in the former Soviet Union to reduce the toxic effects of
chemo- and radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer1. It is believed that beneficial effects of combined
therapy result from the protection of the hematopoietic system by mm-waves. The present study was
undertaken to investigate whether mm-waves can protect leukocytes and bone marrow cells against the
toxicity of cyclophosphamide (CPA), a commonly used anticancer drug. Our results indicate that irradiating
laboratory animals prior to CPA administration does not provide any protection to leukocytes against the
toxicity of this drug.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of mm-waves on CPA-induced leukopenia.
METHODS: Mm-waves (42.2 GHz, 31.5 mW) were produced with a Russian-made YAV-1 generator, a
device commonly used in medical applications in the former Soviet Union. Two studies were done. In the
first study SKH-1 female hairless mutant mice were used to avoid the possible energy loss from the
absorption of mm-waves by hair. The mice were restrained in cylindrical plastic tubes transparent to mmwaves. The restrained mice were irradiated on the mid-back. The distribution of absorbed energy was
determined thermographically using an infrared camera. Peak SAR and incident power density were
measured as 622100.2 W/kg and 31.135.04 mW/cm2, respectively2. Two groups of animals, 10 animals
per group, were used. The first group was irradiated for 30 min each day for 3 consecutive days. On day 3,
immediately after the last irradiation, the animals were treated with CPA in physiological saline (200 mg/kg,
ip). Blood was drawn by heart puncture 3 and 7 days after CPA administration and analyzed for leukocyte
population. Bone marrow cells were collected from the femur bone. In the second study BALB/C mice
were used in order to compare the effect of mm-waves on a mutant and a wild-type mouse. The effect of
mm-waves was examined at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours following administration of CPA in physiological
saline (200 mg/kg, ip) or the vehicle alone. Four groups of animals, 10 animals per group, were used for
each time point. The experimental protocol was the same as described for the hairless mice, except that the
animals were irradiated on the nose area in order to avoid any absorption of mm-wave energy by hair3.
RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: CPA treatment caused a significant reduction in leukocyte population
(>50%) in both strains of mice, but did not show any significant effect on bone marrow cells. Irradiation
95

with mm-waves did not provide any protection against CPA-induced leukopenia. Conversely, a marked
increase in leukocyte population (>45%) was observed, both in irradiated and in sham control groups, when
the animals were restrained but not treated with CPA (Table 1).
Table 1. Percent change in leukocyte population
Percent change*
Treatment
24 h
48 h
72 h
96 h
MW + CPA
- 52.1 0.1
- 60.3 0.5
- 49.5 1.8
- 84.1 0.3
Sham + CPA
- 66.6 3.5
- 58.6 1.1
- 62.75 1.45
- 85.95 0.1
MW
+ 61.5 8.6
+ 70.7 1.6
+ 91.05 10.5
+ 38.75 6.2
Sham
+ 47.1 5.0
+ 94.8 0.2
+ 84.8 10.4
+ 21.05 3.5
* - percent change for each group is relative to its own control at zero time. (-) and (+) signs indicate
reduction and enhancement in leukocyte population, respectively.
References.
1. Rojavin, M.A. and Ziskin, M.C.: Medical applications of millimeter waves. Quarterly journal of
medicine: 57-66, 1998.
2. Logani, M.K., Yi, L., and Ziskin, M.C., Millimeter waves enhance delayed-type hypersensitivity in
mouse skin, Electro- and Magnetobiol. 18(2), 165-176, 1999.
3. Rojavin, M.A., Cowan, A., Radzievsky, A.A., and Ziskin, M.C. Antipruritic effect of millimeter waves
in mice: Evidence for opioid involvement. Life Sciences, 63, 251-257, 1998.
This work was supported by the Richard J. Fox foundation.

SESSION 17: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PUBLIC

POLICY
Co-chairs: John Male/James Burch
17-1
OCCUPATIONAL RADIOFREQUENCY EXPOSURE AND MORTALITY FROM CANCERS OF
THE BRAIN AND LYMPHATIC/HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEMS. M. Kelsh, R. Morgan*, K. Zhao*,
A. Exuzides*. Exponent Health Group, Menlo Park, California, 94025, USA.
BACKGROUND: The proliferation of wireless communication technologies has raised public concern
regarding potential health effects of radiofrequency (RF) exposures. This is the first report of findings from
a large-cohort mortality study among employees of Motorola, a manufacturer of wireless communication
products.
METHODS: We examined all major causes of mortality, with brain cancers, lymphomas, and leukemias as
a priori outcomes of interest. Using job titles, we classified workers into high, moderate, low, and
background RF exposure groups. A total of 195,775 workers contributed 2.7 million person-years during
the 1976-1996 period.
RESULTS: Using external comparisons, the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for RF-exposed workers
were 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-1.09) and 0.54 (95% CI 0.33-0.83) for central nervous
system/brain cancers and all lymphomas/leukemias. Rate ratios calculated from Poisson regression models
based on internal comparisons were near 1.0 for brain cancers and below 1.0 for all lymphomas and
leukemias. These findings were consistent across cumulative, peak, and usual exposure classifications. We
did not observe higher risk with increased exposure duration or latency.

96

DISCUSSION: Although this study is limited by the use of a qualitative exposure matrix and the relatively
young age of the cohort, our findings do not support an association between occupational RF exposure and
brain cancers or lymphoma/leukemia.
This research was funded by Motorola.

17-2
URINARY EXCRETION OF SULFATOXYMELATONIN IN WOMEN LIVING NEAR A 735 KV
LINE. P. Levallois1, M. Dumont 2, Y. Touitou3, D. Gauvin1, S. Gingras1, E. Krger1, B. Msse4, M.
Bourdages5. 1Unit de recherche en sant publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Qubec, Beauport,
(Qubec) Canada G1E 7G9. 2Laboratoire de chronobiologie, Hpital du Sacr-Cur, Universit de
Montral, Montral (Qubec) Canada H4J 1C5. 3Service de Biochimie, Hpital La Piti-Salptrire, Facult
de mdecine, Paris, France 75013. 4CHAUQ, Pavillon St-Sacrement, Qubec (Qubec), Canada G1S 4L8,
5
Institut de Recherche dHydro-Qubec, Varennes (Qubec), Canada J3X 1S1.
OBJECTIVE: 735 kV powerlines increase residential exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) for
people living nearby (Levallois et al. 1995). Effect of EMF on melatonin secretion in rodents is well
established but evidence of such an effect in humans is still limited. As melatonin is produced essentially
during the night and is quickly metabolized, the measurement of its principal metabolite, 6sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS), in first morning urine is a good marker of its secretion. The objective of
this study was to compare the urinary excretion of 6-OHMS of women living within 150 meters of a 735 kV
line (the exposed group) with that of women living at least 400 meters or more from any power lines (the
unexposed group).
METHOD: In the Qubec city area, 221 and 195 women aged between 20 and 74 were recruited in the
exposed and the unexposed group, respectively. Participants were required to wear an EMDEX Lite meter
for at least 36 hours to measure personal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field and to provide
two consecutive morning urine samples. Residential exposure to extremely low frequency electric field was
assessed by spot measurements. Ambient light was continuously monitored in the bedroom with a
luxmeter. Information on health status and lifestyle was gathered by questionnaire. Urinary concentrations
of 6-OHMS were determined by radioimmunoassay (CID Tech) and adjusted for creatinine.
RESULTS: Magnetic field exposure over 24 hours was three times higher for women living near a power
line than women living farther away: geometric mean (GM) of 0.33 T, compared to 0.13 T, respectively
(p<0.001). Residential electric field intensity was also increased by the line: GM of 10.5 V/m near the line
compared to 5.8 V/m farther away (p<0.001). Characteristics of the participants in the two groups were
quite comparable and statistical adjustment was provided for minor disparities between the two groups. GM
of morning 6-OHMS were almost identical in the two groups: 16.7 ng/mg of creatinine for those living near
the line compared to 16.6 ng/mg for those living farther away (p=0.90). However, a decreasing trend of 6OHMS with increased age and body mass index (BMI) was found more significantly pronounced for the
exposed women than for the unexposed women. None of the variables considered in this study, including
medications or light exposure, could explain these results.
CONCLUSION: No overall effect of EMF exposure from a 735 kV line was found in the study group.
However, a significant reduction of nocturnal 6-OHMS urinary excretion was found among the exposed
group in a subgroup of older women with a high BMI. Caution is recommended in interpreting these results
since sample size was small for such subgroup analysis. If this effect is real, it will have important
implications for risk evaluation. Therefore, replication studies are recommended.
Reference.
Levallois P. et al. Env Health Persp 1995; 103 :832-837.
This work was supported by Hydro-Qubec and Electricit de France.

97

17-3
INTERACTIONS OF TRAFHC DENSITY AND WIRE CODES AS CANCER RISK FACTORS-A
COMPARISON OF RESULTS IN LOS ANGELES WITH THOSE IN DENVER. H. Wachtel1 and R.
Pearson2. 1Electrical and Computer. Engineering Department, University of Colorado. Boulder. Colorado
80309-0425. USA; 2Radian International LLC, Denver, Colorado 80202, USA.
OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess Distance Weighted traffic Density (DWTD) as a cancer risk factor and as a
modifier of the wire code risk in the London et al childhood leukemia study. 2. To compare these Los
Angeles results with those reported earlier for the Savitz et al. childhood cancer study.
METHODS: We applied the DWTD technique we developed for Denver to the homes from the London et
al. (1991) study in Los Angeles. Details of this technique are described in our companion paper. Addresses
of the Los Angeles homes were provided blinded to case/control status. Wire code ratings for the Los
Angeles homes were taken from the original study (London et al.) and from a recoding performed in 1998
(Zaffanella et al.). Statistical analyses of the Denver and the Los Angeles data were performed separately
but with similar methods.
RESULTS: The distribution histograms of cases and controls were plotted for both Los Angeles and
Denver homes. In both cities, here is a relative abundance of controls in the lower DWTD strata and of
cases in the higher DWTD strata. However, these transitions are not smooth ones nor are consistent
between the cities since Los Angeles tends to have higher DWTD values than does Denver. Both cities
show significant elevation of risk in the higher DWTD strata but with fairly wide confidence intervals due
to the small number of homes. When the combined effects of exposure to high DWTD and high wire code
(VHCC) more striking results are seen. The odds ratio of both high wire code and high traffic vs. low wire
code and low traffic is approximately twice the values for either factor alone. This is similar between the
cities. Also, in Denver, when a city wide population of probable eligible children is used similar results are
seen but with a tighter confidence interval because of the much larger control group.
DISCUSSION: These results indicate similar patterns regarding DWTD risks in Los Angeles and in
Denver. In Denver, DWTD is a moderate risk factor but the original controls group was too small to yield
consistent dose response patterns (very wide confidence intervals). Much higher risks, however, seem to
accrue to combined exposures to higher DWTD and to higher wire code ratings in both cities. The eligible
child population controls in Denver appear to give similar combined risks but with much tighter (highly
significant) confidence intervals. We would anticipate that if a similar approach (population controls) were
applied to Los Angeles, a similar tightening of the confidence intervals would be seen, but this remains to be
tested. Taken together, these comparative results suggest that the earlier reported efficacy of wire code may
be based to a large extent on its being a surrogate not only for magnetic fields but also for traffic density as
well. It remains to be seen if this pattern differs markedly from those older US and Canadian cities where
wire code was not seen to be a childhood leukemia risk.
This research was supported by EPRI contract WO5173-01.

17-4
INFORMING CALIFORNIA POLICIES ON THE POWER GRID AND IN SCHOOLS THROUGH
DECISION ANALYSIS. R. Neutra1, V. Del Pizzo1, D. von Winterfeldt2, K. Florig3. 1California EMF
Program, Oakland, California 94612, USA. 2University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
90039, USA. 3Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
OBJECTIVE: With input from stakeholder advisors, two teams of policy analysts developed quantitative
multi-attribute decision models which considered a variety of optional actives which might be pursued on
the power grid or in schools if one decided that EMFs were safe, dangerous or of uncertain risk. The
models were to ask this question: Given the cost of inexpensive and costly options what is the minimum
98

degree of confidence of causality and the minimum size of effect which would warrant doing inexpensive
and expensive things on the power grid and in schools?
METHODS: Both teams used analytical software and quantitative decision analysis to structure the cost
benefit part of the policy analysis. In the power grid project a workshop was held on environmental justice
and ethical perspectives were considered explicitly. Stakeholder input occurred from the time of writing of
requests for proposals and in early stages of the project. Input from various stakeholders was often in
conflict about the action options to consider and the criteria by which to judge their performance. There
was also disagreement about issues such as the cost of undergrounding or rephasing lines, the relative
reliability of above and below ground lines, the degree, if any of property impacts of power lines or if they
should be considered at all etc.
RESULTS: At this writing a first draft of the power grid has been released for comment and will have been
revised by the time of the BEMS conference. The first draft of the school policy analysis will have been
released and received stakeholder comments by the time of the conference. Results such as these will be
presented: Of 13 non EMF attributes chosen by stakeholders to evaluate mitigation options only four are
large enough to influence the choice between doing nothing, rephasing or compacting: the initial cost of
doing the work, the operation and maintenance of the line, power losses from resistance, reliability and
outages and potential property devaluation from EMF fears. Of 17 health conditions that we felt we could
value, and assuming RRs greater than 1.00, the schools model figures the top seven to be, in order from
most to least impact: depression and suicide, CHD, all leukemia, lung cancer, brain tumor, breast cancer,
Alzheimers. A two way sensitivity analysis on degree of confidence and effect size for leukemia, brain
cancer, breast cancer and Alzheimers disease suggests that, given the assumptions about the non EMF
costs, one needs to be 10% confident of a relative risk of 1.3 at 2 mG for all these diseases and it would be
cost beneficial to split phase 69 kV lines. This does not change much when costs are assumed three times
greater and property devaluation is assumed to be zero. The decision to bury the lines is very sensitive to
the assumed impact on property values. The problem involves the conflicting interests of property owners
and renters, those close and far from the lines, and for distribution lines but not transmission lines some
differential excess exposure to poor people and people of color.
DISCUSSION: Both contractors will have received extensive public comment and will have revised their
models and analyses by the time of the BEMS conference. Both projects have moderately user friendly
computer models available to the public who wish to alter assumptions or better understand the models.
These can be obtained on the web at http://www.dnai.com/~emf/.
These projects were supported by the California EMF program, mandated by the Public Utilities
Commission and managed by the California Department of Health Services.

17-5
ICNIRPs APPROACH TO PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. J.H.
Bernhardt and R. Matthes, ICNIRP Secretariat c/o, Institute for Radiation Hygiene, D - 85764 MunichOberschleissheim, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The approach to the assessment of risk and the development of guidelines of exposure
currently used by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is
explained.
METHOD: For the assessment of the state of knowledge ICNIRP continuously carries out critical scientific
reviews by evaluating the relevance, scientific quality and the credibility and persuasiveness of each peer
reviewed publication by using internationally accepted quality criteria. As a part of the evaluation of the
literature, possible adverse effects on human health will be identified. In this context a distinction needs to
be made between the concepts of interaction, biological effect, perception and hazard. For hazard
evaluation and guideline development, additional data such as a quantification of the relationship between
the exposure and the adverse outcome are needed. For limiting exposure it may be advisable to distinguish
99

between members of general public and individuals exposed because of or while performing their work
tasks. In the ICNIRP EMF-guidelines, limits for occupational exposures have been set higher than those for
the general population. In principle, ICNIRPs guidelines are based on the desire to eliminate pathological
and discomfort processes that are due to EMF exposure. Biological effects with pathological consequences
and EMFs which lead to biological effects outside the normal range of compensation of the body may be an
actual or potential health hazard. Also discomforts or annoyance can detract from well being and can be
considered as adverse outcome. However, the critical effects need to be defined. The exposure
characterization should include a description of the chain of events as well as the external and internal
exposure metric. The strategy of ICNIRP is to develop basic restrictions that are closely related to the
biologically effective physical quantity and reference levels that are more easily related to emission levels
from appliances. The exposure limits include reduction factors below observed threshold levels which take
into consideration several sources of uncertainly. These factors reflect the amount of established
information on biological and human health effects of EMF exposure.
ICNIRPS Role IN EMF PROTECTION: ICNIRP evaluates the state of knowledge about the effects of
EMF on human health and well-being, and provides scientifically based advice on exposure limits and other
methods of protecting the public and workers against harmful exposures to EMF. ICNIRP, as an
international scientific advisory body, does not include political, social and economic considerations in its
deliberations. Membership of ICNIRP is limited to experts who are not affiliated with commercial or
industrial enterprise. However, ICNIRP recognises that the acceptability and adoption of a complete system
of protection also requires data and evaluations based on political, social and economic considerations. It is
ICNIRPs view that these matters are the responsibility of national governments and their authorities.
Furthermore, ICNIRP recognizes the need for technical advice on special exposure situations. This includes
guidance on the principles of measurement, design of equipment and measures to reduce exposure. ICNIRP
considers that international bodies for technical standardization should develop product standards for
specific types of devices to determine compliance with exposure limits.

SESSION 18: RF EFFECTS ON CELLS AND

MOLECULES
Co-chairs: Vijayalaxmi/Bjorn Cedervall
18-1
INTERPRETATION OF COMET ASSAY DATA TO DETERMINE DNA STRAND BREAK
LEVELS. B. Cedervall and C.S. Lange. Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden and SUNY HSCB,
Brooklyn, NY, USA.
The comet assay has been used to measure DNA breaks in various systems including mammalian cells
exposed to magnetic fields. Whether DNA strand breaks occur in cells exposed to magnetic fields has been
controversial because of the difficulties in repeating originally claimed findings. Besides this issue, there is
however also one interpretational aspect of the comet assay data that has not been discussed previously and
that may cause serious misunderstanding of what the assay measures. We first observe that there is no
theory describing the relationship between the DNA mass as observed in comet tails and the corresponding
number of single and/or double strand breaks or for DNA that may be observed in the comet tails due to
relaxation phenomena.
From a principle point, one can however formulate the problem in terms of the fraction of DNA entering the
tail (Q), the corresponding level of damage (L, breaks per base pair), and the exposure. We here avoid
using the word dose for the exposure since there is no clear definition of dose for magnetic field exposure.
As a symbol, we nevertheless, use D to avoid the exposure from being mistaken as a unit of electric field.
The response signal Q vs. exposure (D) has a slope dQ/dD. This signal also contains the response level L
(due to breaks and other phenomena). According to the chain rule for derivatives, dQ/dD = dQ/dL * dL/dD.
100

Interpreting dQ/dD as a descriptor for dL/dD is a violation of the chain rule (unless dQ/dL is a constant), as
noted by several authors, but publications still appear using Q as a surrogate for L. This misinterpretation
has been made consistently with most, if not all, data obtained with the comet assay. A calibration against
irradiated samples (where the DNA break frequencies may be better known) is only valid for the particular
dose point in question. Since Q=Q(L) is a sigmoid function function, using Q(L) directly is the same as
multiplying the exposure-response of interest, L(D), by a damage-level-dependent sigmoid function! Q(L),
is in turn dependent on the equipment used and the run conditions. An example of effects of using Q(D)
instead of L(D) is that cells which rejoin strand breaks slowly may be mistakenly taken as rapidly rejoining
or vice versa. These effects may become severe at low levels of exposure.
To summarize, measurements of fractions of DNA mass in comet tails, do not directly represent the
lesion(s) of interest (DNA strand breaks), but with appropriate analysis, could be used to obtain such results.

18-2
MEASUREMENTS OF DNA DAMAGE FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY
RADIATION. J.L. Roti Roti, R.S. Malyapa, I. LaGroye, R. Anane, L. Li, P. Zhang, E. Moros, W. Straube
and W. Pickard, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
Since DNA damage is believed to be a first step in mutagenesis and for many mechanisms of neoplastic
transformation, the determination of whether or not a given agent induces DNA damage in exposed cells is
an important factor in the assessment of its mutagenic or carcinogenic potential. Because of the concern
regarding the carcinogenic potential of some forms of radiofrequency radiation and of reports that 2450
MHz microwaves caused DNA damage (Lai and Singh, Bioelectromagnetics 16:207-210, 1995), we
measured DNA measurement damage following exposure to 2450 MHz (CW and pulsed) microwaves (SAR
0.6 - 1.9 W/kg), 835.62 MHz frequency modulated continuous wave (FDMA) and 847.74 MHz code
division multiple access (CDMA) (SAR 0.6 - 5 W/kg) radiations. Recent work includes studies with iDEN
and TDMA (2.4 - 26 mW/kg). Because of its sensitivity and the ability to measure DNA damage on a cell
by cell basis, we used the alkaline comet assay. Over the past five years three different teams have
conducted different sets of these experiments. Using the alkaline comet assay as described by Olive et al.
(Exp. Cell Res. 198:259-267), all the teams were able to detect DNA damage following irradiation of
cultured cells with 0.6 - 1.0 cGy of 137Cs g-rays, but not in any of the RF studies completed so far. Thus,
we conclude that RF radiation is not robust inducer of DNA damage.
Support provided by Motorola Corporation.

18-3
Abstract withdrawn.

18-4
PRIMARY DNA DAMAGE IN HUMAN BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES EXPOSED IN VITRO TO 2450
MHz RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION. Vijayalaxmi, B.Z. Leal, M. Szilagyi, and M.L. Meltz.
Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
78229, USA.
Human peripheral blood samples collected from three healthy human volunteers were exposed for 2 hours
in vitro to pulsed wave 2450 MHz radiofrequency radiation (RF), transmitted from a standard gain
rectangular antenna horn in a vertically downward direction. The net forward power and the average power
density used were 21 W and 5 mW/cm2, respectively. The mean specific absorption rate, calculated by
101

Finite Difference Time Domain analysis, was 2.135 W/kg ( 0.005 standard error). Aliquots of whole blood
that were sham-exposed or exposed in vitro to 50 cGy of ionizing radiation from a Cesium-137 source were
used as controls. The lymphocytes were examined to determine the extent of primary DNA damage in the
form of single strand breaks and alkali labile lesions using the alkaline comet assay with three different
slide-processing schedules. The assay was performed on the cells immediately after the 2 hour exposures,
and at 4 hours after the end of the exposure. This additional incubation of the exposed blood at 371oC
would allow time for rejoining of any strand breaks if they were present immediately after exposure (to
assess the capacity of the lymphocytes to repair this type of DNA damage) or would allow the detection of
damage expressed over the 4 hours after exposure. At either time, the data obtained from the comet length,
fluorescence intensity of the DNA in comet tail, and the tail moment revealed no significant differences
between RF- and sham-exposed lymphocytes. The conclusions were similar for each of the three different
comet assay slide-processing schedules examined. In contrast, the response of lymphocytes exposed to
ionizing radiation was significantly different from RF- and sham-exposed cells. Thus, under the
experimental conditions tested, there was no evidence for induction of DNA single strand breaks and alkali
labile lesions in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to pulsed wave 2450 MHz radiofrequency
radiation, either immediately or at 4 hours after exposure.

102

POSTERS
GENOTOXICITY
P-1
COOPERATIVE EFFECT OF IONIZING RADIATION AND MICROWAVES AT MOBILE
COMMUNICATION FREQUENCY ON HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES. *G. dAmbrosio 1, *M.
Durante2, *G. Grossi2, *A. Liccardi2, *R. Massa1, *R. Nigro2 and *G. Vitolo 1. 1ICEmB & Dipartimento di
Ingegneria Elettronica e delle Telecomunicazioni, Universit "Federico II", I-80125 Napoli, Italy.
2
Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Universit "Federico II", I-80126 Napoli, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Because of the widespread use of mobile communications, considerable interest is raised by
the potential hazard due to exposure of humans to high frequency electromagnetic fields. However, results
reported in the literature are contradictory. Genotoxic effects are particularly important because of their
involvement in cancer initiation. The goal of this research work is to study the action of microwaves on the
chromosomes of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, focusing on their possible action in the DNA repair
pathways. Human lymphocytes were exposed to ionizing radiation to induce chromosomal aberrations,
whose mechanism of repair is well known. Cells were subsequently exposed to microwaves to evaluate any
possible interference with DNA repair processes.
METHOD. Biological samples and tests. Human lymphocytes were isolated from 2 healthy donors using a
Ficoll gradient. Cells were resuspended in RPMI1690 growth medium supplemented with 20% serum, and
exposed in freezing vials to ionizing and/or non-ionizing radiation sources.
For each separate experiment, we prepared four samples:
a) non-irradiated sample, used as negative control; b) sample exposed to ionizing radiation only (X- or rays), used as positive control; c) sample exposed to 1.748 GHz microwaves for 15 min at 2 mW/g SAR
level; d) sample exposed to X- or - rays first, and then exposed to microwaves in the same conditions as for
the (c) sample.
After exposure, all samples are incubated in RPMI medium supplemented with 1% phytohemagglutinin for
46 h. Mitotic cells are accumulated with 2 h incubation in colcemid, and chromosomes harvested following
usual procedure. Giemsa-stained spreads are analyzed at a brightfield microscope. All kinds of visible
structural chromosomal aberrations, including dicentrics, rings, and acentric fragments, are scored with the
help of a computerized image analyzer.
Microwave exposure set-up. The exposure set-up consists of a rectangular waveguide cavity (WR430) fed
by the signal source Rodhe-Schwarz SME03 in the continuous wave (CW) mode. Cavity was tuned to
1.748 GHz, the central frequency of the uplink channels of GSM1800 mobile systems, by means of a sliding
short. The power absorbed by the sample was evaluated both by measuring the Q factor of the cavity and
by the calorimetric method. The cavity walls were kept at constant temperature by circulating water.
Preliminary measurements showed that, with the chosen exposure conditions (15 min, 2 mW/g), a
maximum temperature increase of 0.3C occurred in the culture (from 36C up to 36.3C).
RESULTS: Preliminary biological results indicate no direct clastogenic effect of the microwave field. In
fact, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in samples exposed to microwave alone (sample c above) is
not statistically different from the negative controls. These data confirm our previous experiments on the
induction of micronuclei, and support the hypothesis that CW microwaves cannot produce directly DNA
lesions. Experiments are under way to determine the influence of the non-ionizing radiation (microwave)
field on the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA breaks.

103

P-2
EFFECTS OF EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON DNA DAMAGE.
H. Yaguchi1*, M. Yoshida1*, A. Fujimori1*, M. Hiraoka2*, G.R. Ding 3*, J. Miyakoshi1. 1Department of
Radiation Genetics, 2Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine,
Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. 3Department of Radiation
Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
OBJECTIVE: It has been considered that exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMF)
do not cause DNA strand breaks directly. However, Lai and Singh (Bioelectromagnetics, 18. 156165,1997) reported that acute (2 h) exposure of rats to a 60 Hz magnetic field (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mT) caused
a dose-dependent increase in DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the animals (assayed by a microgel
electrophoresis method at 4 h post-exposure). The present work attempts to clarify whether ELFMF
exposures in vitro can induce directly single strand breaks of human glioma cell line, MO54 cells. For this
purpose, we used the single cell gel electrophoresis or comet assay.
METHOD: Human glioma cell line, MO54 cells were exposed to (1) X-irradiation (5 Gy) alone,
(2)ELFMF (5 mT or 400 mT) alone, or (3)X-irradiation followed by ELFMF exposures. These treatments
were done at 4 C. The cells were collected after the treatments and suspended in low melting point agarose
on a microscope slide. The slides were put in lysing solution, transferred to an alkaline electrophoresis
buffer, and the DNA fragments were separated by electrophoresis. During electrophoresis the broken DNA
moves towards the anode forming a comet tail, with the greater the extent of damage, the greater the tail.
Following staining, cells were analyzed for tail length and tail moment by fluorescence microscopy. Tail
moment was calculated using a computer software package (IDL5.0.3, Adam net, Tokyo).
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: DNA damage was not detected by exposure to ELFMF alone by the comet
assay. When cells were exposed to X-rays followed by ELFMF at 5 mT or 400 mT, the level of DNA
damage increased slightly, but not significantly, as compared with that by X- irradiation alone. These
results suggest that exposure to high-density ELFMF does not induce directly single strand breaks of MO54
cells.
This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture,
Japan.

P-3
MAGNETIC FIELD (60 Hz, 5 mT) INCREASES X-RAY-INDUCED MUTATIONS IN NF-BINHIBITED CELLS. G.R. Ding1*, A. Fujimori2*, H. Yaguchi2*, M. Yoshida2*, M. Shioga2* and J.
Miyakoshi2. 1Department of Radiation Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032,
China. 2Department of Radiation Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, YoshidaKonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: It is widely accepted that moderate level of extremely low frequency magnetic fields
(ELFMF) at lower flux densities are not mutagenic, however, an enhancement of X-ray-induced mutations
was observed after treatment with X-rays followed by long-term exposure to 5 mT ELFMF. Additionally,
several studies reported that exposure to electromagnetic fields affected activation of protein kinase (PKC),
protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and phospholipase-C. As we know, the activities of PKC and PTK play an
important role in the regulation of the transcription factor NF-B. In this study, we introduced different
types of mutant IB- (a critical inhibitor of NF-B) genes to human malignant glioma cells (MO54). Our
objectives were to observe the effects of long- term exposure to ELFMF on mutations induction and X-rayinduced mutation in MO54 cells with different mutant IB- genes.
METHOD: The exposure apparatus for 5 mT ELFMF are described elsewhere (J. Radiat. Res., 37:185-191,
1996). Environmental 60 Hz ELFMF during the sham exposure was < 0.5 T. Static magnetic fields other
104

than geomagnetism were undetectable (< 0.1 T) for all experiments and residual geomagnetism was < 1
T. Human malignant glioma cells (MO54) were cultured in medium containing G418 (200 g/ml)
supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37 C with 95% air and 5% CO2. For each experiment, a new
vial of frozen was thawed, and the cells were maintained at exponentially growing phase in 75 cm2 flasks,
then seeded into 15 cm annular culture plates (106 cells / plate) which were exposed or sham-exposed to 5
mT ELFMF for up to 8 days with or without X-irradiation (4 Gy). Mutation assay was done by plating 2
105 cells on 10 cm plates containing medium with 15 M of 6-thioguanine (6-TG). Twenty plates were
used for each mutation assay. About 100 viable cells per plate were cultured to determine the cloning
efficiency. Data were analyzed by the Students' t-test.
RESULTS: 1. Spontaneous mutations were decreased in MO54 cell lines with serine mutant IB- gene.
2. Exposure to ELFMF did not increase X-ray-induced mutations in MO54 cell lines with serine mutant
IB- gene or vector alone. 3. Exposure to ELFMF significantly increased spontaneous mutations and Xray-induced mutations in MO54 cell lines with tyrosine mutant IB- gene.
DISCUSSION: These data suggest that exposure to 5 mT ELFMF may enhance spontaneous mutations and
X-ray-induced mutations, resulting from the inactivation of NF-B through inhibiting tyrosine
phosphorylation.
This work was supported in part by a Grant-in Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and
Culture, Japan.

P-4
THE TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC POTENTIAL OF A 1.6 GHZ WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION SIGNAL: STUDY-DESIGN. L.B. Sasser, B.W. Wilson, J.E. Morris, J.A. Creim*
and L.E. Anderson. Battelle, Richland, Washington 99352, USA.
The purpose of this study is to determine if long-term exposure to a 1.6 GHz radio-frequency (RF) field
would affect the incidence of cancer in Fischer-344 rats. Timed-pregnant rats were procured and palpated
for pregnancy status. Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to each of three treatments. Two treatment
groups were exposed to a far-field signal generated by a 400 watt amplifier controlled by an Motorola
iridium source. A third group was sham exposed and an additional 42 animals were held as shelf-controls.
A tapered parallel plate horn antenna (described elsewhere in these proceedings) was used to deliver the far
field exposure (nominal SAR at 0.16 W/kg) and a similar non-energized horn was use for sham exposures.
Whole body far-field exposures were initiated at 19 dg and continued after parturition until the pups were 23
days of age. Far-field exposures were for 2 hrs/day, 7 days/week. The offspring (720) of these dams
became the subjects for the near-field treatments. Ninety males and 90 females were selected for each nearfield treatment group as follows: (1) 1.6 W/kg, (2) 0.16 W/kg, and (3) near-field sham controls. Another 80
males and 80 females were held as shelf controls. Near-field exposures (1.6 W/kg and 0.16 Watts/kg) were
initiated when the offspring were 351 days of age for 2 hrs/day, 5 days/week. The rats were confined,
head first, in cylindrical tubes arranged in a carousel configuration with the RF antenna centered in the
carousel. The rats are being evaluated for growth, behavior, clinical changes, and survival during the in-life
phase and a complete histopathological evaluation will follow after 23 months of near field exposure. This
research will provide data to evaluate the environmental risk of RF systems specifically targeting brain
tumors or other cancers.

105

Work supported by Motorola Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

P-5
THE EFFECT OF EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON
TRANSFORMATION FREQUENCY. A. Fujimori*1, M. Yoshida*1, H. Yaguchi*1, G.R. Ding*2 and J.
Miyakoshi1. 1Department of Radiation Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. 2Department of Radiation Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical
University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies demonstrated that extremely low frequency magnetic fields
(ELFMF) of 50-60 Hz are possible causes of leukemia, while there are also several reports demonstrating no
significant effect of the ELFMF. Cancer incidence and its progression require several steps involving
alteration of genetic elements. Transformation is one of the important processes by which normal cells
acquire cancer phenotype. In the transformed cells, certain oncogenic products are usually activated by
transcriptional and/or functional alteration through mutation of the genes. In the present study, we applied a
transformation assay using a mouse C3H10T1/2 cell line to study the effect of ELFMF on cellular
transformation.
METHOD: Mouse C3H10T1/2 cells (Clone 8) were cultured in Eagle's basal medium (BME)
supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37C with 5% CO2. Cells were inoculated into 10 cm dishes
and were exposed to X-rays and/or ELFMF. Experiments were performed with cultures between the 16th to
the 20th passage. After the cells became confluent in the medium (BME-10), the medium was replaced with
BME-5 containing 5% serum and the cells were maintained for another 6-7 weeks. The transformed foci
were assayed using the criteria by Reznikoff et al. (1973) following the Giemsa staining. X-irradiation was
performed with a dose rate of approximately 1 Gy/min at 150 kVp and 20 mA equipped with a filter of 0.5
mm Al and 0.5 mm Cu. No significant change on the transformant frequency was observed between 103 to
5 x 103 cells/plate.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Transformant foci of Type II plus Type III were evaluated as the
transformation of cells. No significant increase in the transformation frequency was observed in the
treatments with 5, 50 and 400 mT ELFMF for 24 h. Transformation frequency of the cells was increasing
with X-rays (3 Gy) alone. In the treatment with X-rays followed by the ELFMF, however, the
transformation was decreasing as compared with X-rays alone. Exposure of the cells to the ELFMF at 5,
50, and 400 mT suppressed X-ray-induced transformation frequency. The cells were exposed to ELFMF
alone at 5 mT for 6 weeks or X-irradiated with 3 Gy followed by the long-term (6 weeks) ELFMF exposure.
The long-term exposure at 5 mT suppressed both spontaneous (p<0.0292) and X-ray-induced (p<0.001)
106

transformants. The present results suggest that the relatively high-density ELFMF may have a possibility to
suppress the transformation induced by the treatments with X-rays in C3H10T1/2 cells.
This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and
Culture, Japan.

P-6
EFFECTS OF 50 Hz AND 900 MHz FIELDS ON GENE EXPRESSION, APOPTOSIS, AND THE
COLONY FORMING ABILITY OF BUDDING YEAST (SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE). A.
Markkanen*1, J. Juutilainen1, S. Lang2, J. Naarala 1*. 1University of Kuopio, Department of Environmental
Sciences, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland. 2Nokia Research Center, FIN-00180 Helsinki, Finland.
Previous studies on yeast cells (S. cerevisiae haploid strain SEy2101a) in our laboratory indicate that 50 Hz
magnetic field (MF) exposure modifies biological responses to UV-radiation. The effects were seen on the
ability of the cells to form colonies on agar plates and on the cell cycle kinetics. The results indicate that
MF exposure simultaneously with ultraviolet radiation (UV) reduced yeast cell survival. The mechanisms
are not known.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of following study is to reveal whether MF or amplitude-modulated radiofrequency
(RF) radiation is capable to affect MF sensitive genes (Binninger and Ungvichian, Bioelectrochem Bioenerg
43:83 89, 1997) or apoptosis (Madeo et al., J Cell Biol 139:729 734, 1997 and Madeo et al., J Cell Biol
145:757 767, 1999) of UV irradiated yeast cells. These studies may help to understand the mechanisms
of action of MF and RF in eukaryotic cells. Also the studies on colony forming abilities continues.
METHODS: We are using different kind of yeast strains in our studies. We have a wild strain (SEy2101a),
a diploid strain D7 (provided by Dr. Binninger), and so called apoptosis strains KFy437 and KFy417
(mutant strains, provided by Dr. Frlich). The MF exposure system is same as described in our previous
study (Markkanen et al., Twenty-first annual meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, Long Beach,
California, USA, p. 176 177, 1999). For RF experiments we have a special exposure chamber where
temperature of the cell cultures can be controlled. For cell death analysis we use annexin V method
utilizing flow cytometry. RT-PCR is used to analyse the effects of MF or RF on the MF sensitive genes.

THEORY, MODELS & MECHANISMS

P-7
GAP-JUNCTION CHANNELS RECONSTITUTED IN LIPOSOMES EXPOSED TO LOWFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. A. Ramundo-Orlando,* F. Mattia,** G. Ravagnan,* G.
DInzeo.** *Institute of Experimental Medicine-CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 00133-Rome, **Department
of Electronic Engineering, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Gap junctions are plasma membrane channels connecting adjacent cells, they open and close
(gated) in response to external stimuli and intracellular signals. As gap junctional intercellularcommunication is thought to have a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis any perturbation of this
channelling activity could contribute to several human diseases. Low-frequency magnetic fields (2mT/50
Hz) exposures have been postulated to affect gap junction functions in cell monolayers and spheroids (1).
Recently further investigation on this channelling activity has been claimed to understand how human
exposure to electromagnetic fields could contribute to diseases such as cancer (2). We have, therefore,
investigated the effects of low-frequency, low-intensity magnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on liposomereconstituted liver gap-junction channelling activity. This is a simple system to study a number of
properties of the gap junction channels in the absence of interfering reactions. Our objectives were (a) to
107

evaluate the effect or not of ELF-EMFs on the gating function, and (b) to relate the nature of any observable
effect to our previous proposed theoretical model (3).

METHOD: We have purified gap junction plaques from rat liver plasma membrane fractions as described
elsewhere (4). An n-octyl-D-glucopyranoside dialysis method was used to incorporate functional gap
junction channels into the liposomes (4). Cytochrome c was loaded inside the proteoliposomes. Control
liposomes without gap junctions were prepared under the same conditions. Aliquots of liposomes (0.15 ml)
with or without gap junctions were exposed for 60 minutes at Bac and Bdc 50 T/13 Hz magnetic field at
22C. Sham samples were also maintained at the same temperature for 60 minutes. At the end of the test
time the channelling activity of the reconstituted gap junctions was immediately assayed by measuring the
reduction of intraliposomal cytochrome c. The changes of absorbance at 417 nm upon addition of ascorbate
(0.3 mM) to the suspension of cytochrome-c-loaded proteoliposomes were monitored.
RESULTS: Proteoliposomes maintained at 4C and control liposomes, without gap junction, fail to reduce
intraliposomal cytochrome c demonstrating no diffusion of the ascorbate through either the reconstituted
gap junction channels or simple bilayer. Incubation of proteoliposomes at 22C induces the opening of the
gap junction channels allowing the diffusion of the ascorbate. These results in a fast reduction of a
significant fraction (45%) of the intraluminal cytochrome c. The later addition of Triton X-100, which
permeabilizes the liposomes, further reduces the cytochrome c sequestered in the lumen of liposomes. No
significant differences have been observed between ELF-EMFs exposed (A) and sham (B) proteoliposomes
(Fig. 1). Also no effects have been observed on cytochrome c-loaded liposomes without gap junction.
References.
1. Schimmelpfeng J., et al. Bioelectromagnetics 16:381-386 (1995).
2. Trosko, J.E. Invited lecture 21st 20-24 June, 1999
3. Ramundo-Orlando, A., et al. Bioelectromagnetics (in press).
4. Diez, J.A. & Villalobo, A. in Non-edical applications of liposomes Vol. II (Barenholz Y & Lasic D. D.
Eds), 1996.
We are indebted with Dr. Antonio Villalobo (Consejo Superior Investigationes Cientificas., Madrid) for the
stimulating discussion and useful suggestions throughout the work.

108

P-8
PHANTOM MODEL AND 3-D FEM SIMULATIONS: CONDUCTION OF EXTERNALLY
GENERATED LOW-FREQUENCY SIGNALS THROUGH MUSCLES. M. Popovic 1, A. Taflove1* ,
N. Stoykov2* and T.A. Kuiken2*. 1Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
2
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Our present research is aimed at developing a better understanding of conduction and
propagation of signals through the muscles of the human arm. Such an improved understanding may permit
improved operation of controlled prosthetic arms for above- and below-elbow amputees. We have
conducted initial numerical and experimental investigations of muscle as a passive load when connected to
external sources. To confirm our experimental methods and verify the numerical model, we have used a
phantom model of muscle tissue as a subject.
METHOD: We constructed an experimental model of the muscle tissue using a cylindrical phantom made
of commercially available ground meat. Pairs of electrodes were placed symmetrically around the phantom.
One pair was connected to the external source (CW at 30 Hz, 70 Hz, 120 Hz, 400 Hz and 4 kHz), while the
other pairs were used as recording electrodes for quantifying signal conduction through the phantom. Using
a gain-phase meter, the permittivity and conductivity of the material used in the phantom was measured
over the range 30 Hz 4 kHz. In parallel with our experimental phantom studies, we developed a numerical
model of the muscle phantom, we used the commercially available FEM software tool EMAS by Ansoft.
The FEM model included the measured electrical parameters for the phantom tissue. At specific locations
within the FEM model, a current source was specified to simulate the external source used in the
experiments. The potential distribution was calculated and values of the potential observed at locations
corresponding to those of the recording electrode sites. This enabled direct comparison with the
measurements.
RESULTS: We have found a significant effect of tissue permittivity and displacement currents for signal
propagation in the frequency range 30 Hz 4 kHz.
DISCUSSION: Previous models of low-frequency signal propagation in muscles largely ignored the effects
of tissue permittivity and displacement currents. New models incorporating such effects have the potential
to study the possibility of minimizing crosstalk between individual electrode sites, also investigating more
complex geometries which can include insulating materials within the phantom. This analysis could aid in
development of refined control of the externally powered myoelectrically controlled prosthetic device.

P-9
PHOTON ENERGY ARGUMENTS (E=HV) ARE OFTEN HIGHLY MISLEADING WHEN
DISCUSSING POSSIBLE EFFECTS FROM POWER LINE FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC
FIELDS. A.I. Vistnes and K. Gjtterud*, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048
Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
The phenomenon of light is described by two complementary pictures: as classical electromagnetic waves
and as individual quanta of the electromagnetic field. Dependent on the experimental conditions light, on
the single quantum level, can show wave-like or particle-like character. An individual quantum of light is
called a photon, and have an energy E given by the famous equation: E = h, where h is Plancks constant,
and is the frequency of the radiation. The relationship E = h is often used for all known different
appearances of electromagnetic waves, even for very low frequency electromagnetic fields like the one
found near a power lines. Since the photon energy at power frequencies is very small (E = 2.1.10-13 eV at 50
Hz), some people seem to believe that power frequency electromagnetic fields are (almost by definition)
incapable of yielding any biological effects. In this presentation it will be pointed out that such arguments,
based on photon energy alone, are often highly misleading when used for very low frequency fields.
109

In fact, 50 Hz electric fields lead to ionization of molecules in air at practically speaking every high voltage
power line in the world, at least on rainy days (when there are drops on the conductors). The corona effect
is nothing but ionization of molecules in the air. Even static electric fields, with a frequency very close to
zero, and a corresponding infinitesimal small calculated photon energy, lead to a massive ionization of air
molecules in so-called ionizers used in electrostatic air filters or in the management of static electricity
e.g. in printing machines. The fact that both UV and power frequency electric fields lead to ionization,
demonstrate clearly that the concept of photon energy alone is not sufficient to explain the experimental
findings. On the other hand, it is clear that ionization in the presence of high frequency photons (UV, Xrays etc.) and in the presence of 50 or 60 Hz electric fields, are based on quite different mechanisms. More
focus on the differences may lead to a better understanding of the physical mechanism underlying effects at
low frequency electromagnetic fields.
In the presentation we will give estimates of photon densities for visible light and higher frequencies on
one hand, and power frequency fields at 50 (or 60) Hz on the other hand. The estimated values are
sensational, and show clearly the tremendous difference between these two situations. While photons
behaves like single wave-packets at visible light, photons at power frequency fields (if one wants to use
the concept of photons even here) are characterized by a very high inter-photon coherence. We conclude
that discussions of the effects of 50 Hz electric or magnetic fields should be made on the basis of classical
electrodynamic fields rather than on photons.
A main difference between ionizing radiation and low frequency electromagnetic fields, is (as pointed out
above) not the energy that a system can pick up from the radiation, but the difference in time-scale of the
possible mechanisms. If the electric field component changes direction in a time-scale much slower than
the electrons movement in the atom/molecule, the electric field will only lead to a time-dependent
polarization of a neutral atom/molecule, or it may lead to a macroscopic displacement of (more or less) free
charges. The consequences are induced electrical currents and changes in electrical potentials that certainly
can lead to biological effects (e.g. magneto-phosphenes). Thus, we should appreciate the importance of
the time scale when we seek explanations, or if we look for possible mechanisms of action, for various
biological effects caused by low frequency electromagnetic fields.
This work was partly supported by grants from the Effekt program at the Norwegian Research Council.

P-10
THE STUDY OF THE MECHANISMS FOR WINDOW BIOEFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC
FIELD BASED ON THE GENERALIZED ION RESONANCE. Z. Niu. Department of Microwave
Telecommunications Engineering, Xidian University, Xi' an 710071, P.R. China
It was proved by the experimental results that there are the window bio-effects of electromagnetic field
(EMF), the window bio-effects of the EMF is a typical athermal effects and include that of frequencywindow and intensity-window. The effects of frequency (intensity) window means that the bio-effects
occurs only under specific, discrete and narrow frequency (intensity) of the applied EMF. A typical
example of the window bio-effects of the EMF is that the efflux of calcium ions (Ca2+) from cells is strongly
associated with the frequency and intensity of the applied EMF. It is emphasized that the concept of ion
cyclotron resonance (ICR) does not mean the Ca2+ moving through the membranes in helical paths, the
concept should be comprehended as a generalized concept that only when the frequency of the applied EMF
approaches the ICR frequency of the ion put in vacuum and in static magnetic field, the response of
biological systems to the EMF is more sensitive.
It is suggested that influences of the EMF on the efflux of Ca2+ are caused by the three ways: (1) Influences
on the motion of Ca2+ through the ion channel. The channel piercing cells membrane including plasma
membrane and organelle membrane; The motion of an ion along a channel axis may be considered as
overcoming a series of the potential barriers created by the charged groups of the protein molecule, but not
in helical paths, and only an ion goes the two pitch of the -helical, it leap one potential barrier and from the
110

lowest potential point to another the lowest point; (2) Influences on the energy levels of the calcium-protein
complex (Ca2+-P) in organelle, such as mitochondria regarded as calcium pool, thus influences on the free
Ca2+ concentration in calcium pool. When the Ca2+-P is irradiated by EMF, the probability of Ca2+-P from
the ground-state level to the exited sublevels, and it is more nonstable than at the ground-state level, the
probability of Ca2+-P separating into the free state Ca2+ is increased, corresponding the probability of the
free Ca2+ from the pool into the cytoplasm is increased. (3) Influences on the oscillation of the intracellular
free Ca2+ concentration. The cytoplasm free Ca2+ concentration presents periodicity variety, i.e., calcium
oscillations, which can be expressed by nonlinear dynamical model of cytoplasm calcium regulation. The
calculations from numerically analyzed indicate that only when the frequency of the EMF approached to the
characteristic frequency of the calcium oscillations, the influence of EMF on the Ca2+ concentration is
strong. To sum up, it is can be seen that: all the responses of the efflux of Ca2+ to the EMF are caused by
the three ways, and the responses present the dependence on the frequency and intensity of the applied
EMF, which provide a basic of the study of the mechanisms for the window-effects of EMF on biology.
The Project Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China

P-11
ION PARAMETRIC RESONANCE WITH IONS TRAPPED ON SPHERICAL CELLS? S.
Machlup, Dept. of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 44106, USA.
Assume that the ions are trapped on the surface of a cultured cell. In Blackman's1 experiments both
magnetic fields - the constant field and the alternating field - are vertical, and the cells look very oblate,
pancake-shaped. That allows modeling the trapping potential as a 2-dimensional simple-harmonic oscillator
(SHO) with 2-fold degenerate ground state, split into a Zeeman doublet by the constant B-field. What if the
cells were spherical? Would the resonance still be observable? Would it still peak at angular frequency c
= qB/m as in 2 dimensions, or at _ c, which is the resonance frequency averaged over all latitudes of the
sphere? The resonance frequency as a function of latitude has been calculated using the classical (not
quantum) approach of Polk and Wu2 and an expansion in powers of c /SHO. If the spring constant is
isotropic for vibrations within the cell surface but has a different value for vibrations normal to the surface,
the answer is _ c. Has this ever been observed?
1. CF Blackman, JP Blanchard, DE House, SG Benane (1994) Empirical test of an Ion Parametric
Resonance model for magnetic field interactions with PC-12 cells. Bioelectromagnetics 15, 239-260.
2. C Polk and SH Wu (1994) AC/DC magnetic field synergism: comments on the Lednev and IPR models.
The 1994 Annual Review of Research on Biological Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields from the
Generation, Delivery, and Use of Electricity, Nov 6-10, 1994, Albuquerque, NM.

P-12
RADICAL-PAIR MECHANISM: SENSITIVITY TO AC MAGNETIC FIELDS LOCALLY
ENHANCED BY MAGNETITE. S. Galt. Dept. of Electromagnetics, Chalmers University of Technology,
S-412 96 Gteborg, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to extend a previously proposed mechanism whereby externally applied
ELF magnetic fields affect the rotation of a magnetite particle, thereby changing the local magnetic field at a
certain cellular cite, and thus the chemistry of locally occurring radical-pair reactions. The proposed
extension involves a mechanically resonant system where the physical connection of the magnetite particle
to the cell is not rigid, but is free to rotate as a torsion pendulum.
METHOD: The viscous friction together with the elasticity of the connecting material (e.g. cytoskeletal
strands) will determine the natural response of this resonant system. With an external alternating magnetic
field as a driving force, the motion of the magnetite particle will be persistent, causing a change in the time
111

averaged local magnetic field at a certain cite in the cell. Variations in magnetite crystal size, location,
orientation and mode of mechanical attachment to the cell surface will be studied.
DISCUSSION: This damped resonator model may provide an enhanced sensitivity to AC magnetic fields
when compared to the effect of externally applied, or ambient static magnetic fields. Thus, the argument
that applied alternating fields must be comparable to the geomagnetic field before effects can be expected,
may be refuted.
This work has been sponsored by the Swedish Council for Work Life Research.

P-13
PHYSICOCHEMICAL MECHANISMS OF EFFICIENCY OF TREATMENT BY WEAK ELF
EMF OF WHEAT SEEDS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GERMINATION. S.I. Aksyonov, A.A.
Bulychev, T.Yu. Grunina, S.N. Goryachev and V.B. Turovetsky. Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov
Moscow State University, Moscow 119899, Russia.
The efficiency of weak extremely low frequency (ELF) EMF on living systems as compared with stronger
fields can be explained by taking into account the nonstationary processes that arise when ions pass part of
the intermembrane distance during the EMF period. The periodic movement of ions in the heterogeneous
medium of cell would result in the nonlinear effects influencing the ionic strength and pH near the
membrane and also the release of some peripheral proteins to the water phase. Because the number of
freedom degrees increases upon the transfer to water of certain groups of protein macromolecules, having
the dynamic structure in water, these transitions must be associated with little change in free energy. In the
case of the external EMF of higher intensities, ions have enough time to cover all the distance between the
membranes. In this case, the steady-state distribution of the induced voltages is established, according to
the resistances of the circuit segments. Then, almost the entire voltage drop induced by the external field
would occur across the membrane, where it would constitute only a small fraction of the intrinsic membrane
noise. Based on this notion, we studied the effects of EMF treatment (30 or 50 Hz, 30 mT) at different
stages of imbibition of wheat seeds of various germinability. The EMF treatment at the stage of activation
of esterases increased the leakage of the products of esterase reaction with its following retardation, which
contrasts to the linear kinetics for untreated seeds and for seeds treated at earlier stages. This retardation is
related to the effect of released proteins on the recovery of barrier properties of membranes. The treatment
also leads to an increase in pH near the embryo surface. The difference in pH between untreated and treated
seeds after 23 and 24 h of imbibition reaches 0.4 units. When the wheat seeds with germinability of 50%
were treated at the stage of root formation, a significant increase in the number of seeds with roots was
observed, at lesser increase in the number of seeds with sprouts. The sprout length reliably increased after
this treatment with respect to untreated seeds and seeds treated later. In the latter case, the number of seeds
with sprouts increased, but there was only weak effect on the number of seeds with roots. Long treatment of
seeds throughout the second day of imbibition reduced the length of sprouts but had little effect on the
number of seeds with sprouts and roots. The increased number of seeds with sprouts and roots is considered
as a result of EMF influence on the release of proteins that control the realization of separate stages of
genetic program of seed germination. The inhibition of growth, observed after long EMF treatment, is
explained by opposite EMF effects in the case of intermittent processes. All these data are in a good
agreement with the proposed mechanisms of EMF action on biological processes. The EMF, a rather weak
treatment exerts its effect throughout the cell volume, but eventually its influence is concentrated in narrow
boundary layers near the membranes and is additionally enhanced owing to various nonlinear phenomena.
This results in alteration of ionic strength and pH with the subsequent release or binding of proteins
immobilized on the membranes, which affects the metabolic activity. The mechanism provides the basis for
interpretation of paradoxical dependencies of EMF-induced effects in organisms, such as the sensitivity to
cosmophysical fluctuations and also the basis to interpreting the biological effects of EMF of industrial
frequencies. These effects are observed under field strengths that are three orders of magnitude higher than
112

cosmophysical fluctuations, in accordance with the frequency ratio of these EMF, affecting the ion passage
time. Hence, the biological effects of ELF EMF are not directly related to its energy, which may differ by
several orders of magnitude at different frequencies. The suggested mechanism offers an approach to
interpretation of both stimulating and inhibitory effects of ELF EMF. The inhibitory effects may result
from desynchronization of complex multistep processes, particularly in the case of prolonged treatment with
EMF, which may cause opposite alterations at different stages of such a process.

P-14
ELECTRICAL Q-FACTOR MAJOR DIAGNOSTIC PARAMETER DESCRIBING A
CONDITION OF MYOCARDIUM. T.A. Alexandrova*, P.I. Romanchuk* and A.N. Volobuev. State
Medical University, Samara, box 1423, 443079, Russia.
The process of hearts reduction is connected to the excitation myocardium, which carries the electrical
character. As electrical model of excitation of the heart we shall consider set dipole - multipoles
approximation, which at the large enough distance from heart, is reduced to unified dipole. Summarizing
geometrical vectors separate dipoles, we receive general dipole the moment, which refers to as IEV
(integrated electrical vector of heart). The received model of the dipole equivalent electrical generator of
heart (DEEGH). Lets consider work DEEGH during electrical systole. The heart has active resistance R,
inductance L and capacity C (fig.1). Lets present model DEEGH as three mutually perpendicular
oscillatory contours located in frontal, horizontal and sagittal planes, EMF which are identical. In any plane
the dependence dipole of the moment IEV from a corner of turn is defined differential equations, which
decision is the dependence of a vector dipole of the moment from a corner of turn and time. The cyclic
frequency of rotation of the vector of DEEGH depends on time and is connected to a corner of turn.
Taking into account it, we shall enter new parameter describing work of heart: Q-factor of an equivalent
contour. The Q- factor is not constant size in process cardiocycles, since is cumulative parameter dependent
on the basic electrical characteristics of heart: L, R and C. Tracing change Q of heart during some time, it is
possible to judge development of pathological process. Some pathological processes are not reflected on
measure parameters ECG, and the size Q thus changes, that gives the large advantage. The size Q of heart
can be defined on parameters ECG: the relation of intervals and amplitudes impulses R/T. In fig. 2 the
diagrams of dependence tQT/tQRS from the relation of amplitudes impulses R/T are submitted at various
meanings Q. The sizes tQT and tQRS can be defined by ECG. In norm Q changed in limits from 3.9 up to
4.4.

fig.1

fig.2

113

P-15
THERMAL AND NON-THERMAL EFFECTS OF HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGENTIC
FIELDS IN THE RANGE BETWEEN 3 GHZ AND 300 GHZ: A LITERATURE SURVEY. I.
Herget*, K.-F. Thier*, T. Gailus* and R. Raczek*. T-Nova, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The spectrum of electromagnetic fields at frequencies in the range between 3 GHz and 300
GHz becomes increasingly important for scientific and commercial applications such as civil radar as well
as terrestrial and satellite communication services. On one hand, this development is caused by the limited
spectral resources at lower frequencies; on the other hand, many of these new technologies take advantage
of characteristic physical properties of cm- and mm-waves. As a consequence of this general development,
the need for a profound and thorough knowledge of interactions between biological systems and
electromagnetic fields increases considerably for this frequency range. The intention of this study is to
obtain a general view and overview of experimental results already found and published as well as of
biological effects and mechanisms established or still discussed. This is to identify gaps of knowledge and
to lay the foundation for future biological and medical experiments in this field.
METHOD and RESULTS: The study was carried out in a purely descriptive manner being in general
helpful for risk assessment. Experimental results were queried by the EMF-database of Information
Ventures Inc., Philadelphia. Since the number of relevant publications found is well above a few hundreds,
abstracts were used to extract biological, medical and technical data. The results were presented and
analyzed for different frequency ranges according to objectives of the investigation performed, biological
effects observed and exposure parameters used. Interaction mechanisms and hypotheses were summarized.
The work has been supported by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk (FGF), Germany.

P-16
PATTERN FORMATION IN THE VICINITY OF CHARA CELL MEMBRANE UNDER APPLIED
ELECTRIC FIELD. (MATHEMATICAL MODEL). A.I. Lavrova*, T.Yu. Plusnina*, A.I. Lobanov*
and G.Yu. Riznichenko*. Department of Biophysics, Biology Faculty, Moscow State University, 119899,
Moscow, Russia.
The effects of electric fields on cell membrane of Characean algae is considered. It is well known, that the
formation of alternating alignment of acid and alkali bands along cell walls of Characean algae as Nitella
and Chara takes place. Experiments shows that applied electric field changes the number and configuration
of pH patterns.
A model of electrodiffusion processes containing nonlinear chemical reactions is developed. Nonlinear
terms describe proton and HCO3-ion exchange through the cell membrane. The model contains two kinds
of the electrically charged ions. The fluxes of components are expressed through the Nernst-Planck
equation. The reactions are placed in one-dimensional medium with an applied electrical field. By means
of linear analysis of the homogenous state the conditions of unstability arising under static electric field
were found. The conditions of resonance effect under periodic electric field were analytically found as well.
To study the electric field contribution to pattern formation we excluded the possibility of Turing unstability
using the diffusion coefficients of the both components of equal magnitude. It was demonstrated that under
the conditions of equal diffusion coefficients of the components a static applied electric field could lead to
pattern formation. The estimation of the field intensity shows that such effects can arise under influence of
the electric fields of non-thermal intensity. The computer experiments agree with theoretical results.
It was shown that under an applied electric periodic field the resonance effect took place in the considered
system. If the field intensity is rather large pattern formation is observed in any frequency value. Lowing
the field intensity we can find its minimal value under which pattern formation still appears. In this
situation there is a narrow frequency band where effects occur. The minimal value of field intensity
depends on system parameters and on influence of the Planck field. In the system where the role of the
114

Planck field is significant the minimal value of applied field intensity is higher than in the system where the
influence of the Planck field is negligible.
Thus, analytical study and computer simulation by means of electrodiffusion model, including nonlinear
chemical reaction demonstrates temporal and spatial pattern formation near the cell membrane as the result
of weak electric field influence.

P-17
A STUDY OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY DISTRIBUTION IN DIFFERENT CELL
GEOMETRIES. S. Muoz1*, J.L. Sebastian1*, M. Sancho 1*, J.M. Miranda1*, B. Rivas3* and M.
Brdalo 2. 1Facultad de Fsicas. Universidad Complutense, Madrid 28040, Spain. 2Instituto de Fisica
Aplicada, C.S.I.C. Madrid 28006, Spain. 3Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda 28220, Spain.
OBJECTIVE: The induced electromagnetic field has been studied in spherical, ellipsoidal and cylindrical
cellular geometries using three layers models. The working frequency used in this study was 1.8 GHz, the
same used by new mobile phones. A comparison between the specific absorption rate distribution for the
spherical and non-spherical cellular geometries is also shown. The purpose of this analysis was to provide a
better knowledge of the mechanisms of direct RF cellular effects.
METHOD: The spherical cellular model was a sphere of 4 m radius, the cytoplasm, with permittivity and
conductivity values of 50 and 0.25 S/m respectively. The membrane was considered to be a shell layer of
permittivity 6.5 around the cytoplasm. The thickness of this layer was 10 nm. The external medium
adjacent to the membrane is ionic water with permittivity and conductivity values of 80 and 0.25 S/m
respectively. The ellipsoidal model was composed by two confocal ellipsoids. The cytoplasm was formed
by a prolate ellipsoid with major and minor semi-axes of 4m and 2m respectively. The membrane is a
confocal ellipsoid with a non-uniform average thickness of 10nm. The incident electromagnetic field was
applied along the minor axis of the ellipsoid. Two coaxial cylinders were considered for the cylindrical cell
geometry. The inner radius and height were 1.2 m and 8m respectively. The outer cylinder was formed
by a shell of 10 nm thickness around the inner one. The incident electromagnetic field was applied along
the cylinder axis. The permittivity and conductivity values for the three layers in the ellipsoidal and
cylindrical geometries were the same as in the spherical geometry. The induced electric field distribution
inside the cell models was calculated using the numerical Finite Element technique. For this, the analyzed
cell was located inside a parallel-plane waveguide structure filled with the external medium where a TEM
wave field with an incident average power of 1 watt is propagating along the x-axis, as shown in Figure 1.
The numerical solutions obtained for the spherical and ellipsoidal geometries were compared with the
analytical solutions available for these two forms. The excellent agreement ensures the validity of the
numerical results for the finite cylindrical geometry that has no analytical solution.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the electric field distribution and the specific
absorption rates obtained for the spherical, ellipsoidal and cylindrical cellular geometries considered. Table
I shows a comparison of the calculated SAR values for the three different cells. It is observed that SAR
values in cytoplasm and medium adjacent to membrane obtained for the ellipsoidal model are lower than the
SAR values in these two regions for the cylindrical model with an incident electromagnetic field applied
along the cylinder axis. Whereas the cell model does not take into account the effects of bound water layers
or the spatial variation in the dielectric properties of cell membrane-associated water, this work represents
an interesting study of the influence of cell geometry on the spatial distribution of the E field and SAR
induced by RF electromagnetic radiation absorption.

115

SAR (W/Kg
Ellipsoidal
Spherical
Cylindrical
Fig. 1 Radiation System

Medium
0.052
0.055
0.058

Cytoplasm
0.048
0.057
0.060

Table 1

Fig. 2 Electric field distribution and SAR for the spherical geometry

Fig. 3 Electric field distribution and SAR for the ellipsoidal geometry

Fig. 4 Electric field distribution and SAR for the cylindrical geometry
This work was supported by Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid under grant 08/0002/1997.

P-18
EVALUATION OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF 400 KV POWER TRANSMISSION LINE ELECTRIC
AND MAGNETIC FIELDS WITH PROLATE SPHEROID MODEL. L. Korpinen*, J. Kotiniitty*, S.
Kuusiluoma*, T. Kantell* and T. Keikko*. Tampere University of Technology, Electric Power Engineering,
P.O. Box 692, 33101 Tampere, Finland.
Due to concerns about health effects of electric and magnetic fields from power transmission lines, it has
been considered important to examine the effects of fields on the humans. One method for this is by using
geometric models to represent the human body. With the models internal field and current densities can be
calculated, which are caused by transmission line electric and magnetic fields. In Finland the transmission
116

line voltages are generally 400 kV, 220 kV and 110 kV. The aim of this study is to calculate induced
internal current densities from the 400 kV lines based on measured fields. In this study the prolate spheroid
model of a human was used, with the electric and magnetic fields dealt separately. This model models
whole human body.
The values for electric and magnetic fields under transmission lines were measured in an earlier study at
TUT [1, 2]. The measurements were carried out according the IEEE Std 644-1994 measurement procedure
at a height of 1 m, and at a distance of 050 m from the line. The measurements were carried out using
Wandel-Goltermann EFA-3 (accuracy 5%) and Radians Innova ML-1 (accuracy 10%) meters.
The measured field values were used in calculations of internal current densities. In the calculations, the
human body is considered as homogenous tissue (conductivity of 0.15 S/m and permeability of 105o, where
o is the permeability of free space). The calculations have been carried out with a code designed for the
internal current computational model. The code calculates internal current densities from external electric
and magnetic fields. The calculations were performed with Matlab and Excel.
The measurement results are in the left figure below. The highest measured maximum values were 8.03
kV/m and 7.88 T. The average values of the measurements were at the highest 3.66 kV/m and 4.69 T.
The results of the current densities are shown in the center and right figures below. The maximum value for
combined current density from electric and magnetic fields in these calculations was 1.58 mA/m2. This
value is below the recommended (by ICNIRP) 2 mA/m2 for public [3], and using the average fields, current
density for 400 kV transmission line was 0.72 mA/m2 at its highest, is well below that.

Figure. The left graph shows the maximum and average measured magnetic and electric fields perpendicular
to 400 kV transmission lines. In the center are the values of current densities induced by the electric and
magnetic fields. In the right are their summed internal current densities.
The computations indicate that the prolate spheroid model gives results that are below the guidelines [3].
However, it must be remembered that the prolate spheroid model is only a rough model of a human and it
does not consider, e.g., different tissue properties and body shapes.
1. ICNIRP. Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic
Fields (Up to 300 GHz). Health Physics, Vol. 74, no. 4, pp 494-522, 1998.
2. Korpinen L., Isokorpi J., Keikko T. Electric and Magnetic Fields from Electric Power Systems in Living
and Work Environment. 11th International Symposium on High-Voltage Engineering (ISH99 / IEE),
London, UK, 23-27.8.1999. Vol. 2, s. 2.99.P6-2.102.P6.
3. Korpinen L., Kotiniitty J., Keikko T. Electric and Magnetic Fields from Electric Power Systems in
Environment. 4th European Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, 11.-15.9.2000, Brugge,
Belgium. (Submitted for evaluation.)

117

P-19
MODELLING INTERACTION MECHANISMS IN BIOELECTROMAGNETISM: A NEW
INTEGRATED APPROACH. S. Bruna*, M. Liberti**, S. Giordano*, D. Perrone**, B. Bianco*, G.
DInzeo**. *ICEmB at the Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering, University of Genoa,
Via Opera Pia 11a Genoa - Italy. **Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome La
Sapienza, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: The extraordinary increase in the use of e.m. radiation has stimulated new researches
concentrated on the study of the early steps of the e.m. interaction mechanisms. As most of the effects due
to the exogenous exposure of biosystem has been associated with the cell membrane, these researches are
mainly oriented toward the study of the molecular aspects of the interaction. In this paper we introduce an
integrated methodology of analysis, which involves interlaced steps such as quantum modelling of the
system constituted by a ligand ion, calcium ion Ca++, and a protein receptor, calmodulin, of the cell
membrane, under exogenous e.m. exposure, and analysis of the protein channel activity by means of a
stochastic model of the channel.
METHODS: We focus our attention on the calcium-activated potassium channels, which are fundamental
in the regulation of neuronal excitability. In particular, we will consider SK channel, whose functions
depend only by the intracellular calcium concentration. They are high-affinity calcium sensors. The protein
devoted to calcium ion binding activity in the SK channel is calmodulin [1]. This protein contains four Ca++binding motif, divided into two globular domains and it supports a sequential mechanism of reception:
firstly, the C-terminal globular sites are bounded, then the N-terminal ones. The most general approach to
the study of ligand binding to a receptor protein, under e.m. exposure, is based on quantum modelling of the
process: the so called Zeeman-Stark model [2]. The problem is to find the reduced density operator which
describes the ion motion in the attracting (isotropic) potential energy well, in presence of exogenous e.m.
potentials. The novel result is that this equation takes into account all the various aspects of the interaction
of the quantum system with the thermal bath, as a function of T and of one fitting parameter only, i.e. ,
which has a classical physical meaning. In the microscopic modelling technique, the channel can be
considered as a finite state automaton, and its conductance can be view as a random variable in a random
process [3]. Each state represents a possible conformation for the channel (open or close), while transitions
among the states represent possible structural modifications, associated to energetic changes. We can obtain
a six states functional model (two open states and four closed states), using the patch clamp paths recording.
RESULTS: On the basis of the molecular structure of the SK channel, which contemplates a sequential
binding mechanism, is possible to identify as a trigger-key of the channel activation, the first binding site
occupation in the C-terminal globular domain. Therefore some of the kinetic parameters in the Markov
model are determined via quantum modelling, considering as inputs of the entire model the e.m. field (E and
B), the temperature T and the metabolic basal force Fbm. In this way we are able to integrate the two
modelling levels (ion binding and channel behaviour): we developed the integration of the two models by an
ad hoc calibration procedure.
DISCUSSION: We have discussed a biophysical basis for assessing the effects of low-intensity r.f. fields,
with specific emphasis on ion binding as a first interaction step and on membrane channel behaviour. In
conclusion, we have offered a plausible biophysical basis for potential biological effects of low-intensity
e.m. exposure at radiofrequency, which could lead to novel clinical applications and should also be
considered, in the future, by the safety standards regulators.
References.
[1] Chiabrera A., Bianco B., Giordano S., Bruna S., Moggia E., Kaufman J.J., Ligand binding under RF
EM exposure, Advanced Research Workshop, Slovenia, October 12-16, 1998.
[2] X-M Xia, B Fakler, A Rivar, G Wayman, Jonson-Pais, JE Keen, T Ishii, B Hirschberg, CT Bond, S
Lutsenko, J Maylies, JP Adelman, "Mechanism of calcium gating in small conductance calcium-activated
potassium channels", Nature, 395, 503-507, 1998.
118

[3] Apollonio F., DInzeo G., Tarricone L., Modelling of neuronal cells exposed to RF fields from mobile
telecommunication equipment, Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics, 47, p.199-205, 1998

P-20
EFFECTS OF EAR CONNECTION MODELLING ON THE ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY
ABSORPTION IN A HUMAN HEAD PHANTOM EXPOSED TO A DIPOLE ANTENNA FIELD
AT 835 MHz. M. Kanda*, Q. Balzano, P. Russo*, and A. Faraone*. Motorola Florida Research
Laboratories, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33324, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Gandhi and Lazzi (1999) and Watanabe et al. (1999) have reported enhanced SAR in flat
human models due to the presence of a simulated lossy ear. We have also analyzed the SAR enhancement
adopting Gandhis structure, modified to provide a good experimental model of the actual anatomical
connection between the external ear and the head.
MATERIALS and METHODS: A Lexan box, as shown in the figure, was used as an experimental model
of the human head and ear. The bottom of the container and the well are made of 2-mm thick Lexan, and
the lateral walls are 1-cm thick. The dielectric permittivity of Lexan is about 3, while ohmic losses are
negligible. A 2-mm deep well was chosen to simulate a total distance of 6-mm (plus 2 layers of 2-mm
Lexan) from the head liquid to the contacting handset. A thin (2-mm) septum in line with the bottom of the
box was perforated with a variety of openings to simulate the anatomical connection of the ear to the head.
To obtain general canonical results a balanced, half-wave resonant dipole, tuned for best match at 835 MHz
near a flat phantom filled with head tissue simulating liquid (r = 41.4, = 0.85 S/m) was used as an RF
source.

Head and Ear Phantom Septum with Ear Opening

Using dentist putty to take imprints of a variety of human ears, we determined a typical cross-section of the
ear connection to the head, which has a complicated contour and a variable width. This Ear shape was cut
in the septum and used in SAR evaluation. In addition to the anatomically correct opening, we have
analyzed experimentally and numerically the SAR pattern at the edge and at the center of a circular hole of
1.25-cm diameter and near a slit 4-mm wide and 3-cm long. The diameter of the circular opening is much
larger than the depth of the well. This enabled SAR measurements with an E-field probe through its
aperture. The dipole axis was placed parallel with and at 3-mm from the bottom of the well. The dipole
feed-point was located at the center of symmetry of the well, unless otherwise specified in the report. All
results are normalized to 1-W radiated power. The data was collected using a DASY3 system with an Efield probe (S/N ET3DV6-1392) or a thermistor probe (SPEAG S/N T1V2-5008). Computations were
performed using the XFDTD code (REMCOM, State College, PA).
DISCUSSION: The realistic connection between the pinna of the ear and the head has been approximately
simulated and tested. The experimental results show that the effects of the presence of a lossless (air) vs.
lossy (liquid filled) ear on the SAR in the head is practically negligible. The SAR-enhancing phenomena at
edges detected by other researchers (Gandhi and Lazzi, 1999; Watanabe et al., 1999) have been confirmed.
The pinna of the ear, if considered a flat, thin layer, has an enhanced RF absorption due to the proximity to
the antenna currents. There are also SAR enhancements at the edges of slits or holes, simulating the
connection of the ear to the head.
119

CONCLUSION: Current human head phantoms used for SAR assessment, incorporating a lossless ear
spacer, should continue to be used. The results of this investigation using a canonical structure (rectangular
box and balanced dipole) clearly show that the difference between the lossy and the lossless ear lobe are
negligible, in conditions of maximum coupling between the antenna and the pinna. If a lossy ear made like
a pocket (or a well) filled with head simulating liquid with an anatomical connection is used, correct SAR
measurements will depend on the positioning of the probe during SAR mass averaging and the rounding of
the walls of the interconnection ear-head. In addition, the phantom maintenance will be complicated by the
need of washing the ear volume of residual trapped liquid.

P-21
DIRECT ELECTRIC CURRENT EFFECTS ON TUMOR DESTRUCTION: POSSIBLE ROLE OF
REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND ANTITUMORAL DEFENSE MECHANISMS. L.B.
Cabrales1, H.C. Ciria 1, R.P. Bruzon1, M.S. Quevedo2, R.H. Aldana, L.M de Ocal, M.F. Salas3, and O.G.
Pena4. 1Div de Magnetoterapia, Centro Nacional de Electromagnetismo Aplicado, Universidad de oriente,
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. 2Hospital Oncologico Provincial Docente Conrado Benitez, Santiago de Cuba,
Cuba. 3 Hospital Provincial Docente Saturnino Lora, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. 4Hospital Infantil Norte
Docente Juan Martinez de la Cruz Maceira, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Electrochemical therapy was performed on a subcutaneous murine tumor model (Ehrlich tumor). The
current was supplied through Platinum electrodes, where three cathodes were inserted into the tumor's
periphery and one anode in their center. Direct electric current of 4 mA during 21 minutes was applied to
the treated group. The BALB/C mice both treated and untreated were placed in plastic cages and
maintained at a constant temperature of 23 2 C and a relative humidity of 65%. The healthy and sick
control groups were subjected to the same conditions but without direct electric current. In both treated and
sick control groups, blood parameters were measured and anatomicopathological studies of heart, kidney,
lung, liver and spleen were made. Also, the peritumoral findings were analyzed. After the electrochemical
therapy it was observed that the tumors volume decrease and the necrosis percentage increase were
significant. These results show that electrochemical reactions (fundamentally those in which reactive
oxygen species are involved), and the potentiation of antitumoral defense mechanisms, both induced on the
tumor, due to cytotoxic action of the direct electric current, could constitute the most important antitumoral
mechanisms in the destruction of the different tumors. Besides, it concluded that the pH could play the
main role in the destruction protective environment.

MOBILE PHONES AND

RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS
P-22
EFFECTS OF GSM-900 MICROWAVES ON DNA DAMAGE IN RAT BRAIN CELLS USING THE
SINGLE CELL GEL ELECTROPHORESIS (COMET) ASSAY. I. Lagroye , R. Anane, B. Billaudel*,
P.E. Dulou*, B. Veyret: PIOM Laboratory, ENSCPB, University of Bordeaux 1, B. P. 108, 33402 Talence,
France.
Conflicting results on the induction of DNA damage in rat brain cells have been reported after exposure to
2450-MHz pulsed microwaves (Lai and Singh 1995, 1996; Malyapa et al., 1998; Lagroye et al. 1999).
These signals were however not specific to mobile telephony. Recently, using the North American 837MHz analog signal, Tice et al. (1999) failed to show any significant effect on DNA damage in rat brain cells
3 hours after a 3-hour exposure. Specific absorption rates (SAR) of 1, 5 and 10 W/kg were used in that
120

study. As part of our research programme on biological effects of mobile phone microwaves, the DNA
damage caused by GSM-900 microwaves at different SARs was assessed using the alkaline comet assay
method.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: cage control (n=5), positive control (n=8) (i. p.
injection of 25 mg/kg of ethylmethane sulfonate), sham-exposed (n=8) and exposed animals (n=8 for each
SAR) to 1, 2 or 4 W/kg local SAR. The head-only exposure system (near field) consisted of a loop antenna
operating at 900 MHz. The loop antenna was characterised using numerical and experimental dosimetry
(Dulou et al., 1998).
After a one-week training period (2 h/day), rats were exposed or sham-exposed to GSM-900 in individual
rockets for 2 hours and killed by decapitation immediately after exposure. A tissue press was used to obtain
a single cell suspension from the whole brain. DNA damage was assessed using the alkaline comet assay
adapted from Lai and Singh (1996).
The experiment was done blind. Analysis of the slides is in progress. The data will be presented at the
meeting.
- Dulou P. E. et al.,. BEMS, 20th Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach-FL, P-70 B, June 7-11th, 1998.
- Tice R.R. et al., Evaluation of potential genotoxicity of radiofrequency fields in vivo using the single cell
gel (SCG) electrophoresis assay. WTR colloquium, Long Beach, CA, June 18-19, 1999.
- Lagroye I. et al., Measurement of DNA damage after acute exposure to 2450 MHz microwaves in rat brain
cells by two alkaline comet assay methods. BEMS 21sd Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, June 20-24
1999.
- Lai H., Singh N.P., Acute low-intensity microwave exposure increases DNA damage single strand breaks
in rat brain cells. Bioelectromagnetics, 16, 207-210, 1995.
- Lai H., Singh N.P., Single and double stranded breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to
radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Int. J. Radiat. Biol., 4, 513-521, 1996.
- Malyapa R. S. et al., DNA damage in rat brain cells following in vivo exposure to 2450 MHz
electromagnetic radiation and various methods of euthanasia. Radiat. Res., 149, 396-400, 1998.
This work was supported by France Telecom, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the
Research Council of Aquitaine.

P-23
ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY FACTORS FOR HANDSET SARS USING METHODS OF
PROBABLILISTIC RISK ANALYSIS (PRA). C.J. Thompson*1, V. Anderson2 and J.R. Rowley2.
1
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. 2Telstra
Research laboratories, 770 Blackburn Rd, Clayton Victoria 3168, Australia.
OBJECTIVES: Uncertainties regarding possible harmful effects to humans from exposure to
Radiofrequency (RF) emissions have led Standards Committees to set large safety factors on allowable
exposure limits relative to threshold values where established adverse effects are known to occur. Safety
factors of 10 on SAR limits for occupational exposure, and 50 for public exposure are typical, but somewhat
arbitrary. Our broad objective is to assess exposure limits, thresholds and safety factors using methods of
PRA to analyse peak SAR values in the brain resulting from 900 MHz GSM mobile telephone operating
close to the head.
METHODS: Peak 1gm average SARs were calculated in MMP models of a 3 layered spherical head (skin,
bone and grey matter) exposed to a 0.4 dipole at 900 MHz. The dielectric values of the grey matter were
varied according to the variation in published estimates. It was found that the source data for grey matter
brain tissue conductivities was lognormally distributed. Consequently, calculated field strengths and peak
SAR in our model were also lognormally distributed. Interestingly, our analysis of other published results
also suggest a lognormal distribution for peak SAR in handset compliance tests. Assuming that SAR can be
modelled as a lognormally distributed random variable it follows that for a given threshold, T:
121

Pr{SAR > T } =

1
2

0.5 x
e dx ; A =
2

S
1
ln ( f ) +
S
2

(1)

where S is the standard deviation of ln(SAR) and f is the ratio of T to the average peak SAR. If the latter is
set equal to the limit set by Standards, then f by definition is the safety factor. Analysis of our data
suggested an S value of approximately 0.4 with extreme values of 0.2 and 0.6 .
RESULTS: Our results are summarised as a 'risk matrix' of probability values determined by eqn (1) for
various combinations of f and S. An example is given in the table below.

f
10
50

S = 0.3
2.5 x 10-15
5.0 x 10-40

Pr(SAR > T)
S = 0.4
1.3 x 10-9
9.3 x 10-24

S = 0.5
6.0 x 10-7
3.4 x 10-16

DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrate that risks of adverse effects from RF exposure, defined as the
probability that thresholds are exceeded in extreme operating conditions, are extremely low for safety
factors currently in use. We suggest that methods of PRA can be used to quantify risks from exposures to
EMF and that given a 'tolerable' level of risk, an appropriate risk matrix can be used to set appropriate safety
factors. We also suggest that these methods could be usefully incorporated in epidemiological studies in
situations where there are uncertainties in exposure level.

P-24
PROPOSAL FOR GENERIC GSM TEST SIGNAL. M. Schller*1, J. Streckert*2, K. Menzel*3 and B.
Eicher*4. 1Mannesmann Mobilfunk GmbH, D-40547 Duesseldorf, Germany. 2 Electromagnetic Theory,
University of Wuppertal, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany. 3E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH, D-40468 Duesseldorf,
Germany. 4Swisscom AG, CH-3050 Bern, Switzerland.
OBJECTIVE: Features of modern radio communication systems such as power control or discontinuous
transmission mode (DTX) lead to complex signals which differ significantly with varying usage conditions.
Considering all these parameters, bio-medical experiments will end with a nearly infinite number of test
cases. A method of reducing this number is to be presented.
METHOD: Depending on the knowledge of the mechanisms relating to how electromagnetic fields affect
biological systems, two approaches are possible:
Identifying the relevant signal parameters from the formulas describing the mechanism.
Using a signal cocktail if the mechanism is not known or not well understood.
In the radio frequency range only the thermal effects can be described by eligible formulas. To study
possible non-thermal influences the second approach has to be used. In the case of the GSM system, the
following signal contributions have to be considered: 1. burst signals of carrier frequency f c which occur
while talking, giving rise to frequency components at f c k 217Hz ; 2. burst signals of the DTX mode
occurring while listening with frequency components at f c l 8Hz m 2Hz ; 3. burst signals of the GPRS
mode; 4. burst signals of the broadcast channel with carrier frequency f c + f ( f : duplex spacing) and
frequency components at f c + f n 1733Hz (for a detailed description see [1]). A generic GSM test
signal can be defined by superposing the different signal contributions with suitable weighting factors.
RESULTS: Practical exposure systems were implemented [2-4] with the restriction that a high exposure
should be achieved with moderate costs. As it was the objective of these experiments to study biological
effects of TDMA pulse modulation pattern of the GSM signal, GMSK modulation in the bursts and duplex
spacing f were disregarded. The generic GSM test signal was generated by externally modulating the RF
122

generator with a sequence of pulses with 1733Hz repetition frequency and 0.577ms duration. The 217, 8
and 2Hz components were achieved by periodically omitting every 8th, 208th and 832nd pulse. This results in
a very efficient power budget. The specific absorption rate related to the signal used was nearly seven times
higher compared to the often used modulation with 217Hz pulses and a duty factor of 1:8.
DISCUSSION: Using a signal cocktail appears to be an efficient method of reducing the number of test
cases related to the exposure signal. If experiments produce negative results, it is very likely that each
component will also show a negative result. This will be the case if it can be assumed that the effects of
different components will not compensate each other. If a positive effect is found for the signal cocktail,
additional experiments will be necessary to look at each component in detail. The described method can
easily be adopted for other radio communication systems, e.g. a CDMA cocktail.
References.
[1] ETS 300577, ETSI, Sofia Antipolis.
[2] Boberly, A., et al.: Pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields affect human sleep and sleep
electroencephalogram. Neuroscience Letters, 275, 207-210 (1999).
[3] Streckert, J., et al.: Human head RF exposure for electroencephalogram experiments during sleep. 21st
BEMS Annual Meeting, Long Beach, 1999, 250.
[4] Brendel, H., et. al.: Exposure of Djungarian hamsters to 383 MHz (TETRA25 Standard) and 900 MHz
(GSM-Standard) electromagnetic fields. 21st BEMS Annual Meeting, Long Beach, 1999, 211.
The development of the exposure systems was supported by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk e.V. and by
Swisscom AG.

P-25
LASER-SCAN ACQUISITION OF HEAD MODELS FOR DOSIMETRY OF HAND-HELD
MOBILE PHONES. J. Mrquez* 1, T. Bousquet* 2, I. Bloch* 1, F. Schmitt* 1 and C. Grangeat 2. 1Ecole
Nationale Suprieure des Tlcommunications, 46 rue Barrault, 75634 Paris Cedex 13, France. 2Alcatel
Corporate Research Center, Route de Nozay, 91461 Marcoussis, France.
Besides terminal positioning and other variables, radiofrequency wave absorption by the human head
depends on anatomical complex features, in particular at the ear and mouth regions. Homogeneous
phantoms representing the user have been previously used [1], and accuracy improvements up to 2-mm
resolution from MRI scans have been made [2]. Head models from 3D laser scan acquisitions of human
subjects will allow simulation of power absorption in anthropomorphic phantoms of several subjects.
OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a method used for building a database of 3D human head profiles with
refined analysis in the region of the ear. The final goals of this study are to collect anthropometrical data of
the head with collapsed ear for standardization of the head model and to investigate by simulation the
dispersion of interactions of hand-held mobile phones with the human head.
METHOD: The numerical acquisition of human heads was performed with a 3D laser scanner [3], with the
assistance of Dr. M Nahas, from the Paris VII University. Anthropometric information on subjects was
recorded (weight, age, sex, height). During the acquisitions, the ear was either in its natural position or the
superior lobe was pressed against the skull as in use of a mobile phone. Before building the model,
480x580x5-byte images were extracted from the raw scan data, in order to filter out artifacts and noise, and
locate morphological features in image space and then in object space. The 3D model of each head was
built with regular meshes by Eulerian triangulation of the range image, at two mesh resolutions: a coarse
one, averaging 8 mm at triangle diagonals, and a fine one located at the ear region, averaging 4 mm (see
Figure 1). A boundary rectangular zone around the ear was used as a reference surface for the ear structure.
Using first-order surface fitting, the simplest approximated patch replacing the ear structure was a Bilinearly
Blended Coons patch [4], which is built from the four boundaries of the reference surface. The resulting
surface interpolates the cranium at the ear region and a gradual smoothing of the ear can be achieved by
blending from 0.0 (no ear see Figure 2) to 1.0 (detailed ear), without modifying other regions of the head
123

phantom. This reference surface serves also to define a " ground-zero " for thickness estimations of the ear
at various locations.
RESULTS: A database of 40 human head profiles was obtained in two basic formats: a triangulated surface
and a discrete volume representation at 2-mm resolution for FDTD simulations. A third raw-data
representation is also available for other kinds of anthropometric studies. Several 2D and 3D processing
tools were developed to investigate morphologic properties of the sampled population, particularly in the
region of the collapsed ear for the application to standardization issues of SAR measurements of mobile
phones.
[1] C Grangeat et al., "Radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones", Alcatel Telecommunications
Review, 4th Quarter 1998, pp.298-304.
[2] J Wiart et al., Calculation of the power deposited in tissues close to a handset antenna using non
uniform FDTD, Proceedings of the Second World Congress for Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and
Medicine, Bologna, June 97, Plenum Press.
[3] Inc. Cyberware Laboratory, "4020/rgb 3d scanner with color digitizer", available information at
http://www.cyberware.com/pressReleases/index.html, 1990.
[4] R Barnhill, "Coons patches and convex combinations", in Les Piegl, editor. Fundamental Developments
of Computer Aided Geometric Modeling. Academic Press, London, 1993.

Figure 1. 3D-rendering of the triangular mesh model with

a fine resolution in the ear region.

Figure 2. Head model with the ear structure

replaced by a bilinearly blended Coons patch in
the high-resolution region

This research was sponsored by the French government within the COMOBIO project (RNRT program).

P-26
IN VITRO EXPOSURE SYSTEM OPERATING AT 1800 MHZ. G.A. Lovisolo 1*, G. DInzeo2, L.
Ardoino1*, D. Asta1*, L. Ciammetti1,2*, R. Pinto1*, S. Mancini1*, and C. Marino 1*. 1Section of toxicology
and biomedical science, ENEA Casaccia, 00060 Rome, Italy; 2Department of Electronic Engineering, La
Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Aim of this work is the development and characterization of an exposure system, for in vitro
experiments, operating at 1800 MHz. In vitro experiments require an accurate control of temperature,
humidity, and CO2 concentration: so the system must be small enough to stay inside a standard incubator.
124

METHOD: The described system has been derived from an existing one [1], originally developed for the
frequency of 900 MHz and known as Wire Patch Cell (WPC). It is made of two parallel copper plates (20
cm x 20 cm), shortened by metallic cylinders. Whole structure has been dimensioned according to the
required operating frequency. Power supply is given by a coaxial cable connected to the center of the
plates. Four Petri dishes (=3,5 cm) can be put inside the plates. As the system is open at its boundaries,
the radiated power could cause electromagnetic interference with the environmental control system. This
effect must be avoided, and moreover it should be take care that the shielding structure does not change the
electrical parameters of the exposure system, such as matching at the operating frequency.
Simulations, based on an FDTD code, have been done with and without targets, to dimension the structure
correctly. E-field distribution has been experimentally verified by measurements with an E-field probe.
SAR distribution has been calculated and measured inside dishes, filled with cell culture medium. The cell
size chosen for the simulation inside the dishes is 0.2 mm. SAR measurements have been performed by a
temperature probe using power pulse method (50 W for 30 sec.). Electrical parameters and specific heat of
medium have been measured using an HP dielectric probe kit and a calorimeter. The four samples are
symmetrically positioned inside the system, with respect to its center. The WPC has been surrounded by a
metallic grating (0,5 cm cells) to avoid electromagnetic interference with incubator. Reflections on the
shielding structure can modify electrical characteristics of the exposure system: absorbing material has been
interposed between system and grating to avoid this effect. Whole shielding structure has been able to
reduce the electromagnetic emission by about 37 dB.

a)

b)
SAR distribution within one sample of a Petri dish: a) horizontal section at the bottom of the dish; b)
vertical section at the center of the dish.
125

RESULTS: Whole system efficiency has been experimentally evaluated in 1,7 W/kg/W. Close average
SAR values have been measured inside the four samples. The simulations show that SAR differences on a
plane at the bottom of the dish, where cells deposit, are about 50%.

Average SAR (W/kg)

Efficiency (W/kg)/W

Sample 1
41.44
1.61

Sample 2
41.44
1.61

Sample 3
45
1.73

Sample 4
41.44
1.61

DISCUSSION: SAR distribution on a vertical section of the samples shows the presence of lower SAR
values at the middle. However it can be found a layer at the bottom of the dish where SAR is quite
homogeneous.
Reference.
1. L Laval, P Leveque, B Jecko. A new system for 900 MHz microwave irradiation during in vitro studies.
Proceedings of BEMS, Long Beach, 1999.

P-27
EFFECT OF 900 AND 1800 MHz GSM RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION ON 6-SULFATOXYMELATONIN EXCRETION OF RATS. J. Bakos*, Gy. Kubinyi* and G. Thurczy. National Research
Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, Budapest, H-1775, Hungary.
OBJECTIVE: The use of mobile phones is increasing rapidly worldwide. The most frequent type GSM
phones use 900 or 1800 MHz radiofrequency (RF) radiation modulated by 218 Hz extremely low
frequency(ELF). The ELF frequency known as inhibitor of melatonin secretion of the pineal gland. The
objective of the study is to investigate the possible effect of GSM type, mobile phone RF radiation on the 6sulfatoxymelatonin(aMT6s) excretion of Wistar rats.
METHOD: Rats were kept in 12:12=light:dark cycle and were irradiated by RF radiation for 2 hours/day
during 20 days. The nocturnal urine of rats was collected daily and the aMT6s concentration was measured
by radioimmunoassay. The total amount of excreted nocturnal aMT6s of irradiated and control group was
compared.
RESULTS: However, the work in progress, the preliminary experiments showed no significant difference
between aMT6s excretion of irradiated and control rats.
This work was supported by MATV, a Hungarian telecommunication company.

P-28
STUDY OF THE SAR IN CERTAIN OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS WHEN USING A
CELLULAR PHONE AT 1800 MHz. M. Martnez-Brdalo, L. Nondez*, A. Martn* and R. Villar*.
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientficas. Instituto de Fsica Aplicada. Serrano 144, 28006-Madrid,
Spain.
OBJECTIVE: Due to the increasing use of the hand-held telephones, operating in close proximity to the
head, it is important to study the SAR enhancement in unusual but possible situations. The aim of this work
is to present a theoretical study of the specific absorption rate (SAR) in the head and the eye of the user of a
mobile telephone, at 1800 MHz, when operating it near a perfectly conducting wall in different
configurations.
METHOD: We use the finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) [1]. The computational volume is
subdivided in cubic Yee cells. A non uniform grid is used, with 0.25 cm edge size for the global grid and a
cell edge of 0.125 cm to model the eye. The time step is chosen according to the stability criteria. The
126

interaction space is truncated by means of second order Murs absorbing boundary conditions. The head is
simulated as a sphere with a radius of 10 cm, modeled by skin (r = 43.85, = 1.23 S/m), bone (r = 5.4,
= 0.078 S/m) and brain (r = 46.11, = 1.71 S/m) [2]. A sphere of 2 cm in diameter, filled with vitreous
humour (r = 68.57, = 2.03 S/m), is placed inside the head to model the eye. The antenna is modeled as
a half wavelength dipole with vertical polarization, fed at its center with a sinusoidal voltage; the output
power is 0.5 W. A vertical perfectly conducting wall is placed beside the head for different situations of the
antenna. In all cases, the dipole is located between the head and the wall.
RESULTS: The peak SAR has been computed for different antenna-head distances, as a function of the
antenna-wall distance, for different antenna positions, and compared with the peak SAR obtained when the
dipole is working without the presence of the metallic wall. As an example, in figure 1 results are shown for
a worst case, with the antenna located in front of the eye.
DISCUSSION: The obtained results show that the presence of a conducting wall near the phone can, in
certain cases, significantly increase the SAR, not only when the wall is very close to the head, but also when
it is far. The operating environment has to be taken into account when studying the SAR.
References.
KS Kunz and RJ Luebbers, The Finite Difference Time Domain Method for Electromagnetics, Boca Raton,
Florida, CRC Press, 1993.
C Gabriel and S Gabriel, Compilation of the Dielectric Properties of Body Tissues at RF and Microwave
Frequencies, Physics Departement, Kings College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK, 1997.

Figure 1. Peak SAR as a function of the antenna-wall distance. Antenna-head distance: 1.25 cm
This work has been supported by the Comunidad de Madrid, project no. reg.: 08.8/0002/1997.

P-29
EVALUATION OF TECHNIQUES FOR SPATIAL AVERAGING FOR ASSESSMENT OF
COMPLIANCE WITH RADIOFREQUENCY SAFETY STANDARDS. R.F. Cleveland, Jr., J.L.
Ulcek* and D.D. Campbell*. Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and
Technology, Washington, District of Columbia 20554, USA.
Various safety standards for human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields specify that
assessment of exposure is to be spatially averaged over some projected area. For example, the IEEE C95.11991 standard specifies that the determination of compliance with limits for maximum permissible exposure
(MPE) may be determined by spatially averaging over the plane occupied by the body but in the absence of
the body. Other standards, such as Health Canadas Safety Code 6, recommend averaging over a planar area
127

that approximates the trunk of an adult human being. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate various
techniques for spatial averaging that have been recommended or proposed to determine their relative
effectiveness and consistency. Other goals were to obtain data on the relationship between spatial peak and
spatially averaged RF fields, and to investigate whether averaging over the planar area occupied by the body of
a child differed significantly from that for an adult. This study was carried out at an antenna farm where
significant RF fields in the FM radio broadcast band (88108 MHz) were present. Measurements were made at
several locations using various spatial averaging techniques scanning both adult and child planar areas. To
ensure uniformity of the measurements, non-conductive templates were constructed (using PVC pipe) to define
planar dimensions that have been specified by either the IEEE or Canadian standards and, also, to approximate
planar dimensions projected by a child. Field intensity measurements were made using broadband instruments.
Attempts were made to perform measurements at each location with at least two different instruments. With
respect to the IEEE criteria (full planar body projection) five different spatial averaging techniques were
evaluated, including the vertical 10 point technique and, techniques that use automatic spatial averaging
features built into certain instruments. With respect to the Canadian assessment criteria four different
techniques were evaluated (the vertical 10-point technique was not included). Methods for evaluating the
IEEE-compatible techniques involved moving the instrument probes through various scanning pathways
defined by the appropriate template, from just above ground-level to a point either 1.8 m above ground (adult)
or 1.0 m above ground (child). For the Canadian criteria the inner template dimensions tracing out the
approximate trunk of an adult were scanned using various techniques. The scanning techniques used for
automatic spatial averaging were designated as follows: (1) vertical line, (2) zig-zag, (3) cross, and (4)
perimeter. Preliminary analysis of the data for instrument-based automatic averaging show that the
perimeter method consistently yielded the highest spatial average (i.e., the most conservative value) while the
vertical scanning method used by many surveyors was most consistently near the average value obtained
from all techniques. The ratios of spatial peak to spatial average ranged from about 0.4 to 0.7, with an average
of about 0.5 to 0.6 for all readings. Comparison of adult versus child spatial averages showed that values
for the adult template were generally about twice that for the child template for most measurements.
Comparison between the IEEE techniques and the Canadian technique yielded mixed results. At some
locations the Canadian method resulted in the most conservative values while at other sites the IEEE-based
techniques yielded higher (i.e., more conservative) values.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official
views of the Federal Communications Commission.

P-30
A STUDY OF HANDSET POSITIONS USED BY CONSUMERS WHEN TALKING ON
CELLULAR AND PCS TELEPHONES AND RELATION TO COMPLIANCE WITH
RADIOFREQUENCY SAFETY STANDARDS. J.L. Ulcek* and R.F. Cleveland, Jr., Federal
Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, Washington, District of Columbia
20554, USA.
Wireless handsets, such as cellular and PCS telephones, are tested for compliance with radiofrequency (RF)
safety standards by laboratory measurement of induced electric field in models of the human head. These
measurements can then be used to calculate specific absorption rate (SAR) to determine compliance with safety
standards such as IEEE C95.1-1991. An important factor that must be considered when performing these
measurements is how the handset is to be positioned with respect to the head model during testing. It has
previously been shown in numerous studies that the position of the handset being tested can significantly affect
SAR values obtained in head models. For this reason it is very important to ensure that protocols for testing
handsets include positions and configurations that accurately reflect consumer usage patterns. The purpose of
this study was to randomly observe persons in the Washington, D.C., area while they used their phones and to
categorize the type of phone used and the position of the phone while the subjects were talking. Phone types
128

were categorized by design and shape as follows: (1) flat phones, (2) flip phones, and (3) clam shell
phones. Phone positions were categorized in relation to an imaginary plane defined by the three lines joining
both ears and the tip of the mouth. The phones were observed to lie roughly in this plane. Phone positions
were labeled as: (1) touch position, when the mouthpiece of the handset was angled to touch or almost touch
the cheek; (2) 90 position, when the handset body was approximately perpendicular to the side of the head;
and (3) >90 position, when the front of the handset was angled further out from the perpendicular position
and head. Although observations of handset users are continuing, as of January 2000 over 100 observations of
users had been included in this study. Several preliminary conclusions can be made. First of all, the majority
of subjects observed to date (about 70%) use flat phones. Of all phone users observed, approximately half
(46%) used the phone in the 90 position, approximately 31% used the phone in the touch position, and
about 23% were observed using their phone at an angle greater than 90. It was also found that subjects vary
the distance between the mouth and the mouthpiece, because of such factors as facial features, personal
comfort, noisy environments, etc. Another observation relevant to handset testing (for handsets with retractable
antennas) was that a certain percentage (about 18%) of these subjects used their phones with the antennas
retracted. Previous studies have shown that SAR distribution and magnitude varies depending on whether an
antenna is extended or retracted. In summary, this study shows that cellular and PCS telephones are typically
used in a variety of positions and configurations. Since SAR distribution in the head will be significantly
affected by these variations, testing for compliance with RF safety standards should include all of these usage
patterns.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official
views of the Federal Communications Commission.

P-31
EFFECT OF 900 MHz RADIOFREQUENCY RADIATION ON UV-INDUCED SKIN
TUMOURIGENESIS IN ODC-TRANSGENIC AND NON-TRANSGENIC MICE. P. Heikkinen1, V.M. Kosma*2, H. Huuskonen*3, P. Hyysalo*4, H. Komulainen*3, T. Kumlin1, S. Lang5, L. Puranen*4, J.
Juutilainen1. 1Department of Environmental Sciences, 2 Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine,
University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland. 3National Public Health Institute,
Kuopio, Finland. 4STUK Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland. 5Nokia Research
Center, Helsinki, Finland.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether low- intensity radiofrequency (RF) fields
enhance tumour development. Another aim of the study was to investigate possible differences between
modulation frequencies.
METHOD: Female BALB/c xDBA/2 hybride mice were used. This strain has shown responses to another
kind of electromagnetic field exposure (50 Hz magnetic fields) in earlier experiments (Kumlin et al.: Effects
of 50 Hz magnetic fields on UV-induced skin tumourigenesis in ODC-transgenic and non-transgenic mice.
Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 7: 113-121, 1998). Like in the study reported by Kumlin et al. half of the mice were
ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) transgenic (line K2; Halmekyt et al.: A transgenic mouse line with aberrant
expression of human ornithine decarboxylase gene. J. Biol. Chem. 266: 19746 - 19751, 1991) and the rest
were their non-transgenic littermates. The mice were divided into four groups: 1)cage-control group
2)sham-exposed group 3)RF exposure, modulation frequency 217 Hz (GSM-signal, 902.4 MHz) 4)RF
exposure, modulation frequency 50 Hz (DAMPS-signal, 849 MHz). The mice in groups 2 - 4 were
exposed to UV radiation as the initiating carcinogen. The mice in sham-exposed group were handled in
the same way as the two RF groups (groups 3 and 4) except that the RF-exposure chamber (waveguide) was
not energised. Exposure to UV was performed using lamps simulating the solar spectrum. A dose of 1.2
human MED (minimum erythemal dose) was given three times a week (1MED= 200 J/m2, CIE). The mice
of groups 3 and 4 were exposed to pulsed RF radiation 1.5 h/day, 5 d/wk for one year (using equipment
designed and constructed for previous experiments. Heikkinen et al.: Chronic exposure to 50-Hz magnetic
129

fields or 900-MHz electromagnetic fields does not alter nocturnal 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate secretion in
CBA/S mice. Electro-and magnetobiol. 18:33-42, 1999). During the exposure the mice were kept in
restrainers in a waveguide that enabled simultaneous exposure of 25 animals. The whole body average
specific absorption rate (SARave) was 0.5 W/kg. During the study the mice were observed carefully (in a
blind fashion) and the location and dimension of the skin lesions observed were recorded in detail. The
experiment ended in October 1999. The mice were killed and skin samples were taken for histopathology.
In addition, fresh samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored in -80C for biochemical and
molecular biological analyses.
RESULTS: The RF exposures did not affect the feed and water consumption of the animals and there was
no obvious effects on body weights and survival. Histopathological analyses and analyses of skin
polyamine levels are on-going. The preliminary results of study will be presented at the meeting.
This work is supported by TEKES (the National Technology Agency), Benefon, Finnet-group, Nokia and
Sonera.

P-32
EFFECT OF THE OUTER SHAPE OF A HEAD ON SAR EVALUATION OF A MOBILE PHONE.
A.K. Lee1, H.D. Choi1, K.Y. Cho 1, W.Y. Choi*2, and M.S. Chung*3. 1Radio & Broadcasting Tech. Lab.,
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, 161 Kajong-Dong, Yusong-Gu, Taejon, 305-350,
KOREA, 2Dept. of Electronic Engineering, Myong Ji University, 38-2, San, Nam-Ri, Yongin-Eup, YonginKun, Kyunggi-Do, 449-728, KOREA, 3Dept. of Anatomy, Ajou University School of Medicine, 5
Wonchon-Dong, Paldal-Gu, Suwon, 442-749, Korea.
OBJECTIVE: Presently, many researchers use various human phantoms in terms of outer shapes and
materials for SAR evaluation of mobile phones. We have studied the effect of the outer shape of an adult
head on SAR evaluation of a mobile phone. Our objective is to compare SAR distributions and local SARs
in head models of the various head breaths, chin-vertex lengths, and head lengths.
METHODS: We have developed a head model composed of cubical cells 1-mm on a side. This is based on
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans of a male volunteer who
meets well the requirements of the head part of the national standard body. Tissues were classified on the
raw images and the segmented images were implemented in the form of text file that is appropriate for
numerical formulation. In order to determine the effect of the outer shape of a human head for SAR
compliance test of a mobile phone, we modify head breath, chin-vertex length, head length, and sizes related
to the ear of the above developed head model variously. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method
is used to calculate the electromagnetic field distributions in modified head models in contact with a mobile
phone operating at 835 MHz. The calculation is performed for the homogeneous model simulating the brain
tissue as well as the original heterogeneous model to check the effect of material on the SAR results. All
conditions except the size and tissue characteristics of the head model are used consistently. The radiated
power of the phone is obtained by integrating the normal component of the Poynting vector over the surface
of the FDTD space and thereafter using the time domain far zone transformation. The computational space
containing the human model and the phone model is truncated with second order Mur absorbing boundaries.
The phone is simulated with a conducting box, a plastic case, and a whip antenna composed of a monopole
and a helix. The dimensions of the phone model follow approximately those of a typical real cellular
mobile phone.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: SAR values are analyzed for the models whose head sizes have changed
in the range of 5 %. From these analyzed data, we can afford to consider characteristics of EM absorption
for individual or ethnic variation of the outer shape of a head.

130

Figure 1. MR and CT images and segmentation on the horizontal plane through the nose
Table I. Comparison between the national standard body and the volunteer
Standard Body
Volunteer
Head Breath (mm)
158
160
Head Length (mm)
181
187
Chin-vertex Length (mm)
232
229

P-33
THE EFFECT OF AIR GAP BETWEEN THE EM PROBE AND MATERIAL ON SAR IN SOLID
PHANTOM USING THE SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER. H.D. Choi, A.K. Lee and K.Y. Cho. Radio
Technology Department, Electronics and Telecommunications Research and Institute, Taejon, 305-350,
Korea.
OBJECTIVE: The disadvantages of conventional phantom materials are that the liquid and semiliquid
materials cannot be used repeatedly since they dry out and decomposite over time and that the dry materials
may contain the air gap between the EM probe and material. To overcome the various weakness of
conventional liquid, semiliquid phantom and dry phantom material, new composite materials composed of
dielectric material, carbon black, and shape memory polymer with the lower glass transition temperature are
developed. These phantom materials have the same electrical properties as the human tissue in the RF band.
The effects of air gap between the EM probe and material on SARs in the phantom models simulating skull
and brain tissues are investigated. The analysis on the influences of air gap in the solid phantom models
have been carried out by both numerical simulation and experimental measurements.
METHODS: The shape memory polymers used in this experiment are SBS copolymer. The dielectric
powders were chosen from (Ba, Ti)(Ca, Sn)O3 and SrTiO3 family which have high r. To increase tan,
carbon black (Ketjen EC) is added to a composite. The shape memory composites are prepared by the
cement mixed method and shaped as toroidal, disk, and human head type. The complex dielectric constant
of the sample is measured using the reflection method. The reflection coefficient of sample is measured
using a network analyzer in the frequency range of 50 MHz - 6 GHz. We have examined the effects of air
gap on SAR using the automated SAR measurement system of our lab. It consists of a robot (Samsung
Co.), E-field probe (DASY ET3DV5R), a phantom model and the developed software. The software
controls the robot system and processes the measured data. The finite-difference time-domain(FDTD)
method was used to calculate the electromagnetic field distributions in numerical phantom in contact with a
mobile phone operating at 835 MHz. The calculation was applied to the homogeneous models simulating
the skull and brain tissue.
RESULTS and DISCUSSIONS: The required dielectric constant and conductivity for the phantom
material can be obtained by adjusting the composition ratio of three materials (shape memory
polymer/dielectric powder/ carbon black). Figure 1 shows the frequency behaviors of the dielectric constant
and conductivity of composite material simulating skull. The solid line which represents the experimental
131

data are well matched with the reference data for both dielectric constant and conductivity at the given
frequency. The comparison of the experimental conductivity values with the reference data for brain tissue
is shown in Figure 2(a). In the case of the simulated tissue for brain, the experimental conductivity data
agree well with the reference data up to 2.45 GHz. However, in the case of the dielectric constant as shown
in Figure 2(b), the experimental data deviate from the reference data except the dielectric constant at
835MHz and 915 MHz. The phantom models simulating skull and brain tissue at 835 - 915 MHz could be
fabricated using the dielectric powder and carbon black simultaneously loaded SBS composite. It is the
merit of composite that any gap between the sample material and the probe can be removed by the shape
memory property of composite. Using the new developed phantom materials, SAR is obtained and
compared to a simulated value. The simulated SAR distribution is calculated using the FDTD method. The
effects of the various size of air gap, the kind of simulated tissue on SAR are investigated. The size of air
gaps are 0 - 5 mm and the simulated tissues are skull and brain tissue, respectively. The results show a close
agreement between the simulated and experimental values. In the given size of air gap, the SAR variation
can be a close relationship with the variation of the electric characteristics of simulated tissue.

Fig. 1. The frequency behavior of the dielectric constant and conductivity of composite material simulating
skull tissue.

(a)
(b)
Fig. 2. The frequency behavior of the dielectric constant and conductivity of composite material simulating
brain tissue.

132

P-34
ANALYSIS OF THE AWAKE HUMAN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM AND THE VISUAL
EVOKED STEADY STATE POTENTIAL DURING EXPOSURE TO DIGITAL MOBILE
TELEPHONE. S. Krafczyk*, P. Haberhauer*, N. Mai*, K. Btzel* and J. Brix**. *Department of
Neurology, University of Munich, D - 81377 Munich. **Federal Office for Radiation protection, D - 85764
Oberschleiheim, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Due to the continuing uncertainty about the influence of microwave radiation from mobile
telephones on the human brain, several studies have been performed in the last few years. In these studies
different laboratory set ups and special antennas have been used, and consequently the results reported on
the possible influence of electromagnetic fields on the human brain activity differ widely.
No study has yet examined commercial hand-held telephones working with carrier frequencies in the
Gigahertz range under real conditions to assess possible changes in the electrical brain activity during
exposure to electromagnetic fields. To clarify this possible risk to the brain, we designed experiments to be
carried out with healthy subjects.
METHOD: Electroencephalograms (EEG) were recorded from 39 subjects using 33 electrodes positioned
in a refined 10-20 system. Subjects were divided into three subgroups according to the mobile phone used
(Data from Groups I and II are presented here):
15 subjects, mobile car phone: CCCN 4030A, antenna: ASL-117A, distance to ear: 5cm, 0W, 8 W and D1
mobile phone 7200 MicroTac, normal position at ear level, 0W, 2W.
16 subjects, E Mobile phone Nokia, normal position at ear level, 0W, 1W.
Recordings were made in 5 blocs, each bloc consisting of an EEG in resting condition and different evoked
potentials. The blocs at the beginning (Off1) and the end (Off3) of the experiment were recorded without
exposure to the field. One of the blocs two and four was defined as the sham-exposure bloc (Sham), the
other one as the verum exposure bloc (Verum) in the naive subjects. Paying special attention to the
confidence intervals, we used Descriptive Statistics to compare the EEG activity under all conditions.
ANOVA was used to analyze sham and verum exposures. The power of the alpha EEG was of special
interest when the results of resting EEGs and steady-state half-field visual evoked (SVEP) potentials were
analyzed. The question asked was whether internally (resting EEG) or externally (visual evoked,
checkerboard pattern, f=8 Hz) generated alpha activity can be influenced in the same way during exposure
to electromagnetic fields.
RESULTS: Analysis of the digitized data by descriptive statistics showed no differences between the blocs.
An example is given in Figure 1, where the EEG alpha power at the electrodes during exposure (black
triangles) does not exceed the range of the EEG alpha power in the non-exposure blocs. In other words, the
alpha EEG is not increased during exposure. The ANOVA yielded the same results. The calculated pvalues in the comparison of each bloc are not significant. Examination of single subjects revealed that
during exposure three subjects (1 with handy 1, 2 with handy 2) had an increase in the EEG activity, one
subject a decrease in the EEG activity (handy 2), and one subject had an increase of the EEG activity in the
none-exposure bloc. The steady-state potential also shows the same result. An example is given in Figure
2: there is no increase in the EEG amplitude of the averaged signals. Analysis of the data for single subjects
revealed that during exposure two subjects (handy 2) had an increase in the EEG activity and two subjects a
decrease in the EEG activity.
DISCUSSION: The results show that electrical brain activity (resting EEG and SVEP) is not influenced by
a commercial hand-held digital mobile telephone. Statistical analysis of the groups sham and verum
exposure also revealed no differences. EEG recordings show that the brain activity of healthy subjects is
not changed by the electromagnetic fields.

133

400
V2

Verum
Sham

350

Off1

300

Off2
Off3

250
200
150
100
50
0

FC4

FC3

CP6

CP5

O9

O10

FC6

FC5

FCz

CP1

CP2

POz

CPz

AFz

TP8

TP7

C6

F8

C5

F7

T8

T7

O2

P4

O1

P3

C4

C3

F4

F3

FP2

FP1

-50

Figure 1. Resting-EEG, E-Net, 16 subjects. Grand average of the alpha activity from 32 electrodes. The
alpha activity during exposure (phone at ear position, transmitter power: 1W) remains in the same range as
that of the non-exposure blocs. The electromagnetic field does not influence EEG activity (exposure bloc is
indicated by thick black triangles; the standard deviation is from the sham exposure bloc).
Off1
Off2
Sham
Verum

8.0
V

6.0

O2 Right

4.0
2.0
0.0
-2.0
ms

-4.0
0

100

201

301

402

502

602

703

803

904 1004

Figure 2. Grand average of 16 subjects with half-field visual-evoked potential at the electrode O2 in the
different blocs of the experiment (exposure bloc is indicated by thick black line). The grey range is the
standard deviation of the sham exposure. During exposure the evoked potential remains inside the marked
range, indicating that it is not influenced by the electromagnetic field.
This work was supported by the Bavarian State Ministry for Regional Development and Environmental
Affairs, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 Mnchen, Germany.

134

P-35
IMPROVEMENTS OF SAR DOSIMETRY FOR LABORATORY ANIMALS. S. Watanabel, O.
Kagaya*2, Y. Yamanaka*1, M. Taki*3, and T. Uno *2. 1Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of
Posts and Telecommunications, 4-2-1, Nukuikitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan, 2Tokyo
University of Agriculture and Technology, 3Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: In vivo studies to investigate health effects of the localized exposure during the use of
mobile telecommunication devices are recommended to estimate the accurate dose in laboratory animals.
The SAR distribution in rats or mice are usually estimated experimentally with phantoms and temperature
probes or thermographic cameras since those animals are not large enough to ignore an E-field probe
inserted in the body. The accuracy of the SAR value estimated from the temperature measurements is
deteriorated by heat conduction and transfer which vary the profile of the temperature increase due to MW
absorption. In this presentation, the error factors of the temperature measurements are investigated and
some improvements are proposed. The validity of scaled animal models which have usually been used to
estimate SAR in different-age animals are also investigated.
METHOD and MODELS: Spheroidal phantom models as a rat and a monopole antenna on the metal
ground plane were used to investigate the effect of the heat conduction and transfer. The phantom models
were split into two parts and the temperature distribution in the section of the phantom were measured.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Using different phantom materials with same electrical properties but with
different heat properties, the effects of the heat properties on the SAR distribution were investigated. It was
shown that the heat properties affected the appropriate exposure duration time to minimize the error due to
the heat conduction and to obtain large temperature increase enough to be measured by the thermographic
camera. It was also shown that the deterioration due to the heat transfer was fatal around the surface with
small radius of curvature. A heat insulator was tested to overcome the heat transfer on the surface.
SCALED MODELS: Different-size rats models were developed based on the high-resolution X-CT
pictures of the sections of the different-age rats. The SAR distributions of the different-size rat models and
of rat models made by scaling from an original models were compared.

P-36
SAR CHANGES INSIDE THE HUMAN HEAD DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE HAND
ANATOMICALLY MODELLED. A. Schiavoni2, M. Francavilla1, P. Bertotto2, G. Richiardi2. 1Universit
degli Studi di Ancona, Via Brecce Bianche, 60100 Ancona, ITALIA, 2CSELT Centro Studi e Laboratori
Telecomunicazioni, 10148 Torino, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: - CENELEC Standard imposes limits for SAR, generated by cellular phones, inside the
human head and inside the hand. The objectives of the work are:
The computation of SAR differences in the users head due to the presence of the hand holding the
phone and the quantification of differences in radiation patterns.
The evaluation of SAR inside the anatomical model of the users hand to verify RF exposure limits.
METHOD: The anatomical model of the hand has been obtained, as for the model of the head, by
labelling MR images. The model of the human head consists of 36 recognised tissues while the hand has
been recognised in 11 tissues. The labelled models of the hand and head have been validated by radiologists
and neurologists. The cellular phone, a commercial GSM phone in this case, has been represented in its real
configuration by using a procedure able to generate a CAD model of the external shape of the phone. The
model of the human head of the hand and of the cellular phone have been managed by a developed in house
mesher able to align the hand, the head and the phone as requested by European standard. The mesher
generates data directly for the electromagnetic solver, FDTD in this case; figure 1a shows the hand holding
the phone. The entire space has been discretized in 1 mm space discretization step and the electromagnetic
problem has been solved on a parallel computer.
135

RESULTS: SAR distributions inside the human head have been computed in presence and in absence of
the hand holding the phone. These values have been compared with limits imposed by standards and to
check how SAR inside the human head changes due to the presence of the hand. Since the hand affects the
electromagnetic behaviour the phone, figure 1b gives the comparison on the radiation pattern on a plane
orthogonal to the antenna, showing what is the effect of the hand on far field behaviour. On the graph the
dashed line represents the radiation pattern in presence of the head without the hand. The continuous line
represents the radiation pattern in presence both of the head and the hand.

a)

b)

Figure 1: a) The hand holding the phone in the discretized space; b) the difference in the radiation pattern
due to the presence of the hand.

P-37
EFFECTS OF GSM-900 MICROWAVES EXPOSURE ON THE LIPOPEROXIDATION OF BRAIN
CELLS OF RATS. R. Anane, B. Billaudel*, P.E. Dulou*, I. Lagroye, B. Veyret: Laboratoire PIOM,
ENSCPB, University of Bordeaux, B. P. 108, 33402 Talence, France.
The use of cellular telephones has increased dramatically during the past decade and research is being
performed world-wide to investigate biological effects and health consequences. In this context, we have
investigated the effects of exposure to GSM-900 microwaves on lipoperoxidation in the rat brain. The brain
receives a part of the energy emitted by the mobile phone, and it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids that
represent 30% of brain cell membranes. The brain is thus a main target for the oxidative activity of free
radicals.
In this work, male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-200 g) were divided into 5 groups: control (8), positive control
(8), sham-exposed (8) and exposed (2 groups of 8) to 1 and 4 W/kg local SAR. The head of animals were
exposed in the near field of a loop antenna (Dulou et al., 1998) for 2 h/day for 7 days. Immediately after the
end of exposure, animals were sacrificed and their brain was removed, weighted and frozen until use. The
hippocampus, cerebellum and the rest of brain were mixed and suspended in buffer. Lipid peroxidation was
measured by quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA) which was detected by HPLC. MDA is a
biomarker of oxidative damage, being one of the end-products of lipid peroxidation.
136

The results obtained showed no significant difference of MDA in hippocampus, cerebellum and the rest of
the brain among the groups used in this experiment (control, sham-exposed and exposed animals).
- Dulou PE et al.,. BEMS, 20th Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, FL, P-70 B, June 7-11th, 1998.
This work was supported by France Telecom, The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the
Research Council of Aquitaine.

P-38
NUMERICAL DOSIMETRY OF THE FERRIS-WHEEL MICE EXPOSURE SYSTEM AT 900
MHz AND 1800 MHz. P. Russo*1, A. Faraone*2, and Q. Balzano 2. 1Dipartimento di Elettronica ed
Automatica, Universita di Ancona, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, Italy. 2Motorola Florida Research Labs,
8000 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322, USA.
The objective of this study is the numerical simulation of the Ferris wheel exposure system employed in a
long term study of RF exposure on mice. The Ferris wheel was designed to yield a fairly uniform SAR
distribution inside the mice at 900 MHz, as well as to achieve good RF power efficiency [1]. The exposure
system is a radial waveguide shorted at the end, so a radial cavity is obtained. The animals are placed
around the perimeter of the cylinder. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) numerical simulations were
employed to obtain the dosimetry. In order to exploit the periodicity of the structure and to derive precise
results, we developed a FDTD code based on a cylindrical grid. The singularity of the Maxwell equations in
the cylindrical FDTD scheme was appropriately removed, and other expedients were used to reduce time
and memory requirements, which otherwise would have been huge due to the non-uniform cell size. Only
the elemental angular sector (9-degrees wide in the case of a forty-mouse exposure system) is modeled once
the periodicity of the structure is enforced by means of appropriate conditions on the fields at the sector
boundaries. The openings in the radial cavity were modeled as well in order to estimate the RF leakage. An
Uniform Perfect Matching Layer placed at the boundaries of the FDTD grid simulates the unboundedness of
the external medium.
The code was employed to analyze the Ferris wheel at 900 MHz, which is the design frequency for the first
generation of exposure systems, as well as at 1800 MHz in order to gather useful information in case the
Ferris wheel is employed at this other frequency in future studies. The code was validated experimentally
at 900 MHz using a miniaturized E-field probe inside the cavity loaded with dummies (forty 30 cc bottles
filled with tissue-simulating liquid: = 1.1 S/m, r = 50) simulating 30-g mice. The I-beam electric filed
probe was previously calibrated in a TEM cell. The input impedance, as well as the power incident and
reflected at the cavity feed-point, and the electric field distribution, compared well with the simulation. The
figure shows a comparison between simulated and measured electric field inside the exposure system. The
simulated distribution of the field inside the dummy is shown as well.

(a)

(b)

Fig.1 Comparison between simulation and measurements: (a) E-field behavior vs. distance from cavity
center, and (b) distribution of the electric field inside the simulating tissue.
137

[1] A Faraone, et al., A System for Whole Body Exposure of Mice To 900 MHz EM Fields, 21st BEMS
Annual Meeting, pp. 62-63, Long Beach, CA, June 20-24, 1999.

P-39
EXPERIMENTAL DOSIMETRY OF THE FERRIS-WHEEL MICE EXPOSURE SYSTEM AT 900
MHz. A. Faraone*, M. Ballen*, M. Kanda*, J.J. Morrissey*, R. Cicchetti*, M.L. Swicord, C.K. Chou, Q.
Balzano. Motorola Florida Research Labs, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. University of Rome La
Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
The Ferris wheel exposure system for mice [1] was designed for use in a study that is presently being
conducted at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide, South Australia. This study is a
replication or conformation of a previous study exposing transgenic animals to simulated GSM signals [2].
The Ferris wheel is a center-fed radial cavity loaded with forty mice placed equidistant from the feeder.
One advantage of this exposure system is that the closed electromagnetic structure provides a
straightforward means of determining the total power absorbed by the animals and thus easily calculating
the whole-body average SAR of the mice. However, additional dosimetric measurements are required to
determine the SAR distribution in the animals. Several experimental techniques were employed to (1)
confirm the whole body SAR determined by absorbed power measurements, (2) determine the SAR
distribution across particular cut-planes of the animal as well as localized SAR values, and (3) determine the
whole-body SAR variation with mouse size. Thermometry and thermography were used to determine local
and distributed SAR patterns. Whole body SAR values were confirmed by means of a twin well calorimeter
enclosed in a thermally stabilized container. The experimental set-up shown in the figure refers to
thermometric measurements of the average whole-body SAR in the dummies. The results show that the
Ferris-wheel exposure system allows fairly uniform and repeatable whole-body exposures at 900 MHz.
Reference.
[1] A Faraone, et al., A system for whole body exposure of mice to 900 MHz EM fields, Proc. 21st BEMS
Annual Meeting, pp. 62-63, Long Beach, CA, June 20-24, 1999.
[2] MH Repacholi, et al., Lymphomas in E-Pim1 transgenic mice exposed to pulsed 900 MHz
electromagnetic fields, Radiat. Res., 147:631-640, 1997.

Experimental set-up and results of thermometric measurement of the average SAR in dummies. The
temperature increase over a two-minute exposure to RF is measured with a BSD thermistor.
138

P-40
SAR CALCULATION WITHIN THE INNER EAR CLOSE TO A HAND SET. J. Wiart1, R. de Seze2,
S. Chaillou1, C. Dale1, H. Rifai3, I. Bloch***, L. Garnero4 and T. Rivera1. 1Centre National dEtude des
Tlcommunications, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux, France, 2CHU Nmes, 30907 Nimes, France, 3ENST,
Paris, France, 4LENA, Paris, France.
OBJECTIVE: Recent years have seen an increase on the interaction between the human head and handheld telephones. Many biological studies have been carried out on different possible effects. One of the
question is the interaction of the GSM emissions with the inner ear which is close to the antenna and
corresponds to important center of balance and hearing. The dosimetry is an essential step in biological
analysis so, the purpose of the paper concerns the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) calculation into the inner
ear. The main difficulties lie in the necessity to use a high resolution model of the inner ear which is very
complex to identify on a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) and to extract the dielectric properties of the
inner ear constituents. Those points involve to use a method able to take into account the near field
interaction, the inhomogeneity of the head and to mesh finely the inner ear area , keeping time and memory
requirements realistic.
METHOD: One of the most suitable method is the Non Uniform Finite Difference Time Domain
(NUFDTD) based on the so called FDTD. With this method the cell size can vary with the position, so that
in some regions one can choose a coarse grid and refine it in other sensitive areas. To achieve the numerical
simulation, a head model based on MRI data is used and a simplified model of mobile phone (a /4
monopole on top of a metal box with a plastic layer on the front part to simulate the key pad). Concerning
the inner ear model, the method consists of two steps. In a first step, a numerical model is constructed from
a single high resolution MRI (voxel size of 0.4mm x 0.4mm x 0.5mm), based on a priori knowledge about
the topology of the inner ear and its components. Then in a second step, in MRI data of usual resolution
(voxel size of 1mm x 1mm x 3mm), the inner ear is obtained by deforming the numerical model under
topological constraints towards the few parts of the ear that can be observed in the MRI data. We then
needed to obtain the dielectric properties of the inner ear liquids : endolymph and perilymph. Ion
concentrations of these liquids, measured by flame spectroscopy, were obtained from the literature. Similar
media have been reconstituted in order to characterize their dielectric properties. A study of the influence of
ion proportions on these properties has been performed. Numerical simulations were performed to calculate
the SAR values inside the inner ear.
RESULTS: Using the 1mm maximum resolution case, which is frequently encountered in the literature, the
calculated SAR value inside the inner ear for a GSM signal (mean power = 250mW) is 0.41 W/Kg, in
reference to the maximum SAR on a 10g cube of tissues which is 1.1 W/Kg. By optimizing the
computational volume, a resolution of 0.2mm has been obtained around the inner ear. In this case, the
maximum SAR is 0.37 W/Kg into the inner ear for a maximum SAR of 1.6 W/Kg on a 10g cube of tissues.
This value is similar to the one obtained previously. High resolution doesnt change significantly the result
of the local SAR calculation due to a smooth slope of the SAR decrease into the inner ear as it is far from
the antenna and because the exposed area is small. We also discuss the influence of the inner ear presence
on the local E field distribution in the area.
CONCLUSION: Many efforts have been performed to adapt the numerical method, to develop a specific
model and to determinate dielectric properties of this very small part of the human head. In conclusion, the
SAR inside the inner ear could be found easily from usual numerical simulation of the head without high
resolution requirement. This analysis of the dosimetry inside the inner ear (could) support(s) biological
studies.

139

P-41
DEVELOPMENT OF A DOSIMETER PHONE FOR DOSE VALIDATION IN SUPPORT OF
ONGOING EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES. J.J. Morrissey, M.L. Swicord, A. Faraone, M. Schellinger,
A. Dietrich, A. Gessner, and Q. Balzano. Motorola Florida Research Labs, 8000 West Sunrise Blvd., Ft.
Lauderdale, FL 33322, USA.
An estimated 250 million people in the world use wireless telephones, and this figure is expected to grow at
a rapid rate well into the next decade. Current devices operate at frequencies between 800 MHz and 2.2
GHz and can incorporate analogue or a variety of different pulse modulated radiofrequency (RF) signals.
As the popularity of wireless communication has increased, however, so has an element of public concern
over potential health effects of long-term exposure to the RF emissions from these devices. To address
these concerns, government agencies and industry have sponsored over 250 health related studies that
investigate the effects of RF exposure on biological systems [1]. In an effort to help coordinate this research
effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reviewed the relevant ongoing and recently completed
studies and compiled an agenda of additional studies that remain to be performed in order to assemble a
more comprehensive database for human health risk analysis [2]. A top priority in this research agenda is
the need for well designed and conducted epidemiologic studies to investigate the correlation between RF
exposure from wireless phones and cancers of the head, neck, and blood. A large case control study
recently funded by the European Commissions 5th Framework Program and coordinated by the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) involving data collection from centers in 8 different
EU countries as well as Israel directly addresses this agenda item. Centers in New Zealand, Australia,
Canada, and the US may also participate in this study, although this remains to be determined. In addition,
ongoing epidemiologic studies by Linet et al., Morgan et al., and Johanson et al., as well as recently
completed studies by Rothman [3], Muscat et al. [4], and Hardell et al. [5], also address this issue. Reliable
interpretation of these study findings, however, is only possible if individual exposure histories are well
quantified. In all of the above studies, exposure histories are defined through job title, billing records, or
questionnaire, and each of these methods has the potential to introduce large errors. In an effort to 1)
quantify the variation of peak and average exposure between individuals using a wireless phone, 2)
determine more precisely the location of peak exposures in the head during normal phone use, and 3)
determine the error associated with current exposure assessment methods, a limited quantity of custom
dosimeter phones have been engineered and constructed. In addition to operating normally on standard
cellular communication systems, these phones record data every 10 seconds on antenna head distance,
antenna position (extended or retracted), net power output, and time on the call. Separate dose validation
studies will be performed using these dosimeter phones, and the logged distance, power, and time data will
be retrieved from the phone after use and used to calculate SAR using numerical modeling (FDTD)
methods. The results of these dose validation studies will provide more detailed information on RF
exposure and aid in the interpretation of ongoing and recently completed epidemiologic study findings.
http://www-nt.who.int/peh-emf/database.htm
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/research_agenda/agenda_priorities.htm
Rothman et al., 1996, Overall Mortality of Cellular Telephone Customers Epidemiology 7(3):303-305.
Muscat et al., 1999 Cellular Telephones and the Risk of Brain Cancer WTR Sponsored 2nd State of the
Science Colloquium (Long Beach, CA).
Hardell et al., 1999, Case Control Study of Malignant Brain Tumors with Reference to Work in the
Electronics Industry and Exposure to Microwaves from Mobile Phones International J Oncology 15:113116.

140

P-42
NUMERICAL REALISATION OF REALISTIC ARTICULATED HAND MODEL FOR MOBILE
TELEPHONE DOSIMETRY STUDIES. J.A. Vaul* and P.S. Excell. Telecommunications Research
Centre, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK.
The verisimilitude of numerical simulations of mobile telephone dosimetry scenarios has advanced
substantially in recent years, exploiting (e.g.) mm-resolution classified images of the head and hybrid
techniques to represent the fine structure of antennas. The hand grasping the telephone has, however, been
ignored or represented with a simple block model. The hand interacts intimately with the fields that are
inherently generated on the body of the telephone, modifying the total field structure and absorbing a
significant amount of power in its own tissues. While simple block models are satisfactory for larger types
of telephones, some very small handsets are now becoming available and the size of these is such that they
are likely to be held in the fingertips, thus giving an electromagnetic situation that is very different from the
wrapped-around block configuration. A more realistic model of the human hand was thus developed, with
particular emphasis on flexibility of the individual digits, so as to allow a realistic mimicking of the manner
in which the hand grasps a small handset while in normal use. In order to provide a simple manner by
which the hand could be positioned, it was divided into its major parts: the palm and the five digits, the
digits further divided into three segments each.
The position of the hand was defined by specification of appropriate angles of rotation for each of the
segments, 23 angles being used to specify the final configuration. In use, it is initially oriented with the
fingers directed along the positive x-direction, and the palm facing in the positive z-direction. Each digit
can be rotated in the plane of the palm and each segment of each finger is positioned by specification of the
appropriate angle. Finally, the whole hand can be arbitrarily re-oriented with respect to the original
orientation. The fingers, thumb and palm were configured to consist of a bone core, surrounded by a layer
of skin, but incorporation of a classified MRI image is in development. The hand has given good results in
FDTD simulations of complete systems.

Left and center: Angles used to define the configuration of the hand model. Right: hand model, applied in
a realistic scenario.
Work supported by European Union Standards, Measurement and Testing Programme, CEPHOS Project.

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P-43
EVALUATION BY AN HYBRID TECHNIQUE OF SAR DISTRIBUTION INSIDE BIOLOGICAL
TISSUES RADIATED BY A HELICAL ANTENNA. G. Cerri1, S. Chiarandini1 and P. Russo1,
1
Dipartimento di Elettronica ed Automatica, Universita di Ancona, via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, Italy.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the SAR distribution inside a human head, due to the radiation of a
cellular phone. We analyse the radiation of an helical antenna that is the more commonly used structure in
such apparatus. The complexity of the problem involving a strongly inhomogeneous object radiated by a
geometrically complex structure, is solved using a hybrid technique based on the Method of Moment in time
domain (MoMTD) and the FDTD. The proposed hybrid approach is based on the idea of using the
equivalence principle to study separately the antenna and the scattering body, adopting for each of them the
most appropriate numerical technique. The MoMTD allows a very accurate analysis of small helical
antennas, that would not be efficiently obtained by a pure FDTD, so that it is used for the calculation of
antenna radiation. However, it is not suitable for the analysis of complex inhomogeneous object, that can be
more easily and accurately described by the FDTD technique, that is used to determine the electromagnetic
quantities inside the body. The proper use of the degree of freedom of the equivalence principle allows to
interface the two methods leading to the solution of the original complex problem. This hybrid method is
useful for the analysis and design of curvilinear antennas of complex shape for cellular phones, allowing the
accurate prediction of the SAR distribution inside biological bodies. In the present contribution we show
the results obtained evaluating the SAR distribution inside a dielectric cube, placed in the near field of a
normal mode helical antenna of dimensions typical of the commonly used radiating structures in cellular
phones, at the operating frequency of 1710 MHz (fig.1a), compared with those obtained when the cube is
placed in the near field of a straight dipole, in the same conditions (fig.1.b). We can observe that, as
expected, the SAR distribution of the helix is concentrated in a smaller region than the straight dipole one,
because the helix structure is geometrically more compact, concentrating the field source in a smaller
volume with respect to the dipole. There are also a different field penetration, which is confined in a more
superficial layer for the helix structure, and different maximum values of SAR (normalised at 1 Watt of
power): 13.38 W/Kg for the dipole and 6.58 W/Kg for the helix. These differences may be due to the
different near field distributions and polarisation. The dipole radiation can be considered as the
superposition of fields radiated by elementary vertical dipoles and have linear polarisation. On the other
hand the helix radiation can be considered mainly as superposition of elementary horizontal loops because
of the small pitch angle used, and have elliptic polarisation (Axial Ratio AR=1.77).

a)

b)

Fig.1 SAR distributions inside a dielectric cube of side lcube =14.5 cm with cube = 1.1S/m, rcube = 56.8 and
density cube=1050 Kg/m3, enclosed in a cubic shell of thickness tshell = 5 mm with shell = 0.0 S/m, rshell =
3.0 and density shell=1.0 Kg/m3. a) 4+4 turns helical antenna in the normal mode of radiation, with a 1 Volt
142

feeding voltage and helical diameter D=5 mm, pitch angle =4.55, helical step S=1.25mm, wire radius a =
0.098 mm, at distance d=1.75 cm from the cube. b) Straight dipole of length L=8.77 cm and wire radius
a=0.625 mm, with a 1 Volt feeding voltage, at distance d=1.75 cm from the cube.

P-44
COMOBIO: FRENCH RESEARCH PROGRAM ON BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND
CERTIFICATION OF MOBILE PHONES. B. Veyret1 and J. Wiart*2. 1Laboratoire PIOM, ENSCPB,
University of Bordeaux, France, 2CNET, France Telecom, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.
The COMOBIO Project is part of a larger French program called RNRT (National Network for Research on
Telecommunications) funded by the Ministries of Industry and Research at a level of 2 Meuros over 2 years.
It is aimed at providing scientific rationale for the standardization of SAR measurements of mobile phones
as well as contributing to filling the gaps identified by the research agenda developed by the EMF Project of
WHO. This program is complementary to the other national or international research activities such as
those developed within the 5th European Framework Program. COMOBIO is composed of eight subprojects, presented hereafter with the project leaders references.
DOSIMETRY:
Methods for the certification of mobile phones (C. Grangeat, christophe.grangeat@alcatel.fr);
Dosimetry of exposure systems (J Wiart, joe.wiart@cnet.francetelecom.fr) .
HUMAN STUDIES: Evoked auditory potentials, including on epileptic patients, and dosimetry of the inner
ear (J-L Coatrieux, G Faucon, gerard.faucon@univ-rennes1.fr) .
ANIMAL STUDIES (not related to cancer):
Cerebral metabolism and associated behavior in the rat (B Bontempi, b.bontempi@neurocog.u-bordeaux.fr);
Spatial memory in the rat (T Jay, JM Edeline, Jean-Marc.Edeline@ibaic.u-psud.fr);
Blood-brain-barrier and headache in the rat (P Aubineau, Pierre.Aubineau@esa5017.u-bordeaux2.fr);
Auditory system in the guinea pig (J-M Aran, Jean-Marie.Aran@bordeaux.inserm.fr);
Neurotransmitters and receptors in the rat (R de Seze, rene.deseze@chu-nimes.fr).
The dosimetry projects are already in progress while biological investigations started at the beginning of
year 2000.
Fifteen research groups are involved in this comprehensive program, as well as major French mobile phone
manufacturers and carriers.
The two coordinators of the program are the authors of the abstract.

P-45
UNCERTAINTY EVALUATION FOR SAR MEASUREMENTS OF HAND-HELD MOBILE
PHONES. L.N. Ahlonsou*l, C. Dale*2, D. Picard*3, J. Wiart*2 and C. Grangeat1. 1Alcatel Corporate
Research Center, Route de Nozay, 91461 Marcoussis, France. 2France Telecom - CNET/DMR/IIM, 38-40
rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy Les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. 3Service Electromagnetisme,
Departement de Recherche en Electromagnetisme, SUPELEC-CNRS, Plateau de Moulon, 91192 Gif sur
Yvette Cedex, France.
Draft standards for SAR measurement of mobile phones are currently being finalized by international
working groups such as CENELEC TC211 or IEEE SCC34 SC2. The method of evaluation of the
expanded uncertainty has to be consolidated in order to provide a high level of confidence in the results.
This can be achieved by harmonization of the table of the relevant contributions to the expanded uncertainty
as well as the protocol for the evaluation of each contribution.

143

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the method that has been developed for the inter comparison of test
benches in the COMOBIO program. Clear and reproducible protocols have been defined for evaluating
each contribution to the expanded uncertainty. They are based on measurements as well as simulations.
METHOD: The general process for uncertainty evaluation is based on the general rules provided by the
IEC [1] and follows the approach recommended by the CIPM in 1981. The expanded uncertainty is
obtained by multiplying the combined standard uncertainty uc(SAR) by a coverage factor representing the
level of confidence of the tests. The combined standard uncertainty is the positive root of the sum of the
squares of each standard uncertainties multiplied by its sensitivity coefficient. SAR evaluation for handheld mobile phones is performed in two steps: electric field scanning within a phantom followed by postprocessing for interpolation, extrapolation, SAR averaging and maximum SAR finding. Uncertainty
assessment has been divided into four parts. The first part deals with the electric field measurement system.
This includes the characteristics of the probe, absolute calibration and data acquisition. The second part
concerns the mechanical constraints such as the accuracy of the robot, the accuracy of the surface of the
phantom and probe positioning with regard to the phantom surface. The third part includes the liquidequivalent tissue dielectric parameters, ambient conditions, batteries conditions and RF disturbances. The
fourth part is devoted to the error sources related to post processing: extrapolation and interpolation
algorithms, finding of SAR maximum averaged over 1 g or 10 g.
RESULTS: If the methods used to estimate the uncertainty associated with the linearity or the sensitivity of
the probe are well known, a new methodology to estimate the uncertainty linked to the post processing of
the data is proposed. The interpolated and extrapolated data have been compared to a set of reference SAR
distributions obtained by numerical simulation and the corresponding SAR estimation over 10 grams.
CONCLUSIONS: This method allows accurate estimation of the overall uncertainty of a SAR
measurement setup. It was the basis for contribution to the up-date of international standards for the
evaluation of SAR of mobile phones, such as CENELEC or IEEE.
[1] Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement', IEC, Ed. 1, 1995.
This research was sponsored by the French government in the COMOBIO project (RNRT program).

P-46
DOES EXPOSURE TO MOBILE PHONE RADIATION CAUSE AN INCREASE IN CANCER
RATES IN MICE? T.D. Utteridge*, T.R. Kuchel*, B. Vernon-Roberts*,** and J. Finnie* *Institute of
Medical and Veterinary Science, 101 Blacks Rd, Gilles Plains, 5086 South Australia. **Department of
Pathology, University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide 5000, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: The effects of mobile phone exposure on the incidence of lymphoma in E-pim 1 mice is
being investigated by a team at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science and the University of
Adelaide as part of the National Health and Medical Research Council Electromagnetic Energy (EME)
Research Programme. This study improves on the pilot study by Repacholi et al. [1] by (1) examining
effects at 4 different levels of exposure other than the controls (instead of one) and by (2) improving
dosimetric aspects by using a fixed orientation to the field and exposing the mice individually in tubes
instead of in groups of up to 5 in cages.
METHOD: The mice in this study have the same genetic background as those in the pilot study and are
from the same supplier (Taconic Farms). Both E-pim 1 heterozygotes and wildtypes will be exposed, with
120 mice of each type exposed at each exposure level (giving a total of 1540 mice including controls and
sentinels). The mice were randomised into cages on their arrival from the USA and allowed two weeks to
become accustomed to their new surroundings and the loading procedure before exposures began. Fifteen
exposure systems have been installed, each containing 40 individual positions for mice. All staff in the
project are blinded as to the exposure level in each exposure system apart from the NH&MRC Clinical
Trials Centre statistician, government authorities undertaking independent monitoring and the
installation/commissioning team. The mice are exposed to pulsed 898.4 MHz for one hour a day, 5 days a
144

week for 104 weeks. Mice are positioned in the exposure tubes using a two-stage randomisation procedure
developed by the NH&MRC statistician, although commissioning measurements by independent
government authorities have shown that there is very little variation in the field within each exposure
system. Each exposure system has a forced air supply (with pressure monitoring); noise reduction measures
have been incorporated to eliminate noise from the fans. Measurements performed on-site by independent
government authorities using a Luxtron have confirmed that there is no rise in core temperature of the mice
during exposures at the highest exposure level. Each mouse is examined twice daily and weighed weekly to
monitor health status. The temperature, humidity, light/day cycle and forced air supply pressure are logged
to a computerised environmental monitoring system, which has an autodialler for after hours alarms.
Exposures are logged to a computerised data acquisition system for verification of the duration of each
exposure. All mice in the project will be autopsied (on-site) and copies of the histopathology slides sent
simultaneously to three IMVS pathologists. A proportion (determined by the NH&MRC statistician) of the
slides will also undergo external pathology audit overseas. A NH&MRC Overview Committee audits the
project every six months. The project completion date is anticipated to be November 2001, which allows
for 6 months of histopathology and data analysis following completion of the exposures.
Reference:.
[1] Repacholi, M.H., Basten, A., Gebski, V., Noonan, D., Finnie, J. and Harris, A. W. Lymphomas in Epim 1 transgenic mice exposed to pulsed 900 MHz electromagnetic fields. Radiation Research 147, 631640, 1997.

P-47
DESIGN OF PIFA ON PCS TRANSCEIVER HANDSET WITH LOW SAR IN HUMAN HAED.
H.K. Kim1*, N. Kim1, J.D. Park1, J.S. Kim2, and J.H. Yun2, 1School of Electrical and Electronics Eng.,
Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea, 2ETRI, Taejon 305-350, Korea.
OBJECTIVE: The increasing use of transceiver handsets has caused public concern about possible
radiation hazard. Since a monopole antenna has high interaction with human head, a planar antenna is
proposed to replace the monopole antenna. In this research, small sized PIFA on PCS transceiver handset is
designed. The antenna characteristics in variety of design parameters of PIFA are analyzed. In addition, 1g
and 10g average SARs according to antenna location are calculated.
METHODS: The side mounted PIFA operating at frequency 1.8GHz is proposed. To compare with the
side mounted PIFA in bandwidth and SAR, top mounted PIFA and monopole antenna are designed. The
dimension of a side mounted PIFA is fixed to 21mm(w)*27mm(l)*12mm(h). Variable parameters are a
feed position, a width of shorting strip, and a reduced size from top plate end. All antennas are simulated
with mounted to conductor box coated with dielectric material. FDTD method is used for this simulation.
The output power of transceiver handset is set to 240[mW] and handset is attached to right ear of human
head.
RESULTS: The 10dB bandwidth of side mounted PIFA is 8.2% at 1.8GHz. It is nearly the same as that of
top mounted PIFA, 9.3%. 1g and 10g SARs of side mounted PIFA are 0.686[W/kg] and 0.353[W/kg],
respectively. But those of top mounted PIFA are 1.668[W/kg] and 1.069[W/kg], which are very high as
comparison with the side mounted PIFA. In the case of monopole antenna, 1g and 10g SARs are
1.759[W/kg] and 0.978[W/kg], respectively.
DISCUSSION: Therefore, they can be applied in PCS transceiver handset. But 1g and 10g average SARs
of top mounted PIFA are three times of side mounted PIFA. Since an antenna location has a significant
effect to SAR value, top mounted PIFA seems to be unfit in transceiver handset.

145

Fig. 1. Transceiver handset configurations with side mounted PIFA(left) and top mounted PIFA(right).

Fig 2. Distribution of SAR caused by side mounted PIFA

Fig 3. Distribution of SAR caused by top mounted PIFA

146

P-48
SIMULATION OF HUMAN INTERACTION WITH MOBILE TELEPHONES USING HYBRID
FDTD-MoM METHOD. M.A. Mangoud*, R.A. Abd-Alhameed* and P.S. Excell. Telecommunications
Research Centre, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, U.K.
Treating electrically large and/or penetrable structures with the Method of Moments requires extensive
computational resources, although the method simulates wires and other conducting structures with good
accuracy. On the other hand, accurate models of wire and curved structures are difficult to implement in the
FDTD method, although it is excellent for penetrable dielectrics. A hybrid method was thus developed that
allows accurate simulation of situations involving such structure combinations, e.g. a mobile telephone with
a helical antenna, coupling to the human head. The problem was divided into separate regions, each of
which may be modelled by the most suitable method (including frequency-domain MoM). The coupling
between regions is accounted for by employing the Equivalence Principle on the bounding surfaces, with
discrete Fourier transforms to convert between domains. A frequency-domain version of MoM using
Galerkins solution with polynomial basis functions was used. The number of iterations required for the
solution to converge was investigated. The induced currents for the source region are obtained, excluding
the effect of the scatterer, using MoM. The fields due to these currents are obtained on the closed surface
(Huygens surface) that separates the source from the scatterer. Oscillating with respect to a reference phase
of the source, these fields or their equivalent surface currents are converted to time-domain excitation
incident fields or current sources. The FDTD algorithm is now executed with these time-domain sources to
obtain the induced currents on the scatterer. The back-scattered fields on the source side of the Huygens
surface are considered to be the excitation sources for the source region. These fields or their equivalent
current sources are transferred to the frequency domain. The MoM is then used in reverse to evaluate the
induced currents on the source region due to both the source excitation region and the induced equivalent
current sources from the FDTD method. The method is repeated until a steady state solution is obtained. A
helical antenna mounted on the top corner of a metal handset box in the presence of a realistic tissueclassified head image (taken from an MRI image of a real human head) was investigated. Fig 1 shows the
geometry of the MoM-modelled handset: point E corresponds to the projection of the ear canal on to the
metal box. The helical antenna, having 5.2 turns, is modelled by using curved segments and it was driven at
1710 MHz. The wire radius was 0.4 mm and radius of the helix and pitch distance were 2 mm and 2.5 mm
respectively: these are typical dimensions, but they cannot be represented in standard FDTD. The
dimensions of the box were 1205520 mm and it was located 5 mm from the head. The distribution of the
SAR in a slice 2.5cm into the head for the case where the handset is rotated to a natural usage position by
30o is shown in Fig 2. Regions of maximum intensity are observed both adjacent to the antenna and the
bottom of the handset case.

147

Fig 1

Fig 2

CELLS AND TISSUES

P-49
THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL 2D FEM MODEL OF CELL SUSPENDED IN A CONDUCTIVE
MEDIUM. M. Lindgren*, S. Galt ** and T. Ohlsson*. ** SIK The Swedish Institute for Food and
Biotechnology, SE-402 29 Gteborg, Sweden. **Department of Electromagnetics, Chalmers University of
Technology, SE-412 96 Gteborg, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: We have studied electrical and thermal properties in a model of a cell suspended in a
conductive medium in a pulsed electric field (PEF) application.
METHOD: We have simulated the electric field distortion in, and around, a 2D FEM cell model. We have
also simulated the electric field distribution in different treatment chamber design models. We have used a
commercial, finite element method computer program (FEMLAB) to solve the coupled thermal and
electrical multi-physics problem using Laplaces electric potential problem coupled to the heat equation.
The coupling in these models consists of the temperature dependent conductivity and the resistive electrical
heat production. The conductivity for electrolytes can be approximated by (T) = 0[1+k(T-T0)], where
the rate of temperature increase (k) is on the order of a few percent per degree centigrade. This will result in
small changes of the electric field distribution. The temperature increase in the electrolyte is modeled with
Q = E2, where Q is the rate of heat production per unit volume which, in turn, gives the temperature rise
as T = Q/(cv) dt.
DISCUSSION: Applying pulsed electric field (PEF) technology to the pasteurization of foodstuff poses a
new challenge to food and electrical engineers. One basic design parameter is the electric field distribution
in the treatment chamber. The design of both static and flow-through treatment chambers must achieve the
pasteurization requirement, yet minimize the probability of dielectric breakdown of the foods. Also, the
temperature increase and energy input must be considered in the design. In a static treatment chamber,
electric field uniformity is an obvious design criterion. However, in flow-through chambers, laminar flow
profiles affect the mean treatment time, and a uniform field may in this case not be optimal. In this work,
we have therefore concentrated our efforts on static treatment chambers.
RESULTS: In order to predict the resulting cell survival percentage, theoretical electroporation models will
be applied for cell membrane rupture as a function of transmembrane potential. Experimental results of cell
148

survival as a function of applied voltage and treatment time will be presented and compared to the results of
our model simulations for one specific configuration.

P-50
EARLY RESPONSE GENES EXPRESSION IN HUMAN GLIOBLASTOMA CELLS EXPOSED
TO 60 Hz ELLIPTICALLY POLARIZED MAGNETIC FIELDS. M. Sekijima1*, K. Yasunaga1*, K.
Ikeda2* and H. Yomori2*. 1Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute LTD., Ibaraki 314-0255, Japan and
2
Technical Research Center, The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. Hyogo 661-0974, Japan.
INTRODUCTION: Some epidemiological data suggest a possible relationship between exposure to power
frequency magnetic fields and brain tumors. The possible health hazard due to exposure to extremely low
frequency-magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) is an issue of considerable public concern. In many reports on the
gene expression tested by ELF-MFs, no clear positive results on the expression induction have been
presented. Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that exposure of human glioblastoma
(T98G) cells to ELF-MFs (60 Hz, 500 TRMS) of various waveforms such as linearly (vertical and
horizontal), circularly and elliptically polarized MFs has no effect on basal expression of c-fos, c-jun, or cmyc [1].
OBJECTIVES: The profiling of expressed levels in immediately early response gene such as c-fos, c-jun
and c-myc by exposure at less than 500 TRMS (60 Hz) of elliptically polarized MFs (EPS-MFs, Vertical :
Horizontal = 4:1), which generally exist under overhead power line, was analyzed in both the transcriptional
and the translational levels using T98G cells.
METHOD: In this study, we used the EES-002 exposure system manufactured by Electric Research and
Management [2]. The experiments take advantage of the fact that some growth factors, including serum,
can induce gene expression in pseudo-synchronized cells at G1 phase. A number of sub confluent cells (1 x
106 cells per 100 mm diameter culture dish) were seeded and then cells were pseudo-synchronized at G1
phase by serum free medium for 24 hr at 37C in a mu-metal chamber. Experiments were conducted with a
magnetic fields applied to one of the two chambers (exposed / sham). Four separate experiments (n=4) were
performed for each time point, under two independent exposure conditions (one chamber energized, the
other not energized). The phorbol ester tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), was
used for positive response. The expression levels were determined by Northern- and Western-blotting
analyses.
SUMMARY: Pseudo-synchronized T98G cells were exposed to EPS-MFs, sham-exposed, or treated with
TPA (30 ng/ml) in the EES-002 exposure system for 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes with 10 % serum.
Then total RNA or proteins were extracted from the cell lysate after each treatment. Northern-blotting with
c-fos, c-jun, c-myc, -actin and GAPDH DNA probe was performed and the relative amount of each gene
were normalized against those of the 28S rRNA content at the same time point. Western-blotting with antip62c-fos, anti-p39c-jun, anti-p67c-myc and anti-actin monoclonal IgG was performed. In sham conditions, the
maximum levels of analyzed genes were observed in both the transcriptional and the translational levels at
30 minutes for c-fos and c-jun and 60 to 180 min for c-myc after serum stimulation. Exposing T98G cells to
a 500 TRMS, 60-Hz EPS-MFs for up to 3 hr produced no statistical difference (p>0.05) in the rate of
expressed gene in both the transcriptional and the translational levels. Expression levels of house keeping
genes were also unaffected by 60-Hz EPS-MFs exposure. For the positive control, on the other hand, the cfos, the c-jun and the c-myc expression in transcriptional and / or translational levels increased transiently by
the treatment of T98G cells with TPA, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The exposures to 500 TRMS, 60-Hz EPS-MFs did not affect on the expression of G1
dependent genes such as c-fos, c-jun and c-myc for up to 3 hr in either the transcriptional or the translational
level. We previously reported that exposing T98G cells to a lower flux density (100, 20 and 1 TRMS), 60Hz EPS-MFs produced no significant change (p>0.05) in the rate of expressed gene in either the
transcriptional or the translational level [2]. These results suggest that EPS-MFs in the general range of
149

power line is unlikely to influence brain tumor induction through a mechanism involving altered expression
of the immediately early response genes.
[1] Takashima et al., 1999. 21st BEMS meeting, Long Beach CA, USA, P-17.
[2] Yomori et al., 1999. 21st BEMS meeting, Long Beach CA, USA, P-16.
Our thanks are due to Dr. Hiraku Takebe (Kinki University), Dr. Junji Miyakoshi (Kyoto University), Dr.
Taisei Nomura (Osaka University) and Mr. Takao Sasano (Central Research Institute of Electric Power
Industry) for their suggestion in conducting the experiments.

P-51
CALCIUM MEASUREMENTS IN HAMSTER PINEALOCYTES AND HUMAN
RETINOBLASTOMA CELLS DURING EXPOSURE TO RF FIELDS. F. Gollnick*1, A. Lerchl1,2, H.
Brendel*2, V. Hansen3, J. Streckert*3, A. Bitz*3, and R. Meyer1. 1Institute of Physiology, University of
Bonn, Wilhelmstr. 31, D-53111 Bonn, Germany. 2Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of
Munster, D-48129, Munster, Germany. 3Chair of Electromagnetic Theory, University of Wuppertal, D42097 Wuppertal, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: According to literature, the nightly rise of the melatonin concentration in blood plasma can
be influenced by weak ELF fields (Lscher et al., Oncology 51, 288-295, 1994; Mevissen et al., J. Toxicol.
Environ. Health 48, 169-185, 1996). The melatonin metabolism in the pineal gland, which is the main
source of this hormone, is under consideration to be influenced also by RF fields. Daylight synchronizes the
melatonin production in a day/night rhythm. So, the photo receptors in the eye influence the melatonin
secreting pinealocytes via the visual pathway. EMF may affect the melatonin production by exerting
influence on elements of this pathway or directly on the pineal cells. As it is still unknown where in this
system EMF can develop any effect, we have chosen pinealocytes and cells deriving from the retina to
search for influences on their metabolism. Cells of the retinoblastoma cell line Y79 are also able to produce
melatonin. Calcium ions are decisively involved in the biochemical pathway of melatonin production.
Hence, the intracellular calcium ion concentration, [Ca2+]i, was measured during current RF exposure to
detect short-term field effects on the melatonin metabolism.
METHODS: Pineal glands were removed from Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), and
pinealocytes were isolated by mechanical and enzymatic treatment. Cells were kept in primary culture on
untreated round cover slips. The pinealocytes were useable for measurement after 3 to 14 days in culture.
Human Y79 retinoblastoma cells were kept in suspension culture and plated on poly-D-lysine- and
fibronectin-treated round cover slips for differentiation in a modified procedure according to Kyritsis et al.
(Nature 307, 471-473, 1984). Y79 cells were measured before and after differentiation. The [Ca2+]i was
analyzed by use of the digital fura-2 calcium imaging technique. The cells on the cover slips were
transferred into an experimental chamber which was placed centrally on the bottom of a rectangular
waveguide used as the exposure system. The [Ca2+]i in up to 20 pinealocytes or up to 120 Y79 cells per
experiment was measured simultaneously in buffer at 36.5C with a time resolution of 10 s. Two different
rectangular waveguides were used for the exposure to EMF of either 0.9 GHz or 1.8 GHz, modulated with a
generic GSM signal consisting of a "cocktail" of different frequencies. The RF signal was generated by a
Rohde & Schwarz signal generator connected to a SSB Electronic amplifier. From extensive numerical
simulations of the whole test setup, it was derived that the applied maximum input power yielded high SAR
values of 13 W/kg (0.9 GHz) and 24 W/kg (1.8 GHz) in the plane of the cells. In another set of experiments
lower SAR values of 0.08 W/kg were adjusted with both carrier frequencies. Sham exposures were carried
out in the same arrangement with the field being turned off. Each experiment consisted of three intervals of
500 s duration, a baseline interval (sham conditions) at the beginning, a test interval in the middle (sham
conditions or field exposure), and a positive control interval (application of calcium mobilizing agents
without field exposure) at the end. As calcium mobilizers the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (with
retinoblastoma cells) or the adrenergic substance norepinephrine (with pinealocytes) were used.
150

RESULTS: More than 100 up to several hundreds of cells were investigated in each group with different
experimental parameters. About two-thirds of both cell types responded to the chemical stimulation,
whereas so far no significant field effect could be detected. Cells responding to the chemical stimulation
were separately evaluated.
DISCUSSION: During [Ca2+]i measurements well defined RF exposure conditions were applied to high
quantities of single cells from pineal gland and retina in vitro. Due to the absence of significant field
effects, an acute influence on the melatonin metabolism is not probable under the chosen conditions.
Chronic effects on the melatonin production in Djungarian hamsters are investigated in vivo in a directly
related project.
This work was supported by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk e.V. (FGF), Germany

P-52
EFFECT OF HIGH MAGNETIC FIELDS ON GASP (GROWTH ADVANTAGE IN STATIONARY
PHASE). K. Okuno*1, R. Fujinami*1, T. Ano*1, S. Ueno 2 and M. Shoda*1. 1Research Laboratory of
Resources Utilization, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503,
Japan, 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo,
Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: GASP phenomenon has been reported(1) where in an old cultured Escherichia coli gets
higher viability than the young culture. We have reported that high magnetic field (tesla level) can suppress
the decrease in viable cells of E. coli in stationary phase(2). In this report we will show the effect of high
magnetic field on GASP phenomenon.
METHODS: We used the SBS (=Superconducting magnet BioSystem) that was described in detail
before(3). Aerobic culture of bacteria under homogeneous high magnetic field (maximum 7 tesla) and a
5.2-6.1 Tesla inhomogeneous high magnetic field are possible by SBS. E. coli ZK126Nalr and E. coli
ZK126Smr with drug resistance markers, nalidixic acid-resistance or streptomycin-resistance respectively,
were used. One strain cultured for 10 days and another strain cultured for 1 day were mixed. Mixed culture
under high magnetic field and geomagnetic field (control) was conducted and viable cells were evaluated as
colony forming unit (CFU).
RESULTS: Under the geomagnetic field (control), the strain cultured for 1 day decreased drastically and
the strain cultured for 10 days kept high viability(1). Decrease of the strain cultured for 1 day was
suppressed under high magnetic field. The survivability of the young culture under 7 Tesla homogeneous
high magnetic field was about 100 times higher than control. And the survivability of the young culture
under 5.2-6.1 tesla inhomogeneous high magnetic field was about 10000 times higher than control.
DISCUSSION: It was shown that the degree of the magnetic field effect on GASP was stronger under 5.26.1 Tesla inhomogeneous high magnetic field than under 7 Tesla homogeneous high magnetic field. These
significant magnetic field effects which show 100 or 10000 times higher than control have not been shown
yet. Genetic level investigation is expected because significant magnetic field effects on specific gene were
detected(4).
(1) MM Zambrano et al. (1993) Science, 259, 1757-60
(2) K Tsuchiya et al. (1996) J.Ferment.Bioeng., 81, 343-346
(3) K Okuno et al. (1994) J.Ferment.Bioeng., 77, 453-456
(4) K Tsuchiya et al. (1999) Bioelectrochem. Bioenerg., 48, 383-387

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P-53
IMMUNOMODULATORY INFLUENCES OF DIFFERENT WAVE LENGTHS OF LASERS
LIGHT ON ISOLATED HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS (PBMC) in
vitro. M.P. Dabrowski*, W. Stankiewicz*, M.I. Dabrowski*, H. Zielinski*, S. Szmigielski* and E.
Sobiczewska*. Department of Microwave Safety, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4
Kozielska str., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland.
OBJECTIVES: To determine potential immunomodulatory influences of low low-energetic lasers (LEL)
of different wave lengths (675, 780, 810, 830 and 904 nm), isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMC) were exposed in vitro at the same dose of 0.3 J and afterwards cultured in the microculture
system (MCS).
METHOD: The samples of PBMC isolated from heparinised vein blood by density gradient centrifugation
were suspended in RPMI 1640 with 15% of autologous inactivated serum (3 x 106 cells / 3 ml) and exposed
for 1 minute to LEL beams. Before and after exposure the viability of cells was estimated and
microcultures in triplicates were set up in Nuncoln mikcroplates (105 cells/0.2 ml RPMI 1640 + 15%
autologous inactivated serum) and incubated in ASSAB CO2 incubator at 37oC, 5% CO2 for 72 hours. At
the 24th hour of incubation the rearrangements of microcultures were performed as described elsewhere
(Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 496,697). The following functional parameters of T-lymphocytes and
monocytes were measured: spontaneous 3HTdR uptake, lymphocyte mitogenic response to PHA,
lymphocyte mitogenic response to Con A, ratio of PHA to Con A response (P/C index), monokine
influence on lymphocyte proliferation (LM index), suppressive activity of T cells (SAT index) and IL-2
saturation of T lymphocyte receptors.
RESULTS: The results indicate that exposure to 0.3 J of LEL at different wave lengths cause measurable
changes in functional tests of PBMC. The changes include modification of mitogenic responses to PHA
and/or Con-A, monokine activity (LM index), suppressor activity of T lymphocytes (SAT index) and
saturation of IL-2 receptors of T lymphocytes. Surprisingly, character of the above functional changes
differed considerably with wave length of applied laser light. With shorter waves (650 and 780 nm) there
was a tendency for increase in mitogenic response of PBMC to PHA and Con-A, LM index ands IL-2
saturation of receptors. On the contrary, at longer waves (810 and 904 nm) the mitogenic response of
lymphocytes was lowered, while the suppressive activity appeared to be increased. The table below
presents differences (percents) of LEL-exposed PBMC samples, compared to non-exposed control samples
and their statistical significance:
Wave length
(nm)
675
780
810
830
904

Response to PHA

Response to Con-A

LM index

SAT index

+ 88.7%
(p < 0.05)
NS

+ 62.9 %
(p < 0.05)
+ 55.4 %
(p < 0.05)
42.0 %
(p < 0.05)
+ 59.9 %
(p < 0.05)
38.3%
(p <0.05)

+ 59.4%
(p <0.05)
NS

NS

30.2%
(p < 0.05)
+ 68.4%
(p < 0.01)
45.2%
(p <0.05)

NS
NS
NS

NS
+20.5%
(p <0.05)
16.7%
(p <0.05)
NS

IL-2 saturation of Tcell receptors

NS
+ 34.6%
(p <0.05)
NS
NS
NS

CONCLUSIONS: The available results indicate that low-energetic lasers can modulate immune responses,
even at the reasonably low dose (0.3 J). However, the modulation of function of immunocompetent cells
may differ considerably, depending on the wave length of the laser beam. Therefore, a particular wave
length should be selected for receiving the desired immunomodulating effect.

152

P-54
GALVANOTACTIC MOVEMENT OF OSTEOBLASTS AND AMOEBAS IN ELECTRIC DC
FIELD. U. Reich*, M. Michalsky*, R. Glaser*. Institute of Biology, Experimental Biophysics, HumboldtUniversity of Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany.
Galvanotaxis means the orientation of active movement of cells toward the direction of an external electric
DC field. Galvanotaxis is known to occur in nearly all actively moving cells, such as in protozoans as well
as in tissue cells. Recently this process has become important in the context of field application for wound
healing. The mechanisms of the movement are more or less unknown. It seems that at least it is different in
amoeboid moving cells and ciliates. The mean question discussed now is, whether the transmembrane
potential modification, or rather electric surface effects are responsible for it. We compared galvanotaxis of
tissue cells with that of press water amoebas because of the difference in the external ionic strengths. In this
respect it is quite important to know the minimal field strength with is necessary to obtain a significant
orientation of cell movement. The human osteosarcoma cells (HOS TE-85) were exposed to an electrical
DC field (0-1300 V/m) for one hour. The electric field was applied via platinum electrodes and agar
bridges. In contrast to many other investigators we used a galvanotactic chamber with well defined
geometry (high: 0.3 mm, width: 3 mm, length: 20 mm). Additional platinum electrodes were used to
measure continuously the applied field strength. Osteosarcoma cells were investigated growing of a
collagen coated (0.5 mg/ml) glass cover slip. The cell medium was completed with 10% FCS and
antibiotics. Investigations were performed at 37 C and 5% CO2 atmosphere. The cells were monitored
with a time lapse video recorder. The obtained videos were digitalized. An image analyses program
showed for every cell the x- and y-value of the cell position on pictures taken in intervals of 10 minutes.
The cosine of the angle between the field and the cell movement is the so-called McCutcheon-Index. An
index of +1 indicates a cathodic direction of the movement, in case of -1 an anodal movement. The HOS
cells showed in all cases a galvanotactic movement to the cathodical side of the chamber in fields above 100
V/m, with a maximal value greater than 300 V/m. A similar galvanotactic movement was also found for the
protozoon Amoeba proteus. This movement was investigated in a low ionic strength solution containing:
NaCl (10 mM) and CaCl2 (10 mM). The electric field was also applied via agar bridges in the chamber and
measured with electrodes. All experiments were conducted at room temperature. Amoebas were placed in
uncoated glass capillaries (high: 0,2 mm, width: 2 mm, length: 25 mm) observing them after a few minutes
of attachment. Subsequently, they were exposed to an electrical DC field (0-500 V/m) for 30 minutes. The
movement was monitored in the same way as mentioned before. At intervals of 3 minutes the image
analysis program found out the cell position. Amoebas also showed a galvanotactic movement into the
direction of the cathode. We found a positive McCutcheon index in fields larger than 100 V/m. In this field
strengths no field influence on the total mobility of the cells could be observed.
This work was supported by Bundesministerium for Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie,
Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk, Technologieinitiative Brandenburg - Produkt und Verfahrungsinnovation,
Germany.

P-55
CALCIUM WAVES IN ASTROGLIAL CELLS EXPOSED TO 50 HZ MAGNETIC FIELDS. M.
Lindgren*, K. Bryngelsson*, T. Thorlin**, S. Galt *, Y. Hamnerius* and L. Rnnbck**. *Department of
Electromagnetics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gteborg, Sweden. ** Institute for
Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neurology, Gteborg University, Gteborg, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: We have designed an experimental setup for extremely low frequency magnetic field
exposure in an inverted microscope for studies on living cells at the single cell level, simultaneously
measuring a number of gap junction linked cells.
153

METHOD: This system is coupled to fluorometric calcium measurement equipment for studies of changes
in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Intercellular calcium waves are observed as an increase
in cytoplasmic calcium concentration that propagates outward to adjacent cells. The calcium waves are
initiated by mechanical stimulation at the surface of a central cell. This is performed by a glass
microelectrode attached to a micromanipulator. The cells studied are from primary astroglial cultures,
obtained from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats. The cells were incubated with the calcium sensitive
fluorescent probe, Fluo-3/AM. The system records video sequences of changes in intracellular free calcium
concentration at a cellular level. Multiple cells can be recorded simultaneously by a CCD-camera and a
VCR. A computer, which is equipped with a frame-grabber connected to the VCR, is used to analyze the
intracellular calcium changes. We have investigated the acute effects of extremely low frequency magnetic
fields (1 & 2 mT, 50 Hz) on the calcium wave in a monolayer of these astroglial cells. During exposed
recordings, exposure was commenced 20 s prior to each 30 s recording, with alternate recordings being
sham exposed.
RESULTS: Results will be presented on the difference in calcium wave signal velocity, signal amplitude,
rate of [Ca2+]i buildup and number of responding cells between cells exposed and not exposed to the
magnetic field. The three parameters, calcium wave signal velocity, signal amplitude and rate of [Ca2+]i
buildup, are also studied as a function of distance from the central mechanically stimulated cell.

P-56
INDUCTION OF PRIMARY-ROOT CURVATURE IN RADISH SEEDLINGS BY A STATIC
MAGNETIC FIELD. A. Yano1, E. Hidaka2*, K. Fujiwara3* and M. Iimoto2*. 1Graduate School of Science
and Technology, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan. 2Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University,
Chiba 271-8510, Japan. 3Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo
113-8657, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Some studies have been carried out concerning the effects of static magnetic fields on plant
roots. Audus [1960] showed that curvature of cress roots was induced by a 22 T2 m-1 static magnetic field.
Kuznetsov and Hasenstein [1996] conducted similar experiments using roots of flax and Arabidopsis
thaliana and suggested that the mechanism of an inhomogeneous static magnetic field causes intracellular
displacement of starchy amyloplasts in root cap due to the difference in diamagnetic susceptibilities between
starch and cytoplasmic matrix. Since the sedimentation of amyloplasts is known to trigger gravitropism of
plant roots [Kiss et al., 1989], magnetically induced displacement of amyloplasts could result in curvature of
plant roots. In the present study, radish (Raphanus sativus L.) roots were exposed to an inhomogeneous
static magnetic field. The effect of the static magnetic field on curvature of the roots was investigated in
terms of the intensity, the gradient, the BB, and the direction of the magnetic field.
METHOD: Seeds of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) were germinated on gellan gum gel and grown for 39 h.
Seedlings were then treated three different ways: 1) primary root was exposed to an inhomogeneous static
magnetic field in the vicinity of the north pole of a Nd-Fe-B magnet (17 mm diameter, 2.5 mm width); 2)
primary root was exposed to the magnetic field in the vicinity of the south pole of the magnet; 3) primary
root was not exposed to the magnetic field (but ambient field) as a control experiment. Twenty seedlings
were used for each treatment. The exposure lasted for 24 h. During the magnetic field exposure, plants
were rotated on a 6x10-3 rad s-1 clinostat to reduce the unilateral influence of gravity on primary roots.
Fig. 1. Side view (upper) and top view (lower) of all roots in each treatment after the magnetic field
exposure for 24 h. N: north pole treatment, S: south pole treatment, Control: not exposed. All positions of
roots were shifted in order to center the initial position of each root. x0 and y0 mean the initial coordinate of
each root.

154

RESULTS: The roots showed a tendency to curve away from the magnet while magnetically untreated
control roots did not, indicating that the magnetic field can induce curvature of primary roots (Fig. 1). The
roots exposed to the magnetic field in the vicinity of the south pole showed a significant (P < 0.05)
curvature compared with the untreated control roots at the region of the magnetic flux densities, gradients
and BBs, ranging from 13 to 68 mT, 1.8 to 14.7 T m-1, and 0.023 to 1.0 T2 m-1, respectively. These values
were less than 1/10 of those used in the previous studies [Audus, 1960; Kuznetsov and Hasenstein, 1996].
The root curvature was not statistically significant when roots were exposed to the magnetic field in the
vicinity of the north pole.
References.
Audus LJ, (1960) Nature 185, 132-134.
Kiss JZ, Hertel R, Sack FD, (1989) Planta 177, 198-206.
Kuznetsov OA, Hasenstein KH, (1996) Planta 198, 87-94.

P-57
EFFECTS OF 60 Hz MAGNETIC FIELD ON NET PHOTOSYNTHETIC RATE AND EARLY
GROWTH OF RADISH. A. Yano 1, T. Hirasaki1*, Y. Ohashi2*, K. Fujiwara3*, T. Katane4*, K.
Sakaguchi1*, A. Tagawa1* and M. Iimoto2*. 1Graduate School of Science and Technology, Chiba
University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan. 2Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 271-8510, Japan.
3
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan. 4Faculty
of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Plants have been investigated for possible biological effects of ELF magnetic fields [Smith
et al., 1993; Davies, 1996; Ruic et al., 1998]. For example, Smith et al. [1993] indicated CR-tuned
magnetic fields effects on radish growth. We investigated the net photosynthetic rate and growth of radish
exposed to a combination of parallel DC and 60 Hz magnetic fields because photosynthesis is an essential
physiological process of plant growth.
METHOD: Magnetic fields were generated by two pairs of Helmholtz coils positioned at a right angle to
each other. The coil axis of the one of the pairs (53 cm diameter) was just aligned to geomagnetic northsouth. The coils were energized and generated parallel static (48 T) and sinusoidal 60 Hz magnetic fields
(141 T (p-p)). Another pair (51 cm diameter) was energized to depress the vertical component of the
geomagnetic field. Seedlings of radish Raphanus sativus L. were put on agar gel positioned at the center of
155

the coil and exposed to the magnetic fields. The exposure lasted for 15 days. For the control experiment,
identical coils were used but currents were not provided. On days 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15, net photosynthetic
rate per seedling was measured using an infrared CO2 analyser. During the magnetic field exposure,
photosynthetic photon flux density, temperature and relative humidity were regulated to 70 mol m-2 s-1,
221C(daylight period: 12h)/191C(dark period: 12 h), and 75%, respectively. Fresh weight, dry weight,
shoot length, root length and leaf area were measured on day 15. Experiments were repeated 5 times.

Fig. 1. Net photosynthetic rate per seedling as a function of CO2 concentration. Bars represent SE (n = 5).
RESULTS: Net photosynthetic rate per seedling of exposed radish was slightly lower than those of
unexposed control, although the differences were not significant (Fig. 1). Fresh weight, shoot length and
root length were not significantly different between exposed and control seedlings. Dry weights of exposed
(0.080.004 g) and control (0.100.003 g) seedlings were significantly different (P<0.01, t-test). Leaf area
of exposed (191.1 cm2) and control (231.0 cm2) seedlings were significantly different (P<0.05, t-test).
These suggest that plant growth is affected by a combination of parallel 48 T static and 141 Tp-p 60 Hz
magnetic fields.
References.
Davies MS (1996) Bioelectromagnetics 17, 154-161.
Ruic R, Jerman I, Gogala N (1998) Can J For Res 28, 609-616.
Smith SD, McLeod BR, Liboff AR (1993) Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 32, 67-76.

P-58
MAGNETICALLY GUIDED ORIENTATION OF ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND SMOOTH
MUSCLE CELLS. M. Iwasaka, H. Kotani, S. Ueno, K. Takahashi*, and J. Ando*. Department of
Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
INTRODUCTION: The magnetic orientation of protein fibers and cells are well studied for the
understanding of the basic mechanisms of the biological effects of strong magnetic fields. For example,
fibrin fibers and collagen fibers are representative proteins, which show clear orientation under magnetic
fields of 5 ~10 tesla. Blood cells, such as red blood cells and platelets, also orient parallel to the field
direction. A liquid environment provides a more permissible environment for the orientation of floating
cells under magnetic fields of tesla order. It is, however, more difficult for adherent cells to orient even with
diamagnetic torque energy of 10 tesla. Tranquillo et al. reported the orientation of smooth muscle cells,
which were embedded on magnetically oriented collagen gel. Also, Torbet reported the orientation of
endothelial cells on magnetically oriented fibrin fibers. In our study, we reproduced the orientation of an
adherent cell that was guided by magnetically oriented protein polymers. We investigated the effects of
156

high intensity magnetic fields of 14 T on the degree of cell orientation. The condition for improving the cell
orientation was examined.
METHODS: Firstly, both fibrin-gel and collagen-gel were prepared under magnetic fields of14 T. Then, a
smooth muscle cell and an endothelial cell were cultured on collagen-gel and the fibrin-gel, respectively.
Fibrin polymerization was activated by mixing a fibrinogen solution with thrombin. The cell suspension
was added to the fibrinogen solution 60 sec after adding thrombin to the fibrinogen solution. In the case of
collagen gel formation, the NaCl concentration of acid soluble collagen solution (pH 3) was adjusted to 0.15
M before adding the cell suspended liquid. Fibrin and collagen gelation were completed within 2 hours on
culture dishes 35 mm in diameter. The cells deposited in several hours, and bonded to the surface of the
gels.
RESULTS: The collagen fibers perpendicularly orientated in the 14T magnetic field. The collagen fibers
that were not exposed to a static magnetic field did not orientate in a specific direction. On the other hand,
fibrin orientated parallel to the magnetic field. The cells adhered to the fibers in the gel, and grew into rodlike shaped cells after 12 hours of incubation at 37 C. A comparison of the cell shapes was carried out,
with and without magnetic field exposure during the polymerization period. The smooth muscle cell and
the endothelial cell oriented parallel to the collagen fiber and the fibrin fiber, respectively. As the magnetic
flux density increased, the degree of protein fiber orientation increased. A magnetic field over 10 T was
sufficient enough to achieve near perfect orientation. We succeeded in increasing the degree of cell
orientation remarkably by reducing the interaction of fiber and cell by thinning of the gel. The control of
adherent cells by magnetically oriented protein polymers is an effective technique for regeneration
medicine, such as artificial blood vessel treatment.

P-59
EFFECTS OF STRONG MAGNETIC FIELDS ON OPTICAL ABSORBANCE OF HEMOGLOBIN
AND RED BLOOD CELL SUSPENSIONS. M. Iwasaka and S. Ueno. Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Real-time optical measurements of a hemoglobin solution and a red blood cell (RBC) suspension were
carried out under magnetic fields of up to 14 T. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of
magnetic fields on intracellular hemoglobin conformation, as well as oxy-/deoxygenation processes of
hemoglobin.
In the present study, we investigated the effect of RBC magnetic orientation on the light scattering property,
and carefully observed the relative changes of optical absorption intensity in two wavelengths.
We used a horizontal type of superconducting magnet, which produced magnetic fields of up to 14 T at its
center. The optical transmission measurement system has an external optical cell holder in the
superconducting magnet's bore. Warm water was introduced to the inside of cell holder's wall and
circulated between a water bath and the cell holder, which maintained the temperature of the optical cell at
25 C. Blood plasma and red blood cells were centrifugally separated from 10 ml of rabbit blood. The RBC
suspension was diluted by 200 times with a phosphate buffer solution. The RBC concentration of the
diluted suspension was about 20,000 cells / mm3.
We observed a clear increase in the optical absorbance for the full range of the measured wavelengths. The
increase of absorbance was due to the magnetic orientation of RBCs. Since RBCs oriented parallel to the
direction of magnetic fields, light scattering properties were modulated. We observed a remarkable increase
of absorbance at 570 nm under magnetic field exposure. The optical absorbance spectrum of
oxyhemoglobin has two peaks in the range of 500 nm to 600nm. One peak at 570 nm displayed a 15%
increase of absorbance as compared to the peak at 550 nm under magnetic fields of 8T to 14 T. In the case
of the hemoglobin solution, however, clear negative results were obtained. The results indicate that strong
magnetic fields do not have any effect on the conformation and oxygenation of hemoglobin, but rather,
157

magnetic fields affect the intracellular hemoglobin conformation. We speculate that hemoglobin that binds
to a cell membrane changes its conformation when a RBC orients along a magnetic field.

P-60
PROTOCOL PITFALLS FOR FREE INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM MEASUREMENT IN
JURKAT CELLS. C.R. McCreary and F.S. Prato. Lawson Research Institute and Department of Medical
Biophysics, University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 4V2.
Studies on the effects of weak, extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMF) on intracellular calcium
concentrations ([Ca2+]i) have been equivocal. We have shown that the cell growth phase and the type of
suspension medium are confounding factors in ELFMF experiments on [Ca2+]i (1). Previously, we
measured [Ca2+]i under control and ELFMF exposure conditions in the human T-lymphocyte cell line,
Jurkat E6.1, during early log growth phase with the cells suspended in conditioned RPMI 1640 with 10%
fetal bovine serum (cRPMI). The [Ca2+]i was calculated using indo-1 ratiometric fluorescence
spectrophotometry methods (2). A 20 minute baseline measurement of [Ca2+]i was acquired, the Jurkat cells
were injected with human monoclonal antibody anti-CD3 and [Ca2+]i was monitored for an additional 20
min. These experiments were completed under sham magnetic field conditions (78.1 T static magnetic
field in the vertical direction) and exposure to a 60 Hz, 100 T peak vertical sinusoidal magnetic field
superimposed with the 78.1 T static magnetic field. The ambient horizontal magnetic field was nulled in
both the sham and exposure conditions. The slope and intercept of the baseline [Ca2+]i, peak increase in
[Ca2+]i over baseline after anti-CD3 injection, time to reach peak [Ca2+]i after injection, the slope of [Ca2+]i
between 10 and 20 minutes following injection, and the means [Ca2+]i over 200 s centred at 100, 600, 1100
and 2300 s were compared. We have not been able to produce reproducible results for a given set of
conditions. Further analysis of the raw data has revealed that the [Ca2+]i measurements in Jurkat cells were
dependent on the arbitrary passage number of the cell culture. It is possible that the differences between
passages may be due to unintentional exposure to an acidic pH during culturing as the modified RPMI
medium does not contain the pH indicator, phenol red. We also measured the pH of the conditioned
medium in room air for a period of 2 hours (the length of time for an experiment). We found that the pH of
the cRPMI became progressively alkaline from a pH of 7.28 to 7.55 during this time. If a 5% CO2 enriched
air was gently blown over the top of the medium (5 L/min), then the pH was maintained between 7.35 and
7.40 for the duration of the experiment. We have modified our spectrophotometer to incorporate the CO2
enriched air. Hopefully, we now have a well defined, reliable protocol with which we can investigate
transduction step(s) between a biological system and the applied ELF magnetic field.
McCreary, C.R. et al. (1998) BEMS 20th Annual Meeting, St. Pete Beach, FL.
Carson, J.J.L., and FS Prato (1996) Rev. Sci. Instrum. 67(12):4336-4346.
Blackman, J.P. et al (1999) BEMS 21st Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
Mattson, M-O. et al (1999) BEMS 21st Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
This research was supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada.

P-61
EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (ELF EMF)AND
TEMPERATURE PULSES INDUCE SIMILAR MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN
CHROMAFFIN CELLS. C. Quiroz1*, R. Drucker-Colin1,2, L. Verdugo-Diaz1. 1Departamento de
Fisiologia, Facultad de Medicina and 2Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiologia Celular,
UNAM. Mexico, D.F. 04510, Mexico.
Cultures of chromaffin cells exposed to ELF EMF shown neurite-like growth processes and changes in the
catecholamine ratio release (Drucker-Colin et al., 1994; Verdugo-Diaz et al., 1998). Increases in Ca++ flux
158

have been demonstrated across L-type Ca++ channels in cells exposed to ELF MF (Morgado-Valle et al.,
1997). However, since low energy EMF was used, is not clear how ELF EMF can interact with cells and
produce the permeability changes. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of
temperature increases on the morphological changes observed in chromaffin cells. We made a temperature
control system that reproduces in time and amplitude the temperature variations produced by the ELF EMF.
To determine the contribution of EF, an electric field generator system with a magnetic field component less
to 0.001 mT was used. Chromaffin cells were obtained from adrenal medullae of 1-3 day-old Wistar rats.
Cells were dissociated enzymatically, dispersed mechanically and placed into 12 well culture dishes. Cells
were plated at 1 x 106 cells/ml with 1 ml of culture medium: DMEM + 10% FBS + 4.5 g/gr. insulin.
Cultures were divided in 4 groups: control group (without any stimulation); cells exposed to ELF EMF (0.7
mT, 60 Hz), 2 hours, 2 times daily; cells exposed to variable electrostatically induced EF (100 V/m, 60 Hz)
and finally cells exposed to slow increases of temperature (36.5 +1.5 C, 2.5 hrs.), 2 times daily. Seven
days after incubation, immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was carried out. The number of TH+
cells/mm2 in reference to control group was used to quantify the cell viability (density) after 7 days in
culture. Results obtained were: cells with growth processes: control group 38.04% 4.1%, temperature
group 54.69% 3.25% (p<0.05 vs. control), EF group 36.4% 4.2% (n.s.) and ELF EMF group 55.24%
3.41% (p<0.05 vs. control). Density in each group: control 48.45 8.03, temperature group 28.78 11.67
(p<0.05 vs. control), EF group 46.38 11.02 (n.s.) and ELF EMF group 52.24 7.98 (n.s.). The results
obtained show: i) increases of temperature by pulses induces significative changes in the morphology
observed in chromaffin cells exposed to ELF EMF; ii) the pulses of temperature decreases the viability of
these cells in culture; iii) electric fields do not induce changes in morphology neither viability of chromaffin
cells.
Supported by Fideicomiso UNAM to RD-C and CONACYT No. 25122-M to RD-C.

P-62
EFFECTS OF HIGH FREQUENCY (50 MHz, 150 MHz) ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON
FREE CYTOSOLIC CALCIUM CONCENTRATION IN JURKAT-LYMPHOCYTES. F. Schubert*
and R. Glaser*. Humboldt-University Berlin, Invalidenstrae 42, D-10115 Berlin, Germany.
Growing use of high frequency (HF) electromagnetic fields, especially in conjunction with wireless
communication systems, has led to increasing public concern about its possible health effects. Calcium
signals are considered as probably one of the initial reaction of a living cell on influences of electromagnetic
fields. We examined the influence of high frequency electromagnetic fields on free cytosolic calcium
concentration of Jurkat lymphocytes. For this, we analyzed fluorescence signals of Fura2-1oaded Jurkat
cells at the ZEISS microscope photometer ATTOFLUOR. Cells were HF-exposed or sham-exposed. HF
field was generated by a ROHDE UND SCHWARTZ signal generator and applied with microelectrodes.
Applying electromagnetic fields with microelectrodes is unusual in the HF range; we did it to get a high
field strength. Two fields were used: continuous wave (CW) 150 MHz and CW 50 MHz, both 100 V/mrms.
Experiments lasted 25 minutes in total, whereas the HF field was switched on from minute 5 to minute 10.
Since the excitation light of Fura2 is in the UV range and may influence the cells during the experiments,
UV-dosimetry was performed to get defined experimental conditions. We used two UV illumination
protocols: a strong one with frequent UV excitation (every 7 s) and a weak one with rare UV excitation
(every 30 s). So, for both of the employed field conditions resulted 4 different experimental groups
(exposed or sham-exposed under strong or weak UV illumination), each of them containing nearly 100
cells. Measured calcium concentrations were averaged for each individual cell from minute 5 to the end of
the experiment. Distribution of averaged calcium concentrations was statistically compared between the
experimental groups using two tests: Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test and two-tailed t-test for nonequal variances.
Using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test, we found that the 50 MHz field caused a significant (P < 0.05)
calcium shift toward higher cytosolic calcium concentrations which was reproducible. However, this effect
159

occurred only with weak UV illumination and was dependent on cell age and the UV excitation intensity.
Moreover, there were significant (P < 0.05) UV effects in some cases which were equivocal. Significant
effects were obtained only when Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test was used, t-test failed to show significant
differences in all cases (P > 0.2). The observation that t-test never showed significant differences whereas
Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test revealed significant effects in some cases, points to the circumstance that HF
field and UV illumination change the cytosolic calcium concentration of only a small percentage of the
cells, making the t-test unsuitable to detect these changes.
This work was supported by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk e.V. (Germany).

P-63
STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF RADIO-FREQUENCY FIELDS ON CONIFERS. D. Lerchl*1, A.
Lerchl2, P. Hantsch*1, A. Bitz*1, J. Streckert*1, V. Hansen1. 1Chair of Electromagnetic Theory, University
of Wuppertal, D-42097 Wuppertal, 2Institute of Zoology II, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Concerning biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), much more investigations
have been performed in animals than in plants (see BEMS Newsletter Nov/Dec 99 for a recent discussion).
However, plants located close to transmitters are exposed over extended periods of time to field intensities
which may well exceed exposure limits set for humans. It is not known how such exposure may affect the
physiology of trees, but it is sporadically speculated that high-frequency fields are harmful for the
environment in general. Especially conifers are particularly interesting since their needles may function as
resonators over a wide frequency range. Moreover, the anatomy of needles (e.g., isolating wax surface,
vascular cylinders with surrounding spongy mesophyll) indicates that induced electric currents may be
concentrated in areas which are important for the plants physiological functions. Finally, virtually nothing
is known about the absorption characteristics of exposed plant tissues. The aims of the studies are therefore
to investigate the effects of long-term exposure of representative conifers to radio-frequency fields and to
perform analyses which may eventually allow dosimetry in plant tissue.
METHOD: Young plants of three representative conifer species are investigated simultaneously: Abies
alba (n=167), Abies grandis (n=165), and Pinus pumila (n=179). After randomization, they are either
exposed or sham-exposed in a blind fashion in two identical exposure units, constructed as radial waveguide
chambers (diameter 4.5 m, internal height 14 cm). Every week, the heights of all trees are measured by
using a precision caliper. At the end of the experiment, needles of each plant are collected and snap frozen.
Later, the content of pigments (chlorophyll, carotinoids) is analyzed. The latter parameter is known to be an
indicator for stress. Currently, trees are exposed to 383 MHz pulsed EMF at 131 V/m 7% (rms value
measured in the empty waveguide). This corresponds to a total input power of approximately 250 W during
a burst of the signal (pulse duty factor 1:4). Supplying the plants with air and light is achieved through
aluminum wire mesh which is inserted into the upper plates of the waveguides in order to shield the plants
from external electromagnetic fields. The coupling factor between exposure and sham exposure setup was
measured as 100 dB. Exposure will last for 6 months. It is planned to repeat the experiment at 900 MHz
and 1.8 GHz.
DISCUSSION: So far, no experiments were performed involving young conifers at standardized and highquality EMF exposure conditions. These investigations will help to clarify whether EMF exposure is a
critical environmental factor.
Supported by the Ministry of Science of Nordrhein-Westfalen (approval no. 513 - 215 006 99).

160

P-64
ACCELERATED GROWTH OF CORN SEEDLINGS EXPOSED TO PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (383 MHZ AND 900 MHZ). D. Lerchl*1, A. Lerchl2, A. Bitz*1, J. Streckert*1 and
V. Hansen1. 1Chair of Electromagnetic Theory, University of Wuppertal, D-42097 Wuppertal, 2Institute of
Zoology II, D-76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Based on the fact that exposure of humans to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has long been
the mainstay for research, relatively few experiments have been performed addressing the environmental
effects of EMF, e.g., on plants. To overcome this imbalance, several studies have been initiated by our
group involving different plant species exposed to radio-frequency EMF. Here, the effects of exposure on
corn seedlings are described.
METHOD: Corn seeds (Zea mays) were placed on sterilized soil in plastic racks at a depth of
approximately 1 cm. Plants were either exposed or sham-exposed in a blind fashion in two identical
exposure units, constructed as radial waveguide chambers (diameter 4.5 m, internal height 14 cm). Plants
were exposed for 24 h / day to 900 MHz pulsed EMF (experiment 1) and 383 MHz pulsed EMF
(experiment 2) at 131 V/m (rms value measured in the empty waveguides). This corresponds to a total input
power during a burst of the signal of approximately 70 W (900 MHz, pulse duty factor 7:8) and 250 W (383
MHz, pulse duty factor 1:4). Supplying the seedlings with air and light is achieved through aluminum wire
mesh which is inserted into the upper plates of the waveguides in order to shield the plants from external
electromagnetic fields. The coupling factor between exposure and sham exposure setup was below 75 dB
and 100 dB at 900 MHz and 383 MHz, respectively. Every 1-2 days, the heights of all seedlings were
measured. Experiments were terminated when the seedlings became too tall.
RESULTS: In both experiments, the growth rates of the seedlings were significantly accelerated (see
figures). Both experiments were repeated, with similar results.
Growth of corn seedlings
under the influence of pulsed
900 MHz EMF fields
Exposure

***

75

***

150

Exposed
Sham-exposed

50

***
25

Seedling length
(mm SEM)

Seedling length
(mm SEM)

100

Growth of corn seedlings

under the influence of pulsed
383 MHz EMF fields
Exposure
***

Exposed

100

Sham-exposed
***

50

***
0

3 4

Day of experiment

3 5

Day of experiment

DISCUSSION: The electric field of the applied EMF is in parallel to the growth direction of the seedlings.
It is therefore possible that the effects are due to differences of the electric potentials, especially at the
plants tips. It is known that this area is specifically sensitive to electric currents.
Supported by a grant from the University of Mnster to D.L.

P-65
CHLOROPHYLL a - A SUITABLE BIOMATERIAL FOR MONITORING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC INFLUENCE AT MOLECULAR LEVEL. L. Tugulea*, S. Miclaus* and S. Pascanu*.
Department of Electricity and Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, P.O. Box MG-11,
Bucharest-Magurele, 76 900 Romania.
OBJECTIVES: Chlorophyll a is the major pigment in higher plant photosynthesis, being responsible for
both light absorption and light induced charge separation. The strong visible absorption and fluorescence of
chlorophyll a allow its use as sensor for the interactions at molecular level, inside the biomembranes or
artificial model membranes and as fluorescence marker. The liposomes with chlorophyll a are excellent
161

models for studies concerning the lipid - pigment, lipid - protein and lipid - drug interactions in
biomembranes.
Our objectives were to prepare well-defined types of liposomes with chlorophyll a incorporated, to obtain
information about the pigment organisation and localisation in the lipid bilayers and to examine the
molecular basis of chlorophyll a ability to act as a sensor for lipid-polypeptide and lipid-drug interactions
and under electromagnetic field influence.
METHODS: Small unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles with chlorophyll a were prepared with egg
phosphatidylcholine and freshly extracted chlorophyll a from spinach leaves. The localisation of the
porphyrin ring in the lipid bilayer was investigated by spectrophotometry and fluorescence in the visible
range. The experiments of the chlorophyll a fluorescence quenching by TEMPO provided a good method
for locating the fluorophore in the bilayer. The sensor capacity of chlorophyll a for the lipid modifications
in the bilayer, in the presence of valinomycin, was checked by difference absorption spectrophotometry in
the visible range. Liposomes with chlorophyll a were exposed to 2.45 GHz pulsed field and the
modifications in membrane ordering, as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence and difference absorption
spectroscopy, were studied.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our experiments revealed that chlorophyll a is a valuable fluorescence
marker for liposome systems. This pigment was successfully used for vesicle characterisation and for
stability studies. The spectrophotometric and fluorescence studies confirm the localisation of the porphyrin
ring at the lipid-water interface. In addition, the quenching of chlorophyll a fluorescence demonstrated the
small penetration of chlorophyll macrocycle in the aqueous phase. Chlorophyll's sensor ability for lipidpolypeptide interaction is based upon reorientation of the porphyrin ring due to a change in the lipid
aggregation state, change induced by the presence of the polypeptide in the bilayer. This study also
revealed that valinomycin's effects in lipid membranes may not always be related to its ionophoric
properties. The effect of valinomycin on the aggregation state of lipids should be considered when this
antibiotic is used as ion-selective ionophore in model membranes or biomembranes. Model systems as the
one presented here (chlorophyll a - liposomes - valinomycin) revealed that chlorophyll a, used as a sensor,
reflects certain aspects of the supramolecular structure of the lipid phase: fluidity, lipid aggregation. The
influence of MW energy on the exposed liposomes, reflected by a shift of the lipid phase fluidity, was
monitored by absorption and emission properties of chlorophyll a.
Interesting applications for further studies concerning lipid-protein and lipid-drug interactions in
biomembrane models or interactions occurring inside different membranes, exposed to electromagnetic field
in the microwave range, are also outlined.

P-66
STUDIES OF NON-THERMAL INDIRECT EFFECT OF MICROWAVES ON MUTAGENESIS
USING CELL CULTURES. A. Perrin1, C. Bachelet1, P. Levque2, R. Malabiau3 and J.C. Debouzy1.
1
Unit de Biophysique Cellulaire et Molculaire, CRSSA, BP 87, 38702 La Tronche cedex, France. 2Institut
de Recherche en Communication Optique et Microonde, CNRS UMR 6615, 87060 Limoges, France.
3
DGA/DCN/STSN/CTSN, BP28, 83800 Toulon - Naval, France.
OBJECTIVE : Cancer is a multistage process involving DNA damage and subsequent fixation of damage
through non repair or misrepair. Any agent causing DNA alteration is called mutagenic and by implication
it may be carcinogenic. Unlike ionizing radiations, non ionizing electromagnetic fields do not primarily
damage DNA and they are postulated to affect carcinogenesis at the level of promotion or co-promotion.
The aim of the present investigation was to test the possible indirect promoting effect of low power
microwaves for mutagenesis. Experimental studies employing isolated cells in culture represent an useful
and probably necessary step in the comprehension of the possible effects of electromagnetic fields (control
of the physico-chemical environment, homogeneous population, etc...). Chromosomal damages are highly
correlated with carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, consequently, we utilize techniques allowing, in
162

vitro, to determine possible genotoxic and mutagenic potentials. In this context, the work developed in our
laboratory was done in procaryote cells using the Ames II assay which is a short-term genetic toxicity test.
Furthermore, using this technique present the advantage to make possible the exposure of an important
population for each experiment.
METHOD: The principle of the technique is based on the use of specially selected strains of bacteria
Salmonella typhymurium containing different types of point mutations in the histidine operon. These
resulting his- organisms cannot grow in a medium unless histidine is supplied. When a mutagenic event
occurs, it causes the reversion of the his- strains to their wild type. The strains were incubated with a known
mutagen agent at a dosage causing moderate reversion level in order to test whether the effect of the
mutagen is influenced by the non-thermal action of microwave irradiation. We used the carcinogen
chemicals 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4-NQO, 300 ng/ml ) and 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF, 150 ng/ml) (Sigma).
The culture plates were distributed equally to two identical Plexiglass incubators, one for the control cells,
the other one was placed under a waveguide antenna (rectangular horn) for the irradiated or sham-exposed
samples. Exposure condition was continuous 2.45 GHz radiation at 8 mW/cm2. The magnetic field was
applied during the growing phase (17 h in a culture flask) and/or the mutagen treatment phase (90 min. in a
24 wells plate) of the culture. This was followed by the screening phase allowing to count the number of
revertants after dilution and growing of the bacteria in a selective medium (384 wells plate).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results are expressed as the ratio between the number of revertants
in irradiated or sham samples versus the corresponding control. The preliminary data have shown a slight
increase of the level of induced mutations when the cultures are exposed to the magnetic field combined
with the mutagen treatment. This is observed under the different experimental conditions used. A complete
analysis of the data is presently performed and the statistical significance of the result will be available at
the time of the meeting.
Research supported by the DRET (Direction des Recherches et Etudes Techniques de la Direction Gnrale
de lArmement).

P-67
POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE INCREASED PERMEABILITY OF THE BLOODBRAIN-BARRIER INDUCED BY MICROWAVE EXPOSURE. A. Dehos* and J. Brix*. Institute of
Radiation Hygiene, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, 85764 Oberschleiheim, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: There is considerable concern of the public regarding possible health effects of a microwave
exposure caused by the increasing use of mobile communication. Some of the critics complain that current
limits of exposure mostly account for thermal effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. Since it is
one of the responsibilities of the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection to protect the public
against negative health effects of non-ionizing radiation and to initiate research in this field, literature is
continuously reviewed in order to find hints on possible health effects. One of the effects being
permanently under discussion is an increased permeability of the blood-brain-barrier during and after
microwave exposure. It is the objective of this presentation to review the available results on this subject
and to evaluate them in view of possible health risks.
RESULTS: Up to now, there exist many publications indicating a permeability increase of the blood-brainbarrier, mostly of rats after exposure to EMF. Some other authors, however, did not find such an effect.
Exposure conditions vary between continuous and pulsed fields, from 900 MHz to 2.45 GHz and from
rather low ( ~ 0.02 W/kg) to relatively high (up to 240 W/kg) specific absorption rates. Many authors
assessed disturbances in permeability of blood-brain-barrier using external tracers, e.g. horseradish
peroxidase, Evans blue or [14C] - sucrose. More recent works use immunohistochemical staining of serum
proteins, such as albumin or fibrinogen.
DISCUSSION: One of the unsolved problems is, how microwave exposure can disturb the blood-brainbarrier. Some authors suggest a pinocytotic mechanism, whereas others believe that permeability increase is
163

just an indirect effect caused by a heating of the brain tissue. For evaluation of possible health risks, it is of
great importance to know what kind of compounds present in blood could enter the brain tissue through a
disturbed blood-brain-barrier and, moreover, what are the consequences? Albumin, e.g., is found in the
brain in connection with brain oedema. The immunohistochemical method for the detection of albumin is,
however, very sensitive. Therefore it is questionable if the amount of protein found in the brain of rats after
microwave exposure could be harmful. Another argument pointing against a dramatic health risk for the
general public resulting from exposure to microwave radiation which is used for mobile communication is
that the effect on the blood-brain-barrier is reversible after a short time. This and similar questions are
discussed in this presentation.

P-68
EXPOSURE OF HUMAN FIBROBLAST AND RABBIT CORNEAL CELLS TO PULSED
ULTRAWIDE BAND ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. J.L. Hambrook*, C.D. Lindsay* and R.H.
Inns. Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: New military radio frequency (RF) sources utilise pulsed ultra wide band (UWB) radiation
of low mean power, but with novel waveforms possessing sharp rise times and high pulse repetition
frequency. The objective of this work was to determine whether these UWB pulses of high peak power
induce cellular effects below the NRPB basic restriction, i.e. non thermal effects. The present study
employed human fibroblast and rabbit corneal epithelium cell line models.
METHOD: The SIRC rabbit cornea (ECACC no. 89090404) and the HFFF2 human fibroblast (ECACC no.
86031405) were exposed in 96 well plates at low, medium and high density (5 x 103, 15 x 103, 5 x 104
cells/well respectively) for cell viability assay, and in 75 cm2 flasks at 3 x 106 cells/flask for HSP70 assay.
Cells were incubated overnight to allow attachment to the plates and flasks prior to exposure.
The assay techniques comprised the neutral red (NR), gentian violet (GV), and MTT cell viability assays.
NR dye is actively taken up by uninjured, viable cells and is accumulated in the lysosomes. GV assay
determined the cell density and hence, growth rate of cultured cells. MTT assay utilised thiazolyl blue
(MTT) to give an index of mitochondrial activity and hence cellular viability. Membrane Heat shock
Protein (HSP) 70 was detected by an antibody labelling technique.
Cell cultures were exposed in a perspex incubator at 37oC to UWB pulses at a repetition rate of 2170 pulses
per second (pps). The peak field was 5.4 kV/m and the rise time was less than 1 nsec. No rise in
temperature was measured by Luxtron 790 within the cell medium. Control cultures were positioned in a
shielded incubator behind radar absorbent material in the same room. After exposures for 3 h, cultures were
incubated for 24 and 48 h prior to analysis of cells. The mean values of the results were presented as +/standard error of the mean. The statistical significance of difference in viability (assayed using NR, GV and
MTT) of control and UWB exposed cultures was determined using Welchs approximate t-test.
RESULTS: No reproducible effects at low, medium and high cell density were found in terms of an
increase or decrease in NR or GV dye binding (Table 1), or MTT metabolism at 24 or 48 h in either cell
line. No change in heat shock protein expression was found for either cell line after exposure to UWB for
3 h.
DISCUSSION: The results of the present study indicated that neither cell line was sensitive to the effects of
UWB radiation at a pulse repetition frequency of 2170 pps when exposed at a temperature of 37oC for 3 h.
Preliminary experiments, using the same cell lines at the same cell densities but at room temperature,
showed an increase in NR dye retention in organelles, an increase in HSP70 expression and a transient
decrease in cell proliferation, as measured by GV dye binding, in a limited number of instances (BEMS
meeting June 1998, poster P115A). These results were not confirmed in this series of experiments. The
earlier results may indicate that the exposure conditions were at an effect-threshold, and it is possible that
the stress imposed by exposing the cultures to UWB radiation at a lower than physiological temperature in
the initial series of experiments contributed to their responses. However the data obtained in the current
164

series of experiments performed at 37oC were more consistent and reproducible than those from exposures
at room temperature. This was in part due to an improved and more sensitive assay for HSP70 being
utilised in the latest series of exposures.
CONCLUSION: UWB radiation (5.4 kV/m peak power, 2170 pps) did not affect the viability of isolated
rabbit corneal cells and human fibroblasts at 37oC.
Cell Density
LD
MD
HD

Control
Exposed
Control
Exposed
Control
Exposed

HFFF2
24 h
0.181 0.012
0.180 0.010
0.596 0.024
0.607 0.024
1.429 0.034
1.460 0.035

SIRC

48 h
0.207 0.011
0.208 0.011
0.678 0.025
0.680 0.023
1.408 0.063
1.411 0.062

24 h
0.173 0.009
0.166 0.009
0.614 0.026
0.583 0.019
1.667 0.071
1.592 0.051

48 h
0.324 0.031
0.312 0.033
1.000 0.041
1.014 0.094
1.921 0.111
2.012 0.246

TABLE 1. The effect of 3 h exposure at 37oC to UWB (2170 pps) in SIRC and HFFF2 cells on cell
proliferation as determined by the GV assay 24 or 48h after exposure.
Cells seeded at densities of 5 000 (LD), 15 000 (MD) and 50 000 (HD) cells/100 l/well in 96 well plates.
The figures are expressed as the mean of the absorbances at 620nm the standard deviation (n = 20). There
was no significant difference between the control and exposed cultures, by Welchs approximate t-test. The
results for the NR dye retention and MTT viability assays were similar (data not shown).
This work was sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, UK.

P-69
CYTOSTATIC EFFECTS IN HUMAN CANCER CELLS EXPOSED IN VITRO TO 0.5 MHz
ELECTRIC CURRENTS. A. beda, S. de Bernardo*, E. Bazn*, M.A. Trillo, M.A. Martnez* and J.
Leal. Dept. Investigacin, Hospital Ramn y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
OBJECTIVE: RF currents administered through external electrodes can be used to selectively increase the
temperature of target, internal tissues and organs. Preliminary, clinical assays of such a non invasive
method, known as capacitive-resistive electric transfer (CRET) therapy, have provided promising results in
the treatment of muscle and tendon injuries in sports medicine (Mondardini et al., in: La Reabilitazione
Verso il 2000, 1999). The present study investigates the cellular mechanisms of response to low level, RF
electric signals generated by a stimulator (INDIBA, Mod. M500) currently used in CRET therapy.
METHODS: Human cancer cell lines of neuroblastoma (NB69) and hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) were
seeded in petri dishes and grown to 75% confluence in a CO2 atmosphere. Pairs of electrodes were then
inserted in all, experimental and control dishes. In each experimental run, short pulses of electric currents at
0.5 MHz and densities between 10 and 150 A/mm2 were delivered to the experimental dishes (n=5) for a
24-h period, while the electrodes in the control dishes (n=5) remained unenergized. A total of three
experimental replicates were carried out on each of the two cell types and for the different current densities
(cd) tested. No current density =150 A/mm2 was found to induce temperature increases of the media
(t<0.1 C) at the end of the exposure time. After treatment, the cells responses were evaluated in terms of
cell viability, cell growth and DNA-to-protein content.
RESULTS: The hepatocarcinoma cells showed significantly reduced growth rates (p<0.05, Students t-test)
when exposed to cd50 A/mm2. No effects on the viability of these HepG2 cells were observed at any of
the cd tested. The neuroblastoma NB69 cells showed consistent, significant decreases in the cell viability
after exposure to any cd10 A/mm2, and no changes in the growth rate. Thus, in the NB69 cells the
observed effect did not seem to be linearly dependent on the cd; the sensitivity threshold, being under
165

10 A/mm2, could not be identified. No indications of effect of the treatment on the cells differentiation
were observed, since no signs of changes in the protein-to-DNA content were found on any of the two cell
lines, at any of the cd assayed. A preliminary study (see accompanying abstract, by Trillo et al.) indicates
that the cellular responses described here could be mediated by interactions of the RF currents on processes
involved in the mitosis.
DISCUSSION: The present results indicate that in vitro exposures to low level, subthermal RF currents can
provoke changes in the growth rate or the viability of cancer cell lines in a manner that may not be a lineal
function of the current density. The treatments induced cellular responses indicative of a potential
oncostatic action in human cells that is worth of being investigated.
Study commissioned by Direccin General de Productos Sanitarios (NIH, Spain) and supported by
INDIBA, S.A., Barcelona (Spain)

P-70
CHANGES IN THE CELL CYCLE OF HUMAN CANCER LINES EXPOSED TO 0.5-MHz
CURRENTS. M.A. Trillo, S. de Bernardo*, A. Ubeda, M.A. Martnez*, E. Bazn* and J. Leal. Dept.
Investigacin, Hospital Ramn y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work is to characterize the in vitro responses of HepG2 human
hepatocarcinoma and NB69 human neuroblastoma cells to radiofrequency (RF) electric signals used in
muscle and tendon therapy. In a parallel study, Ubeda et al. (see accompanying abstract) have shown that
short time exposures to 0.5-MHz signals at current densities in the range of 10-150 A/mm2 significantly
reduce the growth rate of HepG2 cells and the cell viability of NB69 without increasing the temperature of
the culture media (t<0.1 C). These data suggest that the observed responses could be mediated by nonthermally induced alterations on the cell cycle.
METHODS: HepG2 and NB69 human cancer cells were seeded in 12 mm coverglasses placed in petri
dishes (2 glasses/dish). When the cultures reached 75% confluence, pairs of sterile electrodes were inserted
in all control and experimental petri dishes in a way that only one coverglass per dish was located within the
gap between electrodes. In each of a total of three experimental replicates, five petri dishes were exposed
during 24 hours to short pulses of the 0.5-MHz signal, at a current density of 100 A/mm2, known to affect
cell growth and cell viability in the HepG2 and NB69 lines, respectively. The electrode pairs in the
remaining groups of 5 dishes were kept unenergized and the cultures used as controls. For histological
evaluation, the samples in the coverglasses were fixed, dehydrated and contrasted with haematoxyline. A
total of 30 samples exposed and 30 controls per cell line were processed for photomicroscope analysis. The
number of metaphases was quantified independently and in blind conditions for treatment by two
investigators. For each sample the determination of metaphases was made over a total of 500 cells and a 2
statistical test was applied.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study of the samples exposed in coverglasses located within the
electrodes revealed significant increases in the number of cells in metaphase when compared to controls:
238% and 146% increases for HepG2 and NB69 lines, respectively (both p<0.01). Such a response was not
observed in cells seeded in areas outside the gap between electrodes. Together with the data reported by
Ubeda et al., the present results indicate that the exposure to 100 A/mm2 currents at 0.5 MHz can
significantly slow down or arrest the mitotic cycle in both HepG2 and NB69 cells. Such an effect could
result in permanent cell damage, which is coherent with the cytostatic/cytotoxic effects observed on these
human cancer cell lines after treatment with weak, 0.5-MHz electric currents.
Study commissioned by Direccin General de Productos Sanitarios (NIH, Spain) and supported by
INDIBA, S.A., Barcelona (Spain).

166

P-71
CONTROL OF OSTEOBLAST ORIENTATION BY MAGNETIC FIELDS. H. Kotani*1, M.
Iwasaka1, S. Ueno 1, H. Kawaguchi*2 and K. Nakamura*2, 1Department of Biomedical Engineering and
2
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033,
Japan.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to control osteoblast cell orientation by using the magnetic
orientation of collagen. Osteoblasts initiate the process of new bone formation by secreting a matrix of
collagen. Bone construction and degradation occur on the bone surface in a mutually compensating and
balanced state. Osteoblasts interact with collagen fibers and adhere tightly.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Collagen monomers polymerize to form a gelatinous state when the pH of
the solution changes from acid to neutral. A horizontal type superconducting magnet, 700 mm long with a
bore of 100 mm in diameter, which produced 8 T at its center was used. Collagen gel formations were
carried out in a temperature stabilized cylindrical chamber at 37 C. An experiment was performed using
mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and collagen type I solution (3 mg/ml, pH 3.0) containing NaCl.
Cells were cultured in alpha-modified minimum essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum
(FBS). The collagen solutions containing cells were seeded on plastic dishes. The collagen and cell
mixture was incubated in both a homogeneous and a gradient magnetic field of up to 8 T for 60 min.
RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: Collagen fibrils oriented perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic
field. After 24 hours of incubation without exposure to magnetic fields, osteoblast cells adhered to the
oriented collagen fibrils, and the cells changed from circular to rod-like shapes. In the hours after exposure
to the field or to a zero field in the case of controls, the cells attached to the collagen fibrils and spread along
them. The long axes of cells were parallel to the direction of collagen fibrils. On the other hand, orientation
of both collagen and cells was not observed without magnetic field exposure. Direction of osteoblast cell
orientation under a zero field was completely isotropic. These results suggest the potential application of
the magnetic orientation of both collagen fibers and bone cells for the clinical treatment of bone
construction and for tissue engineering.

P-72
EFFECTS OF TIME-VARYING MAGNETIC FIELD ON Ca2+ RELEASE FROM INTRACELLULAR Ca2+ STORES OF ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS. T. Ikehara1, K.H. Park2, H.
Kashimoto2, H. Houti3, H. Yamaguchi1, K. Hosokawa1, Y. Kinouchi2, K. Yoshizaki1 and H. Miyamoto4.
1
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, 2Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, 3Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, The University of Tokushima,
Tokushima 770-8503, 4Department of Life, Environment and Information, Faculty of Domestic Science,
Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: We have recently found that the time-varying magnetic field inhibited the Ca2+ release from
intracellular stores of chromaffin cells[l] or HeLa cells[2]. In this study, we examined to find the
mechanism that exposure of the cells to the magnetic field inhibited Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+
stores induced by several kinds of stimulants containing bradykinin.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were dispersed enzymatically as reported
by Oka et al.[3]. Cells were plated in the same culture dishes at a density of 106 cells/dish for measuring the
intracellular IP3 content and the Ca2+ concentration. After the cells were attached to the dishes or cover
glasses, they were maintained for 2-5 days in monolayer cultures. Magnetic field is produced by an
electromagnet designed and set up by Hitachi Metal Indust. Co. (Tokyo Japan)[4]. This system produced
time-varying magnetic field varied between 0.07 to 1.51 T at an interval of 3 sec. The cover glasses in
culture dishes or plastic culture dishes were put in special incubator to keep their temperature at 37 C, and
then the incubator was placed horizontally in the gap between two poles of electromagnet. The
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concentration of intracellular Ca2+ was measured with Fura 2 by ARGUS 50/CA (Hamamatsu Photonics,
Hamamatsu, Japan) and changes in intracellular inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) concentration was
measured by using IP3 [3H] assay system (Amersham Life Science).
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: The Ca2+ concentration in bovine chromaffin cells ([Ca2+]i) was increased
by addition of bradykinin (BK) to a Ca2+-free medium. However, the exposure did not change BK-induced
production of IP3. Also, [Ca2+]i was markedly increased in IP3-1oaded cells, and this increase was inhibited
by the exposure in the Ca2+-free medium. The similar increase in [Ca2+]i was induced by thapsigargin,
caffeine or ionomycin, and was again inhibited by the same exposure. Inhibition of BK-induced increase in
[Ca2+]i by the exposure for 0.5 hr was mostly recovered after placing the cells for 1 hr outside the magnetic
field. These results suggests that the magnetic field directly or indirectly influence to the surface of the
intracellular Ca2+ stores containing Ca2+ releasing channels.
References.
[1] Ikehara, T., Park, K.H. et al. Effects of a time-varying strong magnetic field on transient increase in
cytosolic free Ca2+ induced by bradykinin in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. FEBS Lett., 435,229232, 1998.
[2] Ikehara, T., Park, K.H. et al. Effects on Rb+(K+) uptake of HeLa cells in a high K+ medium of exposure
to a switched 1.7 Tesla magnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics, 21, 1-20, 1999.
[3] Oka, M. et al. in: Usdin, E., I.J. Kopin and Barchas J. (Eds.), Catecholamines: Basic and Clinical
Frontiers, Pergamon Press, Oxford, p.70-72, 1979.
[4] Yamaguchi, H., Ikehara, T. et al. Effects of time-varying electromagnetic fields on K+(Rb+) fluxes and
surface charge of HeLa cells. Jpn. J. Physiol., 42, 929-943, 1992.

P-73
DISTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT JUNCTIONAL PROTEINS (CONNEXIN 43, OCCLUDIN AND
N-CADHERIN) ON EPITHELIAL CELL MEMBRANES UPON MAGNETIC FIELD
EXPOSITION. Z. Somosy*, . Telbisz*, G. Bognr* and G. Thurczy. Fodor Jzsef National Center of
Public Health Frdric Joliot-Curie National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene,
Budapest, Hungary.
OBJECTIVE: It is well known that the plasma membranes of neighboring cells exhibit different types of
specialized junctional structures. These organelles (tight-, adherents- and gap-junctions) play essential role
in cell communication, signal transduction, as well as development and maintenance of cell polarity and
cell-cell adhesion. These junctions are dynamic in structure and functions and they are modulated by
different environmental factors. According to theoretical consideration (1) and experimental data (2-5)
electromagnetic field exposition may modulate the structural and functional integrity of these organelles in
different cell cultures. The objective of this study is investigate whether AC magnetic field (50 Hz, 100 T)
to what extent altered the distribution of any structural proteins of cell junctions?
METHODS: The HT-29 colon carcinoma cells (obtained from Public Health Laboratory Service,
Salisbury, U.K.) were plated 24 well polystyrene culture plates and maintained in Dulbeccos Modified
Eagles Medium, containing 10% fetal calf serum and antibiotics at 37 C in a 5% CO2 moist atmosphere.
The cell cultures were exposed in a CO2 incubator to an AC magnetic field vertically parallel to cylinder
axis of a cylindrical recording chamber. The frequency of fields was 50 Hz; the flux density B (AC) was
100 T (root mean square). The dosimetry of magnetic field is detailed by Forgcs et al., (1998) (6). The
localization of antibodies was investigated at immediately, 30 min, 1 hour, 4 hour and 24 hour after
expositions.
The cells were fixed and permeabilized in methanol at -20 C for at least 2 hours and. The anti N-cadherin
antibody (monoclonal anti-A-Cell Adhesion Molecule) Clone no. GC2542 were obtained from Sigma
Chem. Co., St. Louis, MO, USA, anti-connexin 43 (Clone no. CX1B1) and anti-occludin antibodies (Clone
no. OC-3F10) were obtained from Zymed Laboratories Inc. (San Francisco, CA, USA). The second
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antibody was used FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)-labeled anti-mouse antibody developed in rabbit
(obtained from Sigma Chem. Co., St. Louis, MO, USA). The cells were covered by Vectashield mounting
medium (Vector Lab. Inst. Burlingame, CA, USA) and investigated under an Axioscope (Carl Zeiss, Jena,
Germany).
RESULTS: We observed punctuated staining of connexin-43 both in the cytoplasm and in the cell surface.
The magnetic field immediately after exposition reversible decreased the number of observable fluorescent
spots. The N-cadherin and occludin antibodies localized to sites of cell-cell contacts. The magnetic field
reversible increased the amount of cytoplasmic localized occludin as well as may broken the continuous line
of cellular contacts localized cadherin.
DISCUSSION: Magnetic field exposition caused a reversible distribution changes of different structural
proteins of epithelial cell junctional complexes in HT-29 cells.
References.
1. Muehsam DJ, Pilla AA (1999) Bioelectrochem. Bioenerg. 48, 35-42.
2. Schimmelpfeng J, Stein J-C, Dertinger H (1995) Bioelectromagnetics 16, 381-386.
3. Ubeda A, Trillo MA, House DE, Blackman, CF (1995) Carcinogenesis 16, 2945-2949.
4. Li CM, Chiang H, Fu YD, Shao BJ, Shi JR, Yao GD (1999)
5. Somosy Z, (2000) Micron 31, 165-181.
6. Forgcs Zs, Thurczy Gy, Paksy K, Szab LD Bioelectromagnetics (1998), 19, 429-431.
The Hungarian Ministry of Health ETT Grant (no. 060/99) supported this work.

P-74
EFFECTS OF WEAK ELF ON HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES. I.Ya. Belyaev 1,2, J. Torudd 1*, and M.
Harms-Ringdahl1*. 1Department of Molecular Genome Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, S10691, Sweden; 2Department of Radiation Physics, Biophysics and Ecology, Moscow Engineering Physics
Institute, Moscow, 115409, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: The frequency dependent effects of ELF on the conformation of chromatin in human
lymphocytes have been recently described [1]. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate a possibility
that such effects of weak ELF alternating magnetic fields induced an apoptosis in human lymphocytes.
MATERIALS and METHODS: The changes in chromatin conformation were measured with the method
of anomalous viscosity time dependencies (AVTD). Morphological changes during apoptosis were
determined by fluorescent microscopy (FM) after dual staining of cells with acridine orange and propidium
iodide. The fragmentation of genomic DNA into the 50-kbp fragments was analyzed by pulsed-field gel
electrophoresis (PFGE). The human lymphocytes were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy donors.
Sinusoidal magnetic field (21 T rms, 8 Hz) was applied using the Helmholtz coils by means of an AC
signal generator. All incubations and exposures were run at the 43 T collinear static magnetic field.
Lymphocytes were exposed to ELF during three days, 4 h daily, at 37oC in CO2 incubator. Irradiation with
-quanta and hyperthermia was used as a positive control.
RESULTS: Three experiments with cells of different donors were performed. Each experiment included
sham exposure. The AVTD peaks decreased transiently in response to ELF. Stronger decrease in the
AVTD peaks was observed after hyperthermia. Morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and cell death
was observed after irradiation and hyperthermia. A trend to increase in morphological changes and DNA
fragmentation was observed. A weak but statistically significant fragmentation of DNA was observed in 2
out of 3 tested donors (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained with three different techniques (AVTD, FM, and PFGE) suggested
transient effects of ELF at the level of chromatin organization. These effects are likely related to stress
response.

169

References.
Belyaev, I.Ya., YD. Alipov, and M Harms-Ringdahl, Resonance effects of weak ELF on E. coli cells and
human lymphocytes: role of genetic, physiological and physical parameters, In: Electricity and Magnetism
in Biology and Medicine, ed. F Bersani, Kluwer Academic, NY, 481-484, 1999.
These studies were supported by the Swedish Council for Work Life Research and the Swedish Radiation
Protection Institute.

P-75
EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON AFFINITY STATE OF SEROTONIN1A GPROTEIN COUPLED RECEPTORS. J.K. Chamberlain1, M.L. Niemuller1, D.N. Vesper2, J.A. Swez2,
M.T. Fox1 and W.X. Balcavage1. 1Terre Haute Center for Medical Education, Indiana University School of
Medicine, Terre Haute, Indiana 47809, USA. 2Department of Physics, Indiana State University, Terre
Haute, Indiana 47809, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Current views consider the mechanistic equivalent of agonist efficacy to reside in the ability
of agonist bound receptor to bind to inactive g-protein and to promote the release of prebound GDP from it.
This permits GTP to bind to the alpha-subunit of the g-protein leading to a destabilization and dissociation
of the ternary (agonist/receptor/g-protein) complex and formation of activated alpha-subunit and beta
gamma subunits which associate with effector moieties starting the signal transduction cascade. These
initial events are indicated by two affinity states typically seen in agonist g-protein coupled receptor
binding. High affinity binding is associated with the agonist bound ternary complex with GDP and low
affinity binding is associated with ternary complex with GTP. We propose that externally applied
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are facilitating the efficacy of agonist bound g-protein coupled receptors and
subsequent signal transduction cascade pathways by promoting the formation of low affinity GTP bound
ternary complex.
METHODS: Purified synaptic rat hippocampal membrane homogenate preparations were incubated with
[3H]-OH-DPAT in concentrations ranging from 0.1nM to 45nM. Homogenate membrane preparations were
incubated for 20 minutes in an EMF consisting of a 0.04mT static EMF plus 0.1mT (rms) sinusoidal EMF
(60Hz) using a double wound Merritt coil system housed in dedicated 37 C room. As controls a second set
of samples were exposed to sham conditions in an identical Merritt coil system in the same 37 C room.
The resulting saturation isotherms were analyzed using unweighted nonlinear regression analysis programs
in SigmaPlot 4.0.
RESULTS: The binding parameters derived from the saturation isotherms of EMF exposed samples were:
Kd=0.17nM with a Bmax of 76 fmol/mg protein for the high affinity component and Kd=10nM with a Bmax of
481 fmol/mg protein for the low affinity component. Under control conditions the binding parameters were:
Kd=0.11nM with a Bmax of 152 fmol/mg protein for the high affinity component and Kd=22nM with a Bmax
of 398 fmol/mg protein for the low affinity component. Bmax for the high affinity component was decreased
50% in EMF exposed samples compared to control while Bmax for the low affinity component was increased
20%.
DISCUSSION: In this study we found that EMFs appear to facilitate the agonist -binding efficacy of [3H]OH-DPAT to serotonin1A receptors. However, it is unknown whether downfield signal cascade events are
affected as a consequence.

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P-76
ENHANCED PLATELET AGGREGATION BY STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS OF TESLA
ORDER. M. Iwasaka, M. Takeuchi* and S. Ueno, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate
School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Both fibrin and platelets have important roles in the blood coagulation process. Fibrin and collagen
polymers are diamagnetic materials that are oriented in a magnetic field. It is also reported that blood
platelet and erythrocyte show magnetic orientation by the parallel alignment of its saucer plain to the
magnetic field direction. The suggested mechanism of the magnetic orientation of proteins and blood cells
is due to the diamagnetic anisotropy of peptide bonds and lipid membrane. The blood coagulation system
consists of materials that orient parallel and perpendicular to the direction of magnetic fields. We can
expect a modulation of blood coagulation processes under magnetic fields of tesla order.
In the present study, we investigated the effects of intense magnetic fields on blood platelet aggregation
process with and without static magnetic fields of up to 14 T. As the model system for a wounded blood
vessel, a mixture of rabbit plasma and collagen was used.
We used a horizontal type of superconducting magnet. The magnet produced magnetic fields of up to 14 T
at its center. We evaluated the plasma coagulation process by using the optical transmission measurement
system. The blood plasma was injected into a plastic-type optical cell, and the cell was inserted into the
external optical cell holder in the superconducting magnet's bore. After 10 minutes of incubation of the
plasma containing 5 mM CaCl2 at 37 C, 20 l of collagen with a concentration of 3 mg/ml was added to
the plasma. Collagen stimulated the platelets in the plasma, which induced plasma coagulation.
We observed the optical transmission of the plasma at 600 nm. It was observed that the optical transmission
of the plasma exposed to strong magnetic fields increased earlier than the plasma that was not exposed to
strong magnetic field. The results indicated that strong magnetic fields enhanced the blood platelet
aggregation in plasma.
Also, we observed aggregates of platelets by using an optical microscope. Platelet aggregates in strong
magnetic fields were significantly larger than the aggregates in an ambient field.
A possible mechanism of the observed phenomena is the magnetic orientation of platelets. We concluded
that platelet aggregation was enhanced by magnetic field exposure of up to 14 T. The observed
phenomenon is considered to be useful for the clinical treatment of thrombotic diseases.

P-77
MECHANISMS OF PRIMARY DETECTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS BY A
MACROMOLECULE. M.N. Zhadin*. Laboratory for Neurocybernetics of Institute of Cell Biophysics,
142292 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: There were several different attempts to develop a biophysical theory of biological action of
a magnetic field (MF). Among them, the theory of ionic cyclotron resonance (Liboff, 1985; McLeod,
Liboff, 1987) and the theory of ionic parametric resonance (Lednev, 1991, Lednev et al.; 1996; Blanchard,
Blackman, 1994) are the most known. These theories have played important role in the development of
bioelectromagnetics but they ran into serous problems. The cyclotron resonance is impossible because of
viscosity of the liquid medium and an extremely great radius of the ion circulation measured in meters at the
room temperature. As for parametric resonance, according to Mandelstam (1955), it is a threshold
phenomena and it is impossible at a very high ratio of the natural frequency of an oscillator (natural
frequency of ion oscillation in a molecule) to the parameter change frequency (AC MF frequency) which is
of order of 107 or more for AC frequency about 10 Hz. We tried to develop a theory based on other ideas
and able to explain a diversity of known phenomena.
METHOD: A vector differential equation describing thermal motion of an ion in a macromolecule under
the influence of parallel DC and AC magnetic fields was derived. The equation took into account the
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following forces: a dissipative force damping the ion oscillation; an elastic force restoring the ion to its
equilibrium point produced by internal intramolecular fields; an external Lorentz force of MFs action on the
moving ion; an external force of a curl electric field produced by the AC MF; internal forces of thermal
action on the ion exerted by surrounding particles through the intramolecular fields. When solving the
equation, the parts responsible for arising parametric resonance turned out to be negligibly small, and they
considered equal to zero.
RESULTS: The analytical solution of the equation allowed revealing physical mechanisms of the following
phenomena:
On combined action of DC and AC MFs, arising resonant phenomena in the ion thermal oscillations
affecting living beings at the cyclotron frequency of the AC field and its harmonics and subharmonics;
Arising amplitude windows at the combined action of the DC and AC MFs on living beings;
Influence of the DC MF alone on the thermal ion motion and on living beings;
Resonant-like influence of the AC MF alone on the thermal ion motion and on living beings;
Resonant-like action of the modulated high frequency EMF on living beings;
On combined action of DC and modulated high frequency EMF, arising resonant phenomena in the ion
thermal oscillations affecting living beings at the cyclotron frequency in modulation and its harmonics and
subharmonics.
Reasons of bad reproducibility of experimental data at weak MFs.
DISCUSSION: The changes in ion kinetic energy can lead to changes in conformational states of
biologically important macromolecules. We were able to understand the mechanisms of wide range of
known experimental (Liboff et al., 1987) phenomena, without recourse to the ideas of neither Ion cyclotron
resonance, nor Ion parametric resonance. The quantitative estimations showed that these effects can be
quite prominent at the MFs about mT in magnitude and, in some instances, at MFs comparable in
magnitudes with the natural geomagnetic field.

P-78
MEASUREMENT OF CATECHOLAMINE RELEASE FROM CULTURED BOVINE ADRENAL
MEDULLARY CHROMAFFIN CELLS EXPOSED TO 60-Hz EMFs. G.L. Craviso*, J. Schmidt*, I.
Chatterjee and N.G. Publicover. Departments of Pharmacology, Electrical Engineering and Physiology and
Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 89557, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Several laboratories have reported that magnetic field stimulation of neonatal rat adrenal
chromaffin cells and PC-12 cells exerts effects on the release of catecholamines. The present study was
undertaken to begin examining whether release of catecholamines from adult bovine adrenal chromaffin
cells is affected by exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields.
METHODS: Cells were prepared from bovine adrenal medullae and maintained in suspension culture. On
the day of the experiment, the culture medium was replaced with a balanced salt solution and the cells
dispensed into 6-well (35-mm diameter wells) culture plates. For simultaneous EMF-sham exposure,
duplicate plates of cells were placed in the center of each of two four-coil Merritt exposure systems that
were enclosed within mu-metal chambers in matched incubators. Each coil was constructed with twisted
bifilar wire such that the direction of the currents through the two strands of bifilar wire was made either
parallel for field exposure or antiparallel for sham exposure. The coils were driven by a programmable
power source and amplifier. Temperature of the cell samples was the same in each chamber (ranging from
31-35C for any given experiment) and was continuously monitored by a thermistor probe attached to the
inside edge of one of the wells. Following exposure, the plates of cells were immediately placed on ice to
halt any further catecholamine release. Cells were pelleted by centrifugation and an aliquot of the balanced
salt solution as well as the lysed cell pellet were analyzed for norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI)
content by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. Release was
expressed relative to the respective cellular content of each catecholamine. In all experiments, some of the
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cell samples received 10 M of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium

(DMPP) as a positive control for secretion.
RESULTS: Under our culture conditions, chromaffin cells maintained relatively stable levels of both NE
and EPI and an EPI:NE ratio of about 3:1 for up to 8 days. Basal NE and EPI content in the balanced salt
solution (basal release) was generally less than 7% of the total cellular content for both NE and EPI.
Treatment of the cells with DMPP for 15 minutes released, on average, 21% of the NE stores and 12% of
the EPI stores. Exposing cells for 15 minutes to 60-Hz magnetic flux densities ranging from 1 to 2 mT did
not lead to any significant difference in the amount of NE and EPI released in response to DMPP compared
to sham-exposed cells. On the other hand, significant differences (both increases and decreases) were
observed for the amount of basal NE and EPI release in exposed cells relative to sham-exposed cells.
However, sham-sham exposure experiments occasionally yielded similar differences in basal release
between each set of samples.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of two identical exposure systems for simultaneous sham-field exposure
experiments, as well as for sham-sham exposure experiments, has shown that 60-Hz magnetic flux densities
in the 1-2 mT range have no effect on basal or DMPP-stimulated catecholamine secretion from adult
chromaffin cells. Studies are underway that are evaluating the effect of other magnetic flux densities and
exposure conditions.
This work was supported by NIEHS RO1 ES 07563.

P-79
RESPONSE OF DEGRANULATION RATE OF MAST CELLS TO COMPLEX-SPECTRUM
"TRANSPORT" MAGNETIC FIELDS. N.A. Temuryants1, V.S. Martinyuk*1, A.V. Shekhotkin*1, D.
Pfluger2, N.G. Ptitsyna3, G. Villoresi4, Y.A. Kopytenko3, N. Iucci5, J. Rasson*6, E.B. Lyskov7.
*1Simferopol State Univ., Dept. of Human Physiology, Simferopol 333036, Ukraine. 2Univ. of Bern, Dept
of Social & Preventive Medicine, Bern 3012, Switzerland. 3SPbFIZMIRAN, St. Petersburg 191023, Russia;
4
IFSI/CNTR c/o Univ. Roma Tre", Phys. Dept., Rome 00146, Italy. 5Univ. "Roma Tre", Physics Dept.,
Rome 00146, Italy. 6Inst. Royal Meteorologique de Belgique, Dourbes 1180, Belgium. 7Inst. of Human
Brain, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: Recent epidemiological studies have showed that MF generated by AC and DC powered
trains may be associated with possible health hazards. However, the physiological mechanisms of this
influence remain unclear. Many investigators revealed important role of the epiphysis in reaction of
organisms to MF action. On the other hand, the epiphysis is one of the elements of diffuse neuroendocrine
system (APUD-system). We suppose that other elements of APUD-system, such as blood and tissue
basophiles, which play an important role in regulation of system and tissue regional processes, can also react
to MF action. The aim of this study was to investigate the state of tissue basophiles (mast cells) in the rats
under electric-transport like MF pattern action.
METHOD: MF pattern with complex spectra in extremely low frequency range was simulated using
special computer based equipment, created in Simferopol State University. The software for digital
simulation of MF pattern was developed in S.Pb. FIZMIRAN. We carried out three experiments with
different exposures of animals to MF: simple exposure for 3 hours; multiple exposure during 9 days for 3
hours every, time; sham exposure. The first and the second experiments included four groups of animals:
biological control(1), exposed to MF pattern(2), stressed(3), stressed and exposed to MF pattern(4). Stressreaction in the animals was simulated by hypokinesia. The third experiment was carried out only on two
groups of animals: control and sham exposed. In each experiment all specified groups of animals were used
simultaneously. After the end of MF exposure rats were sacrificed step-by-step during 2 hour in random
mode. Such an experimental design minimized the time variability factor. The reaction of the mast cells on
MF influence was estimated histochemically on an index of degranulation.
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RESULTS: Analysis of the experimental data shows high sensitivity of mast cells to MF influence (see
fig). Exposure of animals to MF pattern produces a statistically significant increase the degranulation rate
of mast cells up to 15-30%. The direction of these changes is similar to the changes which are revealed in
the mast cells of stressed animals. This fact testifies that electric transport-like MF pattern is moderate
environmental factor which induce stress-like reaction in human and animal organism. Two unexpected
results were found out in our experiments. (i) The reaction of the mast cells to simple MF-pattern action was
higher than on hypokinetic stress. In this case, MF-pattern with complex spectra is a biologically more
significant factor. (ii) The reaction of mast cells on MF was more pronounced after simple exposure than in
the experiment with multiple influence. Possibly, it might be associated with the development of adaptation
to MF influence.

CONCLUSION: Our results show that mast cells can be one of the sensors of external MF. MF with
complex spectra are found to be biologically significant and to induce a weak or moderate stress-like
adaptive reaction in organism.
This work was supported by the European Commission (contract N ERBIC15-CT96-03031.

P-80
DO 700MHz RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS AFFECT NEURONAL ACTIVITY AND INTRACELLULAR Ca2+ CONCENTRATIONS IN DISSOCIATED RAT CORTICAL NEURONE
CULTURES? A.C. Green and J.E.H. Tattersall, Biomedical Sciences Department, CBD Porton Down,
Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: At low field intensities in the absence of measurable temperature increases continuous wave
(700MHz) radiofrequency (RF) fields have been shown to modulate both electrically-evoked and 4aminopyridine (4-AP) -induced activity in the rat hippocampal slice preparation (Wood et al, 1997). These
observations were made by measuring the electrical activity of neurones exposed to RF fields within a
calibrated stripline waveguide. In this exposure system both stimulating and recording electrodes are by
necessity exposed to the RF field where they may act both to perturb the local RF field and as a potential
source of artifact. The objective of this study was to monitor the effects of RF fields on neuronal activity
using calcium ion imaging technology, thus eliminating the need for stimulating and recording electrodes to
be placed within the RF field.
METHODS: Dissociated cortical neuronal/glial cultures prepared essentially as described by Dichter
(1978), were grown on No 1 glass coverslips for 6-14 days. Cells were loaded as previously described
(Green et al., 1996) with either 2.5m fura-2AM for ratiometric determination of intracellular Ca2+
concentrations ([Ca2+]i) or 2M fluo-3AM for measurement of rapid changes of intracellular Ca2+. For
experiments, cultures were maintained at 30C in a Perspex perfusion bath within a calibrated stripline
waveguide (Wood et al., 1997) mounted on an inverted microscope. Cultures were continually perfused
with a modified Lockes solution (Green et al., 1996) to which drugs were added when used. In
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experiments with fluo-3-loaded cultures, neuronal activity was promoted by the addition of 100M 4-AP to
a Mg2+-free perfusion saline. Excitation light 340,380 or 490nm was supplied by a monochromator.
Fluorescence images (515nm) were captured with a 12 bit digital camera interfaced to a computer running
LSRs Merlin software. RF input to the stripline waveguide enabled exposures with E-field amplitudes of
up to 71V.m-1.
RESULTS: Exposure of fura-2-loaded cultures to 700MHz continuous wave RF fields for 5min had no
effect on [Ca2+]i. In control neurones [Ca2+]i was 9238nM (meanSD 49cells/5experiments). and in RF
exposed neurones [Ca2+]i was 9941nM (meanSD 66cells/7experiments) at the highest field intensity
studied. Exposures at lower field intensities were also ineffective at modulating neuronal [Ca2+]i. In fluo-3
loaded neurones Mg2+-free/4-AP conditions resulted in rapid and synchronous trains of Ca2+ transients in
many neurones within a field of view. These transients were abolished by 50nM tetrodotoxin, greatly
attenuated by 5M CNQX and partially attenuated by 5M MK-801 demonstrating that glutamatergic
synaptic transmission and action potential transmission were responsible for their generation. Initial
experiments in which neurones are exposed to RF fields (E-field 71V.m-1) during the Mg2+-free/4-AP
stimulus suggest that this RF exposure had no effect on this neuronal activity.
DISCUSSION: These studies have failed to confirm previous observations showing that low intensity RF
fields can affect 4-AP-induced neuronal activity. Although this discrepancy may have resulted from a lack
of the effects introduced by the presence of electrodes in the RF field, it could also be due to the differences
between the 3-dimensional organisation and geometry of the dissociated neuronal cultures used here and
that of the hippocampal slice preparation. Future experiments using organotypic cultures of hippocampal
slices will further explore these possibilities.
References.
Wood SJ, Nettell JJ, Tattersall JEH (1997). An electrophysiological investigation of the effects of
radiofrequency radiation on rat hippocampal slices. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 23,2205.
Dichter MA (1978). Rat cortical neurones in cell culture: culture methods, cell morphology,
electrophysiology and synapse formation. Brain Res. 149, 279-293.
Green AC, Nakanishi K, Usherwood PNR (1996). Polyamine amides are neuroprotective in cerebellar
granule cell cultures challenged with excitatory amino acids. Brain Res. 717, 135-146.
Supported by the Ministry of Defence, UK.

P-81
THRESHOLDS OF ULTRASONIC BIOEFFECTS IN MAMMALIAN CELLS. U. Irmer*, D.F.
Hlser* and F. Brmmer*. University of Stuttgart, Biological Institute, Biophysics Department, , D-70550
Stuttgart, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Pulsed ultrasound is used in medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, but little is
known about an energy threshold for reversible or irreversible damage of mammalian cells. In the last years
the safety of new diagnostic devices with high output power was questioned. We, therefore, investigated
several diagnostic ultrasound devices with standardised in vitro models. For the determination of thresholds
for the onset of detectable effects we used an experimental ultrasound reactor tunable from simulated
diagnostic conditions to continuous wave ultrasound.
METHOD: Suspensions of human erythrocytes (107 cells/ml) were sonicated in polyethylene pipettes at
maximum output power for up to 30 minutes in the focal area of several diagnostic probes or in the
experimental ultrasound reactor. After sonication, the cells were counted, and the release of haemoglobin
from destroyed and intact cells was determined photometrically by the cyano-haemoglobin method. We
also investigated the density of human blood after sonication using an oscillation U-tube density meter.
After sonication of L1210 cells, a mouse leukaemia cell line, we used flow cytometry and a double staining
method to distinguish between viable (Fluorescein-Diacetate stained) and dead (Propidium Iodid stained)
cells. Furthermore we used the comet assay (a single cell gel electrophoresis on microscopical slides) to
175

check the DNA for effects caused by sonication. As a tissue model, we used multicellular spheroids
embedded in gelatine. The multicellular spheroids were investigated by light and electron microscopic
histology for changes after sonication.
RESULTS: None of the diagnostic systems investigated exhibited detectable biological effects. No
destroyed erythrocytes were detected and transient membrane ruptures can be excluded since no
haemoglobin was released. The density of human blood was not changed after sonication. Dead
(Propidium Iodide stained) L1210 cells did not exceed the number of stained cells in controls. The comet
assay showed no significant differences concerning the number or the length of the tails between sonicated
and control cells. With light and electron microscopy we were unable to detect differences between
sonication and control cells. Biological effects were detectable after sonication with the tunable
experimental ultrasound reactor. Under partially standing wave conditions, thresholds for biological (i.e.
destruction of cells, DNA damage) and sonochemical (free radicals) effects were found at 20 s pulse length
and a pulse repetition rate of 5 kHz. Thresholds for biological effects under free field conditions, were
observed in the range of 3 ms pulses at 200 Hz pulse repetition rate.
DISCUSSION: We conclude that after sonication with diagnostic devices no cellular damage can be
resolved, a result which exclude the occurrence of cavitation for these energy and frequency ranges. With a
the tunable ultrasonic laboratory reactor we were able to increase the power and thus detected thresholds for
the onset of biological effects.
This work was supported by BfS, StSch 4137.

P-82
LACK OF COOPERATIVE EFFECTS ON HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES AFTER COMBINED
EXPOSURE TO ELF MAGNETIC FIELDS AND HYDROQUINONE. O. Zeni*1, M.B. Lioi*2, A.
DAlisa1, F. Salvemini1 and M.R. Scarf*1 *ICEmB; 1Italian National Research Council, IRECE, Via
Diocleziano, 328 - 80124 Naples, Italy. 2Dept. of Animal Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: Due to the increasing use of electromagnetic fields and the large diffusion of chemical
pollutants it may be questionable whether combined exposures can induce cooperative effects on biological
systems.
Aim of this study is to investigate the induction of genotoxic effects in human lymphocyte cultures
following the exposure to a 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field and hydroquinone. Hydroquinone (HQ) is a
toxic metabolite of benzene and one of the most responsible for chromosome aberration (Janice W et al.
Cancer Research, 50, 393-399, 1990) inducing both numerical and structural aberrations (Eastmond D.A. et
al., .Mutation Res., 322, 9-20). The cytogenetic test applied was the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay.
METHODS: Human peripheral blood cultures from 4 healthy donors aged between 25 and 40 years were
set up following standard method. For each donor 4 cultures were prepared: a control, a field exposed, an
HQ treated and a field exposed and HQ treated culture. The exposure duration was 72 hours i.e. all the
culture period. HQ was added 24 hours after PHA stimulation at a final concentration of 60 M within its
dose response range (40-80 M). The exposure system was described elsewhere (Scarf M.R. et al., Health
Physics, 76, 244-250, 1999). Briefly a pair of Helmholtz coils was used to obtain a 50 Hz sinusoidal
magnetic field (1 mT field intensity). Exposed and control cultures were located in two separate incubators.
After cell growth, cultures were harvested and slides prepared according to standard methods. Data
obtained in terms of MN frequency, were analyzed by means of two tailed paired Students t test.
RESULTS: The results obtained indicate that after 72 hours exposure no increase in MN frequency is
induced (p = 0.065) confirming our previous results (Scarf M.R. et al., Health Physics, 76, 244-250, 1999).
HQ treatment increases MN frequency, as expected (p = 0.008), while combined exposure to both physical
and chemical agents tested doesnt show cooperative effects (p = 0.391).
CONCLUSION: The preliminary results here reported seems to indicate lack of cooperative effects
between HQ and a 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field in human lymphocytes treated in vitro. The limited
176

number of subjects considered in this study does not yet allow definitive conclusions, however, on going
studies on a larger number of individuals and sister chromatide exchange induction should provide more
complete information on this topic.

P-83
MODELLING BIOLOGICAL CELLS TO STUDY THE INTERACTION WITH AN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD. M. Liberti*, M. Cavagnaro*, G. d'Inzeo, and D. Spera*. Department of Electronic
Engineering, University "La Sapienza" of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy.
To identify and explain the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields, it is necessary to completely
understand the mechanisms of interaction of these fields with biological systems. To this end, the
knowledge of electromagnetic field absorbed by the biological system down to the cellular level is
fundamental.
Until now, in theoretical studies a uniform electromagnetic field distribution has been assumed. However, a
non-uniform absorption should be considered due to the non-homogeneity of the matter, and to the different
compartments that constitute a single cell.
In a first study, a cell model composed of 4 spherical concentric layers with an external extra-cellular
solution [1] has been considered, and, by using Mie's theory, an analytical solution has been derived [2].
Then, the sensitivity of the E-field distribution on the geometrical and electrical parameters of the different
cell layers has been investigated.
The results show high SAR values obtained on the bound water inside and outside the cell membrane. With
reference to the E-field values, a strong non-uniform distribution was found on the different cell layers
depending on the angular position.
Collecting the E-field values on each cell compartment as a function of field strength, a probability
distribution can be derived for the E-field values on each single part of the cell, down to the scale of single
membrane macromolecules, like protein channel as an example.
With reference to the sensitivity analysis, a limited percent variations of SAR values has been found
corresponding to wide geometric and dielectric changes of the model layers. Consequently, the cell model,
being only slightly sensitive to its geometric and dielectric parameters, seems capable to adequately describe
the biological target, in spite of the intrinsic variability of the problem.
Once the feasibility of the cell model has been demonstrated, the successive step is an improvement of the
model used. This, both with reference to the dielectric properties of the different cell compartments, and to
the geometrical shape considered.
The first improvement implies the justification of the physical significance of assigning dielectric constant
values to microscopic structures, and the determination of such values. This seems a very difficult task,
however, studies carried out on microscopic interpretation of dielectric properties have lead to assigning a
dielectric constant to biological structures such as single macromolecules [3-5].
Finally, the changes in the geometrical shape of the cell model considered, necessary to verify the
consistence of the results found in the spherical model, implies the use of a numerical method to investigate
the E-field distribution inside the model.
[1] LM Liu, SF Cleary, "Absorbed Energy Distribution From Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation in
a Mammalian Cell Model: Effect of Membrane-Bound Water", Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 16, pp. 160-171,
1995.
[2] P Bernardi, M Cavagnaro, G d'Inzeo, M Liberti, "A Cell Model to Evaluate em Field Absorption in
Biological Samples: A Sensitivity and Relevance analysis", in Proc, 4th EBEA Congress, Zagreb, Croatia,
pp. 129-130, Nov., 19-21, 1998.
[3] KA Sharp, B Honig: "Electrostatic interactions in macromolecules: Theory and applications", Annu. Rev.
Biophys. Biophys Chem. 1990. 19, 301-332.
177

[4] R Velhuizen, SW de Leeuw, "Molecular dynamics study of thermodynamic and structural properties of
methanol and polarizable/non polarizable carbon tetrachloride mixtures", J. Chem. Phys. 1996 105, 28282836.
[5] T Simonson, CL Brooks III, "Charge screening and the dielectric constants. Insights from Molecular
Dynamics", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118: 8452-8458.

P-84
TIME-DEPENDENT CHANGE IN GAP JUNCTION FUNCTION IN PRIMARY HEPATOCYTES.
X. Wang1*, D.E. House1*, J.P. Blanchard2, C.F. Blackman1. 1National Health and Environmental Effects
Research Laboratory, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 USA, 2Oakland, California
USA.
OBJECTIVE: We previously reported that gap junction communication (GJC) in a rat liver cell line could
be reduced by treatment with chloral hydrate, and that exposure to AC/DC magnetic fields, selected by the
IPR model for Mg ion resonance, could further reduce that GJC in a predictable way. Subsequently, we
showed that similar magnetic field exposure could reduce GJC in mouse primary hepatocytes treated with
melatonin. The objective of this study is to examine the time-dependence of this reduction in GJC in
primary hepatocytes due to coincident melatonin and magnetic field exposures.
METHODS: Primary hepatocytes, prepared from B6C3F1 male mice according to the method of Klaunig
et al. (1989), were treated with 0.4 nM melatonin for 24 hours. Treated cells were then exposed to
sinusoidal magnetic fields, 38.4 T DC and parallel 45-Hz AC at 24.4 Trms, for selected time periods up
to 3 hours. Following treatment, the cells were microinjected with Lucifer yellow dye and the percentage of
nearest neighbor cells to which the dye transferred (dye coupling) was determined.
RESULTS: The amount of dye coupling was reduced from 96% (sham treatment) to 80% under the
magnetic field exposure condition, and that reduction reached maximal value by 1.5 hours of exposure.
DISCUSSION: Connexin genes have recently been shown to display tumor suppression properties,
presumably through the activity of their protein products which form gap junctions, allowing GJC between
adjacent cells. One measure of GJC is the transfer of Lucifer yellow fluorescent dye among cells. Putative
and known tumor promoting chemicals can reduce GJC, and it has been hypothesized that such reduction is
a significant event in the tumor promotion process. We found that magnetic fields, applied as an external
physical agent, allow us to distinguish between the actions of different chemicals on GJC. This ability to
physiologically modulate GJC may yield insight into tumor promotion or suppression mechanisms, and
provide a basis to begin molecular level studies of gap junction regulation. The rat liver cells of earlier tests
were shown to reach maximal reduction in GJC by 30 minutes of magnetic field exposure, whereas the
primary mouse hepatocytes required 90 minutes to reach maximal reduction in GJC. Primary hepatocytes,
being more physiologically similar to cells found in tissues, are more complex and, thus, longer response
times may be expected. The time-dependent changes observed in GJC, due to magnetic field exposure, are
of a time scale that suggests plasma-membrane phenomenon involving second messenger systems for
modulation. These results also support the use of magnetic fields as a physical probe for the study of such
phenomena.
Authors supported by EPA (CFB, DEH) and by DOE (CFB), IAG# DE-AI01-94CE34007. JPB was
supported by Bechtel Corp. X Wang was supported by a National Research Council Associateship. This
abstract does not reflect EPA , Bechtel, or NRC Corporation policy.

178

P-85
X-BAND MICROWAVE EXPOSURE SETUP: IN VITRO RESPONSES OF HUMAN SERUM
PROTEINS, IMMUNOGLOBULINS AND BLOOD PLASMA CATIONS. S. Miclaus*1, E.
Surducan*2 and D. Puia*3. 1Army Academy, 2400 Sibiu, Romania. 2National Institute of Research and
Development for Isotopic and Molecular Technology, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. 3Military Hospital,
2400 Sibiu, Romania.
OBJECTIVE: One of our previous investigations indicated that occupationally exposure to radar fields
induce modifications in ionic concentration of peripheral blood serum ions (K+, Na+), in serum proteins
fractions and that immune system of radarmen might be one sensitive target to microwave exposure. That
was the reason for we proposed to look further for in vitro modifications and to achieve better quantification
of the exposure parameters. Our specific objectives were: 1) to develop a suitable exposure setup and
characterise it; 2) to establish the existence of low-level effects of irradiation on serum proteins,
immunoglobulins and plasma cations and to assess the impact of exposure duration on the modifications
induced by irradiation.
METHOD: a) Exposure Setup: Serum and blood samples were put in Teflon cuvettes (0.6ml each) and
exposed one by one in the same position inside a TE10 slot-line waveguide (22.80 x 10.15 mm), connected
to the MW generator (10.758GHz, rectangular pulses, repetition frequency=1.75kHz, duty cycle=1/2).
Incident peak power was 10.91.2 mW. The adaptation was made with the cuvette inserted in the
waveguide and filled with 9% physiological serum sample, and a stationary wave VSWR factor of 1.08 was
achieved when the thermocouple probe was also present in the sample. SAR measurements were
performed by using a microthermocouple probe (copper-constantan, wires diameter=0.14 mm , junction
diameter=0.30mm, sensitivity=0.032mV/C) connected to a Burr-Brown data acquisition system.
Temperature variations in the probe were determined (by using a relay modulator on 0.1 Hz to modulate
ON/OFF cycles for the emitted radiation) during ON period of 10 s.
b) Biochemical investigations: Protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis (immunofixation - Ig G,
IgA, IgM and light k and chains) were performed to serum samples and cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+)
concentrations in blood plasma were determined. The variable was the exposure duration: we chose 3
exposure times for each set of samples: 5, 15 and 45 min. The irradiated samples had their own control
ones, for comparison of the effects, and for relative ratio determination.
RESULTS: Calculated SAR value (from temperature shift in 10 s of irradiation) for the exposed
physiological serum was 0.26W/kg, showing that the exposure system is suited for low-level exposures.
Biochemical parameters showed some shifts, either positive and negative, compared to controls.
DISCUSSION: Upon introducing and getting out the Teflon cuvette the adaptation is modified (from
VSWR 1.08 to 1.18), so that a 10% variation in the transmitted power is suspected. Our SAR evaluation is
insufficient accurate, for the reasons: inherent field distortion by the probe, heat transport in the probe
during the ON period, the reduced temporal and temperature resolution of the thermocouple, and presence
of big noise. Besides, every minute modification (0.05ml) in the sample quantity from one sample to
another induce a 10% error in SAR evaluation. In any case, energetic absorption quantification in tandem
with biochemical investigations is suitable for evidentiating the presence of low-level irradiation
modifications.

179

P-86
EXPRESSION OF POTASSIUM CHANNELS ANALYSED WITH DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL
ASSAY TO FIND NONTHERMAL EFFECTS OF 1.9 GHZ ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. U.
Kullnick, N. deRuiter*, M. Wleklinski*, A. Wojtysiak*, Institut fr Mobil- und Satellitenfunktechnik an der
Universitt Duisburg, Abt. EMVU, D-47475 Kamp -Lintfort, Germany.
This study is intended to test a new procedure for identification and analysis of nonthermal effects. It is
tested on the expression of functional biological molecules. The assay consists of producing biological
effects with high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) in a dose response manner and of comparing
these effects with those obtained with thermally equal but conventionally warmed samples. This assay bypasses the former necessary but unachievable precondition of preventing even slight heating in the measured
system to detect nonthermal effects.
METHOD: Astrocytes from neonatale rats were kept in permanent culture in DME medium and seeded in 4
equal spaced wells of 16-well chamber slides. After 2 hours, the wells were sealed with wax coated glass
slides and transferred to rectangular waveguides, standing in a CO2 incubator. There were 2 slides side to
side in each waveguide and up to 4 waveguides and 2 incubators in the experiment. A continuous wave 1.9
GHz field in the wave-guide was applied to cause a temperature rise in the medium of 0.1 to 4 C. The
corresponding SAR values were currently determined. The conventional heating is achieved with the
temperature control of the incubators. After the 48h exposure, the cells were fixed and an
immunocytochemical staining to mark the potassium channel protein Kv1.6 (Alomone Labs.) was done
overnight. The protein content of the cells was estimated from fluorescence and acquired with an imaging
system. Therefore, digital photos of the fluorescent cells were taken, the cells identified by their light
intensity and measured by the computer based system. The data were acquired and analysed in a double
blind manner.
RESULTS: First results show temperature dependent changes in different parameters of the cells under
both conditions. The study is still ongoing due to the time consuming experiments but the number of runs
will soon be sufficient to enable a detailed statistical analysis for nonthermal effects. A specific effect of the
HF-EMF is indeterminate up to now and a detailed analysis will be presented at the meeting.
DISCUSSION: The assay presented in this study is a possible way to search for nonthermal effects in
various biological systems. More data of the expression experiments will be available at the meeting.
Supported by Ministerium fr Schule und Weiterbildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung of NordrheinWestfalen, Germany

P-87
DOSE TO THE SKIN BASAL LAYER FROM INCREASED PLATEOUT OF RADON DECAY
PRODUCT AEROSOLS UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINES. A.P. Fews, D.L. Henshaw, P.A.
Keitch, J.J. Close and R.J. Wilding. HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol BS8 1TL, UK.
We have recently demonstrated increased deposition of radon decay product aerosols on models of the
human head outdoors under high voltage powerlines1. The effect is due to the oscillation of electrically
charged aerosols in the perturbed 50 Hz E-field around the head. In a series of experiments the deposition
in the high E-field region near powerlines was increased in the range 1.4 to 2.9 compared to that on control
heads situated in the low field region some distance away. Although the airborne concentration of radon
decay product aerosols is quite low outdoors, typically 4 - 7 Bq m-3, air movements result in a deposition
velocity of aerosols outdoors typically 20 times higher than indoors. As a result, the alpha-radiation dose
rate to the basal layer of the skin can be considerably higher than for indoors at normal average radon gas
concentrations. From our pool of over 2,000 deposition measurements outdoors both near and away from
high voltage powerlines we have calculated the radon decay product radiation dose to the skin basal layer
180

for typical exposure conditions. We find that indoors the dose rate was around 9.8 milli-Sieverts per year
(mSv y-l). This is the range of other published measurements2. The dose rate for continuous exposure
outdoors, however, is around ten times higher at 95 mSv y-1. Thus, for a person spending 90% of their time
indoors and 10% outdoors their annual dose rate is 18.3 mSv y-1, which means that half of their dose come
from just 10% of the time spent outdoors. For the unlikely case of a person spending all of their time
outdoors under a high voltage powerline the dose rate would be in the rage 133 - 275 mSv y-l. For the more
realistic case of a person living in a house directly under powerlines as occurs in the UK, and spending 10%
of their time outdoors near the powerline, the dose rate would be in the range 22 - 36 mSv y-1. This means
that the effect of the powerline is to increase the skin dose by a factor of 1.2 and 2.0, despite the fact that the
individual may spend only 10% of their time outdoors. It should be noted that the ranges quoted are due to
the range of powerline E-fields seen at head height and that there is a further spread of a factor of two in the
individual deposition measurement, depending on weather conditions. Two conclusions result from these
skin basal-layer dose calculations. First, we note that the International Commission on Radiological
Protection, ICRP recommended skin dose limit 3 to members of the public is 50 mSv y-l. This limit may well
be exceeded in some individuals living under high voltage powerlines. Second, the ICRP risk factors for
non-melanoma (common) skin cancer suggest an excess relative risk, ERR of 60% per Sv. Applying the
risk factor suggests that the incidence of skin cancer could be increased by at least 30% in people living
under high voltage powerlines. A short report by Preece et al.4 found increased skin cancer in the range 1.6
(95% CL, 1.06 - 2.47) to 1.9 (95% CL, 1.01 - 3.91). We suggest that further studies of skin cancer rates in
people living under high voltage powerlines, notably in Europe where powerlines commonly cross
residential areas, are warranted.
References.
1. AP Fews, DL Henshaw, PA Keitch, JJ Close and RJ Wilding: Increased exposure to pollutant aerosols
under high voltage powerlines. International Journal of Radiation Biology, Vol. 75, no. 12, pages 15051521, 1999.
2. JP Eatough. Alpha-particle dosimetry for the basal layer of the skin and the radon progeny 218-Po and
214-Po. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 42, 1899-1911, 1997.
3. Assessment of Skin Doses. Documents of the NRPB Vol. 3, no. 3, 1997, Chilton, UK.
4. AW Preece et al. Radon, skin cancer and interaction with powerlines. US Department of Energy
Contractors Review Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, Nov 17-21, 1996.

P-88
THE INFLUENCE OF 50 HZ EMF IN COMBINATION WITH TUMOUR PROMOTING
PHORBOL ESTER ON PROTEIN KINASE C AND ON CELL CYCLE IN TWO HUMAN CELL
LINES. D. Richard*1, S. Lange*1, T. Viergutz*2, R. Kriehuber*1, M. Simk1. 1Environmental Physiology
Unit, Institute of Cell Biology and Biosystem Technique, University of Rostock, Universitatsplatz 2, D18051 Rostock, Germany. 2FBN Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: It is thought that EMF may promote carcinogenesis by influencing the proliferation, survival
and differentiation of cells. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of enzymes which takes part in these
processes by interacting with signal transduction pathways at several levels and leads to activation of
transcription factors which are involved in growth stimulation. The aim of our study was to investigate
whether horizontally applied 50 Hz MF (1 mT) in combination with the chemical tumour promotor 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) does (a) affect the subcellular localization/activation state of PKC at
the molecular level and (b) induce perturbations in the cell cycle in two human cell lines.
METHODS: To study the subcellular localization of PKC exponentially growing amniotic fluid (AFC)
cells were treated with 50 Hz MF (1 mT) and different concentrations of TPA for 1 h. To evaluate the effect
of co-exposure of TPA and EMF cells were preexposed to TPA for 45 min, followed by exposure, to both
TPA and EMF for at least 15 min. For immunoblot analysis, cytosol and particulate fractions were
181

prepared, proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred to PVDF membrane and probed with a
monoclonal anti-PKC (Me5) antibody (Sigma), followed by chemiluminescence detection. The PKC
activity in cell lysates was measured with the radioactive SignaTECTTM PKC Assay System (Promega).
Cell cycle analysis were performed with synchronised amniotic fluid cells and non-synchronised squamous
carcinoma cells (SCL-II). Cells were treated/co-treated with 50 Hz MF (1 mT) and different concentrations
of TPA for 0-36 h. DNA content was measured by flow cytometry.
RESULTS and CONCLUSION: Analysis of the PKC expression pattern by western blot revealed that the
dose-dependent translocation of PKC from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction in cells treated with TPA
seems to be affected by additional exposure to EMF. We found a weak increase in membrane-associated
PKC at 100 M TPA. However, measurements of the enzyme activity are inconclusive, but may be
explained by expression of certain isoforms of PKC. Using flow cytometry we have demonstrated that AFC
and SCL-II cells arrested in G1 phase of the cell cycle after TPA treatment in a dose dependent manner. We
showed that additional EMF exposure exerts no further effect on this inhibition of cell proliferation. In
addition, we observed pronounced morphological changes in AFC cells in response to TPA. In conclusion
it is supposed that, although we found minor alterations at the molecular level caused by EMF exposure,
EMF failed to induce perturbation in the cell cycle of the used cells.
This work is supported by Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Germany.

P-89
EFFECTS OF 50 HZ MAGNETIC FIELDS (MF) ON MELATONIN 1A RECEPTOR SIGNALING
IN MF-SENSITIVE MCF-7 CELLS. M. Ishido*, Y. Kurokawa*, H. Nitta*, and M. Kabuto. Regional
Environment Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0053, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: MF-sensitive MCF-7 human cultured breast cancer cells (Dr. Liburdy' s cell lines) have
proven by four laboratories (Drs. Liburdy, Blackman, Luben, and Morris ) to be a good model system to
examine the effect of MF in vitro: MF (1.2-100 T) have shown to reduce the growth-inhibitory effect of
melatonin in MCF-7[1]. However, the molecular basis of the biological effects of MF remains obscure.
Therefore, we identified the melatonin 1a receptor signal pathways in MF-sensitive MCF-7 cells and
examined whether they were affected by MF.
METHODS: MCF-7 cells were kindly provided by Dr. Liburdy and grown as described [1]. For exposure
of the cells to MF, 50 Hz sinusoidal MF were generated in four-coil Merritt device with mu-metal
chamber[l]. Cell growth was determined by BrdU incorporation. Ligand-binding studies were performed
using [125I]-melatonin, luzindole, and GR135531. For PCR analysis, total RNA was isolated from control
and MF-treated cells(100 T; 1 week) and was reverse transcribed with random heximers. The cDNA was
subjected to 35 cycles of amplification. The Mel1a receptor primers were
5'-TCCTGGTCATCCTGTCGGTGTATC- 3' and 5' -CTGCTGTACAGTTTGTCGTACTTG - 3', and they
amplified a band of 285 bp. The Mel1b receptor primers were 5' -TCCTG TGATCCTCTCCGTGCTCA-3'
and 5' -AGCCAGATGAGGCAGATGTGCAGA-3' and they amplified a band of 321 bp. Cell homogenates
were prepared from control or MF-treated (100 T;1 week) MCF-7 cells and the membrane fractions of the
homogenates were assayed for GTPase and adenylyl cyclase activities [2].
RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited 20- 25 % by 10-9 M melatonin and this
inhibitory action of melatonin(10-9 M) was reduced to less than 5% by exposure to MF of 100 T for 1
week. [125I]-melatonin binding was displaced by luzindole (type 1 antagonist ), but not by GR135531 (type
2 analogue), indicating that major receptor subtypes for melatonin in MF-sensitive MCF-7 cells was type 1.
PCR analysis also showed the amplification of the band of Mel1a receptor, but not that of Mel1b receptor.
Exposure of the cells to 100 T of MF for 1 week did not change either receptor binding or the level of
receptor mRNA. Furthermore, functions of the components of signal transduction pathways of the hormone
such as Gi proteins and adenylyl cyclase themselves were unaffected by MF. The effect of MF on the postreceptor events will be also reported at the meeting.
182

[1] RP Liburdy (1995) Radio Science, 30, 179-203.

[2] T Katada, et al. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 3739-3746.
This work was supported by NIES grant T-13.

P-90
EFFECTS OF ELF MAGNETIC FIELDS ON REGULATION OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION
WITH DIFFERENCIATION OF CULTURED OSTEOBLASTS. K. Hosokawa1, H. Yamaguchi1, H.
Kashimoto2, K-H. Park2, A. Soda1, Y. Kinouchi2, T. Ikehara1, K. Yoshizaki1 and H. Miyamoto3.
1
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, 2Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokushima, 3Department of Life, Environmental and
Information, Faculty of Domestic Science, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to examine the physiological effects of exposure to ELF
magnetic fields on regulation of intracellular [Ca2+] in cultured osteoblasts. We had obtained the
preliminary results that collagen synthesis in these cells was facilitated by ELF exposure of 30Hz or 60Hz.
In this study, the effects of ELF magnetic fields on the control mechanism of intracellular [Ca2+] which
regulate the osteogenesis through the collagen synthesis in osteoblasts were examined. And also, the effects
of exposure to the ELF magnetic fields on bradykinin (BK) or endothelin-1 (ET)-stimulated mobilization of
cytosolic free Ca2+ during the differentiation of this cells were tested.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Osteoblast-like cells of mouse (MC3T3-E1) were cultured in a modified
minimum essential medium (H Miyamoto et al., 1976) supplemented by 10 v/v % fetal bovine serum in
plastic culture dishes of 35 mm in diameter. The culture dishes were placed in two special incubators to
keep the temperature of the cultures constant (370.2 C). Magnetic fields produced by the coils were
sinusoidal (60 Hz) and their rms values were from 1.25 to 3 mT. Induced current density in the medium
was about 10 mA/m2 in average. Duration of exposing to magnetic fields was about 3 to 24 hours. Cells
were plated on 13 mm diameter cover glasses in 35 mm culture dishes for measuring intracellular Ca2+
concentration. The concentration and distribution of intracellular Ca2+ were determined and analyzed with a
permeable fluorescent probe (Fura 2-AM) by ARGUS-50 CA (Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan).
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of osteoblasts after addition
of BK (1M) or ET(1M) in the culture media with or without of Ca2+ were examined. [Ca2+]i increased
instantly from the resting level (ca.70-90 nM, n=19) to a maximal value (ca. 240 nM) by addition of both
regents within 15 sec in normal medium with Ca2+ and then decreasing with time. Addition of 1 mM EGTA
to the culture medium without Ca2+ decreased slightly the resting level, and the peak value was only half
that in normal medium after the addition of BK or ET. Next, we examined the effects of exposure to the
ELF magnetic fields on increase in [Ca2+]i by the addition of BK or ET in normal medium. Immediate
increase in [Ca2+]i (ca. 220 nM) by addition of the regents was similar to that in normal medium. Exposure
to the magnetic field for 3 or 24 hour in the absence of medium Ca2+ significantly inhibited the increase in
[Ca2+]i of growing osteoblasts (3 days culture) from 135 nM (n=29) to 100 nM (n=22). These results
suggested that BK-, ET-induced increase in [Ca2+]i through Ca2+ release from intracellular stores is strongly
suppressed by the exposure. But the inhibition of Ca2+ influx through membrane is partial. But, the
increase of [Ca2+]i stimulated by the regents in the differentiated E1 cells (11 days culture) was enhanced by
the exposure.
This work supported in part by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No.10837010) given from the
Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

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P-91
A 60 Hz MAGNETIC FIELD POTENTIATES NEURITE OUTGROWTH FROM PITUITARY
CORTICOTROPE-DERIVED AtT20 CELLS. A. Lisi1, S. Rieti1, D. Pozzi1,2, V. Manni1, S.
Grimaldi1. 1Istituto di Medicina Sperimentale Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche 00133 Rome, Italy.
2
Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia Universit La Sapienza 00161 Rome, Italy.
We have studied the changes in biochemical, structural and morphological parameters induced in rat
anterior pituitary corticope-derived AtT20 cells by a 60 Hz low frequency 2 mT magnetic field (LFMF).
These cells are electrically excitable and possess high-voltage activated Ca2+ channels which open in
response to depolarization, triggering exocytotic release of ACTH, a-MSH and b-endorphin. They also
extend neurite like processes containing neurofilament proteins. Thus these cells are good models of both
neuronal differentiation and endocrine secretion. Acute exposure to LFMF for 20 min produced increased
intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and lowered intracellular pH (pHi). Chronic LFMF exposure for 24 hrs,
modified protein phosphorylation, altered plasma membrane morphology, rearranged homogeneously
distributed actin filaments and induced neurite-like process growth, but did not interfere with the rate of cell
growth. When the medium from 24 hour LFMF exposed AtT20 cells was transferred to native cultures,
similar morphological and biochemical changes were seen. Confocal microscopy analysis of phalloidin
labeled AtT20 cells evidentiated in MF exposed cells a change in both morphology and actin filament
distribution. The finding of actin rearrangement induced by MF exposure can originated from the calcium
rise and protein kinase c activation since cytoskeleton rearrangement is accompanied by a rapid (PKC
dependent), phosphorylation of Myristoilated, alanin rich C-kinase substrate (MARKS). Actinrearrangement after 24 hrs exposure to 2mT field was also correlated to neurites like outgrowth from AtT20
by western blot analysis using monoclonal antibodies against the three neurofilaments proteins: 68-160 and
200 kilodalton. This gross morphological resemblance to neurons after MF exposure has also been reported
for AtT20 cells D-16V clone. This clone exhibit several properties of peptidergic neuronal cells. Taken
together, this data suggests that LFMF exposure induces the release of a nerve growth factor-like substance
which initiates neurite outgrowth.

P-92
EFFECT OF LOW FREQUENCY (50 HZ) AND AMPLITUDE MODULATED (50 HZ)
RADIOFREQUENCY (900 MHZ) ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
OF HUMAN KERATINOCYTES (HaCat). V. Manni1*, A. Lisi1* , S. Rieti1* , D. Pozzi1,2*, S.
Grimaldi1. 1Istituto di Medicina Sperimentale- CNR 00133 Rome, Italy. 2Dipartimento di Medicina
Sperimentale e Patologia Universit La Sapienza 00161 Rome, Italy.
We studied the effect of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with human keratinocytes (HaCat), at
both low (50 Hz) and high (900 MHz) frequency. These cells represent a good model for studying the
interaction of non ionizing radiations because they are totally available to the electromagnetic wave and also
because they are resistant to both mechanical and thermal stimuli. HaCat cells were exposed to a sinusoidal
magnetic field at a density of 1 mT (50 Hz), and to amplitude modulated radiofrequency (900 MHz). In
control and exposed cells we performed Scanning Microscopy experiments showing modification in shape
and morphology in exposed cells at both wavelengths. This modification is associated to different actin
distribution as revealed by phalloidin fluorescence analysis. Moreover 50 Hz and 900 MHz exposed cells
have a major clonogenic capacity, and increased cellular growth as showed by clonogenicity assays and
growth curves.
HaCat cells can also be cultivated in keratinocytes serum-free medium (SFM, Gibco), where they grow at a
lower differentiation status: also in this culture condition there is a clear and reproducible effect of the low
and high frequency electromagnetic field on cellular growth and morphology. This demonstrated that
electromagnetic field exposure does not depend on the different initial differentiation status of the cells.
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Indirect Immunofluorescence analysis using a fluorescent antibody against involucrin, a marker of

keratinocytes differentiation, revealed an increase of involucrin expression in 50 Hz exposed cells, showing
that a percentage of the exposed cells are committed to cellular differentiation. We also present evidence
that EMF exposure of HaCat cells can interfere with protein phosphorylation. Our observations confirm the
hypothesis that electromagnetic fields, at both 50 Hz and 900 MHz, may modify cellular morphology and
interfere with initiation of the signal cascade pathway, and cell differentiation.

P-93
EMF EXPOSURE INDUCES LOW LEVELS OF MAP KINASE ACTIVITY. K. Nie,*
V. Martirosyan* and A. Henderson. Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Gene Structure
and Function, Hunter College of the City University of New York, The Graduate Center of the City
University of New York, New York, New York, 10021, USA.
OBJECTIVE: A series of studies suggest that signal transduction pathways mediate the amplification of
signals leading to bioeffects observed in cells exposed to EMFs. The present research compared the effects
of TPA treatment and EMF exposure (60 Hz, 1 Gauss) on MAPK activity. This study is a portion of a
larger one designed to determine whether or not EMF exposure and TPA treatment result in the induction of
similar transduction pathways. MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase- Erk1 and 2) plays a central and
critical role in relaying signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. It activates transcription and initiates
expression of genes involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.
METHODS: The cells used for this study are HL-60 cells, derived from a promyelocytic leukemia patient,
MCF-7 cells, derived from breast cancer cells, and untransformed (3Y1) and src-transformed 3Y1 rat cells.
The cells are exposed to EMF (60 Hz; 1Grms) for various time periods between 0 and 60 minutes in a
Helmholtz Coil Exposure System designed by ERM, Inc. The cells are exposed to no treatment, EMF,
growth in TPA (0.25, 0.5 and 1 ng/ml)and TPA plus EMF exposure, all under the same environmental
conditions. Cell concentration is adjusted to about 1 x 106 cells/ ml before exposures, and the cells settle for
sixty minutes in the incubator before experimental procedures are initiated. MAPK activity is measured
indirectly by an antibody that recognizes the activated form of MAPK which has been dually
phosphorylated on Thr(183) and Tyr(185) residues. Quantitation is based on densitometric measurements
(Molecular Dynamics- ImageQuant).
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: A series of timed experiments (zero to 30 minutes) comparing TPA
treatment with EMF exposure on MAPK in HL60 and MCF-7 cells has been completed. The effect of EMF
exposure on the quantity of phosphorylated MAPK is most prominent after 15 minutes of exposure resulting
in approximately a 2.5-fold increase in HL60 cells and a 60% increase in MCF-7 cells. MAPK was also
shown to be increased maximally at 15 minutes in the presence of TPA. Comparing the effects of TPA at
various concentrations with that of a 60 mG EMF field shows that exposure results in an endpoint that is
approximately equivalent to that observed at 250 pg/ml TPA. This is same correlation that was made
previously based on the ability of EMF and TPA to drive differentiation in HL-60 cells. Early data also
show synergism between TPA and EMF exposure at low concentrations of TPA (<500 pg./ml), which was
also observed previously using different end point parameters. Approximately a 30% increase in MAPK
was seen in 3Y1 and 3Y1 src-transformed cells exposed to EMF, but no peak was observed during
exposure times between 0 to 30 minutes. A peak corresponding to a 5 -fold increase in MAPK was
observed, however, following treatment with TPA at concentrations that exceeded 1 ng/ml. These
experiments show that some of the effects of EMF exposure can be expected to mimic those of TPA
treatment. To date, there is no direct proof, however, that they effect the same transduction pathways.
This research was supported by PSC-CUNY Award 667162, NIH/MARC GMO-7823 and RR-03037, from
the National Center for Research Resources, NIH.

185

P-94
DOES EMF EXPOSURE AFFECT PROLIFERATION IN MCF-7 CELLS? J. Surpris*, B. Braimah*,
H. Villa* and A. Henderson, Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Gene Structure and
Function, Hunter College of the City University of New York, The Graduate Center of the City University
of New York, New York, New York, 10021, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to re-evaluate a proposed association between EMF exposure
and breast cancer. A possible relationship was reported by Liburdys laboratory1 in that proliferation in
human cultured breast cells was influenced by the presence of EMF; this relationship was subsequently
confirmed in several independent laboratories. Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland into the
circulation and has natural oncostatic activity towards human estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer
cells. It exerts an anti-tumor effect through a cell-cycle-specific mechanism by delaying the entry of MCF-7
cells into mitosis. Critical studies showed that EMF (60 Hz, 11.95 mG) blocks growth inhibition in MCF-7
cells when melatonin is present at physiological concentrations (10-9 M), while 60 Hz, 2 mG EMF does not.
In the absence of melatonin, EMF had no effect on MCF-7 cell growth. The purpose of this study was to
extend this research by first repeating previous experimental results and then, to ultimately determine other
factors involved in the interaction between EMFs and breast cells.
METHODS: The cells used for this study were MCF-7 cells (from Dr. Liburdys laboratory). The cells
were exposed (60 Hz; 2 or 12 mG) for various time periods up to 5 days under the conditions specified1, but
using a Helmholtz Coil Exposure System designed by ERM, Inc. Cell concentration and viability counts
were made using a hemocytometer.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Our first studies are essentially replications of the experimental protocol
originally designed by Liburdy. The results indicate a trend similar to that reported previously: (i)
melatonin alone decreases the rate of cell division by about 20%; (ii) EMF exposure alone has no effect on
cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells and (iii) increased proliferation was observed when the cells were exposed
in the presence of melatonin (40%). Statistical analysis of the results, however, resulted in less support for
the relationships. A major problem was inadequate inter-experimental consistency with the outcome that
many of the determinations were not statistically significant. In point, the only consistently significant
points were those in (i). These results stress the need for further investigation even though multiple
replications have been reported. Future research is designed to determine the cause of the discrepancies and
hopefully find a resolution relative to the effects of EMF in proliferation of breast cells.
1. Liburdy, R.P., Sloma, T.R., Sokolic, R. and Yaswen, P.(1993) ELF magnetic fields, breast cancer, and
melatonin: 60 Hz fields blocks melatonins oncostatic action on ER+ breast cancer cell proliferation.
Journal of Pineal Research. 14: 89-97.
This research was supported by PSC-CUNY Award 667162, NIH/MARC GMO-7823 and RR-03037, from
the National Center for Research Resources, NIH.

P-95
EFFECTS OF PULSED AND AC ELECTRIC FIELDS ON INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM OF
BONE CELLS. B. Habel*, G. Reinke*, R. Glaser*. Institute of Biology, Experimental Biophysics,
Humboldt-University, Berlin, Invalidenstrae 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany.
It is well known that bone remodeling means an adaptation of bone structure to mechanical loading.
Thereby both the inner architecture and the outer shape were changed. But there is still the question
whether electric or electrokinetic effects are primarily responsible. There is a mass of differently shaped
electromagnetic fields used in research and medical therapy. In our laboratory we tested the stimulating
effect of two different kinds of electromagnetic fields supporting different hypothesis of primary action. On
the one hand we applied pulsed electric fields of extremely low frequency (1.5Hz unipolar rectangular
pulses, 20% duty cycle, 15min or 30min duration, field strengths varying between 10V/m and 3kV/m), on
186

the other hand we used low frequency amplitude modulated signals (carrier frequencies varying between
100Hz and 100kHz, 100% modulated by 16Hz, 200V/m, 5min duration). For field application we
developed a special experimental chamber allowing the observation of the cells during the measurement.
We used bent platinum electrodes which touch the cover slip, so the electric field is directed parallel to the
cell layer. The experiments were done with the human osteosarcoma cell line (HOS TE-85) grown on cover
slips. Experiments were carried out with single cells as well as confluent cells. We observed the
intracellular calcium concentration of single human osteoblast-like cells with a fluorescence microscope
using the calcium sensitive fluorescence dye fura-2. Because cell populations are heterogeneous in general
we found very different responses in the internal calcium concentration including single or repeated peaks,
slow continuous or stepwise, sustained increases, as well as oscillations. Probably only cells belonging to a
certain phase of cell cycle are supposed to be sensible for a special stimulus, which does not imperatively
mean that the average of all cells is shifted. According to this assumption the t-test never found our data
significant. The heterogeneity forced us to find a reasonable but elementary way of analysis. Frequency
distributions of the mean internal calcium concentration for different time intervals of one experiment
respectively for identical time intervals of different groups yielded the clearest results at all. Finally we
performed the Kolmogoroff-Smirnoff test for all data. Pulsed fields caused an increase of the intracellular
calcium concentration of single and of confluent cells. However, confluent cells show a bigger shift of the
frequency distribution within one experiment as single cells. We suppose that confluent cells are able to
detect even a smaller stimulus. But, this effect increases with field strength as well as with field duration.
Testing different field strengths we found the highest significance (p=0.001) only in the mid range (30V/m
B 300V/m). Stronger fields don't amplify the effect. Modulated AC fields also caused changes of the
intracellular calcium concentration. Varying the carrier frequencies we found the highest significance
(p=0.001) in the range 1 kHz to 3kHz. There is a hardly significant field effect above 10kHz. But, applying
additional oxidative stress to the cells (UVA light, hydrogen peroxide) the cells getting more sensible to
field stimulus. Subsequently we wanted to check whether the field effect depends on the modulation.
Experiments with unmodulated and with 16Hz modulated 3kHz fields were carried out surprisingly
indicating a stronger effect (p=0.05) due to the unmodulated field.
This paper was supported by the Bundesministerium fr Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und
Technologie, Germany.

P-96
LF-ELECTRIC FIELDS AND THE INTERNAL CALCIUM CONCENTRATION OF JURKAT
CELLS - NO CLEAR EFFECTS AT 100 V/m. L. Haberland* and R. Glaser*. Institute of Biology,
Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt-University, D-10115 Berlin, Germany.
Many investigations are focused on possible field effects on the internal calcium concentration of lymphoid
cells (Jurkat). Despite the conflicting results in these experiments the question is still open, whether
magnetic and/or (induced) electric fields are responsible for field effects at all. Therefore we investigated
the effects of relatively strong electric fields (100 V/mrms) in the LF-range (1-200 kHz) on the [Ca2+]i in
Jurkat cells. Cells were examined with the fluorescence imaging system Attofluor (Zeiss) using the
fluorescence dye Fura-2. Electric field was applied with platinum electrodes in a chamber with poly-Llysine coated glass cover slips. The chamber was permanently flushed with calcium containing PBS-buffer
and humid/5% CO2 air from the incubator. Experiments lasted 1500 seconds, whereas electric fields were
applied from time point 500 s to 1000 s. Additionally, control experiments were done with immersed
electrodes but switched off field generator. A mostly ignored problem in this experimental setup is the
UVA illumination of cells according to the excitation spectrum of the fluorescence dye (see Ihrig et al.
Radiation Research 152 (1999) 303-311). That's why we can't get a stable [Ca2+]i baseline. Peaks and
oscillations already appear without electric field application in a UV dose dependent manner. The analysis
of calcium peaks regarding the EF application time showed no significant correlation by Students t-test.
187

However, a number of cells started their oscillations immediately after beginning of EF application. It's
only a small part of all cells but possible a special cell state. Considering this hypothesis, we used the
Kolmogoroff-Smirnoff-test examining the certain distribution of calcium reactions. The appearing
significancies give a hint on "individual" field effects but cannot resolve the question of cause and effect.
This work was supported by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk, Bonn, Germany.

P-97
ACTIVATION OF RAT LYMPHOCYTES AFTER TWO WEEKS OF IN VIVO EXPOSURE IN 50
HZ MAGNETIC FIELDS F. Gollnick1*, G. Conrad1*, H. Bock1*, M. Mevissen2, S. Thun-Battersby2*,
W. Lscher2, R. Meyer1. 1Department of Physiology, University of Bonn, Wilhelmstr. 31, D-53111 Bonn,
2
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, School of Veterinary Medicine, D-30559
Hannover, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The exposure of rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields has been shown to enhance the growth and
development of chemically induced mammary tumors. One of the possible reasons for this breast cancer
promoting effect was found to be a reduction in nocturnal melatonin secretion due to the presence of the
magnetic field. However, additional factors may be involved in the tumor promoting effect, one might be a
changed immune system. Therefore, aim of this study was to check whether chronic exposure of rats to 50
Hz fields is able to induce changes in the responsiveness of T lymphocytes to the mitogenic stimulus
Concanavalin A (ConA.).
METHOD: Rats were exposed for 14 days 24 h/day to a 50 Hz 100 T magnetic field. The setup and the
exposure conditions are described in detail in Mevissen et al. (1998, Bioelectromagnetics 19, 259). An
equal group of animals was sham exposed at the same time. After the exposure interval blood was extracted
from the anaesthetized animals. The lymphocytes were isolated by density gradient centrifugation in
Nycoprep. For recordings of intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i, the cells were incubated in 2 M Fura-2/AM for
30 min at 37C. Fura-2 fluorescence was recorded by an image analysis system. Image pairs were digitized
every 10 s at 340 and 380 nm excitation light from cells at 37C in a chamber permanently perfused with
Krebs Ringer solution. After a first phase of 500 s during which the fluorescence was recorded under
control conditions, 33 T ConA was perfused as a mitogenic stimulus. ConA is known to elicit a [Ca2+]i
transient. This [Ca2+]i transient was taken as a measure for the responsiveness of the lymphocytes to
activating stimuli. The cells of two paired animals were always analysed at the same day and recorded in
alternate sets of experiments. The experiments were performed blind.
RESULTS: The investigation is based on 16 animals, eight animals in each group. From these animals
3711 cells were measured. The [Ca2+]i transient as an answer to ConA stimulation did not appear in cells
from all animals. On days where there was neither an answer in any of the cells of the exposed nor the
sham exposed animal, the lack of a response was attributed to methodological problems and the whole set of
recordings was omitted. Finally, cells of eight animals were included in the evaluation. 2490 cells were
taken into consideration. The averaged answer to ConA stimulation of the cells from exposed animals was
somewhat smaller than that of the cells from sham exposed animals. This difference was not significant.
However, it seemed worth to control whether the difference in the amplitude was due to a reduced number
of cells, which could be activated, or whether the activated cells of the exposed animals developed smaller
[Ca2+]i transients. Therefore, the cells were divided into a group which could be activated and one which
could not. 16,9% of the cells from the exposed animals did not answer with a [Ca2+]i transient to the
stimulation, whereas only 7,7% of the cells from sham exposed animals could not be activated, i.e. more
than twice as much cells from the exposed animals could not be activated.
DISCUSSION: If the result, that a smaller amount of lymphocytes can be activated after the donor animal
has been exposed to a 50-Hz-100T-field for 14 days, is taken as an indicator for the strength of the
immune system, this may be interpreted as a weakening effect. However, it has to be taken into account,
188

that although the numbers of cells were high only four animals were donors in each group, thus further
recordings are necessary to confirm and to strengthen these findings.
This investigation was supported by the Berufsgenossenschaft Kln1 and the Bundesministerium fr
Umwelt Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit Grant (StSch. 4095)2.

P-98
EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF TRANSCRIPTIONAL AND TRANSLATIONAL PRODUCTS IN
DAUDI CELLS EXPOSED TO 60-Hz POLARIZED MAGNETIC FIELDS. K. Ikeda1*, K.
Yasunaga2*, H. Yomori1* and M. Sekijima2*. 1Technical Research Center, The Kansai Electric Power
Company, Inc. Hyogo 661-0974 Japan. 2Mitsubishi Chemical Safety Institute LTD., Ibaraki 314-0255
Japan.
INTRODUCTION: The results of several epidemiologic studies have suggested a possible association
between human exposure to power frequency magnetic fields (MFs) and increased risk of leukemias.
Therefore, investigations of the link between electromagnetic fields and cancer have focused on other
cellular functions, especially gene transcription. Of particular relevance are the reported changes in the
expression of cellular proto-oncogene. These studies suggest that MFs affect the expression of c-myc and
possibly other genes in the transcriptional levels using leukemia cells.
OBJECTIVES: The oncoprotein production such as c-myc gene by extremely low frequency-magnetic
fields (ELF-MFs, 60 Hz, 500 TRMS) of various waveforms such as linearly (vertical and horizontal),
circularly and elliptically polarized MFs was analyzed in human Burkitts lymphoma line, Daudi cells.
METHOD: We used the EES-002, the multifunctional exposure system, manufactured by Electric Research
and Management [1]. Daudi cells, sub confluent (3 x 106 cells per 10 ml in 100-mm diameter culture dish)
were suppressed the growth by a serum-deprived medium (1.0- % FBS medium) for 24 hr in a mu-metal
chamber. Cells were exposed to 60 Hz linearly (vertical and horizontal) and rotationally (circular and
elliptical) polarized MFs for the maximum 180 minutes at 500 TRMS. Two to four separate experiments
were performed for each exposure. The phorbol ester tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13acetate (TPA), was used for positive response. The expression levels were determined by both Northernand Western-blotting analyses.
SUMMARY: Daudi cells were exposed to ELF-MFs of various waveforms, sham-exposed, or treated with
TPA (3 ng/ml) in the EES-002 exposure system for up to 180 minutes with and without serum stimulation.
Then total RNA or proteins were extracted from the cell lysate after each treatment. Northern blotting with
c-myc, -actin and GAPDH DNA probe was performed and the relative amount of each gene was
normalized against those of the 28S rRNA content. Western-blotting with anti-p67c-myc and anti-actin
monoclonal IgG was performed. The exposed sample values were normalized to sham sample value, to
yield an exposed / sham (E/S) ratio. In the transcriptional level of c-myc, the E/S ratios for linear (vertical
and horizontal), circular and elliptical experiment (60Hz, 500 TRMS) were 0.98, 1.04, 1.08 and 1.17,
respectively. In the translational level, each E/S ratio in each ELF-MFs was 0.98, 0.97, 0.92 and 1.00,
respectively. Expression levels of house keeping genes were also unaffected by ELF-MFs exposure. In all
the study data, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the expression of analyzed genes between
MFs exposed and sham exposure cultures. For the positive control, on the other hand, the c-myc expression
markedly increased transiently by the treatment of Daudi cells with TPA (3 ng/ml).
CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the transcriptional and the translational levels of c-myc
expression was unaffected by 500 TRMS ELF-MFs in human leukemia, Daudi cells. We previously also
reported that exposing human glioblastoma (T98G) cells to less than 500 TRMS, 60-Hz ELF-MFs produced
no statistical difference in the rate of expressed gene in both the transcriptional and the translational levels
[2, 3]. These results suggest that ELF-MFs is unlikely to influence either brain tumor or leukemia induction
through a mechanism involving altered expression of the immediately early response genes.
1. Yomori et al., 1999. 21st BEMS meeting, Long Beach CA, USA, P-16.
189

2. Takashima et al., 1999. 21st BEMS meeting, Long Beach CA, USA, P-17.
3. Sekijima et al., It is refer to abstract in this annual meeting.
Our thanks are due to Dr. Hiraku Takebe (Kinki University), Dr. Junji Miyakoshi (Kyoto University), Dr.
Taisei Nomura (Osaka University) and Mr. Takao Sasano (Central Research Institute of Electric Power
Industry) for their suggestion in conducting the experiments.

P-99
DNA ARRAY ANALYSIS OF ADULT DERIVED NEURAL STEM CELLS EXPOSED TO ELF
MAGNETIC FIELDS IN VITRO. M. Persson1, A.-M. Alborn2, A. Persson2, S. Galt 1, Y. Hamnerius1, P.
Arvidsson1 and P.S. Eriksson2. 1Department of Electromagnetics, Chalmers University of Technology, S41296 Gteborg, Sweden. 2Inst. of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gteborg
University, S-41345 Gteborg, Sweden.
We have recently shown that the adult human brain retains its ability to generate new neurons from neural
stem cells throughout life. The generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) as well as the generation of glial
cells (gliogenesis) require cell division (mitosis). Neurogenesis as well as gliosis, being the general
response on injury, insult or disease in the brain, may thus be a process vulnerable to exogenous stimuli
like magnetic fields given that the glial reaction might at least partly be derived from stem cells with a
default glial differentiation program. Studies of neural stem cells may therefore provide a suitable model
for understanding the mechanisms for magnetic field induced effects in the brain. Global analysis of gene
expression was used to identify induction of genes in neural stem cells in vitro by exposed to ELF magnetic
fields. Among the 588 rat genes screened are several potentially interesting classes: oncogenes, tumor
suppressors, cell cycle regulators and growth factor receptors. Adult hippocampal derived neural stem cells
were cultured in a defined medium without calf serum. Identical cultures seeded simultaneously were either
non treated or exposed by an alternating magnetic field. Thereafter 107 cells from each cultures were
harvested and poly A+ RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed including a 32P labeled nucleotide to
generate radioactively labeled cDNA probes. The array membrane was thereafter incubated with the
radiolabeled cDNA probe and washed. The result was visualized using autoradiography. In summary,
neural stem cells may be targets for exogenous subtle but possibly noxious stimuli like magnetic fields.
Large scale gene analysis of neural stem cells may therefore provide a relevant model system for the
detection of biological responses to magnetic fields.

P-100
EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS (ELF MF) INDUCE DIFFERENTIAL
EXPRESSION OF GENES IN CHROMAFFIN CELLS AND PC12 CELLS. T. Olivares-Banuelos1*,
L. Verdugo-Diaz1, L. Navarro1* and R. Drucker-Colin1,2. 1Departamento de Fisiologia, Facultad de
Medicina and 2Departamento de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiologia Celular, UNAM. Mexico, D.F.
04510, Mexico.
Chromaffin cells have been used as a model for the differentiation process induced by ELF MF (DruckerColin et al., 1994). These cells are endocrine neural crest derived cells related to sympathetic neurons.
Chromaffin cells stimulated with ELF MF show morphological (Feria-Velasco et al., 1998),
electrophysiological (Morgado-Valle et al., 1997) and biochemical neuron-like signs (Verdugo-Diaz et al.,
1998). Chromaffin and PC12 cells show similar genetic characteristics and both differentiate to neuron-like
cells when stimulated with ELF MF (Drucker-Colin et al., 1994; Opler et al., 1997). The aim of this study
was to determine if a differential gene induced by ELF MF in chromaffin cells is expressed or not in PC12
cells. Chromaffin cells were obtained from neonatal Wistar rats. Cell suspension was obtained by
enzymatic digestion (20 mg/ml collagenase + 15 g/ml DNAase) in saline solution. After centrifugation
190

cells were resuspended in culture medium and 106 chromaffin cells were plated into plastic petri dish (35
mm) with 2 ml of DMEM + 10% FBS + 4.5 g/ml insulin. PC12 cells were defrosted and plated until
confluence. Cells were resuspended in culture medium and 106 PC12 cells were plated into plastic petri
dish (35 mm) with 2 ml of DMEM + 10% FBS + 10% FBH + 4.5 g/ml insulin. Chromaffin and PC12
plated cells were divided in 4 groups: control group (without any stimuli), NGF group (20 ng/ml), ELF MF
group (60 Hz, 0.7 mT, 100V) and NGF+ELF MF (20 ng/ml + 60 Hz, 0.7mT, 100V). Incubation was made
at 36.5 C for 7 days for chromaffin cells and 5 days for PC12 cells. ELF MF stimulation was carried out
with a pair of Helmholtz coil (6x10 cm) separated by 18 cm. Exposure to MF was daily, 2 hours in the
morning and 2 hours in the afternoon from the second day on all the end of the culture. In both cultures
total RNA was obtained by TRIzol method. Differential Display method was applied with chromaffin cells
total RNA. Differential genes induced by ELF MF in chromaffin cells were observed, isolated and PCR
reamplified to be used like a DNA probe in Northern Blot assays. Northern Blot analysis was performed
using 20 g total RNA from chromaffin and PC12 cells cultures (Fourney et al., 1987). Hybridization
conditions: 6x SSC (standard saline citrate), 5x Denhardt's, formamide 50% and 85 g/ml salmon sperm
DNA, overnight at 42 C. Washes in 2x SSC and 0.1% SDS, and 0.1 x SSC and 0.1% SDS, at room
temperature and 42 C. The reamplified cDNA previously labeled with 32p-CTP was used as a probe in
these studies. Actin probe was used as a positive control of the analysis. Three-cDNA probes were tested.
Only one of these assays was positive to PC12 cells in the same group and with the same expression as that
from chromaffin cells. These results suggest the probable existence of a different signaling pathway for the
effect of ELF MF in the differentiation process of chromaffin and PC12 cells. These pathways will coincide
in particular points of the differentiation process, but in general each type of cells respond in a particular
way when stimulated with ELF MF.
Supported by Fideicomiso UNAM to RD-C and CONACYT No. 25122-M to RD-C.

P-101
EFFECT OF 50 HZ MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE ON DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN
NEUROBLASTOMA CELL LINE LAN-5. D. Pozzi1, A. Modesti2, S. Scarpa3, A.L. Serafino4, A.
Lisi4, S. Rieti4, V. Manni4 and S. Grimaldi4. 1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia
Universit La Sapienza 00161 Rome Italy. 2Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Universit Tor Vergata
00133 Rome Italy. 3Universit Cattolica Rome, Italy. 4Istituto di Medicina Sperimentale CNR 00133
Rome, Italy.
Neuroblastic tumors have the ability to differentiate and mature. This family of tumors is composed of the
neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma. These tumors are derived from primordial
neural crest cells. Neuroblastoma cells are widely utilized models for the study of neuritic outgrowth phase
of neuronal differentiation induced by a variety of stimuli such as retinoic acid treatment. Lan-5 are
undifferentiated NB cell line with rare neurite-like processes containing a small amount of neurosecretory
granules and a small positivity for the three major neurofilament polypeptides. The exposure for 5 days to
50 Hz low frequency 2 mT magnetic field have profound effects on cells proliferation leading to a 30%
inhibition of cell growth. When exposed, cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy: they
showed neuronal differentiation characterized by the development of a large amount of neuritic like
processes and a different morphological aspect of the cells. Indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal
antibodies against NF 160 and NF 200 demonstrated the presence of neuronal proteins in the neuritike like
formations. Transmission electron microscopy on exposed samples evidentiated the presence of high
density neurosecretory granules that are typical of a more differentiated status. We conclude that exposure
of LAM 5 cells to 50 HZ electromagnetic fields it is inducing morphological changes leading to cell
differentiation and induction of dendrite like processes.

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P-102
BIOEFFECTS OF LOW INTENSITY SUPER HIGH FREQUENCIES EMF MODULATED IN
REGIME OF REVERSED CONNECTION OF BRAIN BIOCURRENTS. Yu.G. Grigoriev, V.S.
Stepanov, S.N. Lukyanova. State Research Center - Institute of Biophysics, Moscow, Russia.
The work is devoted to modulated low level SHF exposure investigation. EMF exposure was in reverse
connection regime of brain biocurrents in the following methodical conditions: artifactless electrodes,
anechoic chamber, necessary control experiments, statistical processing. The experiments were conducted
on 45 rabbits and also 13 volunteers took part in our research.
The present investigations used specially developed engineering construction: SHF-exposure in the regime
of served connection with the chosen EEG waves.
Research types included: a) the exposure in the reversed connection regime with EEG waves of irradiated
object; b) control experiment including the same regime of exposure but from non irradiated object but not
synchronically; c) control experiments used only light in the same regime; d) sham exposure.
Exposure protocol: a) animals: carrier frequency 10 GHz, power density - 300 W/ cm2 CW, impulse - 15
msec, time exposure - 5 minutes (10 times) at randomly different intervals 5-15 minutes, b)volunteers:
carrier frequency 1 GHz, power density - 500 W/ cm2, time exposure - 2 minutes at randomly different
intervals 5-15 minutes.
Spectral correlation of EEG of various cerebral cortex was carried out using EEG spectroanalizer.
As a result the principal possibility of provocation of EEG rhythms corresponding to the modulation
frequency of low-level microwaves was proved. The effect was more impressive in the case of the used
reversed connection (up to 85%) than in the case of non-synchonical EMF exposure (up to 35-50%). The
effect of after action and commulation was marked. The amplifying of EEG rhythms was not noted in using
EMF compared with the light exposure in the reversed connection regime.

P-103
WATER COOLED WAVEGUIDE EXPOSURE CHAMBER FOR IN VITRO STUDIES AT 900
MHz. K. Jokela, T. Toivo*, L. Puranen* and K. Keskinen*. STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Authority, Helsinki FIN-00881, Finland.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health risk of mobile phones, reliable and repeatable biological studies must
be conducted. Difficulties to obtain same results by different laboratories are partly due to inappropriate
dosimetry of the exposure systems. To ensure high quality of cell culture studies the SAR must be precisely
known and its' distribution in culture dishes should be as uniform as possible. Most RF exposure systems
employ air-cooling to prevent the excessive heating of the cell culture. Air-cooling is adequate roughly up
to the SAR level 1-2 W/kg. However, in mobile phone studies it is necessary to expose cells even up to 10
W/kg in order to simulate actual exposure and to study the increase of the biologic response as a function of
exposure. The maximal SAR in the skin and surface of the brain may reach up to 10 W/kg in a small tissue
volume even though the 10 g average SAR would not exceed the general public limit 2 W/kg. Due to the
efficient heat removal through the blood circulation, the temperature increase remains within a few
centigrade even in these local hot spots. The most efficient thermal control in high SAR exposures of cell
cultures can be achieved by using the water cooling of the tissue culture. The objective of this study was to
develop a temperature controlled exposure system, where high SAR levels (up to 10 W/kg) with uniform
distribution (30%) can be achieved without significant thermal stress.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two versions of the water-cooled exposure chambers (vertical and
horizontal) have been developed in our laboratory (Fig. 1). Both systems are based on the use of high Q
waveguide resonator operated in the TE10 mode. Temperature controlled water is circulated through a thin
(ca. 8 mm) rectangular waterbed so that the Petri dishes are in good thermal contact with the water. The
vertical chamber has been placed inside an incubator and two Petri dishes have been placed at the bottom of
192

the chamber so that the E-field vector is parallel to the plane of the medium. The horizontal chamber has
been placed outside of an incubator and two to four Petri dishes have been placed around the middle axis of
the waveguide, at the point where the E-field is maximum and the E-field vector is perpendicular to the
plane of the medium. The dishes are covered by a thermal shield through which CO2 rich moistened air
from an incubator is circulated. The SAR distribution was simulated with FDTD method and measured
with a small temperature probe.
RESULTS: In the vertical system maximum SAR values were in the centre of Petri dish, decreasing 10 dB
at the edges. The radius of the area where the decrease was less than 3 dB was about half of the dish radius.
The preliminary measurements of the new horizontal waveguide showed that the 3dB radius extended over
the whole dish (Fig. 2). Outside the medium the simulated E-field distribution is close to the theoretical
distribution obtained from the standard waveguide equations.
CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of the horizontal waveguide resonator chamber are: 1) High SAR
combined with efficient cooling, 2) uniform SAR over the whole medium space, 3) large SAR/input power
ratio, 4) small size with moderate costs.
This work was supported by the Finnish National COST 244bis research project.

Fig. 1. Vertical (a) and horizontal (b) waveguide chambers used for in vitro exposures at 900 MHz.

Fig. 2. Measured SAR values (normalised to 1 W input power) in the horizontal waveguide resonator
chamber with four Petri dishes. The SAR values are measured with Vitek type temperature probe inside a
Petri dish with medium height 4 mm.

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P-104
DIFFERENTIAL THERMAL ASSAY TO IDENTIFY NONTHERMAL EFFECTS OF 1.9 GHZ
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON MEMBRANE CHANNEL CONDUCTANCE. A. Wojtysiak*,
N. deRuiter*, U. Kullnick, Institut fr Mobil- und Satellitenfunktechnik an der Universitt Duisburg, Abt.
EMVU, D-47475 Kamp-Lintfort, Germany.
Objectives of the study are to establish a new approach for identification and analysis of nonthermal effects
and to test this assay with a possibly affected biological system, the ionic current through membrane
channels. The assay consists of producing biological effects with high frequency electromagnetic fields
(HF-EMF) in a dose response manner and of comparing these effects with those obtained with thermally
equal but conventionally warmed samples. This differential thermal assay ends up with the former
necessary but unachievable precondition of preventing even slight heating in the measured system to detect
nonthermal effects.
METHOD: Astrocytes from neonatale rats were kept in permanent culture in DME medium and transferred
on glass cover slips to a tempered and superfused chamber. The chamber is brought into a rectangular
waveguide (V Hansen, Univ. Wuppertal, Germany) where the cells are located close to the bottom wall in
the center of the waveguide. They are microscopically visible through a fine wire mesh. A continuous
wave 1.9 GHz field in the wave-guide is adjusted to reach a temperature rise in the bathing medium of 0.1 to
4 C. The corresponding SAR values were currently determined. The conventional heating is accomplished
through a stirred water bath connected with the tempering system of the chamber. Temperature in the
vicinity of the cells is permanently monitored with small fibreoptic probes. Outward potassium currents
were measured with whole cell patch clamp under both (HF-EMF and conventional heating) conditions.
Current to voltage relations were determined before and during exposure to enable comparison between the
cells.
RESULTS: First results demonstrate temperature dependence of ionic currents under both conditions. Up
to now, it is not clear whether a specific effect of the HF-EMF can be shown, but no drastic nonthermal
effects are obvious in the performed experiments. We expect to have sufficient data for a complete analysis
soon and we will present them on the meeting.
DISCUSSION: The assay presented in this study is a possible way to identify nonthermal effects in various
biological systems, even when in the case of outward potassium currents in rat astrocytes, no obvious
nonthermal effect was detected up to now.
Supported by Ministerium fr Schule und Weiterbildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung of NordrheinWestfalen, Germany

P-105
GSM SIGNALS (1.71 GHz) DID NOT AFFECT DIFFERENTIATION AND GENE EXPRESSION
LEVELS OF PLURIPOTENT EMBRYONIC P19 CELLS. K. Guan1, A. Meister1, F. Schnborn2, N.
Kuster2 and A.M. Wobus1. 1In Vitro Differentiation Group, Institute of Plant Genetics (IPK), D-06466
Gatersleben, Germany, 2Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8096 Zurich, Switzerland.
OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study was to estimate possible health hazards from electromagnetic fields used in
digital mobile telecommunication systems. Pluripotent embryonic cells were exposed to pulse-modulated
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) with a frequency of 1.71 GHz (lower end of the uplink band of GSM1800) at
the level of the ICNIRP safety limits.
METHOD: Pluripotent embryonic carcinoma cells P19, able to differentiate in vitro into endodermal,
ectodermal and mesodermal cell types by chemical inducers (Wobus et al., In Vitro Cell Dev. Biol.
30A:425-434, 1994), were exposed to EMFs as undifferentiated cell population in a humidified 5 % CO2
atmosphere. Petri dishes (n = 32, 60 mm diameter) were placed into four R14 waveguides (two sham-, two
EMF-exposed, positioned inside the CO2 incubator) and exposed in the H-field maximum of a standing
194

wave in E-polarization. Amplitude and modulation of the signals were continuously computer-controlled.
The detailed dosimetric analysis of the setup was described by Schnborn et al. (Bioelectromagnetics, 2000,
in press). The signal with a carrier frequency of 1.71 GHz was amplitude modulated with rectangular pulses
(repetition frequency 217 Hz, duty cycle 1:8, pulse width 0.576 ms), corresponding to the dominant
modulation component of the GSM standard. Undifferentiated P19 cells were exposed at a specific
absorption rate (SAR) of 2.0 W/kg for 22 or 40 hours with 5 min on and 30 min off. After exposure, EMF-,
sham exposed and control cells were collected for flow-cytometric determination of cell cycle phases,
prepared for RT-PCR analyses, or were further cultivated for differentiation analyses.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: We found that EMF exposure of undifferentiated cells at the level of the
ICNIRP safety limits did not significantly induce cardiac differentiation and no effects were found with
respect to the lengths of cell cycle phases. Furthermore, EMF exposure of P19 cells did not significantly
affect mRNA levels of the immediate early response genes c-fos, c-jun and c-myc, tumour suppressor gene
p53, cell cycle regulatory gene encoding p21 and the general apoptosis protector gene bcl-2. Therefore, our
data demonstrated that GSM signal stimulation of undifferentiated embryonic P19 cells did not affect
cellular differentiation and gene expression levels suggesting no influence of GSM signals on embryonic
developmental processes.
The study was supported by VERUM Foundation, Munich, and Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, FRG.

P-106
DOWNREGULATION OF ADHESION MOLECULE CD44S IN ASTROCYTES AFTER LONG
AND SHORTTIME EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS
(B=100/200T). R.H.W. Funk*; C. Schler*, H. Bauer*, A. Hofer*, F. Glfert*. Institut fr Anatomie,
Medizinische Fakultt, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrae 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany, Institut fr
Elektroenergieversorgung, TU Dresden, Mommsenstrae 13, D-01062 Dresden, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Adhesion molecules play an important role in tumor metastasis and inflammation. Also in
case of environmental stress like hypoxia cells react with a downregulation of adhesion molecules. The
question of the study was whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (MF) induce changes in CD44sexpression in glial cells.
METHOD: CD 44s in rat astrocytes were examined by means of immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry
and laser scanning microscopy. Primary cultures of rat astrocytes were exposed to MF (f=50 Hz) in a
gassed humide incubator for different periods (T=1.5d, 3d, 7d) and different field strengths (B=100/200
T).
RESULTS: We have found a reversible MF-effect on CD44s which depends on dose and time. The
expression of the adhesion molecule CD44s in astrocytes decreased after a 7d-exposure to 63% (200 T)
and 67% (100 T) of none exposed cells (control). The downregulation of CD44s could be seen after 36 h
(-18%) and was reversible after 5d. Further experiments had shown that MF do not lead to apoptosis or
changes in cell cycle.
DISCUSSION: There is a controversial discussion about MF and the role as a promotor for neoplastic
diseases. In different epithelial tumors a high expression of alternatively spliced CD44-variants can be
found. Whether the downregulation of CD44s is combined with an upregulation of alternatively spliced
tumor-related CD44-variants in rat astrocytes must be proved in future.
This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Bonn (Fu 202/7-1).

195

P-107
CHANGES IN THE DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF AGING RAT TISSUES. A. Peyman*1, A.A
Rezazadeh*1 and C. Gabriel2. 1Department of Electronic Engineering, Kings College London, Strand,
London WC2R 2LS, UK. 2Microwave Consultant Limited, Woodford Road, London E18 2EL, UK.
INTRODUCTION: Clear differences between the dielectric parameters of biological tissue in children and
adults could lead to significant differences in their absorption of electromagnetic energy. While a strong
variation of the dielectric properties of mouse and rabbit brain have been observed with age [1,2], there are
no equivalent data for other tissues.
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this project is to provide such data for rat tissue, to compare with and
add to those in the literature. A secondary objective is to establish a database of dielectric properties of
rodent tissues, in order to provide useful data for rigorous dosimetry in animal studies.
METHODOLOGY: Dielectric measurements have been carried out on brain, skin, masseter muscle, skull,
salivary glands (submaxillary glands), eyes and tongue of Wistar strain rats, in the frequency range
130MHz-20GHz. The measurements were made using an open-ended coaxial probe and a computer
controlled network analyser, following a previously reported procedure [3]. The following age groups were
considered: newborn (less than 24 hours old), 10, 20, 50, and 70 days old. The brain of adult rats of 119 and
210 days old have also been measured. The rats were dissected 2-3 hours before the measurements. No
preservative material has been used to keep the tissues. Tissues were kept in small containers and placed in
a water bath to maintain a 37 C temperature.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: The results show a general trend of decreasing permittivity and
conductivity with increasing age. An example is given in Figures 1 and 2 where the permittivity and
conductivity of the skull is shown as a function of age in the 130 MHz to 20 GHz frequency range. This is
generally in line with the decrease in the water content of the tissue as the animal ages. The developing
tissue undergoes an increase in the proportion of biological macromolecules such as lipids, proteins and
nucleic acids, and a consequent decrease in water content. The data for dielectric constant of the brain,
salivary glands and the masseter muscle show significant differences between the 10 and 20 day old rats.
However, there are no significant differences between the data for the rats that are 20, 50 and 70 days old
for most tissues. The variation in the dielectric properties of brain tissue is consistent with the previous
research [1,2], and also with the data studies on the water content of rat brain which is reported to fall
rapidly with age from 9 to 45 days after birth.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were observed in the dielectric properties of rat tissues as a
function of age. These data are an important input in the provision of rigorous dosimetry in lifetime
exposure animal experiments.
References.

1- Thurai M., Goodridge VD, Sheppard RJ and Grant EH, 1984, Variation with age of the dielectric
properties of mouse brain cerebrum, Phys. Med. Biol., 1984, vol.29,No.9, pp1133-1136.
2- Thurai M., Steel MC, Sheppard RJ and Grant EH, 1985, Dielectric Properties of Developing Rabbit
Brain at 37C, Bioelectromagnetics Vol.6, pp 235-242.
3- Gabriel C, Chan TYA and Grant EH 1994, Admittance models for open ended coaxial probes and their
place in dielectric spectroscopy. Phys. Med. Biol Vol. 39, pp 2183-200.
This work was supported by an EPSRC studentship and a CASE award from Microwave Consultants to A.
Peyman.

196

Permittivity of Rat Skull

New Born

10 days

20 days

50 days

70 days

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1.00E+08

1.00E+09

1.00E+10

1.00E+11

frequency(Hz)
Figure 1: Permittivity of rat skull as a function of age

Conductivity of Rat Skull

New Born

10 days 20 days 50 days 70 days

100

10

0.1
1.00E+08

1.00E+09

1.00E+10

1.00E+11

frequency (Hz)
Figure 2: Conductivity of rat skull as a function of age

P-108
INFLUENCE OF 1 mT, 50 Hz MAGNETIC FIELD ON HYPOXIA-INDUCED MODIFICATION
OF CELL-CYCLE PROGRESSION AND pRB-ACTIVATION AS MEASURED BY TWOPARAMETRIC FLOW CYTOMETRY. M. Callin*, A.I. Vistnes, E.O. Pettersen*, Department of
Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
In a previous study on cells of the human breast cancer cell line T-47 D in vitro, we found some indications
of an effect from 50 Hz magnetic field on cell-cycle progression (as revealed by DNA flow cytometry) (R.
Torgersen, Thesis for the Masters degree, 1997). A later study seems to indicate that the magnetic field did
not have an effect after all on this system (CG. Torp, Thesis for the Masters degree, 1999). The lack of
197

response might, however, be due to adaptation, and we are now performing a new series of experiments
where we hope the test system will be more sensitive for magnetic field effects than before.
The basis for the new experiments are as follows: Cells grown under optimum conditions may have the
possibility to compensate for a possible magnetic field effect by adaptation. However, if the cells are grown
under highly stressed conditions, they may be less able to compensate for such an effect. One way to put
stress on cells is to grow them under hypoxic conditions. One of the collaborators in this project (E.O.P.)
have for several years studied cell growth under hypoxic conditions, and have shown that mild hypoxia
induce pRB-activation in S and G2-phases (mellem et al., 1996). Our hypothesis is that this pRBactivation tends to protect the cells against the damaging effect of prolonged hypoxia in S-phase. The
binding of pRB to the nucleus seems to be sensitive to external factors, and possibly magnetic field
exposure may influence on this process. The effect will be studied by two-parametric, DNA versus pRB,
flow cytometry.
Human T-47 D cells in vitro are used in this study. This is an established breast cancer cell line and was
chosen since these cells have a normal pRB-function. The cells are exposed to 1.0 mT, 50 Hz magnetic
field for up to 36 hours, and we also plan to look for resonance effects with a combined DC and AC
magnetic field. Control cells are left unexposed and are used for comparison. The experiments are
performed in an incubation room at 37.0 C. The cells are placed in water incubators during the experiments
in order to have a very precise temperature control and monitoring system during the experiment. The cells
and water bath chambers are placed on a separate foundation as compared to the Helmholz-like coil used for
the generation of the magnetic field, in order to avoid mechanical vibrations to enter the cell system.
The cells are seeded 24 hours before exposure to the magnetic field. In each experiment we start out with
about ten glass petri dishes of cells, dividing them equally for exposure and controls. Samples (one dish of
control cells and one dish of exposed cells each time) will be taken roughly every third to tenth hour after
the start of the experiment. The cells will be prepared for flow cytometry immediately after removal from
the nitrogen chamber and kept in a refrigerator until all samples are ready for further preparation for twoparametric flow cytometry. The flow cytometric results will be analysed using a dedicated software in order
to determine the fractions of cells in each phase of the cell cycle, and this information will be combined with
the measured amount of nuclear bound pRB in each cell. By December 1999 the experimental system was
established, and the experiments will be carried out in January-March 2000. The results will be presented on
the BEMS meeting in June.
Reference.
mellem, ., Stokke, T., Sandvik, J.A., and Pettersen, E.O. (1996). The retinoblastoma gene product is
reversibly dephosphorylated and bound in the nucleus in S and G2 phases during hypoxic stress. Exp. Cell
Res. 227, 106-115.
This work was partly supported by grants from the Effekt program at the Norwegian Research Council.

P-109
SIGNALING PATHWAY DOWN-STREAM OF NFB ACTIVATION AFTER 2450 MHz
EXPOSURE OF HUMAN MONOCYTES. M. Natarajan*, M.L. Meltz, and M. Szilagyi. Department of
Radiation Oncology, Center for Environmental Radiation Toxicology, The University of Texas Health
Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78284, USA.
Our laboratory is attempting to identify potential molecular markers that could reveal changes in cell
signaling mechanisms after RFR exposures. We have observed that exposure of human monocytes to either
2.45 or 8.5 GHz results in the activation of an important cell signaling regulator, nuclear factor kappa B
(NFB). Activation of NFB by several other extracellular stimuli is implicated in the expression of
several down-stream genes involved in inflammation. In this study, we examined whether the induction of
NFB by RFR mediates the down-stream gene expression such as pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF).
198

The Mono Mac 6 cells were exposed to the pulsed wave 2450 MHz RFR at power densities of 2.5, 5 and 10
mW/cm2 for a continuous period of 90 min. The repetition rate was 10,000 pulses per second, and the pulse
width was 10 s. The RFR was transmitted from a standard gain rectangular antenna horn in a vertical
downward direction. The mean specific absorption rate at the bottom of the flasks, where the cells were
located is being analyzed by Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) analysis. The temperature was
measured continuously, and remained at 37 0.1o C during the exposure. Sham exposed negative control
cells were treated identically. Immediately after each exposure, the cells were transferred to a 37oC
incubator. The cells were harvested after additional incubations of 24 h. The cytokine levels were
measured in the culture supernatant by Sandwich ELISA reagents (R&D System, MN). The results
revealed that the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF after 2450 MHz exposure at all
three power densities remain similar to the levels of sham irradiated controls. These results raise the
possibility that NFB activation after 2450 MHz RFR exposure is a transient response that is not
associated with down-stream events. Alternatively, RFR-induced NFB activation may be involved in
specific signaling other than inflammatory responses.
This study was supported by U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research Grant (# F49620-98-1-0419).

DOSIMETRY
P-110
PROGRESS IN UPDATING INDUCED AND CONTACT CURRENT LIMITS FOR RADIO
FREQUENCY SOURCES FROM 3 kHz TO 300 GHz. J.A. Leonowich1, J.P. Reilly2. 1Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA , 99352, USA. 2Metatec Associates, Silver Spring, MD,
20904, USA.
Standards Coordinating Committee (SCC28) is in the process of revising the present IEEE standard C95.1,
and a working group chaired by Dr. Patrick Reilly is specifically looking at revision and amplification of the
limits for induced and contact currents (ICC). Issues that are actively being studied by this working group
include the following:
(1) Touch vs. grasp contact. The current C95.1 standards on ICC are written to avoid unpleasant sensations
with a grasping contact. However, they would allow painful sensations with a touch contact, and could
occur from thermal perception at and above 100 kHz, or from direct nerve stimulation at lower frequencies.
Protection against unpleasant sensations with touch contact would require lower ICC standards. It should be
noted that the C95.1 limits for ICC are greater by a factor of about 3 than other standards such as ICNIRP,
which uses a touch protection limit. The characterization of what actually is being measured (i.e. touch
versus grasping) needs to be better explained in the next revision of C95.1.
(2) Peak current limits. ICC limits are written in terms of rms quantities. A problem arises with pulsed
waveforms, where one might satisfy rms limits, but still have unpleasant shock at frequencies below a few
MHz. Reilly (IEEE Trans., vol. 45, pp. 137-141, 1998) has discussed a similar issue for magnetic field
criteria. The working group is considering taking a similar approach for contact currents, which would
specify rms limits for sinusoidal current, and peak limits for pulsed waveforms.
(3) Spark discharges. At low frequencies, spark discharges can cause perceptible shock; while at RF
frequencies, they can result in thermal perception or localized burns. Existing C95.1 rms limits on contact
currents do not necessarily protect against unacceptable sensations or thermal skin damage from spark
discharges, which have a large localized current density due to the small contact area of a spark. The
definition of spark discharge limits is strongly coupled with item (1) above: unacceptable sensations
associated with a touch contact can often be mitigated with a firm, deliberate grasp. If IEEE limits its
criteria to grasp contacts, the problems with spark contacts are probably taken care of with existing contact
current limits in C95.1. Nonetheless, at RF frequencies where thermal effects are dominant, we have little
data to determine safety limits. Recent work in this area has been carried out by John Pasour of Mission
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Research. However, this work was only preliminary in nature, and funding does not exist to complete the
study. The US Navy specifies a voltage limit of 140 V-rms to protect against spark discharges at RF
frequencies. While this limit is likely to preclude unpleasant discharges, it is probably unnecessarily
restrictive in many circumstances. The treatment of RF spark discharges in a revision to C95.1 will
probably have to be advisory since it is unlikely that sufficient data will be generated to rationally specify
numerical criteria before publication.
(4) Multiple frequencies. The specification of exposure criteria becomes complex when multiple
frequencies are present. IEEE C95.1 specifies in Appendix C a method for assessing the compliance of
mixed frequency components of electric and magnetic fields. The method specifies that one should take the
ratio of each Fourier component against its individual MPE, and then sum the squares of these ratios.
Compliance is satisfied if the sum does not exceed unity. ICNIRP specifies a similar procedure, except that
it calls for the sum of ratios, rather than their squares as in IEEE C95.1. It is still unclear whether either
procedure satisfactorily protects against unwanted nerve stimulation. While Fourier analysis is proper in
analyzing linear circuit response, it is not appropriate for non linear mechanisms, such as with excitable
tissue. This issue requires further study and refinement.
Averaging time. IEEE C95.1 specifies a 1 second averaging time for rms limits to ICC at frequencies
below 100 kHz, and 6 minutes for frequencies from 100 kHz to 100 MHz. This sharp change in the
averaging time at 100 kHz needs to be investigated further and refined as necessary.
This paper will review each of these items and discuss progress made towards resolution of these issues
since the last meeting of the International Dosimetry Project in Long Beach, CA in 1999.
This work was supported in part by an Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement between the U.S.
Department of Energy and the United States Air Force, Brooks AFB, Texas.

P-111
PROBLEMS WITH MEASUREMENT OF PULSED MICROWAVE FIELDS FROM ROTATING
RADAR ANTENNAS. R. Kubacki*, Z. Ciolek*, E. Sobiczewska* and S. Szmigielski*. Department of
Microwave Safety, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland.
Microwave (MW) radiation from radar antennas is rapidly changeable in time. On the one hand, the MW
field is pulse modulated field with pulse duration (ti) hundreds times shorter then pulse repetition (Tp). In
this case an average value of power density flux is hundreds times lower then a peak value of the radiation.
On the other hand, due to the rotation of radar antenna, the measurement point is exposed to pulse
modulated MW radiation periodically within very short time (e.g. tens of msec), which strongly depends on
the width of a main lobe and rotation speed of an antenna. It is easy to guess that an average value of power
density flux (averaged over pulse repetition and over a period of antenna rotation) is additionally lower.
The important question is which value of power density flux is the best parameter to characterize the radar
radiation: the averaged value over pulsed repetition (Sp av), the averaged value over any period of time (e.g.
a period of antenna rotation and/or 6 min) (Sav) or the peak pulse value of radiation (Spp max). Taking all pros
and cons of problems with measurements of radar field it is necessary to underlined that there is no
commercially available MW meter which can measure correctly this changeable field.
The simple way to assess the exposure from radar which periodically scan space is to stop the antenna and
measure the maximum value of the main lobe (Spp max and/or Sp av). From this, the average value over a
period of scan space can be calculated taking into account the parameters of the radiation pattern of the
antenna. Still more, the difficulties with measurements MW fields increase in the case of modern (3D)
radars antennas. In this case, the movements of the main lobe are more complex (the lobe changes its
position in horizontal and vertical position as well).
Furthermore, it has to be underlined that measurements of radar MW field, even when the antenna is
stopped, is doubtful. As it is well known, the MW meters should operate in the far field region, e.g. in the
distance from antenna larger then 2D2/ (where D is the largest dimension of the antenna). For typical
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radar antenna the far field there is in the distance larger then 12 km from the antenna, where the values of
Sp av are close to zero. As valid measurements can be realised only far away from an antenna, there arrives a
question whether or not the MW survey meters are the right equipments for measurements in the area
between the near and far field. The exact solution of electric vector potential in the vicinity of an antenna
will be presented and according received data the region of valid measurements will be designed.

P-112
PARAMETRIC DEPENDENCE OF SAR ON PERMITTIVITY VALUES. P. Gajsek1,2,3, J.M. Ziriax4,
W.D. Hurt1, T.J. Walters1,5, and P.A. Mason1,6. 1Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy
Bioeffects Division, 78235, USA; 2Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas 78212,
USA; 3National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia; 4Naval Health Research Center Detachment
at Brooks AFB, Texas, 78235, USA; 5Veridian Engineering, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, 78216, USA;
6
Conceptual MindWorks, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, 78228, USA.
OBJECTIVES: It is well known that specific absorption rate (SAR) values are dependent on permittivity
values. Since there is variability in permittivity of human and animal tissue and some uncertainty in the
measurements of the permittivity of the tissue, knowing something about SAR sensitivity to permittivity
changes is important. The development and widespread use of sophisticated 3-dimensional anatomical
models to predict SAR values has resulted in the need to understand how model parameters affect the
predicted SAR values. The objective of this parametric study is to establish the partial derivative of various
SAR (whole body, peak, maximum for any one gram of tissue) with respect to permittivity values of
different tissue types, as well as for the tissues with most variable permittivity values reported by Hurt et al.
(1).
METHODS: To determine the dependence of SAR on the permittivity values, a rat model (an anatomical
model of a Sprague-Dawley rat with the x, y, z voxel dimensions 1.95 x 1.95 x 2.15 mm) was processed for
three different conditions of permittivity. The three values of the permittivity used were either 0.5 of
Gabriels values, 2.0 times Gabriels values, or the actual values published by Gabriel (2)(applied to all
tissue types simultaneously). In subsequent runs, the permittivity values of only a single tissue type (e.g.,
fat, muscle, lung, skin) was varied at any one time. The selected tissues were those with the most variable
permittivity values as reported in the literature (1). The permittivity value assigned to a voxel was
calculated (for 2060, 500 and 100 MHz) from the 4-term Cole-Cole fits published by Gabriel (2). A version
of the FD-TD code was used to predict localized and whole body normalized SAR values (W/kg/mW/cm2).
SUMMARY: At 2060 MHz, multiplying all permittivity values by 0.5 increased the whole body
normalized SAR value from 0.36 to 0.41 W/kg/mW/cm2. Multiplying all permittivity values by 2.0
decreases the whole body SAR value to 0.31 W/kg/mW/cm2. The whole body SAR results at 500 MHz,
which is near resonance frequency for the rat model, were opposite to those at 2060 MHz. Multiplying all
permittivity values by 0.5 decrease the whole body SAR value from 0.95 to 0.63 W/kg/mW/cm2.
Multiplying all permittivity values by 2.0 increased the whole body normalized SAR to 1.3 W/kg/mW/cm2.
Similar trends were obtained by changing permittivity values for fat, muscle, lung and skin independently.
At 2060 and 100 MHz, whole body normalized SAR increases by multiplying the permittivity value for a
single organ by 0.5. On the other hand, at 500 MHz, whole body normalized SAR decreases when the
permittivity value for a single organ is multiplied by 2.0. While muscle comprises almost 50% of the rat
model its variations in permittivity value strongly affect the normalized SAR of individual organs. At 2060
MHz, the normalized SAR values were higher than 200% for 11 of the 34 biological tissues when the
permittivity was 0.5x compared to 1.0x. The normalized SAR values were lower than 50% for 9 of the 34
biological tissues when the permittivity was 2.0x compared to 1.0x. Changing the permittivity values of
other organs with lower body weight (skin, fat, lung) does not reflect significantly in a variability of
normalized SAR values of other organs. There are some extreme changes in normalized SAR of particular
organs which are surrounded by organs with modified permittivity.
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CONCLUSION: These preliminary results clearly show that in future EMF dosimetry studies, the
recognition of SAR dependence on variability in permittivity will lead to increased confidence in the
validity of the numerical calculations. Further investigations on other animal species and human are
underway.
References.
1. WD Hurt, JM Ziriax, PA Mason Variability in EMF Permittivity Values-Implications for SAR
Calculations, IEEE Trans. Bio-Med Eng., in press.
2. C Gabriel Compilation of the Dielectric Properties of the Body Tissue at RF and Microwave
Frequencies, Brooks AFB, TX: Armstrong Laboratory Report, AL/OE-TR-1996-0037, 1996.

P-113
VERIFYING FD-TD PREDICTIONS WITH THERMOMETRY MEASUREMENTS. J. Ziriax1, S-T.
Lu2, S. Mathur2, D. Cox1*, P. Henry1*, K. Kosub3*, R. Garay3*, W. Hurt4,and J. DAndrea1. 1U.S. Naval
Health Research Center Detachment, Brooks AFB, Texas, 78235, USA; 2McKessonHBOC BioServices,
Brooks AFB, Texas 78235, USA; 3Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Inc., Brooks AFB, Texas 78235, USA;
4
U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas 78235, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Electromagnetic environments aboard U.S. Naval vessels are complex and potentially
hazardous. Accurate dosimetry is necessary to extrapolate from experimental situations where bioeffects
may be characterized to uncontrolled exposure conditions where human safety is essential. RF dosimetry
modeling techniques such as finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) use realistic anatomical models. With
sufficient computing power, rapid exploration of both experimental and applied exposure situations is
possible. On the other hand, considerable expertise and effort is required to collect empirical dosimetry data
in sufficient quantities to verify model results for even a few model predictions. However difficult,
continued verification is essential to ensure model accuracy and to drive improvements in both modeling
and empirical dosimetry techniques.
METHOD: The results of FD-TD runs at 500 and 800 MHz were used to guide the placement of 16 nonperturbing temperature probes in head and neck of rhesus monkey carcasses. Probes were positioned in
areas that the FD-TD predicted would produce both relatively high and low SARs. Temperature data from
5-minute intervals before, after, and during each of a series of 5-minute RF exposures were used to calculate
SARs.
RESULTS: The figure summarizes 500 MHz data for a single track of 4 temperature probes and the
corresponding FD-TD predictions. It shows excellent agreement between the predicted whole body SAR
from FD-TD calculations (triangle) and the Hurt equation (diamond). Thermometry data (circles connected
by solid lines) are slightly higher than whole body SARs. Five parallel tracks from the midline sagittal
plane of the FD-TD were used as approximations of the locations of the temperature sensors. The sensor
data are less variable and slightly lower than the FD-TD predictions.
DISCUSSION: In comparing model and empirical SAR results there are a number of considerations. For
example, it is difficult to precisely locate the probes in the model space. Also, it is expected that thermal
diffusion during the 5-minute exposure will tend to smooth and lower the empirical results relative to those
predicted by the FD-TD. Detection of highly localized SARs such as those in the graph above
1 W/kg/mW/cm2 will require either an empirical solution such as higher powers and shorter exposure times,
or a direct measurement of the field with a device such as a tissue implantable E-field probe, or the inclusion
of thermal modeling in addition to electromagnetic modeling. The animals involved in this study were
procured, maintained, and used in accordance with the Federal Animal Welfare Act and the "Guide for the
Care and Use of Laboratory Animals," prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources -- National
Research Council." The Air Force Research Laboratory at Brooks AFB, TX, has been fully accredited by
the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International, (AAALAC)
since 1967.
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This research was supported by Office of Naval Research Work Unit Number 61153N.MR04101.001.1603.
This document is approved for public release, distribution unlimited.

P-114
NUMERICAL SAR ASSESSMENT USING A HIGHLY OPTIMIZED METHOD OF MOMENTS
(MOM) BASED IMPLEMENTATION. F.J.C. Meyer1, K.D. Palmer2*, D.B. le Roux1* and U. Jakobus3*.
1
EM Software and Systems, Innovation Centre I, Technopark, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa.
2
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, 7599,
South Africa, 3University of Stuttgart, Institut fr Hochfrequenztechnik, Pfaffenwaldring 47, D-70550,
Stuttgart, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: The Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique is by far the most popular
numerical method used for SAR assessment involving mobile phones and human operators. The reasons for
this are the simplicity of the method as well as the suitability to highly inhomogeneous matter such as the
human head. We have investigated the advantages and disadvantages of using a highly optimized,
comprehensive Method of Moments (MoM) implementation, with some hybrid extensions, for SAR
assessment.
METHOD: The standard MoM implementation, involving wire segments and metallic surface patches, is
well suited for the modeling of the antennas of old and new generation mobile phones. Extensions to the
MoM allow for the treatment of closed dielectric regions (representative of a homogeneous human head /
body phantom). The phantom surface is discretized into triangular patches and the surface equivalence
principle is exploited where equivalent electric and magnetic currents are calculated on the phantom surface.
This is coupled to the standard MoM implementation representing the metallic regions of the mobile phone
antenna. The MoM technique results in a densely populated square matrix equation that is solved with the
currents as unknowns. From the solution, the electric fields inside the phantom head (and thus the SAR) can
be calculated by integrating over the surface and line currents. Antenna efficiency and radiation patterns
can also be obtained. The feasibility of utilizing a hybrid Physical Optics (PO) / MoM technique and a
hybrid Spherical Green's function / MoM technique for SAR assessment and mobile phone optimization
was also investigated. A PO approximation for dielectrics is used and applied to the same triangular surface
mesh representing a realistic phantom head surface. In the Spherical Green's function hybrid, a spherical
model represents the phantom head.
RESULTS: SAR results obtained with the full MoM simulations show excellent agreement with both
measurements (in homogeneous phantoms) and FDTD results. This is true for test phantoms (Box, Sphere -- dipole antennas) as well as realistic human head phantoms (with mobile phones as sources). It is evident
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that maximum SAR, SAR distribution and average SAR in the human head can be accurately predicted with
this technique. Solution times and memory requirements are such that these problems can be solved
efficiently on medium to top level desktop computers (although a Linux cluster with four nodes was used
for the simulations). Accurate maximum SAR and SAR distributions were predicted with the hybrid
PO/MoM, but radiation patterns (specifically nulls) are not well predicted. This can be expected due to the
nature of the PO approximation. The solution time and particularly the memory requirements for the hybrid
PO/MoM simulations are considerably less than that of the accurate full MoM simulations mentioned
above. The hybrid Spherical Green's function / MoM proved to be very efficient and reasonably accurate in
maximum SAR and pattern predictions. However, this last technique is certainly more suitable as a crude,
but fast, low SAR antenna design and optimization tool.
CONCLUSIONS: The work performed indicates that the MoM (with the necessary extensions) can be used
as a highly efficient, accurate and reliable numerical tool for SAR assessment and mobile phone antenna
design and optimization, not replacing but complementing the well known and popular FDTD technique.

P-115
STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE: DOSIMETRY, BIOEFFECTS
AND CLINICAL RESULTS. A.A. Pilla, Department of Orthopaedics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, New York, 10029 USA.
INTRODUCTION: It is now clear that static magnetic fields in the 1-2000 G range can have significant
therapeutic benefit, particularly for treatment of pain and edema from musculoskeletal injuries and
pathologies. Unfortunately, a clear relation between magnetic field parameters, spatial distribution and time
of application has not yet been established. This study reviews the available evidence and suggests some
guidelines for clinical applications.
BASIC STUDIES: At the molecular level ambient range fields (<1 Gauss) accelerated phosphorylation of a
muscle contractile protein in a cell-free enzyme assay mixture, provided the target was in a receptive
metabolic state, such as that which may be caused by injury. Fields ranging from 23-3500 G have been
shown to alter the electrical properties of solutions as well as their physiological effects. At the cell level,
300 G doubled alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like cells, but 1780 G had no effect. Fields
between 4300 and 4800 G significantly increased the turnover rate and synthesis of fibroblasts, but had no
effect on osteoblasts. Neurite outgrowth from embryonic chick ganglia was significantly increased using
450G. Rat tendon fibroblasts exposed to 2.5 G showed extensive detachment of pre-attached cells, as well
as a temporarily altered morphology. A minimum magnetic field gradient of approximately 15 G/mm was
required to cause approximately 80% action potential blockade in an isolated nerve preparation.
CLINICAL STUDIES: There are three double blind clinical studies that provide reliable data. A single 45
min treatment with 300-500 G reduced pain in post-polio patients by 76%. Interestingly, the magnets were
placed on pain pressure points and not directly on the pain site. Discoloration, edema and pain were
reduced by 40-70% over 7 days post suction lipectomy. Pads containing arrays of 150-400 G ceramic
magnets were placed over the liposuction site immediately post operative and left in place for 14 days. The
measures of fibromyalgia (pain, sleep, etc) were reduced by approximately 40% in patients who slept on a
mattress pad containing arrays of 800 G ceramic magnets over a 4 month period.
DOSIMETRY: There are several dosimetry issues related to the use of static magnets for therapeutic
applications. Optimum magnetic field strength is unknown. This is further complicated by the fact that
application of a magnet to the external skin surface will always result in a non-uniform field in tissue. Not
only will the field decay rapidly from the surface of the magnet, but there will also be large variations in
dB/d(x,y,z) near and beyond its boundaries. For the clinical studies presented above the actual field levels
in tissue varied from 40-200 G. The effect of edge gradients cannot be generally evaluated with the possible
exception of the discoloration results in the liposuction study. In that study there was clear evidence that
discoloration at and beyond the edges of the magnetic pads was not significantly different vs. the control
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group, suggesting field amplitude, not gradient was determinant. The issue of magnetic field direction has
not been resolved. Thus, some practitioners believe that the negative (south-seeking) pole of the magnet
placed toward the treatment site results in a beneficial effect, while the opposite pole can be deleterious.
Others claim that both poles, arranged in various configurations should be placed toward the treatment site.
Although the negative pole was utilized in all of the clinical studies cited here, there is no evidence that the
opposite pole would not have been just as effective. It is also unclear whether multipolar arrays are as
effective as unidirectional applications. Although, if the tissue site to be treated is below skin level, e.g.,
musculoskeletal pain in the lower back, it is clear that field levels will not be substantially different from
ambient when using multipolar arrays. Finally, optimum treatment duration has not yet been established.
Positive results have been obtained with exposure times from 45 min to 24 hrs.
CONCLUSIONS: Field strengths in all studies cited above are as low as several Gauss, substantially below
the threshold required to compete directly with thermal forces. A predictive mechanism accounting for field
strength is not yet available, although modulation of Larmor precession frequencies in the polarized
ion/water complex present at the electrified interface of an ion binding site has been proposed. The above
results do not suggest a large dependence upon field orientation or upon the presence of a threshold
gradient. In addition, daily exposure time does not appear to be critical, although, if pain relief at a given
treatment site does not occur within 30-60 min, proper amplitude dosimetry may not have been achieved.
Finally, the state of the biological system may determine the existence of a therapeutic effect. Examples
may be taken from the clinical use of pulsing electromagnetic fields for delayed and non-union fractures
wherein there are no reports of physiologically meaningful effects on normal bone. This is reflected at the
cellular and molecular levels where observable EMF bioeffects usually only occur if the system is far from
equilibrium and the free concentration of a responding ion or ligand in the transduction pathway is well
below saturation levels for the particular kinetics involved.
This work was supported in part by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation.

P-116
NEW TEST BENCH FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF SAR MEASUREMENT PROBES
USED IN TISSUE EQUIVALENT LIQUID. C. Person* 1, L.N. Ahlonsou* 2 and C. Grangeat 2. 1LEST /
ENST de Bretagne, BP832, 29285 Brest, France. 2Alcatel Corporate Research Center, Route de Nozay,
91461 Marcoussis, France.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to propose a new test bench for characterizing electric field
probes used for the evaluation of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) of mobile phones according to
international standards.
METHOD: The principle of the characterization of the probe procedure is to determine the sensitivity as
well as detection limits, linearity, isotropy and response time. These parameters have to be evaluated in the
tissue equivalent liquid as the one used for the SAR measurements. The test bench is composed of a
parallelepiped container filled with a gel representing the human head electromagnetic properties at
appropriate frequencies (e.g. 900 and 1800 MHz), a reference antenna connected to a RF power source and
the probe under test. Two identical reference antennas are necessary for the measurement of the gain in the
main lobe. Once the antenna parameters have been evaluated, then the reference antenna is used for
defining the reference exposure level of the probe. The sensitivity is the ratio of the measured signal
(i.e. voltage measurement) and the magnitude of the quantity measured by the probe detector (i.e. electric
field). The linearity is the maximum deviation of the measured quantity from the closest linear reference
curve defined over a given interval. The lower (respectively upper) detection limit is defined by the
minimum (respectively maximum) quantifiable response of the measuring equipment. The isotropy is the
deviation of the measured value with regard to rotation of the probe along its main axis combined with
various angles of incidence of the measured RF signal varying from 0 to 90. The response time the time
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required by the measuring equipment to reach 90% of its final value after a step variation of the exposure
signal.
RESULTS: The new characterization test bench is made of a transparent parallelepiped (cf. figure 1) with
the following dimensions: 550x400x550 mm. The probe is mounted on a holding system allowing
rotations around its main axis and discrete positions for varying incidence exposure of the probe. The
structure has been designed so that the center of the detectors of the probe is always in the same position
with regard to the reference antenna.
DISCUSSION: With respect to conventional characterization procedures usually employed (e.g. waveguide
calibration [1]), the proposed technique is attractive because the whole process is performed within the
tissue equivalent liquid and exposure conditions are similar to the real operating ones. There are two key
factors in the design of the set up. The first one is the reference antenna that must be as small as possible so
that the far field region is as close as possible and that must support high input power due to the high
attenuation of the tissue equivalent liquid. New reference antennas have been optimized for operating in the
tissue equivalent liquid with high permittivity [2]. The second goal is to obtain precise positioning of the tip
of the probe in order to limit the calibration error.
[1] C Person et al., New reference antennas for SAR probe calibration in tissue equivalent liquid,
Proceedings of the Millennium Conference on Antennas and Propagation, AP2000, Davos, Switzerland,
April 9 - 14, 2000.
[2] D Hill, "Wave guide technique for the calibration of miniature implantable electric field probes for the
use in microwave bioeffects studies", IEEE Trans. MTT, Vol.30, pp. 92-9, Jan.82.

Figure 1: Principle of SAR probe characterization set up with reference antenna.

This research was sponsored by the French government as part of the COMOBIO project (RNRT program).

P-117
APPLICATION OF THE MODULATED SCATTERING TECHNIQUE TO THE DOSIMETRY OF
MOBILE PHONES. D. Picard*, F. Boulahchiche*, J.Ch. Bolomey*, Service Electromagnetisme,
Departement de Recherche en Electromagnetisme, SUPELEC-CNRS, Plateau de Moulon/91192 Gif sur
Yvette Cedex, France.
INTRODUCTION: Most dosimetric setups for handset phones use detected electric probes. These probes
consist in three orthogonal electric dipoles loaded with a diode. The diode transforms the microwave power
induced by the electric field in the dipole into continuous voltage. This continuous voltage is related to the
electric field by a square law is measured using a voltmeter through a resistive line. This resistive line limits
the parasitic effect of the current induced by the electric field. The main disadvantages of these probes are
their poor sensitivity and immunity to parasitic signals. Moreover the SAR induced by mobile telephones in
the head of the user are currently decreasing thanks to technical improvements. That is why many research
teams are looking for new high performances dosimetric setups.
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THE MODULATED SCATTERING TECHNIQUE (MST): The modulated scattering technique has
been used for near-field antenna measurements [1]. An electric probe, loaded with a nonlinear element, is
placed in the field of the tested radiotelephone. This element is low-frequency modulated. An auxiliary
antenna is used to receive the probe radiated power. This received power which is modulated and thus easy
to identify is related to the electric field at the probe location.
APPLICATION OF MST TO DOSIMETRY: Several adaptations are necessary to apply this technique
to mobile phone dosimetry. These are due to the fact that the signal carrier is produced outside of the
measurement setup and that this carrier is pulse-modulated.
In this method, the receiver uses synchronous detection. This detection requires the microwave carrier
radiated by the handset phone. An antenna directed towards the radiotelephone, with a leveled amplifier
delivers this carrier at a given and stable level. GSM phones uses TDMA modulation. The carrier
disappears every other 1/217s. It is necessary to synchronize the measurement acquisition with the TDMA
pulse. For that purpose the setup needs the TDMA modulation signal. This signal is obtained by detection
of the telephone radiated carrier. A low-frequency leveled amplifier followed by a TTL trigger restitutes
this signal at a stable level. The last specific aspect of this application is the apparition and the
disappearance of the carrier at 217-Hz. This modulation induces high level 217-Hz and harmonics signal in
the low-frequency part of the receiver, which saturate this stage of the receiver. An electronic switching
system avoids this saturation and allows the measurement of the field.
CONCLUSION: This measurement method gives better performances in comparison with detected probes
method, in terms of sensitivity, parasitic signals immunity and probing speed. The expected sensitivity
improvement is better than 40dB.
[1] D Picard et al., "A real time near-field antenna analyser", EMC'92, Helsinky, August 1992.
This research was sponsored by Bouygues Telecom and France Telecom as well as the French government
win the COMOBIO project (RNRT program).

P-118
GLOBAL AND EASY TO USE CALIBRATION OF DOSIMETRIC PROBES. D. Picard*, F.
Boulahchiche*, J.Ch. Bolomey*, Service Electromagnetisme, Departement de Recherche en
Electromagnetisme, SUPELEC-CNRS, Plateau de Moulon/91192 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France.
INTRODUCTION: Most dosimetric setups for mobile phones use detected probes. These probes consist
in three orthogonal electric dipoles loaded with a diode. They transform the microwave electric field at their
location into a continuous voltage Vd related to the electric field E. It is thus necessary to know the relation
between the electric field and the continuous voltage.
CALIBRATION PARAMETERS: This relation is quadratic for low values of the field and tends to be
linear for high values. It is well represented by the following law:
Vd = Fc [E2]a
This law uses two parameters: the calibration factor Fc and the exponent a which have to be experimentally
determined. The calibration has also to take into account the probe isotropy which is the variation of the
calibration factor Fc with the incidence and polarization directions. This isotropy must be optimized by
adjusting the sensitivity of the three dipoles and has to be measured.
CALIBRATION METHOD: The calibration factor Fc and the exponent a are determined by measuring of
the detected voltage Vd for at least two different values of the electric field E in the biological tissue
equivalent liquid. The reference electric field E is obtained in a waveguide as the method used by D. Hill
[1]. The waveguide consists in two parts. The first is an air-filled waveguide with a coaxial adapter where
microwaves are injected. The second part is an equivalent liquid-filled-waveguide.
The first step of the calibration is the adjustment of the sensitivity of the three dipoles. For that purpose,
each dipole is successively placed parallel to the electric field rotating the probe around its axis, and the
detected voltage is measured. After adjusting the sensitivity, the three detected voltages should be equal.
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Then the isotropy is evaluated by rotating of the probe around its axis and also around a second axis
orthogonal to the first one thanks to a specific mounting (global isotropy).
The second step is the determination of the calibration factor Fc and exponent a. The method is easier to
implement than previously published methods. Power conservation is used instead of the continuity of the
tangential component of the electric field at the interface between the two media, to evaluate the reference
field in the equivalent liquid. This method allows the direct calculation of the reference field in the
equivalent liquid. Only measurements at one location in the waveguide are needed instead of 10 or 20
locations. The measurements are typically made for five different power levels giving an accurate value of
Fc and a.
CONCLUSION: This method and the associated setup are very easy to use. The repeatability is very good
and we are now evaluating its accuracy.
[1] D. Hill," Waveguide technique for the calibration of miniature implantable electric-field probes for use
in microwave-bioeffects studies.", IEEE Trans. MTT, Vol.30, nl, pp.92-99, January 1982.
This research was sponsored by Bouygues Telecom and France Telecom.

P-119
RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION OF MILLIMETER WAVE LENGTH: POTENTIAL
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ISSUES RELATING TO SURFACE HEATING. K.L. Ryan1,4,T.J.
Walters1,2, J. DAndrea3, J.R. Jauchem1, and P.A. Mason1,5. 1Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed
Energy Bioeffects Division, 2Veridian Engineering, Inc., 3Naval Health Research Center Detachment,
Brooks Air Force Base, TX 78235, USA. 4Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX.
USA. 5Conceptual MindWorks, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, 78228, USA.
Currently, technology is being developed that makes use of the millimeter wave (MMW) range (30-300
GHz) of the radio frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum. As more and more systems come on
line and are used in everyday applications, the possibility of inadvertent exposure of personnel to MMWs
increases. To date, there has been no published discussion regarding the health effects of MMWs; our
object is to attempt to fill that void. Because of the shallow depth of penetration, the energy and, therefore,
heat associated with MMWs will be deposited within the first 1-2 mm of human skin. MMWs have been
used in states of the former Soviet Union to provide therapeutic benefit in a number of diverse disease
states, including skin disorders, gastric ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Conversely, the possibility exists
that hazards might be associated with accidental overexposure to MMWs. This review attempts to critically
analyze the likelihood of such acute effects as burn and eye damage, as well as potential long-term effects,
including cancer.
Supported by USAF Contract #F41624-96-C-9009

P-120
CALCULATION OF NEAR-FIELD, RADIO-FREQUENCY EXPOSURE INTENSITY FROM
OPEN-WIRE, PARALLEL-CONDUCTOR TRANSMISSION LINES. E.M. Barnes1 and E. Hare*2.
1
Aerodyne Laboratories (W5CN), Austin, Texas 78730, USA. 2Laboratory Supervisor (W1RFI), American
Radio Relay League, Newington, Connecticut 06111-1494, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Many amateur radio operators have expressed concern over and declined the use of
open-wire transmission line due to its suspected emission of "hazardous" radio-frequency fields, although
such "ladder line" has the distinct advantage of substantively lower energy losses and higher efficiency
compared to solid-dielectric antenna-feeding systems, i.e., coaxial cable.

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OBJECTIVE: Investigate, under realistic operating conditions and operator proximity, the strength of both
E and H near fields present in typical applications of such transmission lines, and determine if they are in
compliance with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF exposure guidelines1,2.
METHODS: For this analysis, a typical 450-ohm line is used (i.e., two #14AWG wires spaced 3.8 cm),
carrying a power of 1 kilowatt in the 28mHz (10-meter) amateur band and terminated with three different
loads. Although the usual frequency range of amateur radio HF application is 1.8 to 29.7 MHz (160-10
meters), the highest frequency gives the maximum radiation for a given conductor spacing. Since this
frequency has the most stringent exposure limits1,2 it is, accordingly, used in the study. E-field
computations are done with the EZNEC PRO using NEC-4 engine (method-of-moments antenna modeling
program).
SUMMARY OF RESULTS: For the three loading conditions (half-wave dipole, short circuit, and 450ohm resistance, the latter matched to characteristic impedance of the line), the near E-field--as seen on the
graph--has three different intensity profiles respectively. From about 0.5 meters from the vertical portion of
the line to about 2.5 meters from its terminal, the level of E-field exposure--in all three cases--remains
below 60 V/m, over a horizontal distance range of 22 meters. Supplementary to these data, the full poster
presentation includes additional graphs of E fields under a variety of other configurations and operating
conditions including E-field as a function of current balance.
CONCLUSIONS: RF exposure levels from an open-wire transmission line, in typical amateur radio
applications at maximum legal power, and at normal operator proximity are generally below the maximum
permissible exposure (MPE) strengths specified by the U.S. FCC1,2.
References.
1
FCC Staff. Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency
Electromagnetic Fields-Additional Information for Amateur Radio Stations-Supplement B (Edition 97-01) to
OET Bulletin 65.
2
Hare,E.RF Exposure and You, American Radio Relay League, Newington CT, 1998.
All calculations and computer graphics--provided by the American Radio Relay League--is gratefully
acknowledged.

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Model Illustration and E-Field Profile of 3 Loading Conditions

For this model, the line runs vertically for two meters, then 3 meters above ground horizontally for 30
meters to the termination point. While the E-field profile is flat for a 1:1 SWR, the effects of the higher
SWR (with the shorted termination) and those of the real antenna are quite distinct.

P-121
CYLINDRICAL WAVEGUIDE APPLICATOR FOR EXPOSURE OF IN VITRO BIOLOGICAL
SAMPLES. G. Gajda1, J. McNamee1, A. Thansandote1, S-N. Boonpanyarak*2 and E. Lemay*1. 1Radiation
Protection Bureau, Health Canada, 775 Brookfield Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1C1, Canada. 2Khon Kaen
University, 123 Friendship Hwy, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
OBJECTIVE: Microwave applicators, utilizing open-ended radiating structures, have been used for
diathermy and in vitro exposure systems. The advantages of an open structure for in vitro exposure include
convenient access to the sample for temperature control and high Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) coupling
efficiency. The major disadvantage is that shielding is necessary for both protection of the operator and
reduction of possible radio interference. A microwave applicator will be described which was designed for
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exposing biological samples in Petrie dishes to microwaves at 1.9 GHz, the frequency used by Personal
Communication Services in Canada.
DESIGN: The applicator is a cylindrical waveguide operating with a circularly polarized TE11 (transverse
electric) mode. The waveguide is fed coaxially near the shorted end and is open at the other. Circular
polarization is achieved by having two identical coaxial-to-waveguide probes spaced ninety degrees apart
and by feeding the two probes in time quadrature using a 90-degree, 3 dB stripline hybrid. The biological
sample is held in a 6-cm diameter Petrie dish that is placed concentrically within a larger 15 cm Petrie dish.
The larger dish, which is used for cooling the sample, is placed over the opening of the waveguide that is
11.5 cm in diameter. Four tuning screws, located at 90-degree intervals around the circumference of the
waveguide and approximately 4-cm from the open end, are used to compensate for reflections from the
Petrie dishes. The sample is maintained at constant temperature by circulation of temperature-controlled
water through the outer 15 cm Petrie dish. The temperature of the coolant water and the flow rate can be
adjusted to compensate for SAR-induced temperature rises in the inner 6 cm Petrie dish. The complete
exposure system consists of six identical applicators housed in an anechoic enclosure with the six cooling
systems fed from a single peristaltic pump and constant-temperature bath. Power levels to each of the
applicators are independently controllable and can provide for various sham and exposure configurations.
RESULTS: Axial ratio measurements were performed using two waveguides in transmission mode, one of
which had a single coaxial-to-waveguide probe. The single-probe waveguide was rotated, and the
maximum and minimum transmitted power was noted. Axial ratios of the six waveguides ranged from 1.5
dB to 2.6 dB. Reflection compensation of the sample holder on each waveguide was obtained by adjusting
the four screws while noting the reflection coefficient of the input to the 90-degree hybrid and the
transmission coefficient from input to isolation port of the hybrid. Reflection and transmission coefficient
values of 15 dB were easily achieved. SAR determinations were made across the inner Petrie dish using
both a miniature implantable electric-field probe and thermally, using a non-perturbing thermistor
temperature probe. Initial evaluation of the temperature control system at a SAR of 10 W/kg indicated a
maximum temperature rise of 0.5 to 0.6 degrees C at an ambient of 37 C.

P-122
STRONG RESONANT RE-RADIATION FROM A MILITARY JET AIRCRAFT:
IMPLICATIONS FOR NEARBY WORKERS AND BROADCASTERS. R.G. Olsen and B.J. Van
Matre. Naval Health Research Center Detachment, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235, USA.
The objective of this study is to explore various dosimetric parameters associated with regions close to a
military jet aircraft during near-field irradiation at and around the frequency that produces a previously
observed nose-to-tail resonance condition. An additional objective is to extrapolate our data to irradiation
conditions other than strictly military settings in order to call attention to potential radiation hazard
(RADHAZ) conditions that could impact activity around commercial aircraft with negative implications for
certain broadcasting facilities. Our test aircraft was a Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18A Hornet without engines
or armament. The aircraft was located on an outdoor 20m-by-20m metal deck that simulated the flight deck
of an aircraft carrier. Two methods of irradiating the Hornet were used. First, a 10.7m monopole (whip)
antenna was horizontally mounted approximately 1 meter below the flight deck level at a distance of two
meters from one edge; the whip antenna pointed away from the deck, a common configuration during at-sea
flight operations. An antenna coupler was placed next to the base of the whip. During preliminary
experimentation, we discovered a second, novel method for quickly determining fuselage resonance. A
three-turn fuselage induction coil was constructed from stranded copper wire inside a tube of foam-rubber
water-pipe insulation. Typical CW irradiations were conducted in the range of 5 to 8.6 MHz at power levels
between 50 and 200 watts. Both localized power density (at a 20-cm distance) and contact current were
measured at locations such as a wingtip, the tailhook, or a pitot tube. With no towbar attached, a broad
fuselage resonance was observed near 7.6 MHz. At resonance, our results show that a contact current
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exceeding 300 mA (3 times the IEEE/ANSI limit) would occur for common shipboard RF power levels of
1.0 kW. The implications of our findings are far-reaching. Obviously, the Navys at-sea flight operations
are of immediate importance. Ensuring and enhancing the occupational safety of those operations is the
reason this study exists, since the high-frequency (HF) band (2-30 MHz) is commonly used on all Navy
ships. That modern jet aircraft exhibit a strong resonance effect at frequencies related to their length is not
widely known. Larger aircraft resonate at proportionally lower frequencies. Connecting metallic objects
such as towbars and/or tractors further lowers the resonant frequency by increasing the effective electrical
length of the fuselage. Using our fuselage-resonance results, we would predict that an aircraft whose length
is 37.5 m would exhibit a strong resonance near 3 MHz. If an airport servicing such an aircraft were located
near a high-power international shortwave transmitter operating at 3 MHz, a RADHAZ condition could
possibly exist. If larger and larger aircraft are eventually produced, it is conceivable that strong interactions
with common AM radio stations could occur.
This research was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research under Project Number
63706N.M00096.004.1812.

P-123
FAST SAR TESTING: NEW MEASUREMENT SYSTEM WITH HIGH ACCURACY. M. Klar1, J.
Detlefsen2, F.M. Landstorfer1, H.-O. Ruo1. 1Institut fr Hochfrequenztechnik, University of Stuttgart,
Pfaffenwaldring 47, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany. 2Lehrstuhl fr Hochfrequenztechnik, University of
Munich, Arcisstrae 21, D-80333 Mnchen, Germany.
A new and fast (in the range of seconds) measurement system is presented to determine the specific
absorption rate (SAR) at radio frequencies inside a homogenous phantom in order to test hand-held mobile
telephones with respect to safety limits. The measurement set-up proposed consists of a phantom made of
solid material, electric field probe matrices (which are mounted directly on the surface of the phantom),
high-impedance signal down-leads, and a control unit to manage the measurement of the electric field
distribution on the surface of the phantom. To determine the electric field strength inside the phantom, an
efficient numerical transformation algorithm has been developed. The phantom simulates the electric
properties of the human head in the frequency range around 900 MHz. The material used is a compound of
three substances: The first, (BaTi)(CaSn)O3, is mainly used to adjust the permittivity of the material. The
ceramic belongs to the family of ferroelectric ceramics and has a maximum permittivity (about 8500) at
room temperature. To adjust the conductivity of the phantom material, graphite powder is used with
spherical grain shape to guarantee isotropy. As a third substance, the plastic material polyvinylidenfluorid
(PVDF) is used to achieve mechanical stability. The mixing ratio of the compound material is about 33
vol.% of graphite, 10 vol.% of ceramics and 57 vol.% of PVDF. To measure the electric field strength on
the surface of the phantom, a large number of small electric field probes (almost 2000 distributed on a scan
area of about 130320 mm2) is used. The types of field sensors include electrically short dipoles and
monopoles, resp., which are together with detector diodes and low-pass filters connected in a matrix
structure. The dipoles collect the tangential field components on the surface of the phantom, while the
monopoles located in small holes in the phantom are used to measure the normal component of the
electric field strength. A single field sensor consists of an antenna element (dipole or monopole) and a
detector diode, which is mounted directly on the dipole or nearby the monopole, resp. The capacity of the
low-pass filter is connected with the pins of the diode by two resistances (anode and cathode of the
probe). The anodes of all probes in a matrix row and the cathodes in a column are connected by highresistive lines. Thus, it is possible to select a row of probes by giving a positive voltage (half break-down
voltage of the detector diodes) to the selected row in comparison to the others. The diodes in the unselected
rows are reverse biased and represent only a capacity to the RF voltage. Hence, the rectified and low-pass
filtered voltages caused by RF-signals at the probe elements in the selected row can be detected at the end of
the accompanying columns. By repeating the measurement procedure for all rows of the matrix it is
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possible to collect the field distribution on the entire surface of the phantom very fast and without moving a
single field probe (as necessary with other measurement techniques). All electric connections on the
surface of the phantom are realized by resistive lines (printed on the substrate applying a thick film
technique) to minimize the influence on the field distribution. Investigations by numerical calculations have
shown that the presence of the field probes make only negligible interference to the field distribution
compared to the case of absence of the probes. To determine the values of the electric field strength from
the data measured (i.e. voltage values), an accurate calibration of the set-up is necessary. Due to the
geometric dimensions of the phantom and the necessity to generate relatively high values of the electric
field strengths (up to 1000 V/m as usual in the near-field of cellular phones), usual calibration schemes, e.g.
in a TEM-cell or in the far-field of an antenna, are not applicable. Therefore, a specific near-field
calibration technique is applied. The field distribution of a half-wave dipole antenna in a defined (short)
distance to the surface of the phantom is determined by means of numerical calculations and compared to
the calibration measurement. Finally, by means of a fast numerical field transformation algorithm, the
electric field strength inside the phantom and in a second step the SAR distribution can be calculated
efficiently. The main innovations of the new SAR measurement technique are: As measurement time is
reduced drastically for SAR-testing of hand-held mobile telephones (by a factor of 100 in comparison to
the current methods to the range of seconds), random samples during production or even full testing
becomes possible for the first time. This means an enormous improvement towards more safety for the
consumers. Furthermore, improvements in accuracy could be achieved (and will be discussed in detail
within the presentation). With the new method, measurements are carried out directly on the surface of the
phantom, where maximum SAR-values occur. In contrast, with the conventional 3D-scanning techniques,
extrapolation procedures introducing an approximation must be applied as measuring the electric field
strength on and close to the surface is not possible because of the geometrical size of the field probe. The
drawbacks that occur when using a liquid to simulate the dielectric properties of human tissue (e.g. the
electric parameters of the liquid change continuously because of processes like decomposition and
evaporation of water) are overcome by using a solid material for the phantom. With the new technique, the
test set-up is available at any time without a time-consuming preparation phase. Hence, the new technique
will contribute to an improvement in test safety also in a technical sense.

P-124
VARIABILITY OF EXPOSURE LEVELS TO ELF MAGNETIC FIELDS IN VARIOUS
OCCUPATIONS. F. Gobba1, M. Barbi1* and A. Cavalleri2*. 1Dipartimento di Scienze Igienistiche,
Universit di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena (MO), Italy. 2Sezione di Medicina Preventiva dei
Lavoratori, Centro Studi e Ricerche di Tossicologia Industriale. Universit di Pavia, 27100 Pavia (PV),
Italy.
OBJECTIVE: The validity of exposure assessment is a major problem in epidemiological studies on the
effects of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs) in exposed workers. One of the key
aspects is the variability of exposure levels among workers engaged in similar occupations (between-worker
variability), and also intraindividual variability over time (within-worker variability). This study evaluated
the between- and within-worker variability of ELF MFs exposure in some of the most common occupations
in our region.
METHOD: Workers from three industrial sectors were enrolled in the study: tile production and the
mechanical industry, representing the leading industries in our region, and electricity workers from a
utilities company, selected as examples of high exposure occupations; the latter group also enabled a
comparison of results with previously published studies. One company for each sector was enrolled. The
study was presented to the workforce; it was explained that participation was voluntary and a informed
consent was obtained from all participants. In tile production, workers engaged in three different
occupations (2 clay puggers, 3 pressers and 2 glazers) agreed to take part in the study. In the mechanical
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industry 2 electrical engine technicians, 2 electrical engine assemblers, 3 turners and 3 grinders were
monitored. Lastly, 2 telephone repairmen, 3 linemen, 8 electrical technicians and 5 substation workers from
a local utilities company were included. ELF EMs were measured by personal dosimeters (EMDEX LITE)
worn by workers throughout the work-shift (8 hours) for 3 consecutive days of a normal working-week.
Dosimeters were programmed to measure MFs every 10 seconds for the whole sampling period. The results
of MFs monitoring are presented as arithmetic mean. The variability of data is expressed as coefficient of
variation (CV): CV % = (arithmetic standard deviation/arithmetic mean) x 100.
RESULTS: Workday mean individual exposure levels ranged from 0.1 to 0.9 T in workers engaged in tile
production, 0.1-0.5 T in mechanical industry workers, and 0.3-4.8 T in electricity workers. Betweenworker variability was high: depending on the specific occupation CV % varied from 8 to 13 in tile
production, from 11 to 64 in mechanical industry, and was still higher (5100) in the electricity workers,
being highest in substation workers. Within-worker variability was also high: CV % ranged from 6 to 50 in
tiles workers, 20-85 in mechanical industry and 0-147 in electrical utilities; again, the highest CV % was
observed in substation workers.
DISCUSSION: Our results confirm a high variability of both between- and within-worker ELF MFs
exposure in electricity workers, as previously observed by others. The variability of exposure in tile
production and in mechanical industry was lower but still elevated. The number of workers and of workshifts sampled in this study were limited, and participants were not randomly selected, possibly introducing
a selection bias. However, the inclusion of a larger number of subjects randomly selected and longer
monitoring periods could further increase, rather than decrease, the variability of exposure. Our results thus
highlight the need to introduce techniques to adequately control within- and between-worker components of
exposure variance in epidemiological research on the effects of ELF MFs. Insufficient attention paid to this
aspect may be among reasons for the inconsistency of studies on the association between occupational
exposure to ELF MFs and biological effects.

P-125
DOSIMETRY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS FROM SECURITY AND ANTITHEFT
SYSTEMS. P. Chadwick*, Radiation Unit, UK Department of Health, Skipton House, 80 London Road,
Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6RW, UK.
Security and antitheft systems can give rise to electromagnetic field exposures of the public and workers
over a wide range of frequencies. There may be a requirement to compare exposures with guideline levels,
but good quality dosimetry would also be a requirement for any epidemiological or laboratory-based studies
into possible health effects arising from the operation of these systems.
It is intended that the fifth edition of the RF Dosimetry Handbook will address several areas of EMF
dosimetry relevant to security and antitheft systems:
- Library systems operating at 1 to 2 kHz can produce pulsed magnetic fields, and for these it is important to
consider the pulse characteristics, such as rise-time, as well as instantaneous field strength.
- Airport and prison walk-through metal detectors produce magnetic fields at frequencies of a few hundred
Hz to several kHz with non-sinusoidal waveforms. Harmonic analysis can be used in the calculation of
internal field strengths and induced current densities from these systems.
- There is a range of access control and identification systems operating at a few hundred kHz which give
rise to, primarily, continuous wave exposures in the inductive near-field. At these intermediate frequencies,
it is necessary to consider dosimetric quantities based on both thermal and electrical effects
- Electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems operate at frequencies of several MHz to several tens of
MHz. Exposure of people to the electromagnetic fields from these systems will also be in the inductive
near-field, and this can have profound consequences for the estimation of localised and whole-body SARs.

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These aspects of dosimetry will be described in this paper, as will the recent draft European Standard on
evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from devices used in electronic article
surveillance (EAS), radiofrequency identification (RFID) and similar applications.

EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
P-126
SOURCES OF RF AND ELF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND EXPOSURE TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE NETHERLANDS. M. van der Plas*, A. de Klerk*, R.M.J. Pennders*,
M.J.M. Pruppers*. Laboratory of Radiation Research, National Institute of Public Health and the
Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
INTRODUCTION: This investigation was prompted by the growing public concern about possible health
effects from exposure to radiofrequent (RF) and extremely low frequent (ELF) electromagnetic (EM) fields.
The increasing number of mobile telephones, the sometimes contradictory results of scientific research on
possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile telephones and their base stations, radar
systems and power lines are some examples of the reasons for the growing concern. Recently, the European
Union issued recommendations on restriction of public exposure to EM fields ranging from 0 Hz to 300
GHz. The basic restrictions and their derived reference levels used in this recommendation provide
protection against known adverse health effects.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the investigation was to make an inventory of sources of EM fields and to
estimate the exposure to their RF and ELF electromagnetic fields in the Netherlands. The following
questions were to be dealt with: 1. Are there locations where reference levels are exceeded and if so, can
people access these locations? 2. How large is the difference between actual exposure levels and the
reference levels? 3. Where can the reference levels be expected to be exceeded in the near future?
METHOD: As it was not possible to study all sources of EM fields, sources were selected according to the
possibility of exceeding the reference levels; the degree of public concern about the source and the
availability of information on the source were also considered in the selection. Data from licensed RF
sources were obtained from the Dutch Radio Communications Agency. Licensed sources can be divided
into localized and non-localized sources. For localized sources the location is known and registered. Nonlocalized sources consist of mobile appliances and sources at a non-listed fixed location. Electric and
magnetic fields around localized and non-localized sources were calculated using equivalent isotropically
radiated power (EIRP), insofar as the EIRP was known. For non-licensed sources like electronic article
surveillance systems, data were obtained from industry. Exposure to electric and magnetic fields from
power lines was evaluated using more general methods.
RESULTS: An overview of RF and ELF sources was produced, together with an overview of the exposure
levels from these sources compared to the reference levels. Geographic distributions of localized sources
and their exposure levels were provided by using, as far as possible, a Geographic Information System
(GIS).
This work is supported by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment.

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P-127
AN OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT ON EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY (ELF)
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (EMFS) IN KOREAN POPULATIONS. Y.S. Kim and Y.S. Cho.
Institute of Environmental and Industrial Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
OBJECTIVE: Industrializing process including marked increase of electric appliances has expanded
personal exposure to magnetic fields(MF) whose effects on human health have long been out of scientific
concern. Measurement of personal exposure to magnetic fields have been used to investigate the health
effects of magnetic fields in various epidemiological studies. Since no data are available on the actual level
of exposure to magnetic fields in Korea to date, the present study is attempted to establish occupational
exposure assessment on personal exposure measurement of 60 Hz magnetic fields of the selected
occupational and non-occupational subjects.
METHOD: The study population comprised of 105 persons aged 20-46 years who were chosen from
different occupational groups in the Seoul area. The study subjects were randomly assigned to two group:
one is 55 subjects in occupational group consisted of 15 electrician, 5 medical computer drivers, 20 subway
drivers, 10 telephone operators, and 5 utility workers, where the other 50 subjects in non-occupational group
consisted of 30 graduate students, 10 housewives, and 20 office workers. Subjects wore a personal
exposure instrument in a leather case attached to a belt at the hip. A survey for measurement was carried
out during 1996-1999, with the use of magnetic field time-series data collected with EMDEX instruments
(Enertech Inc., Campbell, CA). EMDEX data was recorded in sampled every 10s from a group of 24 hrs
measurements collected from the selected subjects. The main tools of the personal exposure assessment
procedure presented here were a logbook, which was used to identify transportation devices, usage degree
of electric facility, working time, working historic period, and working condition. A questionnaire was used
to determine the type of house the subject limed in and the pattern of time-activity during subjects daily life.
RESULTS: The arithmetic mean level of personal exposure of all 105 subjects to magnetic fields during 24
h ranged from 0.07 T to 0.89 T. Personal exposure levels of magnetic fields showed the highest levels of
0.26 T in subway drivers. The geometric mean exposure levels were lower than the arithmetic mean of
each subjects, while the geometric mean level of students were the lowest level of 0.04 T. The data were
analyzed with respect to time spent in different indoor environments. The mean values at work of subway
drivers were the highest level of 0.46 T among the study subjects. The ratios of mean exposure levels for
occupational and non-occupational groups were 3.5. This suggests that the personal exposure level by
different occupation varies by different indoor sources and working status.
DISCUSSION: The mean values at home of each occupation ranged from 0.03 to 0.17 T. During a
normal week day, each subject spent about 34 percent of their time at home of which major time period was
spent in bed. The mean values of the 60Hz magnetic fields in Korea homes seemed to be higher than the
values measured in Sweden and Denmark although countries have differences in electrical systems. The
outdoor mean values of the subjects were less than 0.1 T, except for utility workers. Also, the ratios of
mean personal exposure levels for occupational / non-occupational groups were higher than 1.0, except for
students. This suggests that occupational groups are more likely exposed to magnetic fields at work than
non-occupational groups. Our findings with regard to time spent at different locations were similar to those
of the working type a work in the U.S. The analysis in this study was based on various time-weighted
averages, assuming that these are important, for example, that exposure at work by different occupation is
the most important parameter for biological effects, then exposure, e.g. at home will be of lesser interest.
Most of the magnetic fields variation in exposure due to the fact that the subjects in this study spent
different places indoors and outdoors. Detailed comparison of the activity lists and the plots of magnetic
fields with time for the subjects revealed that local sources in different indoor environments also contributed
to the magnetic fields.

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P-128
DNA MICROARRAY ANALYSIS OF GENE EXPRESSION IN Saccharomyces cerevisiae UNDER
EXPOSURE TO 50Hz, 400mT SINUSOIDAL MAGNETIC FIELD. S. Nakasono*, R. Sano*, T.
Shigemitsu, H. Saiki*, T. Sasano*. Bio-Science Department, Abiko Research Laboratory, Central Research
Institute of Electric Power Industry, 1646 Abiko, Abiko-shi, Chiba 270-1194, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Most of positive results of biomagnetic effect have been shown with mammal cells, and
these results have been low reproducibility since the cell lines were genetically high diversity and instable to
keep same genomic background. Simple model cells would be more effective to clarify the biomagnetic
effect. Although we have investigated the carcinogenesis related biological effect, such as gene expression,
and mutagenesis and co-mutagenesis, of 10mT, power frequency magnetic field (MF) by using bacterial
(prokaryotic) cells and yeast (eukaryotic) cell as simple models, any effects have not been found. If these
biological effects exist under the MF exposure, any change in gene expression would be detected at a higher
intensity of the MF. The aim of this study is to evaluate existence of genome scale gene expression change
in yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as a model for eukaryotic cells, under exposure to 50Hz, 400mT
sinusoidal MF.
METHOD: A wide-range exposure system was used for generating 50Hz sinusoidal MF up to 10mT.
Effects of the MF on protein and mRNA synthesis were investigated with a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(IAM 4206) as a model for eukaryotic cell. The cells were incubated in YPD medium at 250.1C under
anaerobic condition (without agitation, 24h) with or without MF exposure (24h). A change in protein and
mRNA synthesis levels will accumulate in the cells during long term exposure to the MF, and the change
will be easily detected rather than short term exposure. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to
estimate the change in protein synthesis level. The procedure was according to the method of SWISS2DPAGE. DNA microarray was obtained from DNA Chip Institute (Japan) for analyzing genome-scale
gene expression difference. Above 5,900 cDNA clones (95% of total genes) were spotted on the
microarray. The procedure was almost same as the method of Brown Lab. (Stanford Univ.). Three positive
controls were used as following; 1) heat shock (40C, 1h) after 23h normal cultivation, 2) aerobic condition
cultivation (1L/min, 12h), or 3) minimal medium cultivation (anaerobic, 24hr).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In preliminary experiment, approximately 1,000 proteins of yeast were
separated by the 2-D method. Stress responsive proteins, such as HSP60, SSA1, SSA2, SSB1, SSC2, were
detected. In each positive control, a change in the protein synthesis levels for some stress proteins, such as
HSP60 and SSA1 (in heat shock), and other unidentified proteins (in heat shock, aerobic condition, and
minimal medium) was observed. No significant change was detected in the 2-D map of the yeast under
exposure to the 10mT MF. These results suggest that long term exposure of the MF could not affect protein
synthesis of yeast. Although the 2-D method is effective to seek change in protein synthesis level for
various environmental stimulation, only 1/6 of all proteins (over 6,000 genes identified in yeast genome)
could be examined. DNA microarray is more effective to seek change in gene expression, since this method
can compare 95% of total genes. In each positive control, above 100 genes were detected with a change in
mRNA synthesis level. This result suggests that the microarray is more effective and sensitive to seek a
change in gene expression rater than the protein 2-D method. No significant change was detected on the
microarray of the cells between control and the 10mT MF exposure. Above results suggest that the 10mT
MF could not affect the transcription and translation in the model eukaryotic cell. We are currently
constructing an exposure system for generating 50Hz, up to 400mT sinusoidal MF. The effect of the higher
intensity MF will be also investigated by using the DNA microarray technology.

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P-129
PERSONAL MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURES AMONG TEACHERS. G.M. Lee1, L.E. Zaffanella2,
H.C. Hooper2, L. Hristova1*, P. Reynolds1*, R.N. Neutra1. 1California Department of Health Services,
Oakland, California, 94612, USA. 2Enertech Consultants, Campbell, California, 95008, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Public concern about the degree to which California children, teachers and school staff are
exposed to electric and magnetic fields while in school has increased. Media reports of cancer clusters of
teachers employed at or of children attending schools next to transmission lines has created some of this
concern. Hence, a pilot study was done to assess if a teachers exposure at a transmission line school differs
from those at a non-transmission line school, and also to describe the personal magnetic field exposures of
teachers while they were in their school environment, in their home environment, and outside their school
and home environments.
METHODS: Participants were 28 full-time teachers and/or school staff who taught at two San Francisco
Bay Area elementary schools. These schools also participated in a systematic California public school EMF
area measurement survey. One school had a 69 kV transmission line running inside the edge of the school
property (13 teachers) and the other school had no overhead power lines nearby (15 teachers). Personal
time-weighted average 24-hour exposures were measured with an EMDEX LITE meter. The proportion of
the 24-hour personal exposure that was associated with the school environment and how these personal
school exposures compared with the personal home exposures were assessed for the transmission line
school versus the non-transmission line school. Also, the personal school magnetic field exposures were
compared with estimated personal exposures using spatial measurements taken in these areas and the
reported times spent in these areas.
RESULTS: The average 24-hour personal exposure for the teachers was slightly lower (mean = 0.95 mG)
but of the same order of magnitude as the general U.S. population (mean = 1.25 mG)3. The total school
personal exposure was higher for the teachers of the transmission line school (mean = 1.02 mG) than for
teachers of the non-transmission line school (mean = 0.69 mG). On the average, the percentage of the total
24-hour personal exposure associated with total school personal exposure was 41% regardless of the school
the teacher taught at (transmission line school or not). This percentage contributed by school exposure
decreased with increasing total 24-hour personal exposures. On the contrary, the percentage of the total 24hour exposure contributed by personal home exposure increased with increasing total 24-hour personal
exposures. Estimates of the personal total school exposure based on the area spatial measurements
correlated well with personal school exposure based on EMDEX measurements for those teachers who
taught at the transmission line school but not for those teachers who taught at the non-transmission line
school. For the non-transmission line schools, this may be due to the use of electrical devices while
teaching since the teachers tended to use electrical devices; area measurements were made away from the
direct influence of operating electrical devices.
DISCUSSION: Teachers who teach at schools where a transmission line is a major exposure source may
have higher personal school magnetic field exposures than those who teach at non-transmission line schools.
However, for teachers with high total personal 24-hour exposures, the home environment rather the school
environment is the major source of exposure. Also, estimates of the personal magnetic field exposures
using spatial measurements and time in each area may be more accurate for transmission line schools than
for non-transmission line schools. 3Zaffanella LE, Kalton GW. Survey of Personal Magnetic Field
Exposure. Phase II: 1000-People Survey. DOE RAPID Engineering Project #6. May, 1998.
The National Cancer Institute (1RO1CA717450) supported this work for activities outlined in the National
Action Plan on Breast Cancer.

218

P-130
EXCEEDINGS OF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE GUIDELINES IN
FINLAND. T. Kantell*, J. Kotiniitty* and L. Korpinen*. Tampere University of Technology, Electric
Power Engineering, P.O. BOX 692, FIN-33101, Tampere, Finland.
In the past few years there has been much discussion about possible health effects due to exposure to fields.
New guidelines by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) for the
exposure to electric and magnetic fields were published in 1998. In the guidelines the maximum values for
public exposure to the fields are 100 T and 5 kV/m, and for occupational exposure 500 T and 10 kV/m
[1]. The same values have been adapted to the recommendation by the Council of the European Union for
the public exposure to the electric and magnetic fields [2]. At Tampere University of Technology (TUT)
exposure to fields has been studied for a long time. The aim of this paper is to draw together electric and
magnetic field levels from recent measurements to evaluate exposure to the electric and magnetic fields in
living environment.
Fields are caused by transmission lines, substations, transformer stations, distribution lines, indoor
mountings in buildings and electric appliances. Table 1 presents a summary of the recent measurement
results from these sources. The measurements have been made at TUT.
Table 1. The highest measured fields in different types of environments.
Environment
400 kV, 110 kV switching substation
400 kV transmission lines, under
110 kV transmission lines, under
20 kV underground power lines, above
20 kV indoor distribution substation, above
20 kV distribution lines, under
Apartments
University buildings

Magnetic field, T
0.4118.6
1.111.4
0.575.8
0.100.19
0.265.5
0.100.77
0.020.26
0.583.26

Electric field, kV/m

0.0219.9
1.09.3
0.141.1
----0.00050.09
--0.000520.00055

As a conclusion, it can be stated that exposure to the fields usually remains under the guidelines, except in
some special cases. The highest electric field, 9.9 kV/m, was measured at the 400 kV switching substation.
This does not exceed the ICNIRP occupational exposure guideline, 10 kV/m, but it is very near. The public
exposure reference level, 5 kV/m was exceeded below 400 kV transmission lines in some measurements.
This level was also exceeded at 400 kV substations but they are closed to the public. Electric fields from
other than 400 kV systems did not exceed the 5 kV/m level. Magnetic field exposure limits by EU Council
or by ICNIRP were not exceeded in TUT measurements. However, magnetic field exposure limits may be
exceeded in some industry environments, for example near arc furnaces.
References.
ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). Guidelines for limiting
exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Health Physics,
74(1998):4, pp. 494-522.
Council of the European Union, Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of
the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz), Official Journal of the EC: L 199 on 30 July
1999, pp. 59-70.

219

P-131
ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO POWER SYSTEM ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS
USING DIFFERENT MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES. J. Kotiniitty*, T. Keikko* and L. Korpinen*.
Tampere University of Technology, Electric Power Engineering, P.O. Box 692, FIN-33101, Tampere,
Finland.
New guidelines on public and occupational exposure published by ICNIRP have increased the need for
electric and magnetic field measurements [1]. Shortly after that IEC published a standard giving guidance
for instrumentation and measurement of human exposure [2]. However, the standard does not give exact
measurement procedures like IEEE Std 644-1994 gives for measurement of fields from power lines [3].
Measurement procedures are studied in a project at Tampere University of Technology (TUT).
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to present procedures for the measurement of fields from main
parts of power systems: distribution substations, switching substations, and power lines.
Distribution substations: Indoor distribution substations are important magnetic field exposure sources.
Before measurements, the substation structures are acquired, especially the locations of low voltage
conductors from transformer to the low voltage distribution center. Measurement points in the rooms beside
or above are defined based on a reference point. The reference point is defined at the starting point of the
low voltage conductors. In the rooms, magnetic fields from indoor distribution substations are measured
with mappings. Distance between the measurement points is 1 m. Measurements should be carried out at
least at a 1 m height to evaluate average body exposure. Magnetic fields are measured as far away from the
reference point as necessary. In industry the load currents may have high harmonic content and be
imbalanced. Therefore, currents should be more carefully analyzed when measuring magnetic fields from
industrial distribution substations. The highest value in experiments was 12.5 T (13 substations).
Switching substations: Before the measurement at switching substations probable field sources are first
inspected. Then, a survey is carried out to confirm the locations of the highest fields. In addition to the
locations of the highest fields, areas where workers are often exposed to fields are measured. Measurements
are carried out as mapping on areas or on straight lines generally at the height of 1 m. The number of
measurement points and the distance between the points depend on the size of the station and the level of
the fields. During the measurements currents are also measured on all outgoing feeders and transformer
feeders, and voltages in bus bars. The highest values in experiments were 18.6 T and 9.9 kV/m (2
substations).
Power lines: For measurement of the fields from power lines there is a detailed international standard by
IEEE [3]. Measurements have been carried out in 23 points (13 perpendicular and 10 parallel) along a line
span at 1 m height for transmission lines. Distribution lines may be measured like transmission lines but
less measurement points are needed, since phase and tower distances of the lines are smaller. Only one
measurement may be required between phases. Along the line four measurement points are enough.
Besides the fields, line height is measured and the voltage and load of the line at both ends is requested from
the control room. Also, the surroundings of the span are recorded in the field book. The highest values in
experiments were 11.4 T and 9.3 kV/m (39 line spans).
DISCUSSION: This abstract describes the main ideas of measurement procedures for electric and magnetic
fields from power systems. These procedures can be used when applying the IEC standard for measurement
of exposure. However, measurement details should often be planned in measurement location. In all cases
it is important to record currents and voltages in order to evaluate exposure to fields in different conditions
of the power system.
CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, it can be said that more detailed information than is given in IEC
standard is needed to make comparable and repeatable measurements in exposure evaluation. The presented
procedures can be considered to be detailed enough if the measurements are recorded and reported clearly.
References.
ICNIRP, "Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic
Fields (Up to 300 GHz)", Health Physics, Vol. 74, no. 4, pp 494-522, 1998.
220

IEC 61786, "Measurement of low-frequency magnetic and electric fields with regard to exposure of human
beings Special requirements for instruments and guidance for measurements", Geneva, Switzerland, IEC,
1998, 177p.
IEEE Std 644-1994, "IEEE Standard Procedures for Measurement of Power Frequency Electric and
Magnetic Fields From AC Power Lines", New York, USA, IEEE, 1995, 32 p.

P-132
16 HZ- AND 50 HZ-BACKGROUND MAGNETIC FIELDS IN RESIDENCES IN GERMANY. J.P.
Grigat*1, B. Strmer*1, T. Trmper*1, J. Schz*2, K. Brinkmann1, J. Michaelis*2. 1Forschungsverbund
EMV biologischer Systeme, Technical University of Braunschweig, D-38023 Braunschweig, Germany.
2
Institute for Medical Statistics and Documentation, German Childhood Cancer Registry, University of
Mainz, D-55101 Mainz, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: From 1993 to 1997 measurements of the residential magnetic field were performed in
homes of 176 children with leukemia and 414 control children participating in a case-control study in
Northwest Germany (Lower Saxony) and Berlin [1,2]. Since the results were inconclusive, in 1998, the
EMF-study was extended to a nationwide case-control study on childhood acute leukemia. Addresses of
more than 2,800 children were available for measurements.
METHODS: 24h-measurements of the residential 16 2/3 Hz- (frequency of the German railway system)
and 50 Hz-magnetic field were conducted in the childs bedroom and in a second room in the home where
the child lived longest before the date of diagnosis. To account for the effects of location and the course of
the magnetic field, we additionally took spot measurements by walking through different rooms of the
residence with the field meter connected to a measurement wheel. While parameters of the 24hmeasurements will reflect exposure in our study, the spot measurements will support in identifying sources
of elevated magnetic fields. Moreover, we collected information on the type of the building, the age and
type of the heating system, the hot water supply, the neighbourhood traffic density, the degree of
urbanization, and on nearby power lines, underground wiring, transformers, and substations.
RESULTS: Measurements were completed in December 1999. So far, about 1900 measurements have
been performed with 1841 being analysed. In our analyses, we focus on the median magnetic field and the
magnetic field during the night. In 50% of all measured German households we observed median magnetic
fields below 0.03T, in 95% of all households it was below 0.12T. 50 Hz-median magnetic fields above
0.2T occurred in approximately 1.5% of all measured households, while the prevalence of higher 16 2/3
Hz-fields (at 0.2T) was only 0.6% (0.2T will be the cutpoint of the epidemiological part of the study; this
cutpoint was chosen in advance). The highest 50 Hz-median magnetic field over 24 hours was 0.73T. In
average, we observed a tendency towards higher magnetic fields with increasing number of parties per
house, however, median magnetic fields above 0.2T occurred in as well single family houses as
apartement buildings. There is also a tendency towards higher magnetic fields in residences close to streets
with more traffic, but so far this association is very weak. Spot measurements showed to be a poor predictor
for long-term measurements at 0.2T. Surprisingly, median magnetic fields during the night were not
considerably lower than during daytime. Especially overnight heating systems and street lightning can
cause high magnetic fields restricted to the night phase. Regarding the median during the night, we
observed a prevalence of 1.2% at 0.2T and above.
CONCLUSIONS: These measurements give an impression of the distribution of background 16 Hz- and
50Hz-ELF magnetic fields in German households. They give an overview of what field intensities are
common for German relations and under which circumstances one could expect somewhat higher fields.
Since about half of all stronger fields were caused by indoor sources, higher fields can not be ruled out even
if there are no known outdoor sources. In summary, median magnetic fields above 0.2T are a rare event in
Germany and the prevalence of higher residential magnetic fields in Germany is considerably lower than in
the US or Canada. In the year 2000, these field measurements will be linked with the data of the case221

control study on childhood leukemia in order to investigate if children exposed to higher residential
magnetic fields have a higher risk of developing leukemia.
[1] J Michaelis, J Schz, R Meinert, M Menger, JP Grigat, et al. Childhood leukemia and electromagnetic
fields: results of a population-based case-control study. Cancer Causes Control 1997; 8:167-174.
[2] J Michaelis, J Schz, R Meinert, E Zemann, JP Grigat, et al. Combined risk estimates for two German
population-based case-control studies on residential magnetic fields and childhood acute leukemia.
Epidemiology 1998; 9:92-94.
This study is funded by The German Federal Environment Ministry.

P-133
WATER COOLED WAVEGUIDE EXPOSURE CHAMBER FOR IN VITRO STUDIES AT 900
MHz. K. Jokela, T. Toivo*, L. Puranen* and K. Keskinen*. STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety
Authority, Helsinki FIN-00881, Finland.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health risk of mobile phones, reliable and repeatable biological studies must
be conducted. Difficulties to obtain same results by different laboratories are partly due to inappropriate
dosimetry of the exposure systems. To ensure high quality of cell culture studies the SAR must be precisely
known and its' distribution in culture dishes should be as uniform as possible. Most RF exposure systems
employ air-cooling to prevent the excessive heating of the cell culture. Air-cooling is adequate roughly up
to the SAR level 1-2 W/kg. However, in mobile phone studies it is necessary to expose cells even up to 10
W/kg in order to simulate actual exposure and to study the increase of the biologic response as a function of
exposure. The maximal SAR in the skin and surface of the brain may reach up to 10 W/kg in a small tissue
volume even though the 10 g average SAR would not exceed the general public limit 2 W/kg. Due to the
efficient heat removal through the blood circulation, the temperature increase remains within a few
centigrade even in these local hot spots. The most efficient thermal control in high SAR exposures of cell
cultures can be achieved by using the water cooling of the tissue culture. The objective of this study was to
develop a temperature controlled exposure system, where high SAR levels (up to 10 W/kg) with uniform
distribution (30%) can be achieved without significant thermal stress.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Two versions of the water-cooled exposure chambers (vertical and
horizontal) have been developed in our laboratory (Fig. 1). Both systems are based on the use of high Q
waveguide resonator operated in the TE10 mode. Temperature controlled water is circulated through a thin
(ca. 8 mm) rectangular waterbed so that the Petri dishes are in good thermal contact with the water. The
vertical chamber has been placed inside an incubator and two Petri dishes have been placed at the bottom of
the chamber so that the E-field vector is parallel to the plane of the medium. The horizontal chamber has
been placed outside of an incubator and two to four Petri dishes have been placed around the middle axis of
the waveguide, at the point where the E-field is maximum and the E-field vector is perpendicular to the
plane of the medium. The dishes are covered by a thermal shield through which CO2 rich moistened air
from an incubator is circulated. The SAR distribution was simulated with FDTD method and measured
with a small temperature probe.
RESULTS: In the vertical system maximum SAR values were in the centre of Petri dish, decreasing 10 dB
at the edges. The radius of the area where the decrease was less than 3 dB was about half of the dish radius.
The preliminary measurements of the new horizontal waveguide showed that the 3dB radius extended over
the whole dish (Fig. 2). Outside the medium the simulated E-field distribution is close to the theoretical
distribution obtained from the standard waveguide equations.
CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of the horizontal waveguide resonator chamber are: 1) High SAR
combined with efficient cooling, 2) uniform SAR over the whole medium space, 3) large SAR/input power
ratio, 4) small size with moderate costs.

222

Fig. 1. Vertical (a) and horizontal (b) waveguide chambers used for in vitro exposures at 900 MHz.

Fig. 2. Measured SAR values (normalised to 1 W input power) in the horizontal waveguide resonator
chamber with four Petri dishes. The SAR values are measured with Vitek type temperature probe inside a
Petri dish with medium height 4 mm.
This work was supported by the Finnish National COST 244bis research project.

223

P-134
EXPOSURE FACILITY FOR GENERATION AND CONTROL OF "REAL WORLD" COMPLEXSPECTRA 3-AXES MAGNETIC FIELDS. V.S. Martinyuk*1, N.A. Temuryants1, I.V. Anisimov*1, A.V.
Yatsenko*1, Y.A. Kopytenko*2, E.A. Kopytenko*2, V.S. Ismagyilov*2, N.G. Ptitsyna2, G. Villoresi3, N.
Iucci4, D. Pfluger*5, J. Rasson*6. 1Simeropol State Univ., Dept. of Human Physiology, Simeropol 333036,
Ukraine. 2SPbFIZMIRAN, St. Petersburg 191023, Russia. 3IFSI/CNR c/o Univ. "Roma Tre", Phys. Dept.,
Rome 00146, Italy. 4Univ. "Roma Tre", Physics Dept., Rome 00146, Italy. 5Univ. of Bern, Dept of Social
& Preventive Medicine, Bern 3012, Switzerland. 6Inst. Royal Meteorologique de Belgique, Dourbes 1180,
Belgium.
The aim of this study was to design, construct and validate a MF exposure facility in which appropriately
controlled conditions can be maintained for evaluation of biological activity of "real world" 3-axis complexspectra MF. The exposure takes place in a 2x3x2m shielded room, through the action of six orthogonal
square coils in quasi Helmholtz configuration, spanning the room maximum dimensions. The exposure
facility developed in Simferopol State University allows to create varying and/or static magnetic field in
each axis separately or simultaneously. MF is generated both in a manual mode and automatically by means
of host computer. The facility can work in continuous operational mode, that allowing conducting long
duration experiments in real-time mode. The module of the interface based on the microprocessor Intel
80C51 is communicates with the host machine through the standard interface RS232. Commands are
transmitted to the microprocessor with frequency up to 178 Hz. The exposure facility includes a reference
magnetometric device MVC-2 for simultaneous monitoring of static and variable MF during experiments.
MVC-2 is a waveform capture system with sampling rate up to 200 Hz. MVC-2 belongs to the class of
magnetometeric devices of torsion type that allows continuous recording and characterization of MF profile
over time and frequency. The computer-based waveform capture system MVC-2 was used for testing
characteristics of the constructed exposure facility: shielding factor of the shield room, Helmholtz coil
constant, the spatial homogeneity of generated MF in exposure volume. Comparing X, Y & Z components
of MF recorded inside and outside the shield established the shielding factor. The shielding factor was
found to increase for lower frequency bands; for static fields it ranged from 3.85 for Z direction to 19.1 for
Y direction. It was defined the work exposure volume where nonlinearity of generated MF was less than
10%. This exposure facility was used for studying possible response of rats to complex-spectra "real world"
MF generated onboard electrified trains (see Temuryants et al., this meeting). On the basis of detailed MF
measurement survey in electric locomotives (see Villoresi et al., this meeting) we elaborated typical MF
pattern and software for generating this pattern in the exposure facility. Control of generated fields was
done by MVC-2 capture system. The validation procedure revealed the identity of input MF pattern and MF
actually observed inside exposure facility (Figure 1).

224

Fig. 1 MF-pattern, generated by computer based facility.

This work was supported by the European Commission (contract N ERBIC15-CT96-0303).

P-135
MEASUREMENTS OF INDUCED CURRENTS FROM WHOLE BODY EXPOSURE TO
RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS. J. Wiln1, G. Anger2, K. Hansson Mild1, L-E. Paulsson2. 1National
Institute for Working Life, Ume, Sweden. 2Swedish Radiation Protection Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP (1998)
guidelines concerning exposure to radiofrequency fields does not only contain reference values for the field
parameters (electric and magnetic field strength), but also for the current induced in the body during
exposure. It has been shown that even though the field parameters (electric and magnetic field) are well
below the guidelines, the induced current can reach values where thermal heating can not be excluded.
Today, there are a handful of commercial instruments available for measuring the induced current, and these
can be divided into two main groups: induced current probes (measuring the current flowing through the
ankles) and parallel plate meters (measuring the induced current flowing in the body to ground through the
feet). The instruments are operating in different ways and there are reason to believe that they will give
different results under certain conditions, for example when the person, as often in the industry, is standing
on a wooden plate, separating them from ground (ungrounded condition). We have therefore investigated
the performance of these instruments under different conditions.
METHOD: A stripline (2.4*3*6 meters) has been constructed in order to produce homogenous, vertical
radiofrequency fields in the range of 3 27 MHz (fig. 1). Both grounded and ungrounded condition have
been studied. The latter was achieved by the use of a wooden plate with a height of 17 cm. All
measurements were done with a person standing barefoot and wearing shoes. Five different current meters,
both parallel plate meters and current probes were used. The electric field was measured as the unperturbed
free field in three directions. Ten test persons participated in the study, each of them with different length
and weight, which we also have taken into consideration in the results.
RESULTS: In grounded condition, the different instruments gave quite similar readings, but the difference
between the instruments in ungrounded condition were sometimes even more than 300%. This was mainly
due to capacitive coupling between the parallel plate meters and ground (fig. 2). The largest difference was
noticed when comparing parallel plate meters and current probe meters.

225

DISCUSSION: Since many countries are about to adopt the ICNIRP guidelines as national standards, the
problems of measurement need to be further investigated. There is a necessity of accurate description how
the measurements shall be done, and which current meters should be used.
Signal
generator
Amplifier

3.0 m Balun

Balun
50-200

50-200
RF- load
50

3.75 m
6.75 m
Signal
generator
Amplifier

2.4 m

Balun
50-200

Balun
50-200
RF- load
50

6.75 m

Figure 1. Schematic drawing of the stripline in front view (above) and top view (below).
50

Parallel plate meters

mA

40

30

20

NARDA

HOLADAY

10

GANDHI

0
0

10

20

30

40

50

mA

Current probe meter (Eaton)

Figure 2. Example of comparison between current probe (Eaton) and three different parallel plate meters in
ungrounded condition (Narda, Holaday and Gandhi GC-2). The x-axis describes the induced current
measured with the Eaton probe and the y-axis describes the current measured with Narda, Holaday and
Gandhi GC-2 respectively.

226

P-136
MEASUREMENT OF RADIOFREQUENCY CURRENTS INDUCED IN THE HUMAN BODY BY
VERTICALLY POLARISED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. S. Eggert1, S. Goitz1, and L. Dunker2.
1
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Berlin, Germany. 2Regulatory Authority for
Telecommunications and Posts, Mainz, Germany.
In addition to fieldstrength and power density limits in national and international regulations for restriction
of human exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields at workplaces, limits are also given for
radiofrequency currents flowing through the extremities. For example, the limit value of the ICNIRPGuidelines[1] (as well as of some national regulations) for workers is 100 mA in the frequency range from
10 MHz to 110 MHz for each leg. To check the coincidence between the reference levels for field strength
and body current, measurements have been performed under worst-case conditions in a large em-anechonic
chamber. Vertically polarised fields were generated by use of industrially produced equipment for EMCtesting as well as by laboratory set-ups to expose human volunteer. RF-currents have been measured by use
of different appliances.
The results of the investigation can be summarised as follows:
The amount of the currents depends mainly on:
- frequency
- shape of the exposed body
- connection or isolation of subject to ground
In a vertically polarised electric field with a fieldstrength of 61 V/m the current through the legs is
exceeding the limit of 100 mA in the range of the whole-body-resonance (35 MHz; body high 1.75 m; feet
on ground).
CONCLUSION: The limit values for the restriction of induced radiofrequency currents are exceeded at
certain frequencies although the limits of the electric field strength given by -ICNIRP are met. For that
reason it is recommended to measure the currents through the arms and legs in all cases of resonance to
ensure that the local Specific Absorption Rate (basic restriction) especially in the wrists and in the ankles is
not exceeded.
1.Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (up to
300 GHz). International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection. (ICNIRP 1998)

P-137
DIFFERENT INFLUENCES OF HF AND LF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON IMPLANTED
CARDIAC PACEMAKERS. E. David, J. Reienweber and M. Pfotenhauer*. Institute of Physiology and
Physiopathology, Electropathological Research Center of the University of Witten/Herdecke, D-58448
Witten, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Inductive cooking-stoves emitting LF fields are usual in a modern kitchen. They work by
inductive heating of the bottoms of suitable iron pots by means of inductive currents. On the basis of
theoretical considerations and because of the large amount of energy emitted a hypothetical electrodynamic
disturbance of implanted cardiac pacemakers by normal use of inductive cooking-stoves could not be
excluded from the first. Hazards were argued during partly maximum load of the inductive cooking-stoves
when inductive fields are rhythmically activated and disactivated with a frequency of 60 impulses per
minute. Cellular telephones as an example for HF fields are familiar in modern industrial societies to an
increasing extent. Recently possible electrodynamic disturbances of implanted cardiac pacemaker function
by widespread cellular telephone use is intensively discussed both in the scientific community and in lay
groups. It was the aim of the present study to analyse possible sources of disturbances under experimental
conditions as well as to perform clinical examinations of possibly critical situations concerning implanted
cardiac pacemaker function under the influence of HF and LF fields.
227

METHOD: In our experiments with LF fields emitted by cooking-stoves electrodynamically disturbing

signals of maximum amplitude of 40 mV were induced and measured within a pacemaker dummy in
dependence of actual cooking power in the frequency range between 28 and 40 kHz. In the second place 16
patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers were examined during use of two different inductive cookingstoves when electrocardiograms were registered. During clinical examinations, cardiac pacemaker patients
were brought up with their thorax near to the cooking-stoves that were switched at maximum power and
their cardiac pacemakers being in the program of normal sensing. Then the same procedure was repeated
once more after changing cardiac pacemakers to unipolar modus and maximum sensitivity at the entrance.
Concerning the HF fields emitted by cellular telephones experimental results obtained by using an
electromagnetic spectrum analyser and a dummy were later on verified by human experiments in volunteer
cardiac pacemaker patients making cellular telephone calls and holding the handy very closely to the
implanted pacemaker sites.
RESULTS: During partly maximum load activation bursts of a frequency of 60 impulses per minute were
observed during the experiments with cooking-stoves. At 1 Hz frequency analysis did not result in a
relevant share of impulse distribution in the experiments with 16 pacemaker patients. The pacemakers
aggregate within the dummy was switched to a maximum sensitivity at the entrance of 0.5 mV and a
frequency of intervention of 50 per minute. In none of the cases the electrodynamically disturbing signal
induced within the dummy by cooking-stoves resulted in an inhibition of the aggregate within the dummy.
In result we could not observe any dysfunction of any of the implanted cardiac pacemakers in cellular
telephone experiments, either. Additionally, none of the tested cellular phones from any manufacturer
caused any inadequate function of implanted cardiac pacemakers.
DISCUSSION: Corresponding to ECG recordings and the results under consideration there is no need to
warn patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers in unipolar or bipolar modus against use of modern
inductive cooking-stoves or cellular phones.
This work was supported by the Union of German electric supply companies, Francfort. We are indebted to
Mrs. D. Klunker for technical assistance.

P-138
A STUDY ON THE CALIBRATION METHOD OF FOOT CURRENT METERS. S. Watanabe1, Y.
Nakamoto*2, Y. Yamanaka*l, M. Taki*3, and M. Takahashi*2. 1Communications Research Laboratory,
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, 4-2-1, Nukuikitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan,
2
Musashi Institute of Technology, 3Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Foot current is used as a measure to estimate the local SAR at the ankle and some foot
current meters are commercially available. There are few descriptions about the calibration methods of the
foot current meters in the standard guidelines (e.g., ANSI/IEEE C95.3). Although the clamp-type current
meters are usually calibrated using coaxial lines, the exposure condition in the coaxial line is much different
from the actual exposure conditions where the current meters are used. Therefore, a novel calibration
method and theoretical/experimental investigations are presented.
METHOD and MODELS: A monopole antenna and a metal rod on the ground plane are used as a
radiation source and a human model, respectively. The induced current at the base of the rod exposed to
radiofrequency wave from the monopole antenna is measured by the foot current meters and compared with
the numerically-calculated values in order to determine the calibration factor. Method of Moments (MoM)
was used to calculate the antenna input impedance and the induced current as a function of the distance
between the antenna and the rod.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: At the resonant frequency (38 MHz) of the 1.75-m-height rod, the antenna
input impedance is more dependent on the distance between the antenna and the rod than at other
frequencies. It is however shown that the reflection coefficient at the resonant frequency is less than -10 dB
if the distance is longer than 3 m. The estimated input power to induce the current at the guideline level of
228

the foot current (i.e., 45 mA for public environments) ranges from less than 1 W to several 10 W. These
results show that this calibration method is practically available as compared with other ordinary calibration
methods. It is however noted that the induced current along the rod is several times larger than the induced
foot current of the human body standing on the ground plane (Gandhi, et al., IEEE Trans. on Biomed. Eng.,
Vol.33, No.8, pp.757-767, 1986). Using a specialized rod with an impedance equivalent to the human body
may overcome this problem. Further studies should be needed in order to estimate the measurement error of
the calibrated meters used under the actual exposure conditions.

P-139
INSTRUMENTATION FOR GENERAL PUBLIC ELECTROMAGNETIC EXPOSURE
MEASUREMENTS IN THE 935 - 960 MHz GSM BAND. D.B. le Roux* and F.J.C. Meyer,
Electromagnetic Software and Systems, Innovation Center I, Technopark, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa.
OBJECTIVE: Develop a portable and sensitive measurement system specifically to quantify
electromagnetic field intensities in the environment of 900 MHz GSM base stations. The system
complements existing electromagnetic field safety measurement systems in sensitivity and frequency range.
It also takes into account the GSM signal characteristics.
MOTIVATION: Safety concern of people living and working in proximity (10 m to 1000 m) of GSM
cellular base stations. More micro-cells are installed in places of work, recreation and shopping areas to
improve coverage and increase capacity. Keep in mind that output power of the hand set is reduced when
closer to a base station. Need to balance the exposure risk between the handset and base station. Typically,
wide band probes with sensitivities ranging between 0.3 V/m and 1 V/m and a dynamic range of 50 dB are
used to measure compliance with relevant safety standards and guidelines. These systems are very useful in
identifying possible areas of high field intensities, but is limited in quantifying the actual field level further
from a specific source. By measuring the actual GSM field values, its contribution can be compared with
the contributions of other existing sources, such as paging, television and radio broadcasting.
SYSTEM CRITERIA AND DESIGN: Measure the effective electric field intensity with a sensitivity of
10mV/m with a dynamic range of 40 dB. Frequency range of 935 to 960 MHz with an out of band rejection
better than 30 dB. Only the electric field (or magnetic) needs to be measured, as the field will be measured
in the far field of the source. Three orthogonal dipoles are used to approximate an isotropic E-field probe.
A dipole length of 120 mm was chosen as a trade-off between sensitivity and probe size. The mean square
electric field is proportional (the antenna factor) to the total mean received power of the three orthogonal
dipoles. The RF detector should detect the mean power from each orthogonal component and compute the
sum. The RF detector comprises of a RF switch to sequentially switch between the three input signals.
After filtering and signal amplification, a diode detector is used to convert the RF signal to a video signal for
digital processing. A known RF input signal is used to calibrate video voltage level. GSM uses a time
division multiple access (TDMA) scheme. The basic radio resource is a time slot lasting 15/26 ms. Eight
consecutive time slots define a TDMA frame lasting 120/26 ms. It is expected that the mean power will
step from time slot to time slot. Thus, we want the video signal to trace the average power variation from
time slot to time slot. The bandwidth of the video signal must be sufficient to follow the signal variation
over eight time slots, but much smaller than the signal variation due to multiple carriers active in the same
time slot. Thus by sampling the video signal at each time slot, converting each sample to a power level via
a lookup table and taking the average of the eight power levels, the average power over a frame period is
computed. From the average power and the antenna factor, the root mean square field strength is derived.
Equivalent time sampling can be used when the signal is quasi-periodic over eight consecutive frame
periods. Meaning, that the video signal is sampled at 7/8 of the frame length or approximately 4 ms. Thus
after eight samples each of the time slots is sampled once. This process is repeated for each of the three
orthogonal input channels.
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PROBE AND RF DETECTOR PERFORMANCE: The antenna factor ((V/m)^2/mW) variation was
measured over frequency, incidence angle and for two orthogonal polarisations. The variation from the
average antenna factor is +2.9 and 2.4 dB over the frequency band. Given more specific frequency
information the antenna factor variation is typically reduced to +2.3 dB and 2.1 dB. The main sources of
variation are due to the co-axial feed cables and the impedance variation between the individual dipoles.
The absolute accuracy of the RF detector over the frequency band and at specific frequency, are 2.5 dB
and 1.5 dB, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The developed system can presently measure an effective GSM E-field variation from 20
mV/m to 1.5 V/m with known uncertainties. The antenna factor variation could be reduced by resistively
loading the co-axial feed cables and matching the individual dipole impedances over frequency. The RF
detector sensitivity can be enhanced by better matching of the input filter. The RF detector response could
be improved with more comprehensive lookup tables over frequency and power variation. Field levels
surrounding typical base station configurations will be measured and presented.
We acknowledge Dr. J. B. de Swardt of ETSE Electronics for the detail design and construction of the RF
detector and Wessel Croukamp for constructing the E-field probe.

P-140
WORST CASE STUDY OF THE COUPLING BETWEEN ELECTRODES OF CARDIAC
PACEMAKERS AND TRANSMITTING ANTENNAS. L. Geisbusch*, U. Jakobus*, F.M.
Landstorfer*, M. Maier*, H.O. Ruoss*, W. Spreitzer* and J. Waldmann*. Institut fr Hochfrequenztechnik,
University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 47, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: A cardiac pacemaker electrode can operate like an antenna. Therefore electromagnetic
fields penetrating into the human body may induce a disturbing voltage which is fed to the pacemaker
device. Depending on its magnitude, this voltage can lead to fail functions of the cardiac pacemaker system.
Two different types of field exposures are considered in this study: Far field exposure, represented by a
plane wave, and near field exposure, originated by an antenna with a distinct type. Computations were
performed for frequencies in the range from 50 MHz up to 500 MHz using a simple human body model.
For verification by measurement a simple body phantom as well as a more detailed phantom was used.
METHOD: For numerical calculations a simple homogeneous body model described by an ellipsoid with
100 cm in length and 40 cm in diameter is assumed. This ellipsoid represents the upper part of the human
body. The cardiac pacemaker system, which is placed inside the body model, consists of the pacemaker
device and the pacemaker electrode. As preinvestigations have shown, the electrode insulation has a strong
effect on the voltage induced and is therefore taken into account in this investigation. Three kinds of
implantations were considered: Right pectoral, left pectoral and abdominal. In each case, the cardiac
pacemaker device is placed 1 cm beneath the body surface. Far field and near field exposure are
distinguished. Far field: An incident plane wave with an amplitude of Ei = 1 V/m is assumed. In order to
reduce the numerical effort, the reciprocity principle was applied. Using this method, a single numerical
calculation leads to the results for an almost complete set of angles of incidence and polarisation. Near
field: An antenna is assumed in the near vicinity of the human body model. The voltage induced depends
on many parameters like frequency, antenna position, distance and antenna polarisation. Therefore a large
number of computations is necessary in order to find the worst case, which results in the need of an efficient
calculation method in terms of computation time and memory requirement. For this, a new hybrid method
was developed, which combines the traditional method of moments (MoM) with the multiple multipole
method (MMP) in an iterative manner. Beside numerical calculations, measurements were done in order to
validate the calculation results.
RESULT: Far field: Results are showing significant resonant phenomena near 80 MHz. This is caused by
electrode resonances which are accompanied by body resonances. The angle of incidence and the kind of
implantation have a strong effect on the worst case voltage induced. Near field: In contrast to the far field
230

case, resonant phenomena are less significant. Among the antenna types dipole, monopole on metallic box,
Hertzian dipole and magnetic elementary dipole, none represents a significant worst case for the range of
distance considered.
DISCUSSION: Using this result, safety distances as well as maximum allowable transmitting powers can
be derived. Of course the parameters of the specific pacemaker device (type, manufacturer, ...) have to be
taken into account.
This work was supported by the Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk e. V. in 53111 Bonn, Germany.

P-141
FUNCTIONALITY VALIDATION AND ERROR ESTIMATION PROCEDURES PERTINENT TO
THE UPGRADING OF A HYBRID RF DOSAGE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM. L.J. du Toit*1 and F.J.C.
Meyer2. 1L-RAD cc, Suite 5A, Innovation Center II, Technopark, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa. 2EM
Software and Systems (Pty) Ltd, Innovation Center I, Technopark, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa.
HISTORY: An introductory study in 1995, followed by a more substantial program in 1997, established
EM Systems and Software as the only facility in South Africa, according to the authors' knowledge, where
energy deposition (SAR) in human phantoms due to mobile telephone equipment (MTE) radiation, can be
investigated.
CURRENT STATUS: The measurement system is currently being upgraded as part of a three year
program called CEHPHI99, to reflect current dosimetry practices, to facilitate adherence to standardized
measurement protocols, and to prepare for possible ISO Guide 25 accreditation. A Rose & Krieger gantry
robot system has been procured to facilitate computer controlled 3-D probe positioning, with additional
manual control over parameters such as probe rotation, slant angle, etc. Canonical and real-life phantoms
and tissue equivalent materials will be locally produced, as before, while E-field and temperature probes and
associated data capturing electronics have been obtained from Schmid & Partner, AG, Switzerland. A dualband RF source has been developed locally, producing 900 and 1800 MHz continuous wave power up to
10W. The source incorporates a temperature stable feedback system to ensure constant output power, and
can also measure reflected power from the device under test. As a future option, the RF may be pulse
modulated with computer controlled duty cycle.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: To allow the local cellular industry to perform MTE compliance testing; to
perform measurements for validation of numerical predictions (e.g., by the EM Software and Systems'
proprietary CEM code FEKO); to investigate alternative MTE antenna structures and the influence of
shielding devices; and to allow the system to be used by local academia as a general purpose test bed.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES: The integration and commissioning of the new hardware is underway. One of
the first tasks is to devise a pragmatic validation procedure, which will allow the integrity of the
measurement system to be verified using a minimal amount of outside standards and / or equipment.
Following successful operational validation, a subsequent task will be to quantify all pertinent sources of
measurement error. Although these actions sound innocuous, we keep in mind that the laboratory is a
hybrid assembly, and not a proprietary system, and thus considerable attention will be given to these two
important themes. The poster will report in detail on both the procedures that were followed, as well as the
outcome.

231

P-142
COMPARISON OF COMPLEX-SPECTRA MF GENERATED BY AC AND DC TRAINS:
SEARCH FOR BIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT EXPOSURE CHARACTERISTICS. G. Villoresi1,
Y.A. Kopytenko*2, N.G. Ptitsyna2, D. Pfluger3, V.S. Ismagyilov*2, E.A. Kopytenko*2, D.B. Zaitsev*2, P.M
Voronov*2, M.I. Tyasto*2, N. Iucci4, N.A. Temuriantz5, V. Martinyuk*5, J. Rasson*6 and E.B. Lyskov7.
1
IFSI-CNR Univ. "Roma Tre", Physics Dept., Rome 00146, Italy. 2SPbFIZMIRAN, St. Petersburg 191023,
Russia; 3Univ. of Bern, Dept of Social & Preventive Medicine, Bern 3012, Switzerland. 4Univ. "Roma Tre",
Physics Dept., Rome 00146, Italy. 5Taurida Univ., Dept. of Men & Animals Physiology, Simferopol
333036, Ukraine. 6Inst Royal Meteorologique de Belgique, Dourbes 1180, Belgium. 7Inst. of Human Brain,
St. Petersburg 197376, Russia.
OBJECTIVES: MF on electrified transport systems are generally lower than international limits.
However, recent epidemiological studies showed that MF from AC and DC powered trains may be
associated with possible health hazards. The aim of this study was to measure, quantify and compare
different potentially hazardous aspects of multifrequency MF on Swiss AC (16.67 Hz) and Russian DC
trains. We have studied exposure parameters other than the customary considered time-weighted average
field strength: complex-frequency characteristics, DC levels, intermittency. This study represents one
specific objective of the project "Improvement of methods of exposure assessment for MF from electric
traction with regard to coronary heart diseases" in the frame of European Inco-Copernicus Program.
DATA and METHODS: We used a sophisticated waveform recording system MVC-3 developed by
SPbFIZMIRAN. MVC-3 (sampling rate 200 Hz) allows continuous recording and characterization of a MF
profile over time and frequency along 3 axes. We developed a set of methods, algorithms and software to
quantify variability in different frequency ranges, including DC fields, amplitude-frequency dependencies
and intermittency. Some of these methods were based on usual statistical approaches (probability
distributions, data filtration, FFT and power spectrum computation). We developed a special software,
based on the method of maximum entropy, for computing the dynamic power spectral density. We analyzed
MF intermittency in different frequency ranges. To define intermittency, we used as a threshold a fraction
of the root mean square (), computed for each selected frequency range.
RESULTS: Obviously, the most pronounced difference between spectral structures of MF in Russian and
Swiss trains was the dominant frequency of 16.67 Hz in Swiss AC trains. However, Swiss MF, as Russian
MF, show complex-spectra structure with significant contribution of components below 16.67 Hz.
Unexpectedly, we found a clear peak at 12 Hz in both Swiss and Russian MF data, as measured in electric
locomotives. Intermittency was also a characteristic feature of both Russian and Swiss transport MF.
Periods in which MF >0.5 (ON intervals) varied from 1 to 10-12 sec. Complex superposition of DC and
AC components was another common feature of train fields. However, amplitudes of variations in DC level
were different, being produced by different sources. These variations in DC Russian trains were up to 60-80
T during acceleration phases or when passing substations. In AC Swiss trains these changes were about 510 T; they were caused mostly by surrounding ferromagnetic masses or slow changes in trains direction.
CONCLUSIONS: Transport MF patterns characterized by the found features have been simulated in
laboratory studies on biological responses in humans and animals (see Temuriantz et al. and Lyskov et al. in
this Meeting). The results showed that specific transport fields can act as a moderate stress-like factor. The
presented set of methods, algorithms and software can be also utilized for quantifying different aspects of
any other complex real world MF.
This work was supported by the European Commission (Contract N ERBIC15-CT96-0303).

232

P-143
STRATEGIES FOR MAKING ACCURATE E AND H FIELD MEASUREMENTS IN PULSED
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ENVIRONMENTS. J.A. Leonowich1, D. Simunic2, R. Johnson3.
1
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA, 2Department for
Radiocommunications and Microwave Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia, 3L-3 Communications,
Narda East, Hauppauge, NY 11788, USA.
The recent ICNIRP/WHO International Seminar on Biological Effects, Health Consequences and Standards
for Pulsed RF Fields held in Erice, Sicily clearly pointed out the continued interest of the
bioelectromagnetics community in this area. Characterization of field strengths associated with pulsed radio
frequency (RF) sources is a demanding task. High level, or potentially high level, RF fields need to be
compared against international standards such as those of ICNIRP and IEEE. These standards, while
providing excellent information about the field limits and their basis, typically provide little information
about instrumentation used to demonstrate compliance. In addition, modern standards, such as ICNIRP,
also require the measurement of the peak, rather than the average value of a pulsed RF field. In general,
current instrumentation available to the surveyor is not able to make this type of measurement.
Most measurements are performed with broadband instrumentation consisting of a metering instrument and
a broadband field probe. The broadband field probe is comprised of isotropically mounted antennas, which
are the detector (in the case of thermocouple arrays) or have a detector at their junction. The advantages of
these types of systems over narrowband equipment, is that they are able to measure the total field strength of
multiple sources, at one time. With isotropic sensor designs, wideband sensors can accurately sum these
fields, regardless of the polarization employed, or the direction of propagation. This assumes that the
detector attached to the antenna is accurately processing the incoming waveform, which is not always the
case. Little information is available to the user about how their instrument will fare in other than ideal
situations. In most, if not all situations, the detector used will be effected by outside forces. Effects of
signal type (frequency, modulation, harmonic content, number of signals) and environment (temperature,
humidity, etc.) can seriously degrade measurement accuracy.
Documents such as IEEE C95.3-1999 provide abbreviated information about sensor technology, but very
little education as to when and where a particular sensor will operate with the highest accuracy in a pulsed
field environment. In order to perform proper measurements of pulsed fields, an operator needs to be aware
of the sensor, and its characteristics. This poster introduces the various types of sensors available and their
characteristics. Covered in detail are the diode, compensated diode and thermocouple type of sensors.
Strategies for making accurate measurements of both peak and average values of pulsed fields will be
presented along with representative field data.
This work was supported in part by an Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement between the U.S.
Department of Energy and the United States Air Force, Brooks AFB, Texas.

P-144
OPTIMUM MITIGATION OF ELF MAGNETIC FIELDS USING A COMBINATION OF ACTIVE
AND PASSIVE SHIELDING TECHNOLOGY. J. Munderloh, M. Hiles, K. Griffing. Field Management
Services, Los Angeles, California 90048 USA.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate a conceptual design of a magnetic field
management system which combines, selectively, elements of passive and active shielding techniques to
achieve optimum reductions of magnetic fields from complex sources such as electric distribution panels.
APPROACH: Heightened sensitivity of computer monitors and other electronic equipment to interference
from power frequency magnetic fields at relatively low levels of 2 to 3 mG plus continuing health concerns,
have spurred efforts to find effective and economical means to reduce magnetic field environments to near
ambient conditions. Power frequency magnetic fields are difficult and expensive to shield, particularly
233

when the fields originate from sources such as a buildings switching and distribution equipment which
have complex magnetic field patterns.
METHOD: The test configuration was designed to simulate a typical office located adjacent to a buildings
electrical room, inside of which a three-phase distribution panel provides a source of elevated magnetic
fields. In a laboratory, a three-phase 1,000 amp distribution test panel was positioned at floor level adjacent
to a measurement grid marked on the floor. The panel was connected to a power network consisting of
three single-phase variable transformers fed by a 4-wire, three phase circuit. This setup allowed for
continuous, dynamic control of phase-to-phase balance and circulation of power in the test panel from 0 to
1000 amps. Magnetic fields emanating from the test panel were measured at all intersections of the
measurement grid. Shielding effectiveness tests were then conducted by positioning combinations of
conductive and ferromagnetic passive shielding material between the test panel and the measurement grid.
An active cancellation coil was next placed in a plane parallel to the test panel. A sensor coil was utilized to
drive an active feedback network which drove the cancellation coil so as to minimize field strengths from
the panel. The active cancellation coil was then combined with selected passive shielding materials. For all
test combinations, spot magnetic field measurements were recorded at all intersections of the adjacent
measurement grid at an elevation of 1 meter.
DISCUSSION: Test results indicate that combinations of passive shielding materials are capable of
reducing magnetic fields from the test panel to values in the range of 10 mG. However, the amount of
shielding material required for reductions below 10 mG appear to be disproportionately high and may not be
economically feasible for reductions of field strength in the 2 to 3 mG range. But, the combination of the
active cancellation coil with certain passive shielding materials, successfully reduced fields at all test points
of the measurement grid, to the 2 to 3 mG level. The data confirms that the combination of passive
shielding and active cancellation techniques, can potentially reduce complex magnetic field patterns from
sources such as power panels, to very low, near ambient levels. It also appears that the combination of the
two mitigation techniques may achieve optimum reductions without consequential increases of difficulty or
cost.

P-145
EXPOSURE TO MAGNETIC FIELDS OF TAMPERE CITY, ESPECIALLY FOR 20 kV
UNDERGROUND POWER CABLES. T. Keikko*, J. Kotiniitty*, T. Kantell* and L. Korpinen*.
Tampere University of Technology, Electric Power Engineering, P.O. Box 692, FIN-33101, Tampere,
Finland.
BACKGROUND: Magnetic fields from power systems have been studied a great deal for several years
because of possible health risks. At the same time the consumption of electricity has been continuously
growing. Power cables are generally used in central areas where people may frequently be exposed to
magnetic fields. This has led to studying the magnetic fields that urban cable network possibly cause to
their environment and to compare the results to guidelines and background levels.
The aim of this study was to find out exposure to magnetic fields from 20 kV underground power cables in
Tampere city center. Two measurement experiments was arranged.
METHODS: In experiment one, the magnetic fields of 20 kV power cables (n=3) were measured (3-axis
meters, rms, accuracy 10 %) in Tampere city center. The magnetic field was measured at 3 heights (0, 0.5
and 1.0 m) up to 5 meters away from the cable in both directions with 0.5 m interval.
Measurements were compared with calculation. Analytical and finite element method (FEM) were used in
calculations when not considering soil. The effect of different soil types was studied by considering their
conductivity in FEM calculation.
In experiment two, the objective was to evaluate whether the 20 kV power cables are the main source of
magnetic fields. Two persons walked a certain route in the city center on two subsequent days. Both
persons had magnetic field meters for exposure measurement and instantaneous measurement. They took
234

instantaneous measurements on sidewalks at three points along a block and exposure measurements were
recorded every five seconds. In the measurements Radians Innova ML-1 meters (accuracy 10%) were
used. Measurements were taken at a 1 m height.
RESULTS: The highest measured value of the experiment one was 1.5 T for cable 1 at ground level. The
calculated value with FEM at the same point was 1.6 T (figure 1). The highest measured and calculated
results were for cable 2; 0.9 T and 1.2 T, and for cable 3; 1.2 T and 3.4 T. Calculated results of the
programs were close to each other, and the soil did not have a significant effect on the results.
The results of the instantaneous measurements in experiment two were 0.27 0.26 T (mean SD) (n =
362). The highest measured value was 1.55 T. The results of the simultaneous exposure measurements
were 0.27 0.25 T, and the highest value was 1.80 T (n = 5966). From the results of instantaneous
measurements 53% were below 0.2 T and 2% was above 1.0 T. Results were compared to 20 kV cable
network. Connections were not found between magnetic fields and 20 kV cable network.
DISCUSSION: Based on experiment one, the installation depth seems to have major effect on the magnetic
fields. Therefore, the measured values can also vary a lot according to the cable depth. All measured values
were clearly below the magnetic fields guideline for public exposure by ICNIRP (100 T).

Figure 1. Measured (on the left) and FEM calculated (right) magnetic fields as a function of distance from
the 20 kV cable.
More detailed description of experiments 1 and 2 can be found from references [1] and [2], respectively.
References.
Keikko T., Isokorpi J., Reivonen S., Ruoho T., Korpinen L. Magnetic Field Measurements and Calculations
with 20 kV Underground Power Cables. CMEM 99, Sorrento, Italia, April 27-29, 1999.
Korpinen L., Rautee J., Isokorpi J. Measurement of ELF Magnetic Fields on Sidewalks in Tampere City
Center. Sixth Nordic Workshop on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, Aarhus, Denmark, August
19-21, 1999.

P-146
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE USE AND RESIDENTIAL EXPOSURE TO 60 HZ ELECTRIC AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS. G. Mezei*, L.I. Kheifets*, J.L. Kelsey**. *Environment Division, Electric Power
Research Institute, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA. **Department of Health Research and Policy,
Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Accurate exposure assessment is crucial in epidemiologic studies investigating the potential
effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on various adverse health outcomes. Contribution from domestic
appliances have been rarely included in EMF exposure estimates, and were usually limited to information
obtained through questionnaires. In addition, most studies have focused on residential or occupational
exposure, but not both. In this methodologic study, we characterize the distribution of EMF exposures
235

during various daily activities and domestic appliance use, and describe the relative contribution of these
activities and appliance use to total exposure.
METHODS: One hundred eighty-four subjects aged 20-79 years, residing in three northern Californian
communities and living with a spouse or partner were recruited to the study between April and September
1996. Through two identical structured interviews administered 2 months apart, the subjects provided
information on their and their spouses demographic characteristics, occupational, residential and medical
histories and pattern of appliance use during the previous 12-month period. At the time of the second
interview, the subjects were asked to wear an EMDEX LiteTM meter to collect personal EMF exposure data
for 24 hours. Subjects filled out a diary and recorded times at home, at work, and elsewhere, and times
within three feet of any of 8 appliances. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate
strength of association between various measures of exposure. Multiple linear regression was used to
predict mean daily EMF exposure based on reported frequency and duration of appliance use and subject
characteristics.
RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two subjects (88%) completed the study. Subjects reported wearing the
meter for an average 15.8 ( 3.5 [standard deviation]) hours, and they spent, on average, 8.2 ( 2.3) hours in
bed. The mean length of the total observation period was 22.7 ( 2.8). Subjects spent an average 16.9 (
5.1) hours at home and 5.8 ( 3.1) hours at work. The mean of the EMF measurements in the different
partitions and during periods of appliance use showed wide variation by subjects (range 0.1 100 mG) with
largely overlapping distributions, but tended to be the lowest while in bed, and the highest at work, and
during the use of microwave, coffee grinder, hair dryer and electric shaver. For 49% of the subjects, the
mean EMF measurement for the total period was less than 1 mG, and for only 6% the mean was higher than
3 mG. The mean exposure level was higher than 6 mG during use of microwave and coffee grinder and
higher than 3 mG during the use of electric shaver and hair dryer. Of the total exposure (sum of all
readings) for all subjects, 27% was accumulated while in bed; 41% while at home but not in bed; 9% during
work; and 24% while neither at home nor at work. The various appliances contributed less than 2% to the
total exposure, except for computers, which contributed 8.6%. Among subjects using specific appliances,
the proportion of total exposure accumulated during appliance use was high for cell phones and computers
(21% and 16%, respectively). The correlation between mean exposure during appliance use and mean
daytime exposure was low for all subjects (<0.5). Results from the questionnaire were not particularly
useful in predicting the observed total mean exposure level. Models including questionnaire based variables
on appliance use and demographic characteristics explained only small fraction of the variation in mean
EMF measurements (R-squares < 0.15).
CONCLUSIONS: There is a large variability of measured EMF exposures among subjects for each
appliance, and there is a large overlap in exposure distribution during various daily activities. Questionnaire
based information on appliance use has limited value in EMF exposure assessment. Computers and cell
phones notably contribute to daily exposures. Exposure assessment strategies which do not attempt to
capture total exposure will result in substantial misclassification.

236

ELECTROMEDICINE
P-147
EFFECT OF MAGNETIC PULSES ON THE ORIENTATION BEHAVIOUR OF NOCTURNAL
PASSERINE MIGRANTS. R. Muheim and S. kesson*, Department of Animal Ecology, Lund
University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: Apart from celestial cues birds have been shown to use the geomagnetic field for
orientation. Mainly two models for magnetoreception are currently discussed: (1) a magnetite-mediated
process detecting the intensity of the geomagnetic field and providing magnetic map information (intensity
map sense) and (2) a light-dependent process detecting the inclination angle of the geomagnetic field and
providing magnetic compass information (inclination compass). Recent behavioural and physiological
studies support both models of magnetoreception and suggest that independent mechanisms are used to
detect the different parameters of the geomagnetic field. Application of short, high-intensity magnetic
pulses of 0.5 T for 4-5 milliseconds have been shown to disturb the orientation ability of adult birds, but not
of juveniles. This indicates that the magnetic map sense was impaired by the pulse, since juvenile birds on
their first migratory journey are supposed to solely rely on inclination compass information, i.e. clock-andcompass model. The magnetoreceptor of an intensity detection mechanism is probably connected with
magnetite particles in the ethmoid region of the upper beak area in the head of birds. Other studies have
shown that adult as well as juvenile birds were disoriented when tested under red (630 nm) and yellow light
(590 nm), supporting a light-dependency of the inclination compass. The receptor of the inclination
compass has not yet been described. One theory proposes a sensitive optically detected magnetic compass
formed by ferrimagnetic crystals, like magnetite, located in the oil droplets of the avian retina. According to
this theory, magnetite particles would align together with dye molecules along the axis of the earths
magnetic field, permitting light to enter the photosensitive outer segment of the cones only when the cone
axis is parallel or antiparallel to the magnetic field. Our objective was to investigate whether long, strong
magnetic pulses were effecting the inclination compass of migratory birds and disturb their orientation
behaviour. Possible magnetite particles in the oil droplets are expected to be moving freely and would
clump when exposed to such long, strong pulses and thereby temporarily disturb the birds inclination
compass. This is in contrast to the short pulses applied in earlier studies which are strong enough to change
the polarity of the magnetite particles, but too short to clump them.
METHOD: Three species of birds, Common Redstarts, Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Lesser Whitethroats,
Sylvia curruca, and Garden Warblers, Sylvia borin, were captured during spring migration 1999 and 2000
and exposed to two different types of magnetic pulses (0.15 T for 15 min provided by a horseshoe magnet
and 0.5 T for 2 min provided by an electromagnet). In orientation cage experiments the birds ability to
orient based on geomagnetic cues was examined after the pulse treatments.
RESULTS: Additional data will be collected during the spring season 2000.
DISCUSSION: The outcome of the 1999 and 2000 experiments will show how the birds behaved after
pulsing. Should all birds be disoriented we can assume that the inclination compass is connected to a lightdependent, magnetite-based process. If orientation based on magnetic cues is still possible the
magnetoreceptor for the inclination compass might have to be explained by other models.
This work was supported by the Kungliga Fysiografiska Sllskapet i Lund, Svenska Institutet and the
Swedish Natural Science Research Council.

237

P-148
A 915-MHz ANTENNA FOR MICROWAVE THERMAL ABLATION TREATMENT:
NUMERICAL MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENT. S. Pisa1, M. Cavagnaro1, J.C.
Lin2, P. Bernardi1, A.M. Aloe1, and Yu-J. Wang2. 1Department of Electronic Engineering, University of
Rome "La Sapienza", Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy and 2Department of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, (M/C 154), 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL
60607-7053, USA.
Therapeutic uses of minimally invasive microwave technology for transcatheter treatment of a wide range of
disease conditions have been suggested. Some of the current and potential applications include
transcatheter ablation of benign prostatic hyperplasia, intracardiac ablation for tachyarrhythmias,
hyperthermia treatment of cancer, microwave balloon angioplasty, and gynecologic ablation for
endometriosis. A critical element in a minimally invasive microwave therapeutic system is the catheter
antenna. It is used to deliver the microwave energy appropriately to the target tissue without damaging the
surrounding normal tissue.
This paper describes design of a 915-MHz antenna that produces SAR distributions with preferential power
deposition in tissues surrounding the distal end of the catheter antenna is described. This antenna consists of
special design features: an annular cap and a coaxial choke. The choke matches the antenna to the coaxial
transmission line. The design minimizes reflected microwave current from the antenna flowing up the
transmission line, and, consequently, minimizes heating of the coaxial cable. The paper provides a
comparison of results obtained from computer modeling and experimental measurements made in tissue
equivalent phantom material: there is excellent agreement between the two approaches. The cap-choke,
matched-dipole antenna performances are not affected by the depth of antenna insertion into tissue. This
antenna is well suited for intracavitary microwave thermal ablation therapy.

P-149
CHANGES OF THE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
COMPLEX WEAK MAGNETIC FIELDS IN PATIENTS WITH TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY.
W. Hofmann*, M. Feichtinger*, R. Hopfengrtner*, R. Faber*, and H. Stefan*. *Zentrum Epilepsie
Erlangen, Universitt Erlangen-Nrnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that weak VLF emf have an effect upon generation of rhythmical and/or
epileptiform activity as seen with the electroencephalogram. Paired-pulse electrical stimulations indicate
that long term depression and potentiation depend on inter-stimulus intervals, so field pattern might be of
importance. Aim of our study is to quantify changes of the EEG due to weak (around 60 T), complexstructured patterns in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal- lobe epilepsy.
PATIENTS, MATERIALS, METHOD: Patients selected for this study undergo pre-surgical epilepsy
diagnosis. They are informed about scientific motivation and tested after given written consent. Study is
accepted by ethic commission of the university. EEG-recording is with a 64- channel video-EEG (Glonner
Neurosys TM, Glonner/ Germany). For field application, a modified plastic mason helmet is used. Plastic
plates are attached covering both temporal lobes. Four coils are connected to each plate, so there are eight
coils in total. Coils are from 12V hub-magnets (Keyswitch 12VDC SMO Series, Keyswitch/ UK), 1.3 cm
in diameter. Signal generation is with a 4 channel audio-sampler (A-3000TM, Yamaha Corp./Japan) and a
four-channel audio amplifier (Yamaha 4050TM, Yamaha Corp./ Japan). Field measurement is with a
magnetometer (Walker FGM-402NTM, Walker Scientific Inc./ Mass., USA). The patient is sitting with eyes
open. All stimulation patterns have a duration of 6 seconds. Rectangular pulses applicated in some patterns
have a duration of 5 msec. Patterns applied are: 1- 3) rectangular pulses with alternating 20/270 msec,
70/220 msec intervals, pattern 1 and 2 each on 2 channels simultaneously, 4- 6) 5, 10 and 50 rectangular
pulses/sec, fixed intervals, 7) saw tooth wave changing from 15 Hz to 7 Hz (this pattern is deformed to a
238

"spike - wave - pattern" due to amplifier characteristics, 8) saw tooth wave with fixed 7 Hz, 9) 250 Hz sine.
Interstimulus interval is approximately 10 sec. Peak intensities for the rectangular pulses are 70 T. The
occurrence of rhythmic slow and/ or epileptiform activity 3 sec before, during and after stimulus
presentation is compared.
RESULTS: 1) Rhythmical activity often occurs 1- 2 sec after the end of the magnetic stimulation. 2) A
10/sec rectangular pulse activates a rhythmic activity more easily than 5 and 50 Hz rectangular pulse
activity. 3) A saw tooth wave changing from 15 to 7 Hz activates rhythmic activity (7 Hz) more easily than
a fixed 7 Hz activity. 4) No differences due to double- pulse intervals were seen. 5) There were no changes
after 250 Hz sine application.
DISCUSSION: The results show the dependance of evoked EEG- activity upon field patterns applied. This
is in accordance with results from repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, were a dependance on fixed
frequency rate was seen. At lower field intensities, some more complex stimulus patterns have been
published (i.e. Thomas pulse). Our technical approach enables emf- pattern definitions based only on a
physiological rationale for diagnostic induction and therapeutic reduction of epileptiform activity within the
neuronal network.

P-150
TREATMENT-EXPERIENCE FOR COMMINUTED FRACTURES OF THE RADIUS DISTAL
END WITH THE REFORMED ALTERNATING CURRENT STIMULATOR. Y. Yukawa1, M.
Fushimi1, T. Mizuta2, M. Kutome 2, K. Furuya2. 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kawakita General
Hospital, Tokyo. 1-7-3, Asagaya kita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-8588, Japan, 2Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
OBJECTIVE: We reported higher bone-union rate (86.9%) for the recalcitrant fractures or cases with the
Low-Amplitude Alternating Current Electrostimulator I since 1979. Then, we report now that it has got
excellent effect on treatment for comminuted fractures of the radius distal end which anticipated to be
delayed for bone union under ordinary treatment with the Reformed Alternating Current Electrostimulator.
METHODS: The name of Reformed Low-Amplitude Alternating Current Electrostimulator II was
Osteogrow BS-1000 (produced by The Medical Engineering System Corp.) and its specifications were
frequency 2 Hz. Sine wave form, electric current of 60 A peak to peak const. and 40x29x21 mm in size,
20 g in weight. As this is smaller equipment, it was easier to deliver and to operate for any old people.
After drilling two sets of screw-nails into the 2nd metacarpus and the radius shaft, both sides of fracturesite, the external-fixator connected to them to fix the fracture. Each screw-nail close to fracture-site was
used as the electrodes. The authors reported 12 cases (2 men. 10 women, av. age 69.2) of comminuted
fractures of the radius distal end which treated with the Osteogrow B S-1000
RESULTS: Nine cases have been united completely (bone-union rate 90%) in 12 treated cases (2 cases are
under treatment) and average stimulation-periods were 43.1 days.
DISCUSSION: On this stimulation-equipment, it is anticipated that the measurement of electric density and
potential at the fracture-site tends to be obscure, as soft tissue lies between at the wrist. From hitherto, we
dare to adopt a method to accelerate vascularization without insulation at the contacted surface of the
electrode to soft tissue. Therefore, though there remains a questionnaire on this treatment-method, we dare
to advance treatment in approval. It does not yet elucidate at present that electrostimulation or some similar
stimulation-methods let bone formation promote but understandings approve as follows:
1) Electric energy activates to undifferential mesenchymal-cells and accelerates to bone formation next to
differentiate to osteocytes from osteoblasts.
2) It activates to many cytokines-BMP, TGF- etc.
3) Hypervascularization.
4) Electrophoresis of Ca and P ions etc.
239

P-151
LOW ENERGY EMISSION THERAPY (LEET) FOR THE TREATMENT OF INSOMNIA AND
ANXIETY. B. Pasche. Symtonic SA, Ch. de la Cure 18, CH-1012-Lausanne, Switzerland.
Low Energy Emission Therapy (LEET) is a new method to administer therapeutic low levels of
electromagnetic energy. It consists of amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields delivered intrabuccally
by means of an electrically conducting mouthpiece in direct contact with the oral mucosa. The LEET
device is a battery-powered device emitting a carrier frequency of 27.12 MHz, which is modulated at
specific frequencies between 0.5 and 300 Hz.
LEET therapeutic efficacy relies on two major advances in the field of bioelectromagnetics: 1) a safe and
user-friendly method to administer homogeneous levels of electromagnetic energy to humans, 2) the
discovery of specific clusters of modulation frequencies with therapeutic effects in insomnia and anxiety
disorders.
The treatment of chronic psychophysiological insomnia presents a challenge that has not been met using
currently available pharmacotherapy. LEET has been initially developed as a potential alternative for this
disorder.
The first evidence of LEETs clinical effects was demonstrated on 104 healthy volunteers at two different
centers who received 15-minute of either active of inactive LEET treatment. Electroencephalographs
obtained during the 15-minute period following LEET treatment showed decreased sleep latency and a
deeper sleep than following placebo treatment (Reite et al., 1994; Lebet et al., 1996). LEET treatment was
also associated with objective and subjective feelings of relaxation (Higgs et al., 1994).
The effects of LEET on chronic insomnia were assessed with polysomnography (PSG) on a total of 106
patients at two different centers (Pasche et al., 1996). Active or inactive LEET was administered for 20
minutes in late afternoon three times a week for a total of 12 treatments. There was a significant increase in
total sleep time as assessed by PSG between baseline and post-treatment values for the active treatment
group (76.0 11.1 minutes, p = 0.0001). The increase for the inactive group was not statistically
significant. There was also a significant decrease in sleep latency as assessed by PSG between baseline and
post-treatment values for the active treatment group (-21.6 minutes 5.9 minutes, p = 0.0006), whereas the
decrease noted for the inactive treatment group was not statistically significant. Interestingly, the number of
physiological sleep cycles per night increased by 30 % after active treatment (p = 0.0001) but was
unchanged following inactive treatment. Subjects did not experience rebound insomnia, and there were no
significant side effects. Hence, LEET was able to effectively improve the sleep of chronic insomniacs by
increasing the number of sleep cycles without altering the percentage of the various sleep stages during the
night. The therapeutic action of LEET differs from that of currently available therapies in that the sleep
pattern noted in insomniacs following LEET treatment more closely resembles nocturnal physiological
sleep.
Studies of LEET for the treatment of anxiety are in progress. LEET was tested in an open label pilot study
performed on ten patients suffering from chronic anxiety. The patients received a 15-minute treatment in
the morning and a 30-minute treatment in the evening every day for six weeks. Recent results show that the
anxiety level as measured with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) improved by more than 50 % in 61 %
of the patients at the end of the first week and in 90 % of the patients by the end of the third week. A
double-blind study conducted on 30 patients showed a trend towards significant HAM-A improvement
favoring the active treatment group and a significant improvement of the Clinical Global Impression (CGI).
LEET is an efficacious new therapy for chronic insomnia and shows promising potential for anxiety
disorders.
References.
Higgs, L., Reite, M., Barbault, A., Lebet, J.P., Rossel, C., Amato, D., Dafni, U., and Pasche, B. (1994).
Subjective and Objective Relaxation Effects of Low Energy Emission Therapy. Stress Medicine 10, 5-13.
240

Lebet, J.P., Barbault, A., Rossel, C., Tomic, Z., Reite, M., Higgs, L., Dafni, U., Amato, D., and Pasche, B.
(1996). Electroencephalographic changes following low energy emission therapy. Annals Biomed Eng 24,
424-429.
Pasche, B., Erman, M., Hayduk, R., Mitler, M., Reite, M., Higgs, L., Dafni, U., Amato, D., Rossel, C.,
Kuster, N., Barbault, A., and Lebet, J.-P. (1996). Effects of Low Energy Emission Therapy in chronic
psychophysiological insomnia. Sleep 19, 327-336.
Reite, M., Higgs, L., Lebet, J.P., Barbault, A., Rossel, C., Kuster, N., Dafni, U., Amato, D., and Pasche, B.
(1994). Sleep Inducing Effect of Low Energy Emission Therapy. Bioelectromagnetics 15, 67-75.

P-152
NEW WAY TO MAKE BETTER THE PARAMETERS OF CURRENT FOR EXPOSURE TO THE
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (pilot experiment). S.M. Zubkova, L.V. Mikhailik, N.I. Varakina.
Department of Physiology, Russian Research Centre of Rehabilitative Medicine & Balneology Min. Health
R.F., St. Novyi Arbat 32, Moscow 121099, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: The main goal is optimization of parameters of electrical exposure to the Central Nervous
System (CNS) by means of musical modulation of current to elevate CNS functional possibilities. We call
it music-modulated current (MMC). Frequency, duration, amplitude and shape of impulse in MMC aren't
fixed magnitudes. They are changed in accordance with harmony-law of modulating music. This is main
difference of MMC from rectangular impulses of current with the fixed parameters which are used for
physiotherapy. Owing to these singularities the average amplitude may be decreased in 2.5-3 times
compared with usual used current. Besides that unregular changes of all MMC parameters help to avoid
adaptation to MMC exposure.
METHOD: Inbreed white rats (male) weighing 200-250g were divided into controls(1) and experimental(2)
groups of 10 animals in each. The 2-d group received 20-min MMC exposure with Gudoll's musicmodulation. The pair contact electrodes were placed on symmetrical areas of head in the frontal region and
behind ears. Content of nucleic acids, activities of lysosomal elastase and its inhibitor were used for the
biochemical analysis of functional state of CNS (cortex and subcortical layers) and myocard cells. All
animals were killed in 3 hours after termination MMC procedure when level of biosynthesis in the tissues
was the highest possible. In addition the inclusion of fluorescent basic dye acridine orange in nuclear DNA
of the thymocytes was used to study changes of thymus activity. The regulative activity of CNS was
qualified by levels of thyroid hormones and insulin in serum. Microcirculatory processes were estimated by
activity of kallikrein-kinin system.
RESULTS: The content of DNA and RNA in cortex increased (compared with controls) by 30% (p<0.02)
and by 60% (p<0.05) consequently and it lasted on control level in subcortical layers after MMC exposure.
MMC promoted activation of elastase-inhibitor potential in cortex, elevation of thyroid activity and
biosynthesis in the thymus, increase of microcirculation and vascular permeability in the tissues, balance of
synthesis and destruction in myocard.
DISCUSSION: The results suggest the use of music-modulated current as an adequate physiologie
stimulator and stress-limiting factor as it appeared to enhance functional ability of the CNS and activate
biosynthesis in the tissues supporting active adaptive reactions.

241

P-153
ENDOSCOPIC MICROWAVE THERAPY OF ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA. H. Qian1 and L.
Huasheng2. 1Nanjing Great Microwave Electronics Lab. Nanjing 210013, P.R. China. 2The First People's
Hospital of Nanton, Jiangsu P.R. China.
This paper describes the use of microwave through endoscope to treat esophageal carcinoma (300 cases). It
has the advantages of notable therapeutical result, high curative rate, easy to operate and safety.
1. In 300 cases, male: 246, the age group is 40.5-86 years old. Upper esophageal carcinoma is 110 cases
(36.6%), 82 middle esophagus, 50 lower esophagus, 26 are infiltration of the gastric cancer operation. 22
were stenosis of esophageal gastric anastomotic stoma. All 300 patients are difficulty in taking water except
those with advanced carcinoma.
METHOD: Sending the endoscope to the stricture site. Microwave probe was inserted into the biopsy
aperture of the gastroscope, aiming at the stricture (sometimes, the center of esophageal capacity was hard
to be found). In the first, 70W of microwave power was giving three times, each time is 10 seconds. Seven
days later, second therapy was carried out. Finding out the stricture center in the esophagus, the probe was
inserted for 0.5cm or 1cm, the inserting should be stopped if the resistance was met. 80W microwave was
given for 3-4 times, each time is 10 seconds, after one or two times treatment, liquid food could be eaten.
One of the groups, after treatment, the gastroscope could reach the duodenal bulb.
THERAPEUTICAL EFFECT: According to its severity and difficulty in taking food, the therapeutical
effect is divided into four classes: 0-can eat nothing; I-can eat liquid; II-can eat porridge; III-can eat the food
without difficulty. In 300 cases, III-216; II-56; I-26; 0-2. In following observations, 184 cases were 28
months, 112 cases for 12 months. After 7 times of treatment, 136 cases- the gastroscope could pass through
cardia. Each 1, 3, 5 month live rate is 71.3% (214/300), 21.3% (64/300) and 7.4% (22/300).
DISCUSSIONS: Microwave can coagulate polypous blood vessels and vapout the cancer cells organ. So
the integration of microwave with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the good method to treat cancer.

P-154
MICROWAVE THERAPY OF HEPATITIS AND ITS CLINICAL STUDY. H. Qian1 and G. Yaping2.
1
Nanjing Great Microwave Electronics Lab. Nanjing 210013, P.R. China. 2Yan Weichun, Wuxi Infectious
Disease Hospital. P.R. China.
This article describes use of microwave with medicine to treat hepatitis patient 18 cases. It has not only
good effect but the recovery of the liver function is very fast. The microwave has become a good
supplementary therapeutic method.
Cases selection
hepatitis cases: 18, age: 18-66 years old, average age: 35.2
Virulent hepatitis-V.h (B mode): 13, V.h (chronic): 4, V.h (liver cancer):l
METHOD: 1. Using a microwave therapeutic instrument, F:2450MHz. 2. Using a special microwave
probe, its radiating diameter is 18cm. Put it above the liver area of the patient, the time of the radiation is 20
min. one time each day, 10 days for a period of treatment.
Result in a period of treatment, it has notable effect for the patients. The liver function of 17 patients has
great good change except a liver cancer patient(died). The changes of the liver function (17cases) are as
follows:

242

Index name
ALT
AST
r-GT
ALP
TBIL
DBIL
TP
ALB
CHOL
TRIG
LDH
GLB
A/G

Before treatment
182-2680
82-2684
43-214
60-345
14.2-236,5
5.8-104,7
66-80
27-50
1.45-4.4
0.79-2.35
144-974
22-34
1-2

After treatment
25-287
25-235
20-127
64-177
11-90.4
4.1-47.3
46-80
20-50
2.7-5.5
0.73-2.96
77-322
22-46
0.8-2

normal index
0-50
0-50
5-30
30-140
5.31-25.6
0-10.2
60-80
35-55
2.6-5.2
3.3-5.6
109-245
20-30
1.5-2.5

below normal No.

3
5
2
l0
8
18
18
17
18
16
12
18

CONCLUSION: After the microwave is acted to liver area to increase blood circulation, thus , the oxygen
supply is increased and the nourishment supply is also strengthened. The exudate caused by the
inflammation is cleared up rapidly. The hepatitis are also cleared up rapidly. At the same time, appropriate
heating may increase the antibodies and the complements and the phagocytic function of the large and small
phagocytes is strengthened, thus, to increase the organism immunologic function to benefit the control of
inflammation. So this method is widely used in the hospitals.

P-155
CHANGES OF THE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
COMPLEX WEAK MAGNETIC FIELDS IN PATIENTS WITH TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY.
W. Hofmann*, M. Feichtinger*, R. Hopfengrtner*, R. Faber*, and H. Stefan*. *Zentrum Epilepsie
Erlangen, Universitt Erlangen-Nrnberg, D- 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that weak VLF emf have an effect upon generation of rhythmical and/ or
epileptiform activity as seen with the electroencephalogram. Paired- pulse electrical stimulations indicate
that long term depression and potentiation depend on inter-stimulus intervals, so field pattern might be of
importance. Aim of our study is to quantify changes of the EEG due to weak (around 60 T), complexstructured patterns in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal- lobe epilepsy.
PATIENTS, MATERIALS, METHOD: Patients selected for this study undergo pre-surgical epilepsy
diagnosis. They are informed about scientific motivation and tested after given written consent. Study is
accepted by ethic commission of the university. EEG-recording is with a 64- channel video-EEG (Glonner
Neurosys, Glonner/ Germany). For field application, a modified plastic mason helmet is used. Plastic
plates are attached covering both temporal lobes. Four coils are connected to each plate, so there are eight
coils in total. Coils are from 12V hub-magnets (Keyswitch 12VDC SMO Series, Keyswitch/ UK), 1.3 cm
in diameter. Signal generation is with a 4 channel audio-sampler (A-3000, Yamaha Corp./ Japan) and a
four-channel audio amplifier (Yamaha 4050, Yamaha Corp./ Japan). Field measurement is with a
magnetometer (Walker FGM- 402N, Walker Scientific Inc./ Mass., USA). The patient is sitting with eyes
open. All stimulation patterns have a duration of 6 seconds. Rectangular pulses applicated in some patterns
have a duration of 5 msec. Patterns applied are: 1- 3) rectangular pulses with alternating 20/ 270 msec, 70/
220 msec intervals, pattern 1 and 2 each on 2 channels simultaneously, 4- 6) 5, 10 and 50 rectangular pulses/
sec, fixed intervals, 7) saw tooth wave changing from 15 Hz to 7 Hz (this pattern is deformed to a spike wave - pattern due to amplifier characteristics, 8) saw tooth wave with fixed 7 Hz, 9) 250 Hz sine.
Interstimulus interval is approximately 10 sec. Peak intensities for the rectangular pulses are 70 microT.
243

The occurrence of rhythmic slow and/ or epileptiform activity 3 sec before, during and after stimulus
presentation is compared.
RESULTS: 1) Rhythmical activity often occurs 1- 2 sec after the end of the magnetic stimulation. 2) A 10/
sec rectangular pulse activates a rhythmic activity more easily than 5 and 50 Hz rectangular pulse activity.
3) A saw tooth wave changing from 15 to 7 Hz activates rhythmic activity (7 Hz) more easily than a fixed 7
Hz activity. 4) No differences due to double- pulse intervals were seen. 5) There were no changes after 250
Hz sine application.
DISCUSSION: The results show the dependance of evoked eeg- activity upon field patterns applied. This
is in accordance with results from repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, were a dependance on fixed
frequency rate was seen. At lower field intensities, some more complex stimulus patterns have been
published (i.e. Thomas pulse). Our technical approach enables emf- pattern definitions based only on a
physiological rationale for diagnostic induction and therapeutic reduction of epileptiform activity within the
neuronal network.

P-156
MAGNETOSTIMULATION IN MRI: CAN THRESHOLDS BE DEFINED INDEPENDENT OF
THE SHAPE OF THE GRADIENT PULSE? F. Feiner*, J. Brix, G. Brix*. Institute of Radiation
Hygiene, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The requirement to acquire MR images as fast as possible leads to the necessity of switching
gradient fields with very short rise times (in the order of 100 s). The resulting time-varying magnetic flux
densities evoke in accordance with Faradays Law of Induction electric fields, which in turn raise currents
depending on the local tissue conductivity. Above a certain threshold the induced electric field within the
patients body commences to stimulate peripheral nerves (Fundamental Law of Weiss). This is generally
regarded as an indicator for the tenfold higher threshold for heart stimulation. Our objective was to find a
single test parameter which can predict the onset of stimulation independent of the gradient shape.
METHOD: Starting at the Fundamental Law of Weiss, W. Irnich and F. Schmitt (Magnetostimulation in
MRI; MRM 33:619-623, 1995) presented a promising approach to define the stimulation threshold of timevarying magnetic fields. Here the variation of the magnetic flux densities with time is integrated over the
pulse duration T yielding an averaged value for the magnetic flux density. This approach, however, is
viable only for special shapes of the gradient pulse. But it can be extended to encompass arbitrary pulse
shapes by setting up the test parameter

B( ) B(0)
BT = max
,
0 T
1+

chr
where B(0) represents the magnetic flux density at pulse onset, B() the magnetic pulse density at the time
0 T and tchr the chronaxie time of the physiological system. If the parameter BT exceeds the threshold
E l
Bmin = rh chr ,
cr
magnetostimulation occurs (Erh: rheobase of the electric field for the physiological system under
examination).
The advantage of this formulation lies in (i) its validity for arbitrary gradient-pulse shapes as well as (ii) its
sole dependence on the system related parameters r (effective radius of the physiologic system) and c
(geometrical factor, 1/2 c 1).
RESULTS: Subjecting data obtained from literature to the mathematical formula leading to BT shows that
this parameter takes on the value of (4.8 0.6) mT at the onset of stimulation independent whether the
gradient shape is trapezoid or sinusoidal.
244

DISCUSSION: According to our initial experience, these results show the validity of the chosen approach.
If this will be corroborated by further data, it will open up new possibilities with regard to safety aspects.
The sampling of parameters can greatly be simplified, for parameters like gradient shape, pulse duration and
rise time, which had to be evaluated up to now, will lose their importance.

P-157
ELASTASE-INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT TISSUES AFTER LOW- AND HIGH
FREQUENCY EXPOSURES. N.I. Varakina. Department of Physiology, Russian Research Centre of
Rehabilitative Medicine & Balneology Min. Health R.F., St. Novyi Arbat 32, Moscow 121099, Russia.
Disbalance of elastase-inhibitory activity was shown at the rats with experimental hyperlipoproteinemia
(induced by a diet with cholesterol and mercasolin), and after stress (swimming), which lead to hydrolisis of
elastin and collagen fibers. Study of the serum, gomogenats of myocardium, cerebral cortex and liver
pointed that changes of this activity took place in myocardium. Low- and high-frequency electromagnetic
fields exposures to the rats provoked modulation of elastase-inhibitory activity in all tissues. In experiment
with hyperlipoproteinemia the frontomastoid exposure to impulse current ( 10 Hz, 2mA;1000Hz, 0.75 mA),
low frequency magnetic field ( LFMF 50 Hz, 30 mT), paravertebral exposure to infrared radiation
(=0.87mcm, 5mW) in combination with static magnetic field (SMF, 30mT) and LFMF (50Hz, 15 mT)
provoked normalization elastase-inhibitory activity or enhanced activity of elastase inhibitor (a1antiproteinase a1-PI ) in the tissues, and corrected of destructive processes. The frontomastoid exposure to
impulse current (100 Hz, 2mA) aggravated atherogenic alterations, provoked enhance elastase activity and
decrease a1-antiproteinase activity in the serum and the myocardium. Frontooccipital exposure to
electromagnetic UHF field (40.68 MHz) and frontal exposure to combination of LFMF (50 Hz, 30 mT) with
SMF (30 mT) provoked partial normalization elastase-inhibitory activity in the serum or the miocardium. It
was shown a good correlation elastase-inhibitory activity with levels of hyperlipoproteinemia and thyroid
hormones. In experiment with stress infrared laser radiation (=0.89 mcm; 0.36 J/cm2) increased activity of
a1-PI in the serum and the liver. More high dose of laser radiation (1.2 J/cm2) promoted increase of the
stress reaction, provoked enhance the activity of elastase and decrease a1-PI activity in the tissues. Increase
of laser dose until to 2 J/cm2 and combination of laser exposure with SMF (30 mT) decreased stress reaction
to level below laser radiation in dose 1.2 J/cm2. The use of three factors- infrared laser (2 J/cm2) +
SMF(30 mT) + LFMF(50 Hz, 15 mT) promoted stress-limiting effect and enhanced of a1-PI activity. It is
known that oxidation of active centre of a1-PI by products of lipid peroxidation decreases its activity,
therefore we suppose that increase a1-PI activity by the electromagnetics fields connectes with its
antioxidant abilities, but decrease of its by prooxidant effect.

P-158
MAGNETOTHERAPY BY THE HEARING DECREASE AND LOSS: BIOPHYSICS OF THE
PHENOMENON. E.L. Ovchinnikov, N.Yu. Khokhlova, N.V. Eriomina, I.L. Slobodianuk and N.G. Vedin.
Samara State Med. Univ. Dep. of Bio. and Med. Phys. Sportivnaya, 10 - 3, 443030, Samara. Russia.
The reasons of a hearing decrease and loss (full or partial) by the patient until now remain not always
clarified. Therefore this effect is the important diagnostic and medical problem.
In norm (fig. 1) in the internal ear there are membrane streams of ions and substances which regulate
homeostas of a contents in all sections of a cochlea: through a vestibule membrane (streams ions Na+ and
K+, 1 and 2), from vascular stria (3) and through tectorial and reticular membranes, from cortilymph to
endolymph (4). In case of traumas infringing a wholeness basilar plate, it is possible to observe the
movement of the stream of substances, not shown on the scheme, from perilymph to cortilymph.
245

Two facts are established experimentally: (1) perilymph, which bound with cortilymph it is toxic for
sensorial cells; (2) the introductions of substances containing sulphnilamides in an organism, for example,
for general inflammatory processes, cause the loss of hearing of a different degree.
We can give the following explanations of these effects from a biophysical point of view. In case of general
hypertension (fig. 2) the blood pressure increases in the vascular stria and as a result of this it rises in the
endolymph camera too. The stream intensifies (3) and hypertrophis function of a system of two membranes
(tectorial and reticular), calling a response of acoustical analyzers to the noise of threshold intensity. The
sounds of greater intensity can put out of action an extreme row sensorial cells and to reduce the hearing:
the perception of a sound loudness drops at once to 60 decibel. The stream (4) is reduced, calling violation
of cortilymph homeostas. Being introduced in an organism the substances which contain sulphnilamides
penetrate (5) from the vascular stria to endolymph and further to cortilymph toxic for sensorial cells, they
cause the calls decrease of hearing of a different degree (in case general inflammatory processes).
In case inflammatory processes in an organism with the rise of temperature, are a permeability of
biomembrans and diffusivity of substances enclosing the cortilymph camera increase. The penetration toxic
substances for sensorial cells of junctions by two various streams is possible: first - through a basilar plate
from the perilymph camera (streams 6), an other - from vascular stria through a system from tectorial and
reticular membranes. The last may be reduced by a simultaneous dose of sulphnilamides with hipotensor or
by means of magnetotherapy application, as the magnetic field the reduces pressure in the circulatory
system, uncovers microcirculation of vasculars.

P-159
ELECTROTHERAPY REVERSES INFRAPOPLITIAL ISCHEMIA. R. Goldman, Department of
Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
For patients with arteriosclerosis of the blood supply to the foot, innocuous trauma often leads to necrosis,
gangrene and amputation. Bypass surgery works if a distal large artery is patent, but where one is not the
prognosis is for limb salvage is grim. Limb rescue rate could be augmented by electrotherapy. High Volt
Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation (HVPGS) consists of direct coupled continuous trains of pulses, each a submicrosecond doublet of high (> 10 ma) peak amplitude. This signal, in our preliminary observations,
augments microcirculation (measured by transcutaneous oxygen; TcPO2), where distal macrocirculation
(confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Angiography; MRA) is impeded or blocked: Most significantly,
HVPGS enhances microcirculation slowly and persistently during the course of repeated treatments (slow
response).
So far we have clinical observations on a total of eight subjects. Of these eight, age=66 12, with 5 males,
with the following co-morbidities: Diabetes (8); insulin dependent (6); end stage renal disease (3) with
functioning allograft (2); major or minor amputation (4). Seven subjects had distal arteriosclerosis
confirmed by segmental pressures or Magnetic Resonance Angiography. All initially had ischemic wounds
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confirmed by TcPO2: For n=8, the mean TcPO2 measured before start of electrotherapy at wound edge was
3 3 mm Hg (SD). The maximum noted after start of electrotherapy was 34 13 mm Hg. The difference
was significant by the Wilcoxon Rank Test (p<.05). Of these eight, although two went to amputation, three
have healed and three are healing. Of the two that went to amputation, the initial TcPO2 was 0 and
maximum was 16 5 (ns). For the six that have healed or are healing, the initial was 3 3 and maximum
TcPO2 is 38 10 mm Hg (p<.05).
All tolled, these are exciting observations that, even in the absence of a prospective controlled clinical trial,
suggest that electrotherapy has a clinically significant effect on micro-circulation around ischemic wounds.
To determine if electrotherapy positively influences limb salvage, we now have funding for a prospective,
randomized controlled clinical trial of electrotherapy for ischemic lower extremity skin lesions.

NERVOUS SYSTEM & SENSORY PHYSIOLOGY

P-160
SHIELDING BUT NOT ZEROING THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD REDUCES STRESS-INDUCED
ANALGESIA IN MALE SWISS CD1 MICE. E. Choleris, A.W. Thomas and F.S. Prato
BioElectroMagnetics Western, Lawson Research Institute, Nuclear Medicine and MR, St. Joseph's Health
Centre and University of Western Ontario, 268 Grosvenor St., London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 4V2.
Pain inhibition (i.e. analgesia) is a biological function consistently found to be affected by exposure to
magnetic fields in various species of animals including; land snails, laboratory mice, deer mice, pigeons, as
well as humans. Exposure to 0.5 Hz rotating magnetic field, 60 Hz ELF magnetic fields and the timevarying magnetic fields used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging procedures reduced analgesia induced by both
exogenous opiates (i.e. morphine) and endogenous opioids (i.e. stress-induced). Interestingly, stressinduced analgesia was similarly suppressed in C571 and Swiss CD12 mice that had been kept in a -metal
box that attenuated the ambient local geomagnetic field to near-zero values (< 3.6 T). Here we present a
replication in London (Ontario, Canada) of those original Italian (Pisa) studies with Swiss CD1 on the
effects of a stay in a -metal box on stress-induced analgesia. We also present the results of a study directly
comparing the effects of either shielding the geomagnetic field with -metal or zeroing it with Helmholtz
coils on stress-induced analgesia in CD1 mice. Individual free-moving male Swiss CD1 mice were
randomly assigned to 1of 3 experimental groups. [1] Mice (n=30) were exposed for 90 min to a near-zero
magnetic condition that was obtained by placing individual mice in a cubic (27.5 cm per side) -metal box
(2 mm thick, Inform System, Milano, Italy) that shielded the local geomagnetic field (in the box: BH = 0.04
T, BV = 0.05 T, BT = 0.07 T). The floor of the box was covered with plywood and 30 small holes (8
mm in diameter) on the upper part of two walls provided ventilation, so that the inside of the box was nearly
dark. [2] Mice (n=11) were individually placed for 90 min, inside a wooden box, identical to the -metal
box, at the centre of three mutually orthogonally nested Helmholtz coils3 that zeroed the geomagnetic field
(BH = 0.03 T BV = 0.02 T BT = 0.04 T). [3] Control mice (n=25) were individually placed for 90 min in
the wooden box and were exposed to the local ambient geomagnetic field (BH = 11.6 T; BV = 50.0 T; BT
= 51.3 T). At the end of the 90 min exposure periods mice from all groups were immobilised (restraint
stressed) inside unscented translucent polypropylene 50 ml centrifuge tubes and placed back into their prior
exposure conditions for an additional 30 min. The total exposure time was 2 hours and each mouse was
used once. Results showed that mice that had been in the -metal box did not display the stress-induced
analgesia that was observed in mice from the two other exposure conditions. This study provides evidence
that, in contrast to shielding the geomagnetic field with -metal, zeroing the geomagnetic field with a
Helmholtz coils system does not reduce stress-induced analgesia. The very minor differences in the two
zero fields (groups [1] and [2]) suggests that there is a high magnetic sensitivity/discrimination by the
endogenous opioid systems that underlie the expression of stress-induced analgesia. This protocol and the
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described phenomenon may provide a tool to assess the minimum fields that are perceptible by biological
systems.
References.
1
Del Seppia C., Luschi P., Ghione S., Crosio E., Choleris E. & Papi F. (1999). Exposure to a near zero
hypogeomagnetic field or oscillating magnetic fields similarly reduce stress-induced analgesia in C57 male
mice. Life Sciences (in press).
2
Del Seppia C., Luschi P., Ghione S., Crosio E., Choleris E., Papi F. (1999). Short-term stay in a
hypogeomagnetic environment affects nociceptive Sensitivity in two strains of mice. International
Behavioral Neuroscience Society Abstracts, 9:51.
3
Diameter 2.0 m (horiz. North/South), 1.75m (horiz. East/West) and 1.5 m (vertical). Each coil was
energized by a constant current power supply amplifier (model 7780; Techron) which was computer
controlled to produce specifically designed magnetic fields. Real time monitoring of the magnetic field was
achieved using a three axes, DC to 10 KHz, fluxgate magnetometer (MAG 03, MS 500-0.50; Bartington).
This allowed zeroing of the geomagnetic field with a uniformity of less than 0.5%.

The graph shows the analgesic responses of mice that were exposed to a near-zero magnetic field created
either by shielding the geomagnetic field with -metal or by zeroing the geomagnetic field with a Helmholtz
coil system. In the control group the mice were exposed to the local geomagnetic field in a wooden box with
the inside dimensions identical to the -metal box. The analgesic responses are expressed as the latency to
lift/lick a paw on a heated surface and were measured before (PRE) and after (POST) the two-hour
experiment. Bars indicate standard errors of the mean.
Funded by the Medical Research Council of Canada.

P-161
SHIFT OF DIURNAL RHYTHMS OF BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE IN WORKERS
EXPOSED TO RF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS. E. Sobiczewska*, S. Szmigielski* , R. Kubacki*
and Z. Ciolek*. Department of Microwave Safety, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4
Kozielska str., 01-163 Warsaw, Poland.
BACKGROUND: Biological effects of exposure to low-level, non-thermal radiofrequency (RF) fields were
reported in different experimental systems in vitro and in vivo, however health risks and clinical relevance
of these effects remain unknown. RF radiation at non-thermal intensities is considered as a relatively weak
environmental/occupational factor and its bioeffects can be in most cases effectively balanced by triggering
of adaptative, compensative and/or regenerative mechanisms of the responding physiologic systems. One of
the possible outcomes of such effects may be dysregulation of autonomous control of various physiologic
systems, including the cardiovascular system. Some time ago we reported increased number of slight,
subclinical ECG abnormalities, accompanied by symptoms of sympathicotony in heart rate variability
248

(HRV), as well as shifts in diurnal rhythms of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) (Szmigielski S et al.:
A shift of diurnal rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate in workers exposed to radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields as a symptom of dysregulation of the autonomic control of the circulatory system.
Blood Pressure Monitoring. 1998; 3; 323-330) in a group of 77 workers of AM radio broadcasting stations
who were exposed to 0.7-1.5 MHz RF.
MATERIAL and METHODS: In the present study a group of 38 workers of radio transmitting centres
(RTC), exposed to 10-50 MHz RF, and 38 unexposed control workers were examined with identical
cardiological tests, as the above mentioned workers of AM radio broadcasting stations, including the 24-hr
ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring. One base of ABP records parameters of diurnal rhythms
(mean value, amplitude, acrophase) were computed for each worker and analyzed statistically for the whole
group of workers. RF exposure was monitored during whole 12-hr shifts and expressed in maximal levels
(Emax), average levels (Eav) and time of exposure (Texp) during the shift. From these data daily exposure
dose rates for the shift (Dsf) and life exposure dose rates (Dlf) were calculated.
RESULTS: It was found that during the 12-hr shift individual workers were exposed in RF fields in series
of 3-5-min. periods, counting for a total exposure time of 0.5 2 hr per shift. Individual exposure levels
differed considerably (Emax from 9 to 174 V/m; Eav from 0.5 to 11.4 V/m) with the daily exposure dose
rates for the shift ranging from 22 to 3120 (V/m) 2 x h. With such large individual differences in RF
exposure levels the most conclusive relations between the exposure and results of cardiac tests could be
obtained by multistep correlation of single parameters. Statistically significant correlation with RF exposure
parameters (Dsf and Eav) was found for (fast/slow component ratio), HR and BP day/night ratio and two of
three parameters of BP and HR diurnal rhythms (acrophase and amplitude, but not mean value). In general,
the results indicate dysregulation of autonomous control of cardiac function with shift toward
sympathicotony, a phenomenon similar to that observed in workers of AM radio broadcasting stations, who
are exposed to lower frequencies of RF (0.7-1.5 MHz).
CONCLUSIONS: From results obtained in these two independent studies, which used 115 RF-exposed
workers, we conclude that multiyear occupational exposure to RF may lead to dysregulation of autonomic
control of cardiac function and cause increased risk of development of functional symptoms of cardiac
liability. However, clinical relevance of these findings is not firmly established and an increased risk for
cardiac pathology could not be established in the tested material.
This work was sponsored in part by the funds from the Concerted Action ERB CT15 IC980303 from the
INCO-COPERNICUS Project of the European Commission DG XII.

P-162
HUMAN DETECTION OF LOCAL ELECTRIC FIELDS GENERATED BY ALTERNATING OR
DIRECT CURRENT APPLIED TO THE HAIRY AND GLABROUS SKIN OF THE FOREARM.
C.E. Chapman*1, J.-P. Blondin2, A.M. Lapierre2, D.H. Nguyen3, R. Forget1, D. Goulet4 and M. Plante4.
1
cole de radaptation and 2Dpt de psychologie, Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada;
3
Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Qubec, Varennes, Qubec, Canada; and 4Hydro-Qubec, Montral, Qubec,
Canada.
Electricity is transported from generation sites to users using high-voltage transmission systems that operate
with either alternating current (AC) or, more recently, direct current (DC). These transmission lines
generate electric fields that can be perceived by some subjects. The principal objective of this study was to
determine the physical factors that contribute to the human ability to perceive a local electric field generated
either by AC or DC. To this end, an apparatus was built that allowed the exposure of a limited segment of
the body (forearm and hand) to DC fields (maximum, 60 kV/m) or AC fields (frequency, 60 Hz; maximum,
35 kV/m). Sixteen subjects (6 men, 10 women; mean age, 24.3 yr) participated in the study. During the
first session, subjects were screened for their sensitivity to DC and AC fields. Subjects that were sensitive
to the local electric field participated in an additional 2 - 3 sessions. None of the subjects perceived the DC
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field. This finding contrasts with previous results showing that ~one-third of subjects were able to detect a
25 kV/m field during whole-body exposure (Blondin et al., 1996, Bioelectromagnetics 17: 230-241),
suggesting that the surface area exposed is crucial for the detection of DC electric fields. Nine of 16
subjects (4 men, 5 women) detected the AC field. A psychometric function was established for each of the
AC-sensitive subjects, using a rating procedure derived from signal detection theory in order to calculate the
d' index of sensitivity (threshold defined as d'=1.0). The results demonstrated that when the forearm + hand
were exposed to the AC field, detection performance increased as a function of the intensity of the field.
When the exposed region was decreased by shielding specific skin regions (dorsal forearm alone, dorsal
hand alone, ventral hand alone), most subjects (6/9) showed a decreased ability to detect the AC field. No
clear differences were noted in the results obtained from the two surfaces of the hand (hairy and glabrous
skin). The experiments were repeated after removing the hair from the forearm and hand. The results
showed a clear decrease in sensitivity to AC electric fields in 8/9 subjects (exposure of forearm or dorsal
hand); some residual capacity to detect the presence of the AC electric field was seen following hair
removal in 2/8 subjects. These observations suggest that hair mechanoreceptive afferents are activated by
the AC electric fields. In order to rule out the possibility that hair receptors had been stimulated in the
situation in which the glabrous hand was exposed, 3 subjects participated in an additional session in which
we varied the exposed area on the ventral surface of the hand (whole hand or a 5x5 cm opening over the
palm). Two of 3 subjects were sensitive to the AC field in both conditions, suggesting that some receptors
other than hair receptors are also involved in the detection of AC electric fields.
This research was conducted as part of Hydro-Qubec`s Action Plan on the biological effects of electric and
magnetic fields).

P-163
CYCLES OF RECOVERY OF EXCITABILITY OF CORTICAL NEURONS UNDER
MICROWAVES. R.A. Chizhenkova. Institute of Cell Biophysics, Pushchino, Moscow region 142292,
Russia.
OBJECTIVE: In our previous investigations it was found that microwave exposure affected little the mean
frequency of cortical neuronal activity but produced significant shifts in pattern of pulse flows of neurons.
Moreover the microwave exposure modified neuronal evoked responses to peripheral and central single
stimulation. At present, our objectives are (a) to establish the specific features of neuronal activity in the
motor cortex at stimulation of the medial lemniscus (the ML) with different interstimulus intervals and (b)
to consider influence of microwaves on above-mentioned events.
METHOD: Experiments were carried out in 23 unanesthetized non-immobilized rabbits. Preliminary,
under nembutal anesthesia coaxial electrodes were implanted to the ML. Electrical stimulation of the ML
was done using rectangular current pulses of 0.1-ms duration and intensity (8-10 V) sufficient for the
cortical responses to be developed completely at single stimulation. The intervals between stimuli were 1 to
100 ms. The spike unit activity was recorded in the motor cortex. Recording electrodes were glass
micropipettes filled with agar-agar in saline. Neuronal primary exited responses were analysed: existence of
them, latency, and the number of spikes in the responses. Exposure to 37.5 cm (800 MHz) microwaves was
carried out on the animal's head. The intensity was 0.1-0.5 mW/cm2. The exposure time, as previous
studies was 1 min.
RESULTS: The experimental data were obtained from 143 cortical neurons. On single stimulation of the
ML evoked responses were in 62% neurons. Primary responses obtained 6.4 0.1 discharges (1 to 8).
Mean latency was 8.5 2.5 ms (4 to 40 ms). Decrease of interstimulus intervals changed investigated
indices (p<0.01). Stimulation with intervals 30-20 ms promoted evoked activity. Responses were in 76%
neurons. Further decrease of interstimulus intervals led to reduction of reactivity. At short intervals (<5
ms) evoked responses did not arise. Microwave exposure facilitated evoked activity. Effect consisted of the
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increase of the number of reactive neurons and the number of discharges in evoked responses (p<0.01) at all
intervals between stimuli. Changes of latency were not observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it has been investigated complex dependence of primary evoked responses of
cortical neurons upon interstimulus intervals at central specific (the ML for the motor cortex) electric
stimulation. First it was established that 1-min exposure of low-intensity microwaves influenced
characteristics of this dependence. Proposed approach is suitable to examine behavior of cortical neurons
under microwaves.

P-164
NUMERICAL CALCULATION OF MICROWAVE HEARING EFFECT IN HUMAN HEAD. Y.
Watanabe*, T. Tanaka*, M. Taki*, S. Watanabe. Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate
School of Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan. EMC Research Section,
Communications Research Laboratory, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Tokyo 184-8795,
Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Microwave hearing effect is an established biological effect in animals and humans. They
can perceive an apparent sound when they are exposed to pulsed microwaves. The mechanism of this
phenomenon is explained by thermoelastic expansion. The absorbed energy of pulsed microwaves produces
small but rapid temperature rise in the tissue, which generates thermoelastic waves to be detected at the
cochlea of the inner ear. There have been analytical studies on the thermoelastic waves in a head assuming
a simple homogeneous head model. In those studies simplified SAR distributions were also assumed. The
actual human head, however, has an anatomically complex structure in shape and in heterogeneity of
tissues. The complexity may significantly affect both the SAR distribution and the behavior of the
generated stress waves. This consideration motivated us to make numerical studies on microwave hearing
effect assuming realistic head models taking the anatomical heterogeneity into account.
METHOD: We decomposed the analysis into two steps of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD)
calculations to compute thermoelastic waves generated by pulsed microwaves. First we calculate the
distribution of specific absorption rate (SAR) using conventional FDTD method for the Maxwell's
equations. The SAR produces temperature rise, whose thermal energy exerts stress in the tissue. Second we
calculate the elastic waves generated by the thermal stress based on the elastic wave equations. The validity
of the analysis for elastic waves is confirmed through comparison of the numerical results with the
analytical solutions for a sphere model. Two different anatomically-based human head models are
employed for numerical calculations. The first model (Model 1-1) is a MRI-based head model for the
commercial software X-FDTD provided by REMCOM Inc., which has a resolution of 3 x 3 x 3 mm3. The
second model (Model-2) is another anatomically-based head model based on an anatomical chart of a
Japanese male, which has a resolution of 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 mm3. The 915 MHz plane microwaves are assumed
to incident on the occipital part of the head.
RESULTS: The calculated waveforms of stress waves in realistic head models are different from the
analytical solutions for spherical head models. The pulse width dependency of the loudness of microwave
hearing is clearly explained by the simulation with realistic head models. The peak stresses of elastic waves
at the cochlea are 270 Pa (Model-1) and 590 Pa (Model-2) for a 20 s pulse of 1 mW/cm2 peak power
density. The calculated peak stresses at the cochlea are 83 Pa(Model 1) and 70 Pa(Model 2). The
dominant frequency of the stress waves is about 79 kHz that corresponds to a resonant frequency of the
human heads.
DISCUSSION: The threshold for bone conduction hearing was reported to be about 60 dB (Re 20 Pa) or
20 000 Pa at frequencies of 510 kHz. Comparing with calculated peak stresses at the cochlea, the power
density of 300 mW/cm2 is required to make the same order of the peak stress. This magnitude of power
density is near the reported threshold of microwave hearing. The calculated peak stresses in the head are of
the same order as the analytical solutions for spherical head model. The peak stress, power density, and
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displacement near the threshold level are much less than those quantities of ultrasound used in medical
diagnosis.
This work was supported in part by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education,
Science, Sports and Culture, Japan.

P-165
INFLUENCE OF LINEARLY POLARIZED 50 Hz MAGNETIC FIELD ON CIRCADIAN
RHYTHM GENERATED IN SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEUS. O. Hiwaki. Faculty of Information
Sciences, Hiroshima City University, Hiroshima 7313194, Japan.
Some studies showed that exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields can reduce nocturnal
pineal or blood concentrations of melatonin. Melatonin produced at the pineal gland conveys biological
rhythm generated at a biological clock, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), to the body. Whether the biological
rhythm generator, SCN, can be affected by ELF magnetic fields has not been clear. This study tries to
verify whether ELF magnetic fields can influence the circadian rhythm generated in SCN .
METHODS: Male Wister rats were used as subjects. A bipolar tungsten microelectrode was inserted to
SCN in order to measure the electrical activity of SCN. The anesthetized rat was placed at the center of the
magnetic field exposure system consisted of three sets of Merritt coils that produces highly uniform fields
across three perpendicular axes. The rat that kept inhaling constant flow of oxygen gas including halothane
did not move during the experiment. The exposure system was set in the magnetically shielded dark room.
The rat was exposed with only static 40 T field which imitated the geomagnetic field for first 24 hours.
The 50Hz, 30 T linearly polarized magnetic field was added in the right-left direction for the following 24
hours. The circadian rhythm of SCN activity of the rats was analyzed.
RESULTS: It could be shown that the circadian rhythm generated at SCN was influenced by 50 Hz
magnetic field. The interval between the peaks of the SCN activity of the rat exposed with 50 Hz magnetic
field was shorter than 24 hours that was the cycle of SCN activity observed in the rat without 50 Hz
magnetic field exposure.
CONCLUSION: Some evidence that 50 Hz magnetic field could influence the biological circadian clock
was obtained. Further investigations are in progress.

P-166
N-MEHTYL-D-ASPARATE (NMDA) INVOLVEMENT IN THE MEDIATION OF THE
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND REPEATED EXPOSURES TO EXTREMELY LOW
FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS ON OPIOID ANALGESIA. M. Kavaliers* and K.-P.
Ossenkopp*. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Western Ontario,
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2.
Substantial evidence exists for interactions between N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and opioid processes.
Results of recent studies have suggested that there may be a tonic NMDA receptor-mediated modulation of
opioid antinociceptive systems. It has been speculated that acute opiate-induced analgesia may be blunted
by NMDA modulated counteracting systems that systematically oppose the full expression of opiate
antinociception. In addition, evidence has been presented for opioid-activated NMDA processes modulating
basal nociceptive sensitivity and contributing to the development of tolerance to opiate analgesia. The
attenuation of opioid analgesia by acute exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields is one
of the best established effects of magnetic field. Repeated exposures to ELF magnetic fields have, however,
also been shown to both elicit analgesia and reduce the development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of
opiates. Both of these effects are consistent with and suggestive of shifts in NMDA - opioid interactions. In
the present studies we considered in the land snail, Cepaea nemoralis, the relations between NMDA
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activity, opiate analgesia and exposure to an ELF magnetic field. In the first study we examined the effects
of a single acute exposure to an ELF magnetic field on opiate analgesia and NMDA activity. Acute (30
min) administration of the opiate receptor directed agonist, morphine (1.0 gm), elicited a significant
analgesic effect in Cepaea as measured by the enhanced latency to display a foot-lifting response to a
thermal (40 C) surface. Concurrent exposure to an ELF magnetic field (60 Hz, 144 T peak) significantly
reduced the analgesic effects of morphine, with the sham exposure (60 Hz peak < 0.4T) having no
significant effects. Administration of the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, MK-801 (1.0 g), 30 min
before treatment with morphine attenuated the inhibitory effects of the ELF magnetic field. MK-801 had no
significant effects on the analgesic effects of morphine in sham exposed snails or on basal nociceptive
sensitivity. These responses suggest that acute exposure to an ELF magnetic field can augment NMDA
activity leading to a reduction in opiate induced analgesia. In the second study we examined the effects of
repeated daily 30 min exposures to an ELF magnetic field on nociceptive sensitivity and the roles of NMDA
processes. Repeated daily (4 day) 30 min exposures to the 60 Hz ELF magnetic field led to a significant
analgesic response as measured by the increased latency of response to a thermal (37.8 C) surface. Daily
exposure to the sham field had no effect on nociceptive sensitivity. Daily administration of MK-801 at 1.0
gm also resulted in a significant analgesic response by Day 4. However, MK-801 at 0.10 gm, while
having no evident effects on nociceptive sensitivity by itself, significantly augmented (Day 4) the analgesic
effects arising from exposure to the ELF magnetic field. These responses suggest that the repeated
exposures to the ELF magnetic field blocked tonic opioid activated NMDA processes leading to the
emergence of analgesia. These findings indicate that ELF magnetic fields can both: (i) directly increase
NMDA activity contributing to a reduction in opiate analgesia and, (ii) indirectly reduce NMDA activity
by inhibiting opioid mediated activation of NMDA processes leading to the emergence of analgesia. These
opposing actions on NMDA processes may contribute to the diverse and discrepant effects of exposure to
various ELF magnetic fields that have been reported.
Supported by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada grants to M.K. and K.-P.O.

P-167
OPERANT-BEHAVIOR TESTS IN PRENATALLY EMF-EXPOSED RATS:
MICROSTRUCTURES OF PERFORMANCE REDUCE INTER-INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY. M.
Bornhausen1 and H. Scheingraber2*. 1Institut fr Toxikologie, GSF-Forschungszentrum fr Umwelt und
Gesundheit, D-85758 Mnchen-Neuherberg, and 2Max-Planck-Institut fr extraterrestrische Physik, D85740 Mnchen-Garching, Germany.
To detect potential health risks of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs), adult Wistar rats which
had been prenatally (days 1-20 post conception) exposed or sham-exposed to a low-level, GSM-EMF (900
MHz, 217-Hz pulse modulation, 0.1 mW/cm2, SAR 17.5-75 mW/kg) were trained (autoshaped) to press a
lever for food reinforcement by a contingency of Differential Reinforcement of Zero Rate. In a battery of 10
simultaneously operated test chambers (Skinner boxes), 8 groups of 10 coded subjects each were then tested
by different contingencies of Differential Reinforcement of High resp. Low Rate (DRH resp. DRL). The
schedules required the animals to press the lever either frequently (DRH) or to respect a blocking interval
after a reinforcement (DRL). Each of the 3 DRH and 3 DRL tests was presented to each group during
nocturnal 15-h sessions with incrementally increased learning demand. DRH 2/1, 4/2, and 8/4 tests required
the rats to press the lever 2, 4, or 8 times within a time span of 1, 2, or 4 sec, respectively, and DRL 1/8,
1/16, and 1/32 tests required the rats to respect a blocking interval of 8, 16, and finally 32 sec after a
reinforcement (45 mg food pellet). In order to see microstructures of operant-behavior performance, interresponse intervals (IRIs) between consecutive lever presses were recorded in multiples of 0.01 sec during
the tests and related to the requirements of the different schedules of reinforcement. A correlation analysis
of IRI occurrences in the individual group members demonstrated quantitative and consistent differences
between "learners" and "non-learners" in both the exposed and the control rats. The incidence of "learners",
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however, was not found to be affected by the prenatal exposure to the GSM field. The results of the
correlational analysis obtained in a total of 40 male and 40 female subjects demonstrated the power of this
method to measure individual cognitive abilities. Further studies are planned to preselect experimental and
control subjects by differentiating functional central nervous system characteristics via time-domain
microstructures of operant performance with the aim of increasing the homogeneity of animal groups, i.e. to
lower the inter-individual variability among group members.
Part of this work was supported by Deutsche Telekom AG.

P-168
COGNITIVE ACTIVITY ON THE STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD AS A FACTOR OF RAT
HYPERSENSITIVITY TO EXTERNAL STIMULI. V. Shpinkova*, K. Nikolskaya*, V. Kostenkova*,
O. Eschenko*, T. Serebryakova* and L. Podorolskaya*. *Dept. of High Nervous Activity, Biology Faculty,
Moscow State University, Moscow, 119899, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: Nowadays it is well known that the large information overload, which humans experience
every day, is one of various factors determining serious diseases in blood, cardiovascular and nervous
systems. Moreover, increased level of MF background in modern human habitat produced by the plenty of
electronics and iron constructions is one of the conditions in human cognitive activity. Aim of the study
was to find out how organism sensitivity to external stimuli changes while cognitive activity being realized
on a background of inhomogeneous static magnetic field (sMF).
METHOD: Three experiments were carried out in Wistar rats (n=60): 1) free behavior was observed in
conditions of "living room" (control, Exp.1), representing a part of laboratory's interior where magnitude of
MF induction varied from 12 T to 210 T. Individual food operant behavior was observed in two
situations: (i) rats had to solve complex cognitive task in a multi-alternative maze on the background of
natural MF, B=37 2 T (Exp. 2) and (ii) they had to do it on a background of inhomogeneous MF (up to
300 T) modulated by three magnets placed under the maze (Exp. 3). Three tests were carried out: (i)
sensitivity to a change of MF distribution in the experimental space; (ii) sensitivity to a 90 maze turn; and
(iii) sensitivity to different external stimuli like sound and light turned on during task performance. There
was carried out a cytophotometric analysis of pyramidal neurons in sensomotor cortex (SMC, layers III and
V) after 30 days learning had finished. There were measured area (S), concentration (C) and content (M) of
protein in nuclei (n) and cytoplasm (c). The state of main biochemical parameters of fibrinolysis (ELTeuglobulin lysis time; FA- fibrinolytic activity; PA- plasmin activity; PA-activity of plasminogen
activator; 2-AP-2 - antiplasmin) and haemostasis (RT- recalcification time; Fb-fibrinogen concentration;
AT-III- antithrombin III activity) in blood was studied before and after learning in all Experiments.
RESULTS: Unlike the Exp.2, rats in the Exp.3 could not form food operant behavior by themselves since
the explorative activity was completely suppressed independent on individual peculiarities. Only after a
brief external stimulation 50% of sMF-induced rats as well as in the Exp. 2 had begun to learn and formed a
habit twice faster than in the Exp.2. Task performance in the sMF-induced rats was very unstable and was
accompanied by active stress and neurotic-like reactions while these signs have not been observed in the
Exp.2. Induced by an experimenter sudden changes of MF parameters in a session (Exp.3) provoked a
significant increase of displaced (licking the floor, biting sides of the box) and neurotic-like (fright, jumping
out of the maze) reactions (Fig. 1). Any kind of external stimuli like light or sound suddenly turned on
during task performance provoked behavior disorganization and prolonged stoppage of habit performance
(Fig. 1). A 90 maze turn in a session caused lots of orientation reactions (stops and hesitations) at the maze
forks in the sMF-induced rats while these effects have not been observed in the Exp.2. Cytochemical study
showed that the state of protein metabolism in the SMC neurons distinguished from both the Exp.1 and
Exp.2 in all sMF-induced rats. The specific effect of cognitive activity on the sMF consisted in the increase
of the Sn in both layers of the SMC independent on learning success (Fig. 2). The state of fibrinolysis and
haemostasis showed a disturbance of coordinated response between different blood parameters due to
254

learning on the sMF (Fig. 3). It was found that 68.5% of sMF-induced rats had hypercoagulation signs, all
fibrinolysis parameters had a significant narrowing of norm reaction (Fig. 4).

255

Figure 1. Animal sensitivity to changes in the environment

stoppages
3
active stress

Unconditioned reactions: active stress tic, jump, scratching; neurotic-like - fright,

jumping out of the maze; displaced licking the floor, gnawing sides of box;
passive stress - freezing, sitting, sleep;
orienting grooming washing; orienting smell,
vertical stand; stoppage and hesitation in the maze branching points. Other
designations are in the text.
grooming
hesitations

2
1

neurotic

displaced
passive stress

Turn

Extern. stim.

sMF change

nMF = 1

Figure 2. Cytochemical changes in layer III neurons of sensomotor

cortex after learning on the background of natural and static MF
Good-learning rats

Sn* ^
1,6

Sn*
1,6

? n/? c

? n/? c

? n^

? n* ^
0,8

0,8
? n/? c

Bad-learning rats

? n*

0,0

Sn/Sc

? n/? c

Sc
? c* ^

? n* ^

0,0

Sn/Sc

? c*

Sc
? c^

Learn./sMF

? c^
Learn./nMF

Contr.=1

^, * - p<0,05; ^ - nMF/Contr.; * - sMF/Contr.; n/c -nucleus/cytoplasm coefficient

Figure 3. Norm reaction of antitrombin III

activity after learning of Wistar rats.

Figure 4. Dependence of recalcification

time from fibrinogen concentration.

60

% of rats

50
40
30
20

Recalcification time, sec

<120
Contr.
Learn/nMF
Learn/sMF

Contr.
Learn/nMF
Lean/sMF
<90

<60

10

216

180

144

108

72

% (sec)

36

Fibrinogen, mg%
low
<300

256

middle
<450

high
>450

DISCUSSION: The data obtained testifies that sMF-induced effects on all observed levels of organism
functioning, from cellular up to psycho-physiological, were discovered only in the case when rats
accomplished cognitive activity on the sMF. It is under discussion that the acquired hypersensitivity to
external stimuli as a result of learning on the sMF might be determined by induced disbalance between
activity of substrate (low speed of biochemical-physiological processes) and functional potentials (high
speed of information processing).

P-169
EFFECTS OF MOBILE GSM RADIOTELEPHONE EXPOSURE ON HEARING AND REACTION
TIME. (PRELIMINARY RESULTS) G. Thurczy1, L. Kellnyi2, B. Faludy3. 1Natl. Research Institute
for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, H-1775 Budapest, POB.101., Hungary, 2Department of Physiology,
University Medical School of Pcs, Neurophysiological Research Group, H-7645 Pcs, Hungary, 3Clinics of
Neurology, University Medical School of Pcs, H-7645 Pcs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of present human studies on healthy volunteers was to examine the possible acute
effects of radiofrequency exposure emitted by GSM cellular phones. Measurement of brain auditory
response (ABR), auditory event-related brain potentials (AERPs) in oddball paradigm and reaction time
(RT) have been performed, extractating of mismatch negativity (MMN), processing negativity (PN) and the
P300 component from the ERP potentials recorded before and after the short-term exposure from the
common used handy-devices.
METHOD: In electrically shielded area laying position of subjects have been exposed to common GSM
handy-phone. The cellular device was positioned close to the head as the users commonly place during the
application. During the experiment the GSM device have been switch on 15 min without the knowledge by
the exposed subject. The output peak power of the handy device was 2 W peak. The studies have been
carried out on healthy volunteers (N=3 women and 7 men) aged 29.3 8 year for ABR recordings, three
subjects were examined using the AERP paradigm and six for RT recordings according to the standard
electrophysiological recordings. The ABR potentials were recorded on right (exposed) and left (nonexposed) side of the subjects using autocontrol procedure. The subjects have normal hearing. The latency
of ABR potentials were averaged (6x1024) of exposed and non-exposed side using 80 dB rectangular (0.15
ms, 27 Hz) click stimuli. Auditory event related potentials (AERPs) recording procedure were performed
by oddball paradigm. Subjects are required to silently count rare randomly generated deviants stimuli in
pitch from a sequence of standard stimuli on the right ear, pushing a button all of recognized deviants.
Altogether 100 deviants stimuli generated (and averaged) in one ERP recording procedure. Electrode
positions:Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8, F3, F4, C3, C4, T3, T4, T5, T6, P3, P4, O1, O2, Mon Cz montage, monopolar.
In the Reaction time (RT) measurement a button required to push by the subjects recognizing deviants target
tones. Count the deviant tones and RT measurements automatically and stored in the computer.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was found that the V latency of ABR on the exposed (right) side
compared to its baseline increased by 0.207 ms significantly. On the non-exposed (left) side 0.029 ms
latency shift has been recorded. According to the well known audiometry studies of the intensity-latency
response in V peak, the latency shift on the exposed side correspond to 15-18 dB hearing deficiency above 2
kHz frequency in the relevant age group. The background of latency time shift on non exposed side might
be caused by the contralateral cross-interference effects. Preliminary results of ERP signal processing
showed that P300 amplitudes decreased, the latencies of N1, P2, N2 and P300 components were prolonged
ipsilateraly to the side of the phone exposure, on Fp2, F8, T4, T6, F4, C4, P4 electrode positions. The
amplitude of the MMN component became unstable. Each latency value of the PN subcomponents
presented systemic prolongation. Both simple RT and RT generated by oddball paradigm slightly increased.
The observed effects and related hearing deficiency in the high frequency range may be caused by
anatomical and functional structure of cochlea because of the outer hair cells, which are surrounded by
257

liquid in the holes of Deiters cells. Therefore it is able to absorb the RF energy with very high efficiency.
These absorbency may led to a local temperature increase and/or ion shifts through the cell membrane.

P-170
EFFECTS OF EMF IRRADIATION ON HIPPOCAMPUS ACETYLCHOLINE RELEASE IN
FREE MOVING RATS BRAIN. G. Testylier, L. Tonduli, and J.C. Debouzy. C.R.S.S.A., La Tronche
Grenoble, France.
OBJECTIVE: Several authors have shown cholinergic effects of acute exposure to hyperfrequency
electromagnetic field at low energy. 2.45 GHz micro-wave radiation, induces a spatial memory deficit on
rats at low energy (0.6 W/ kg) and short time exposure (45 min.). This deficit can be antagonized by a
cholinergic agonist treatment. (Lai 1994). Chronic exposure of rats with modulated radio frequency ( 0.1
W/kg ) induces a decrease of the central acetylcholinesterasic activity (Kunjilar 1993). These studies
suggest a particular sensibility of the cholinergic system to the electromagnetic waves.
METHOD: In this work, we studied by microdialysis the acetylcholine (ACh) level in hippocampus of free
moving rats after acute irradiation at 2.45 GHz CW during one hour with power density from 1 to 4
mW/cm2 and at 800 MHz AM modulated at 32 Hz. CW during 15 hours with power density 200 W/cm2.
A Transcerebral microdialysis membrane was implanted through the CA1 upper part of the hippocampus.
Dialysate were collected every hour. The baseline level was determined during 4 hours before irradiation.
For 2.45 GHz irradiation, exposures were performed from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the ACh level was measured
during the 10 following hours. For 800 MHz irradiation, exposures were performed from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
and the ACh level was measured during the 20 hours.
RESULTS: During the irradiation at 2.45 GHz whatever the power of the waves, we did not observe any
significant variation of ACh release. But after irradiation, for the 4 mW/cm2 exposed rats we observed a
significant 25 % decrease of the mean ACh level during the 9 hours after exposure.(fig1) Analyse of the
kinetic of the ACh level shows that the curves mainly differ 5 hours after exposure. Rats exposed to 800
MHz radiation show a decrease of ACh release during exposure (15 h). During the night a significant 40 %
decrease of ACh release is observed between sham irradiated animals and exposed animal. The main
difference between these groups is the absence of increase of ACh release for exposed animals compared to
control animals (fig 2).
DISCUSSION: The 4 mW/cm2 exposed rats present a significant decrease of ACh release after exposure.
Analysis of the kinetic of the ACh level shows that the curves mainly differ 5 hours after exposure. For all
groups except for the 4 mW/cm2 group ACh level increases at the beginning of the night which is linked to
the arousal period for rats. This normal increase is disturbed on rats exposed to 4 mW/cm2 electromagnetic
field. This power is over the permissive exposition level (IEEE:1.64 mW/cm2) but is under the threshold of
the thermal effects. The results obtained on rats exposed to 800 MHz modulated radiation reinforce this
previous results. The 40 % decrease of ACh release during the night cannot be linked to a thermic effect
because we use low power density (200 W/cm2) which is under the permissive exposition level (IEEE:
800 MHz 540 W/cm2). These results improve that modifications of cholinergic neurotransmission can be
observed unrelated to thermal effects. Furthermore it seems to interfere with circadian rhythm and could be
involved in mechanism of arousal.
Research supported by the DRET (Direction des Recherches et Etudes Techniques de la Direction Gnrale
de lArmement).

258

Fig 1:Mean variation of ACh level after exposition

to EMF during the 10 hours after exposure

Fig 2:Mean ACh release in rat hippocampus

during the 15 hours of irradiation

P-171
THE EFFECTS OF 700MHz RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS ON PAIRED PULSE INHIBITION IN
RAT HIPPOCAMPAL SLICES. J.K. Deans*1, L.E. Sundstrom*1 and J.E.H. Tattersall1,2. 1Clinical
Neurological Sciences Department, Southampton University, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK and
2
Biomedical Sciences Department, CBD Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported that continuous wave (CW) 700MHz radiofrequency (RF)
fields can affect both evoked and spontaneous electrical activity in rat hippocampal slices in vitro (Wood et
al., 1997). These effects were observed at low field intensities and were not associated with measurable
temperature rises. Changes in evoked responses might be mediated by effects on inhibitory or excitatory
processes in the tissue. The objective of the present study was to determine whether exposure to RF fields
had specific effects on inhibitory neuronal circuits in the hippocampal slice.
METHODS: Parasagittal hippocampal slices (300-400 m thick) from adult Wistar rats (120-200g) were
maintained at 32.0 0.1 C in an interface chamber held within a calibrated stripline waveguide and
perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Extracellular field potentials were recorded in CA1 stratum
pyramidale using glass microelectrodes filled with 2M NaCl. Responses were evoked by a concentric
bipolar stainless steel stimulating electrode placed in stratum radiatum. Pairs of stimuli were delivered
every 30s, with an interpulse interval of 15-35ms. Due to inhibitory circuits activated following the first
(conditioning) pulse, the second (test) pulse evoked a smaller population spike (PS) than the first pulse. The
ratio of the test PS to the conditioning PS was used as a measure of the degree of paired-pulse inhibition. In
addition, the ratio between the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and the PS
amplitude was measured for the first response. This E-S ratio gives an indication of the excitability of the
pyramidal cells in the slice. Slices were exposed for 5 minutes to a 700MHz RF field with the E-field
perpendicular to the slice (E-field amplitude 71V.m-1). In control experiments, the output of the RF
generator was connected to a dummy load instead of the waveguide to produce a sham exposure.
RESULTS: Exposure to 700MHz RF fields resulted in significant changes in the amplitude of the
population spike (PS) and in the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP). These
exposures produced no measurable temperature rises (within 0.1C) in the tissue, and no changes in evoked
responses were measured in sham-exposed slices. Initial experiments suggest that both the paired-pulse
inhibition and the E-S ratio changed during exposure to RF fields.
DISCUSSION: These results confirm previous observations that exposure to low intensity RF fields
produces changes in evoked responses in slice preparations of rat hippocampus. The experiments so far
have not produced clear evidence for a specific effect of RF fields on inhibitory processes in the tissue.

259

References.
Wood SJ, Nettell JJ, Tattersall JEH (1997). Soc. Neurosci Abstr. 23, 2205.
Supported by the Ministry of Defence, UK.

P-172
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS IN RAT HIPPOCAMPAL SLICES DURING EXPOSURE
TO 700MHz RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS USING A MICROTHERMOCOUPLE. J.K. Deans*1,
L.E. Sundstrom*1 and J.E.H. Tattersall1,2. 1Clinical Neurological Sciences Department, Southampton
University, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK and 2Biomedical Sciences Department, CBD Porton Down,
Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported that continuous wave (CW) 700MHz radiofrequency (RF)
fields can affect both evoked and spontaneous electrical activity in rat hippocampal slices in vitro (Wood et
al., 1997). In these experiments, a Luxtron fibreoptic probe placed near the slice was used to monitor
temperature. No heating could be detected during the exposures to RF fields; however, the probe was too
large to be placed in the tissue and had a maximum temperature resolution of 0.1C. A recently-developed
technique using a microthermocouple offers greater sensitivity and the ability to measure temperatures
inside small samples of tissue (Pakhomov et al., 1998a, b). Due to the properties of the microthermocouple,
there is a plateau phase following the RF exposure, during which the temperature persists for a certain time
before the heat dissipates. This method is able to detect a temperature rise as small as 0.01C, should it be
present for at least 5-10 ms after the cessation of exposure. The present study used these
microthermocouples to determine whether heating effects could be detected in rat brain slices and, if so, to
use these effects to calculate specific absorption rates (SARs).
METHODS: Parasagittal hippocampal slices (400 m thick) from adult Wistar rats (120-200g) were placed
in an interface chamber held within a calibrated stripline waveguide and perfused with artificial
cerebrospinal fluid. A microthermocouple, tip diameter approximately 50m, was inserted into the centre
of each slice to a depth of 200m using a micromanipulator. Slices were exposed to a 700MHz RF field,
with the E-field perpendicular to the plane of the slice. The perfusion was turned off during exposure to the
RF field, to reduce the heat loss from the tissue and maximise the possibility of detecting a temperature rise.
The microthermocouple wires were oriented at 45 to the E-field, due to the restrictions imposed by the
exposure system.
RESULTS: As expected with a component of the E-field parallel to the wires, the RF field induced a large
amount of electrical interference which prevented accurate temperature measurement during the exposure
period. However, the interference disappeared immediately following the end of the exposure period, when
it should have been possible to detect any temperature rise momentarily before the heat dissipated. With
field intensities up to 71V.m-1, the maximum used in previous studies, no temperature increase could be
detected using this method during exposures of up to 1 minute duration.
DISCUSSION: Whilst the precise accuracy of the microthermocouple measurements is not known, it was
definitely better than 0.1C. These results therefore confirm that the temperature rise in hippocampal slices
was less than 0.1C during exposure to the same RF fields as used in previous studies which reported effects
on electrical responses in hippocampal slices. Furthermore, since the tissue in the earlier studies was
continuously superfused, any heating would have been less than in the present work. As a temperature rise
of 0.1C is very unlikely to affect brain slice function, the RF-induced effects cannot be explained by
heating. Future experiments will attempt to measure heating effects of larger fields in brain slices placed
parallel to the E-field, with the microthermocouple wires perpendicular to the E-field. This configuration
should result in greater dissipation in the tissue and will hopefully lead to measurable heating, which will
enable the calculation of the local SAR.

260

References.
Pakhomov AG, Mathur SP, Akyel Y (1998a) Bioelectromagnetics Society 20th Annual Meeting Abstracts
(June 7-11, 1998, St. Pete Beach, FL), 56-57.
Pakhomov AG, Mathur SP, Akyel Y, Kiel JL, Murphy MR (1998b, in press). NATO Advanced Research
Workshop on Radio Frequency Radiation Dosimetry and its Relationship to the Biological Effects of
Electromagnetic Fields (October 12-16 1998, Gozd Martuljek, Slovenia).
Wood SJ, Nettell JJ, Tattersall JEH (1997). Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 23, 2205.
We are very grateful to Dr A Pakhomov for the generous gift of the microthermocouples used in this study,
and for detailed advice on their use. This work was supported by the Ministry of Defence, UK.
P-173
THE EFFECTS OF 16Hz MODULATED RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS ON EVOKED
RESPONSES IN RAT HIPPOCAMPAL SLICES. I.R. Scott* and J.E.H. Tattersall, Biomedical
Sciences Department, CBD Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies in our laboratory have found that continuous wave (CW) 700MHz
radiofrequency (RF) fields can affect both evoked and spontaneous electrical activity in rat hippocampal
slices in vitro (Wood et al., 1997). Further experiments have found that exposure of slices to CW
(700MHz) and GSM modulated (900 and 1800MHz) RF fields could modify a more complex response, long
term potentiation (LTP), which involves changes in synaptic plasticity (Scott et al, 1998, 1999). These
effects were observed at low field intensities and were not associated with measurable temperature rises.
Studies of calcium efflux from nervous tissue (Joines et al., 1980) and of EEG activity in cats (Bawin et al.,
1973) have suggested that RF fields modulated at low frequencies may have a greater effect than CW RF
fields, and that the most effective modulation frequencies are in the range 6-16Hz. The present study
therefore investigated the effects of 700MHz fields modulated at 16Hz on hippocampal slices and compared
these effects with those of CW 700MHz fields. The objective was to compare the relationship between the
amplitude of the effect and the field intensity.
METHODS: Parasagittal hippocampal slices (300 m thick) from adult Porton-Wistar rats were maintained
at 32.0 0.1C in an interface chamber held within a calibrated stripline waveguide and perfused with
artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Extracellular field potentials were recorded in CA1 stratum pyramidale using
glass microelectrodes filled with 2M NaCl. Responses were evoked by a concentric bipolar stainless steel
stimulating electrode placed in stratum radiatum. Each slice was subjected to two RF exposures of 10
minutes duration, separated by 30 minutes. The exposures were to 700MHz CW, 700MHz modulated by a
16Hz sine wave or 700MHz modulated by a 16Hz square wave. The depth of modulation was 100% for
both sine and square waves. Peak E-field intensities of between 31.7 and 63.2V.m-1 were used (E-field
perpendicular to the slice). In control experiments, the output of the RF generator was connected to a
dummy load instead of the waveguide to produce a sham exposure.
RESULTS: Exposure to CW 700MHz fields resulted in significant increases in the amplitude of the
population spike (PS) and in the slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP). These effects
were dependent on the field intensity over the range tested. Similar increases in PS amplitude and fEPSP
slope were observed in slices exposed to modulated 700MHz fields (sine or square wave). No changes in
evoked responses were measured in sham-exposed slices.
DISCUSSION: These results confirm previous observations that exposure to low intensity RF fields
produces changes in evoked responses in slice preparations of rat hippocampus. The effects of 16Hz
modulated RF fields appeared qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those of unmodulated fields. There
was no clear evidence for an increased effect due to low frequency modulation.

261

References.
Bawin SM, Gavalas-Medici RJ, Adey WR (1973) Brain Res. 58, 365.
Joines WT, Blackman CF (1980) Bioelectromagnetics 1, 271.
Scott IR, Tattersall JEH (1999) Bioelectromagnetics Society 21st Annual Meeting Abstracts, 110-111.
Scott IR, Wood SJ, Tattersall JEH (1998) Bioelectromagnetics Society 20th Annual Meeting Abstracts, 96.
Wood SJ, Nettell JJ, Tattersall JEH (1997) Soc. Neurosci Abstr. 23, 2205.
Supported by the Ministry of Defence, UK.

P-174
MEASUREMENTS OF COMPOUND ACTION POTENTIALS OF FROG SCIATIC NERVE
BUNDLES UNDER STRONG STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS UP TO 14 TESLA. N. Ishihama1*, S.
Ueno1 and H. Tatsuoka2*. 1Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, University of
Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan. 2Dept. of Anatomy, Chiba University, School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuoku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Compound action potentials (CAPs) of frog sciatic nerve bundles were measured under
strong magnetic fields up to 14 T to clarify the possible effects of magnetic fields on nerve excitation
processes.
METHODS: Sciatic nerve bundles were dissected from bullfrogs and placed in a temperature controlled
moist chamber (60 mm long, 40 mm wide, and 30 mm high). The temperature was maintained at 22.9 C
0.1 C for the duration of the experiment. Eleven platinum electrodes were aligned in parallel to each
other at 5 mm intervals. A nerve bundle was excited electrically by pulsed electrical stimulation through a
pair of platinum electrodes. During the propagation of action potentials along the axons, the nerve bundle
was exposed to strong magnetic fields of up to 14 T. Two types of superconducting magnets were used; an
8 T magnet, 100 mm in diameter and 700 mm long, and a 14 T magnet, 50 mm in diameter and 450 mm
long. Nerve bundles were exposed to magnetic fields either in the direction parallel or perpendicular to the
nerve bundle for a period of up to 7 hours under 8 T magnetic field exposure and in the direction parallel to
the nerve bundle for one hour under 14 T magnetic field exposure. The CAPs were measured at different
points before, during and after magnetic field exposures. The shapes of the CAPs and the velocities of each
component of the CAPs were measured to investigate whether these parameters were affected by the
magnetic fields.
RESULTS: The conduction velocity of the first component, 31 m/s 5.0 m/s, and the shape of the CAPs
were not affected by magnetic field exposure.
DISCUSSION: The experimental results prove that each component of the CAP was not affected by
magnetic field exposure. Strong static magnetic fields have no effect on nerve excitation processes.

P-175
COMBINED EFFECT OF PULSED MICROWAVES AND GLUTAMATE SUPERFUSION ON
THE POPULATION SPIKE IN RAT HIPPOCAMPAL SLICES. A.G. Pakhomov1,2, J. Doyle*1, and S.
Mathur*1. McKesson HBOC BioServices, US Army Medical Research Detachment, and 2Directed Energy
Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Brooks Air Force
Base, San Antonio, Texas, 78235-5324, USA.
A number of earlier studies (e.g., Iurinskaia et al., Biofizika 41(4):859-865, 1996) demonstrated that a brief
exposure to low-intensity, 16-Hz modulated microwaves increased radiolabelled agonist binding to the
glutamate receptor in rat brain. Irradiation did not change the number of binding sites for glutamate, but
decreased its dissociation constant with the agonist more than 2-fold. The present study investigated if
modulated microwaves would affect the function of glutamate-dependent synaptic pathways in the brain.
262

METHODS: Hippocampal slices (350-m thick) from 4- to 6-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were
submerged into a Ringer solution and affixed to the bottom of an exposure bath. The design of the bath,
thermo- and dosimetry methods were described earlier (Pakhomov et al., Bioelectromagnetics, 1999, V. 20,
in press). The dosimetry was further refined by S. Alexeev (personal communication, 1999). The
maximum local SAR in the brain slice equaled 2.4 W/g per 1 W of transmitted power, the minimum SAR
was 20-30% less. The slice was superfused by a Ringer solution (35.5 C) at a rate of 1 ml/min. Stratum
radiatum area was stimulated with a bipolar tungsten electrode at 10-sec intervals, and population spikes
(PS) in the CA1 area were recorded by a glass microelectrode. Only one 30-min experiment was performed
with each preparation. After a 30- to 60-min stabilization, PS amplitude was measured every 100 sec
throughout the experiment. Superfusion with glutamate solution began at 8 min into the experiment and
continued for 11 min. At the employed concentration of 0.5 mmol, this drug caused in most preparations a
40-50% decrease of the PS amplitude, followed by a partial recovery during the subsequent wash. Exposure
to 9.2-GHz pulsed microwaves or a sham exposure began at 14 min and continued till the end of the
experiment. Sham exposures and different regimens of microwave exposure were randomized, and each
experimental group included from 8 to 11 independent experiments. The experiments attempted to establish
if various regimens of microwave exposure would affect the glutamate-induced changes in the PS
amplitude.
RESULTS: In the 1st series of experiments, brain slices were exposed at the average transmitted power of
0.15, 0.5, or 2.5 W (16-Hz modulation, 50% duty cycle). Microwave heating was about 4 C at 2.5 W, 0.60.8 C at 0.5 W, and negligible at 0.15 W. Irradiation at the maximum power (2.5 W) enhanced the
glutamate-induced PS suppression and virtually prevented PS recovery during the subsequent wash. In
contrast, exposure at 0.5 W attenuated the glutamate-induced reduction in the PS amplitude. However, the
changes were not statistically significant, possibly because of large variability in the glutamate sensitivity
between individual preparations. Irradiation at 0.15 W produced no changes.
In the 2nd series of experiments, we attempted to replicate the effect of 0.5-W, 16-Hz irradiation, and to
explore the role of modulation in further detail. Brain slices were exposed at 0.5 W (4, 16, or 64 Hz, 50%
duty cycle) or at 2.5 W (64 Hz). The latter regimen enhanced the glutamate-induced PS suppression to the
same extent as the 2.5-W, 16-Hz irradiation in the 1st series. The other regimens caused no changes, and
the trend observed in the 1st series with 0.5-W output power could not be confirmed.
SUMMARY: Microwave irradiation at low and moderate intensities (up to 1.2 W/g, heating under 1 C),
regardless of modulation, did not alter the glutamate effect in isolated rat hippocampal slices. Exposures at
higher intensities enhanced the glutamate-induced PS suppression, apparently due to pronounced heating (4
C at 6 W/g). It should be noted, however, that PS suppression under glutamate superfusion reflects the
integral effect of this drug on the entire neuron circuitry of the slice; this results in high variability of
responses to the drug, which could conceal the exposure effect. More precise experiments will require local
application of glutamate to specified brain slice areas by pressure microinjection or microintophoresis.
The authors are thankful to Dr. S. Alexeev (Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA) for calculation of SAR within
brain slices. The work was supported in part by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory under U.S. Army contract DAMD17-94-C-4069 awarded to
McKessonHBOC BioServices. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be construed as
reflecting the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, or the
United States Government.

263

HUMAN STUDIES
P-176
IS THERE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO COMBINED DC/AC MF EXPOSURE WITH
PARAMETERS SIMULATING ELECTRIC ENGINE CONDITIONS? E. Lyskov, M. Chernyshov,
I. Nikeshina, V. Mikhailov, G. Sokolov and A. Vishnevskiy. Institute of Human Brain, Russian Academy
of Sciences. National Institute for Working Life, Ume, Sweden.
OBJECTIVES: An increased rate of coronary heart diseases was recently found among Russian engine
drivers of electric locomotives. Presumption that this adverse effect might be associated with elevated
magnetic field exposure was a starting point of the international project IMMORTALITY. The general
goals of the project included monitoring of DC-ELF MF in different types of electrical trains, description of
typical MF patterns and examination of possible biological responses to specific exposure conditions. The
aim of the present study was to investigate possible deviations in basic physiological markers (e.g. heart
rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, EEG, performance of cognitive task) in conditions of wholebody, 30 minutes exposure to combined DC and 12 Hz magnetic fields, emulated EL environment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteens healthy volunteers participated in experiments. Subjects were
informed of project aims and experimental procedure. Each participant was exposed to both real and sham
exposures and served as his own control. Consequence of sham and real exposures was randomized, and
interval between them was not shorter than 48 hours to exclude possible cumulative effects. Sessions began
at 11.00 or 13.30. Experiments took place in the whole-body exposure facility consisted of a system of
orthogonal coils with size 3.90x2.25x2.25m. Signal generators and power amplifiers provided the
generation of DC and AC components along fixed orthogonal directions. The following exposure was
considered as EL - 12 Hz: 3; 2.5; 2 T in Z; Y and X axes respectively. DC: linearly polarized (Y-axes)
with flux density regularly varied from 40 T to 20 T with the intermittence steps 30 T lasting 90 sec
each. Non-energized coils provided sham exposure. Natural non-homogeneity of the earth field did not
exceed of 1.5 T and homogeneity of the generated field did not exceed 10%. Performance of Memory and
Attention tasks, blood pressure measurements, heart rate and eight channels EEG records were obtained
before, during and after exposures. Dynamic of systolic and diastolic pressure, mean values of heart rate
and heart rate variability spectrum, spectral power of alpha, beta, theta, delta bands of EEG, and error rate
and reaction time in cognitive performance have been calculated.
RESULTS: Small but significant difference between responses to real and sham exposure was observed in
mean values of heart rate during exposure (67.5 vs.69.7 bpm). This transient effect disappeared after
exposure. There were no other exposure-related differences in observed psychophysiological parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: Data do not conflict with main project hypothesis. However, more pronounced CNS
and ANS stress responses would be expected, in context of possible links between MF exposure and
chronic cardiovascular disorders.
This work was supported by European Commission (contract N ERBIC15-CT96-0303).

P-177
CHANGES IN THE HUMAN ECG AND HRV IN STATIC MAGNETIC FIELDS UP TO 1 TESLA.
M. Nakagawa. Ohtsuki Public Health Center, Hanasaki 1608-3, Ohtsuki, Yamanashi 401-0015, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Increments in the T-wave on ECGs recorded in static magnetic field (SMF) are well known
mainly on the basis of animal experiments. Author investigated the human ECG pattern in static magnetic
fields by alternating strength and direction of the field. Changes in HRV (heart rate variability) in and out
of the fields were also analyzed.
264

METHOD: (1) A continuous two-hour ECG was recorded to observe HRV changes due to SMF exposure
of up to 1 tesla (T), for 30 min out of the field as pre-exposure, 60 min in the field, and 30 min out of the
field as post-exposure. (2) To check for ECG changes in the SMF, the ECG was recorded for 3 min out of
the field and continued at an SMF density of 1.04 and 0.64 T at the S pole (dorsoventral direction), and 1.04
and 0.64 T at the N pole (ventrodorsal direction) for 2 min, each. The analog pattern of the ECG was resampled by 200Hz for digital conversion. The data sets of R-R intervals were calculated to get fluctuations
of the R-R interval that was indicated as the power spectral densities at 0.04-0.15 Hz, which was low
frequency (LF) and at 0.15-0.4 Hz, which was high frequency (HF).
RESULTS: (1) Changes in the ECG pattern: An increment in the T-wave at the S-pole and partial reversal
of the T-wave at the N-pole was observed, as shown in the Figure. Changes in the T-wave are explained
magnetohydrodynamic potential due to blood flow at the aortic arch increasing or decreasing the Tpotential, without any impediment of cardiac function. (2) The LF/HF (sympatho-parasympathetic balance)
of HRV was decreased by magnetic field exposure, whether the magnetic direction was N or S. This means
that strong SMFs induced a vagotonic state. In half of the subjects, however, LF/HF rose after one hour
exposure to the field, probably because they felt anxiety at high magnetic field exposure and unconsciously
responded by an increase in sympathetic tone.

Normal ECG

0.64T at the S pole

1.04T at the S pole

0.64T at the N pole

1.04T at the N pole

Changes in ECG pattern in static magnetic fields

P-178
OCCUPATIONAL ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (ELF) MAY INDUCE IMMUNOLOGICAL
ALTERATIONS IN HUMANS : STUDY AFTER THE END OF EXPOSURE. L. Bonhomme-Faivre1,
S. Marion*2, and S. Orbach-Arbouys*1. Departments of 1Pharmacy and 2Hematology, Hpital PaulBrousse, 14, Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94804 Villejuif, France.
OBJECTIVE: We have previously observed that some hematologic and immunologic parameters of
persons exposed to occupational electromagnetic fields are significantly lower than those of unexposed
control (1). The present study noted the evolution of the values of the exposed population 6 months after
the end of the exposure and compared it to previous values.
METHOD: The study included 6 subjects (1 man, 5 women, age 39 5 years), having worked 8 h per day
for more than one year in laboratories located above transformers and high voltage bus bars ( 13 kV). The
magnetic field varied from 0.2 T to 6.6 T depending on the location within the laboratories. 6 other
persons (1 man, 5 women) age (40 8 years) formed the control group, working in the same building but
away from the transformers and the voltage bus bars. Blood samples were collected at 8h00. Total
peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD4, CD3, CD19 and NK cells were counted with Coulter Epic Profite
II, and analysed with the Students t test.
RESULTS: At the end of exposure in the exposed population, the number of total, CD3 and CD4 values
were significantly lower in the exposed population than in the control one (27 to 35%), and the NK values
265

higher (31%). Six months after the end of exposure the values have increased, although they have not
completely reached initial values.
DISCUSSION: The temporal relationship between exposure and the fall of the values on one hand, and
between the end of the exposure and return back to normal values strongly suggests a causative relationship.
The length of time necessary to get entirely normal or initial values may be related to the length of the
previous exposure.
Total
lymphocytes
Control (1)
2528 531
Exposed (2)
1843 438*
6 months after end of exposure (3)
2090 793
Ratio: exposed (2)/Control (1)
-27%
6 months after end of exposure (3)/
+ 13%
exposed (2)
* Between exposed (2) and control (1) : p 0.05

CD4

CD3

NK

CD19

1161 180 1895 398 310 90 304 156

752 424* 1239 379* 407 106 265 85
960 704 1513 668 301 196 310 180
-35 %
-35%
+31%
-13%
+ 28%
+ 22%
- 26%
+ 17%

References.
1) L Bonhomme-Faivre, S Marion, Y Bezie, H Auclair, G Fredj, C Hommeau. Study of human
neurovegetative and hematologic effects of environmental low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields
produced by transformers. Arch. Environmental Health., (1998), 53, 2, 87-92.

P-179
ACUTE EFFECTS OF LOW FREQUENCY AC MAGNETIC FIELD ON NIGHTTIME BLOOD
HORMONES AND BLOOD CELLS IN HUMANS. Y. Kurokawa, H. Imai, H. Nitta, and M. Kabuto.
Urban Environment & Health Project, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305,
Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Previously we reported the results of acute MF-exposure experiment in humans using the

MF-generating room built in our laboratory (Annual Meeting of BEMS, Long Beach, USA, 1999). The
report focused on the relationship between short-term MF-exposure and heart rate or cognition-performance
function.
Here, this study was purposed to re-examine whether or not low frequency MF influences nighttime
secretion of hormones, mainly melatonin. Several research groups (C Graham et al., B Selmaoui et al., AW
Wood et al., J Reienweber et al.) have attempted human experiments with nighttime exposure to 50/60 Hz
MF, and almost of them found negative results. In our experiment, we superimposed harmonics and
transient waves on 50 Hz MF.
SUBJECTS & METHODS: The MF exposure facility was the same as described in our previous report: a
room with 2.7 m square size surrounded by twisted pair copper wires with 4-coils square-loop configuration
on 3 axes. Subjects were ten healthy males aged 20-37, who were requested to stay in the experimental
room on 3 nights from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. including bed-time from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. First night was for
adaptation, and in one of the other two nights they were exposed, throughout the night, to a linearlypolarized MF, the mixture of 1) 50 Hz, 20 uT sinusoidal AC MF, 2) 3td harmonics (30%), 3) 5th harmonics
(10%), and 4) transient 1 kHz, 100 uT (at peak) MF which regularly occurred at 1-sec intervals and
attenuated in 50 msec. During the nights, they were taken blood from intravenous catheter at 1-hour
intervals, exceptionally at 10-minutes intervals from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for observing growth hormone (GH)
profile

266

RESULTS: We have finished the analysis of serum melatonin and GH in five subjects so far, but have not

observed statistically significant difference in any of the two hormones between in MF-exposed night and in
control night.
We will report the results of further experiment, adding the analysis of serum cortisol, prolactin and blood
cell count in 10 subjects at the meeting.
This work was supported by NIES grant T-13.

P-180
MILLIMETER-WAVE HEATING OF HUMAN SKIN: EFFECTS OF AMBIENT
TEMPERATURE. D.W. Blick, T.J. Walters, and L.R. Johnson*. Veridian Engineering and *U.S. Air
Force Research Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas 75235, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Foster and Erdreich (Bioelectromagnetics, Suppl. 4, 52-63, 1999) have pointed out that
thermal modeling of microwave bioeffects is important to the standard-setting process. Foster et al.
(Bioelectromagnetics 19: 420-428, 1998) had previously shown that a simple thermal model fit the data on
human sensory effects of microwaves, and that file model has important implications for the "averaging
time" in the safety standard. We (Walters et al., Health Physics, 78(3), Mar, 2000) have recently shown that
a simple thermal model adequately describes the surface heating of human skin by millimeter-waves in a
thermoneutral environment. However, the model has been criticized as depending on oversimplified
assumptions. The present experiment is intended to show that these assumptions are justified, at least for
exposures of relatively short duration.
METHOD: Heating of human skin was measured using infrared (IR) thermography during exposures of 1and 3-sec duration to mm-waves. Free-field power densities at the exposure site were 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, and
1.75 W/cm2 for 3-sec exposures, and 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, and 2.50 W/cm2 for 1-sec exposures. Exposures were
done at ambient temperatures of 7.8, 18.9, and 30 C. Five subjects had the skin on their back exposed
twice under all conditions (2 durations X 4 power densities X 3 ambient temperatures).
RESULTS: For 1-sec exposures at power densities ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 W/cm2, temperature increases
ranging from 5.9 to 8.2 C were observed. For 3-sec exposures at power densities ranging from 1.0 to 1.75
W/cm2, temperature increases ranged from 6.4 to 11.5 C. Although initial skill temperatures varied by
approximately 6 C as a function of ambient temperature, neither ambient temperature nor initial skin
temperature was related to the observed increases in temperature. The temperature rise depended only on
power density and duration. Typical results (mean skin surface temperature) for 1- and 3-sec exposures at
1.75 W/cm2 are shown below.
DISCUSSION: These results imply that models of skin heating by mm-waves during brief exposures can
appropriately assume zero boundary conditions (i.e., no significant re-radiation from skin to environment
during exposure). Furthermore, differences in skin perfusion rates at this range of ambient temperatures do
not appear to play a significant role in the conduction of heat away from the skin surface for these exposure
conditions.

267

Supported by USAF Contract # F41624-96-C-9009 with Veridian Engineering. Subjects gave informed
consent to be tested under a research protocol (#F-BR-1998-0026-H) approved by the USAF Research
Laboratory Institutional Review Board and the Office of the Surgeon General of the Air Force.

P-181
EFFECTS OF THE EXPOSURE OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS
TO AN EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY (50 Hz) MAGNETIC FIELD. D. Frasca*, P. Barattini*,
G.A. Lovisolo*, S. Mancini* and C. Marino*. Section of toxicology and biomedical science, ENEA
Casaccia, 00060 Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: In the present work, we have studied the effects of the exposure of human peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC) to an electromagnetic field at an extremely low frequency (ELF).
METHOD: Twenty subjects of different ages (10 young, ranging from 20 to 30 years, and 10 elderly,
ranging from 70 to 89 years) were enrolled in this study. Heparinized samples were collected from the
peripheral blood. The young subjects of this study are blood donors and have been recruited by the
Hematology Unit of the Catholic University of Rome. The elderly subjects are all resident in a public
institution for retired people (Casa di Riposo Roma III) and monitored for immunological parameters every
3 months. PBMC were collected by density gradient centrifugation, resuspended in complete medium,
stimulated in culture plates with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and exposed to an ELF. A uniform magnetic
field of 0.1, 0.2, 0.6, 0.8, 1 or 2mT was generated inside the system where the cultures were placed.
Exposure was performed over a period of 72 hrs of culture. In the last 4 hrs, tritiated thymidine was added.
RESULTS: Results are still preliminary but clearly show no effects of the exposure at 0.1, 0.2, 0.6 and 0.8
mT on cell proliferation, whereas at 1 and 2 mT a slight but reproducible decrease in cell proliferation was
observed.
CONCLUSION: Work in progress is addressed to confirm and extend these preliminary data.

P-182
PREVALENCE OF SELF REPORTED ELECTRICAL HYPERSENSITIVITY AND ASSOCIATED
FACTORS IN CALIFORNIA. P. Levallois, G. Lee, L. Hristova and R. Neutra. EMF Program,
California Department of Health Services, Oakland, California 94612, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Over the past decade there has been an increase of public health concern with respect to
electrical hypersensitivity (ES). However, few if any population-based studies have been carried out on this
subject, and there is still doubt on its association with self reported multiple chemical sensitivity. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ES self reported by a representative sample of the
Californian population and to describe the characteristics of people reporting ES in comparison to those self
reporting chemical sensitivity (CS).
METHOD: Questions about self reported ES and CS were included in the 1998 California Adult Tobacco
Survey. This is an ongoing monthly telephone survey that collects information about health behaviour from
a random sample of Californians. From July to December 1998, 2072 adults participated in the study, with
an overall response rate estimated between 58 to 84 %.
RESULTS: 68 (3.3%) of respondents reported themselves to be allergic or sensitive towards appliances,
computers or power lines. In comparison, 503 (24.3 %) reported themselves to be unusually sensitive to
everyday chemicals like those in household cleaning supplies. Principal factors associated with ES were:
having been diagnosed by a physician as Multiple chemical sensitive (OR = 5.8; 95 % CI: 2.6-12.8) or
self reporting CS (OR = 3.6; 95 % CI: 2.0-6.7), being from other race than black, Hispanic or white (OR =
4.9; 95 % CI: 2.310.7), unable to work (OR = 3.8; 95 %: 1.4-10.7) and low income (OR = 2.4; 95 % CI:
268

1.1-5.2). In general, people reporting ES had different characteristics from people reporting CS. In
particular, whites, asthmatics, females and people with higher income were found more frequently in those
reporting CS than in those reporting ES
CONCLUSION: The California survey results found a smaller prevalence of self reported ES than CS for
the period of July 1998 to December 1998. However the prevalence of ES estimated from this survey is
much higher than previous estimations reported in Europe (Bergqvist and Vogel 1997) based on case reports
from experts. Even if there are some overlap between ES and CS, people reporting ES are generally
different from those reporting CS. Limitations of the present study are due to the absence of detailed
questions about specific sources of EMF as well as symptoms of ES.
This study is part of the California EMF research program, which is mandated by the Public Utilities
Commission with moneys from California utilities.
Reference.
Bergqvist U and Vogel E (eds). Possible health implications of subjective symptoms and electromagnetic
fields. A report prepared by a European group of experts for the European Commission, DG V. European
Commission DG V, National Institute for Working Life, Solna, Sweden, 1997

P-183
INVESTIGATIONS OF ELECTROSENSITIVITY TO A GSM SIGNAL AT 900 MHZ FOR A
SELF-REPORTED ELECTROSENSITIVE TARGET GROUP. J. Raczek2*, K. Runow1*, H. Oetzel1*,
T. Gailus2*, I. Herget2*. 1Institute for Environmental Diseases (IFU), 34308 Bad Emstal, Germany. 2TNova, Technologiezentrum, 64307 Darmstadt, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to find out whether electrosensitivity (ES) can be
established for a potential risk target group by measurements under exposure to a GSM signal. In this
context, the selected test group had to consist exclusively of members classifying themselves as
electrosensitive. In addition, it was necessary to use an appropriate test procedure to enable statistically
reliable results to be obtained. The results for the ES are evaluated without any attempt to explore the origin
of this phenomenon.
METHOD: An appropriate experimental design, and the number of subjects and of tests per subject, were
determined on the basis of theoretical considerations and simulations which take into account several
different experimental constraints.
Full responsibility for the selection of the subjects and the performance of the tests was assumed by the
'Institute for Environmental Diseases' (IFU) in Bad Emstal, Germany.
A single test performed on an individual subject consisted of three 3-minute time windows (with 2-minute
pauses in between) with the electromagnetic field (EMF) switched on in only one of these windows, being
arbitrarily selected. One minute after the end of the third time window, the subject under test had to make a
definite decision as to which of the three windows had the EMF switched on. The experiments were
conducted on a double-blind basis.
A total of 21 tests per subject were performed on 6 consecutive days, i. e. the number of tests carried out
was only 3 to 4 per day, with extended pauses in between.
All 16 tested subjects classified themselves as electrosensitive (9 female and 7 male, aged 31 to 76). As
shown by the medical anamnesis, the subjects were, in many respects, highly sensitive persons (suffering
from relatively serious diseases, such as allergies) most of whom also reported on specific reactions in their
bodies (perception or symptoms of diseases) whenever they were exposed to individual forms of EMFs.
For exposure, a GSM-like signal was used (carrier frequency 900 MHz, pulsed with 217 Hz). The antenna
was located to the right of the seated subject, at the height of his head and at a distance of 45 cm, and was
not directly visible to him (far-field conditions). The resulting mean power-flux density of the signal at the
subjects head was slightly below 0.1 mW/cm2.

269

RESULTS: The number of correct decisions made by the individual participants in the tests was between 3
to 10 within the possible range of 0 to 21. The average number of correct decisions made by all 16 subjects
was 5.9.
DISCUSSION: The statistical analysis of the measuring results showed that the assumption of
electrosensitivity for the tested subjects can not be established for the prevailing exposure conditions.
Referring to absolute non-sensitivity (e.g. random decisions or mere guesswork) and a significance level of
5 per cent, it would require an individual to make at least 12 correct decisions to be classified as
electrosensitive.
Furthermore, the total number of correct decisions made by the entire group was too low to establish ES for
the group as a whole and, in addition, even too low to be explained by pure randomness (e.g. guesswork).
This result was completely unexpected, since many subjects had claimed to have an accurate sensation of
the time window during which the EMF was switched on. A detailed exploratory analysis of the tests
showed, inter alia, that several test subjects are likely to have made their decisions based on some unknown
individual cause. This analysis shows further how after-effects of an EMF can be accounted for by
measurements.

P-184
DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY. J. Reienweber, E.
David and S. Kentner*. Institute of Physiology and Physiopathology, Electropathological Research Center
of the University of Witten/Herdecke, D-58448 Witten, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: Self-reported electromagnetically hypersensitive persons as well as patients suffering from
diseases obviously caused by environmental factors in general like Multiple-Chemical-Sensitivity (MCS)Syndrome, Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI) or Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome (CFS) are an
increasing problem of modern industrial societies. The more and more important question of
electromagnetic hypersensitivity is investigated in the context of environmental factors throughout Europe.
Our own research is committed to identify putative causal links between that clinical picture and certain
patterns of symptoms like fatigue, concentration failure, sleep disorders etc. Interactions of strong electric
and magnetic fields and living matter are well-known. Threshold values are based on those interactions.
Some subgroups of society now argue that even weak fields may cause bodily complaints. People ask if
those phenomena represent a real sensitivity, a situative reaction or a behaviour caused by the media society
we live in.
METHOD: That is why we invite E. H. persons to be examined in our Witten laboratory. E. H. persons as
well as healthy volunteers are exposed two times (with a short recreation period) to a series of ten field
situations. Since medical or psychological questionnaires described in literature normally do not provide
sound data concerning special sensitivities, we ask patients and healthy control persons (probands), as usual
in sensory physiology, to guess or even to "feel" in two consecutive sessions whether or not extremely low
frequency (ELF) fields are switched on. The 50-Hz-fields are switched on or off at random on a stochastic
basis ten times during one session. The probability of fields being activated is 50%. This method is
normally used in sensory physiology in order to detect subliminal sensory excitations. Additionally patients
and controls are asked to describe their individual subjective symptoms. Their social situation, internal and
neurological status and behaviour are adequately documented by specialists. Additionally blood samples
are taken for melatonin determination by radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Results of the up to now 37 experiments do not show significant
differences in scores or "guess probabilities" of groups of patients and controls. Nevertheless we are
looking for possible correlations between scores and various parameters. Results of narrative interviews
conducted by our social scientist insinuate in many cases reactions which are dominated by a special
situation and intensified by mass media influences. In order to assess endocrinological parameters in terms
of the melatonin hypothesis we determine plasma melatonin levels possibly in all participants at the same
270

clock time. This is needed for comparing plasma melatonin levels which is only possible if blood samples
are drawn in the same phase of circadian rhythms. Preliminary results do not show significant differences
of plasma melatonin levels between groups of patients and healthy controls. There is until now no
coherence between electromagnetic hypersensitivity and the so-called "low-melatonin-people" which are
known in literature.
This work was supported by the Union of German electric supply companies, Francfort. We are indebted to
Mrs. D. Klunker for technical assistance.

P-185
LONG-TERM PARALLEL MONITORING OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE AND
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PERCEIVED ELECTRICAL
HYPERSENSITIVITY. M. Sandstrm1, K.H. Mild1, V. Klucharev1,2, P. Bjerle3, R. Hrnsten3, E.
Lyskov1, N. Blix1, E. Lindstrm1. 1National Institute for Working Life, Ume, Sweden. 2Institute of the
Human Brain, St Petersburg, Russia, 3Norrland University Hospital, Ume, Sweden.
A significant number of persons are claiming to be sensitive to electromagnetic fields and this shows as a
combination of skin (facial), neurovegetative and sometimes ocular symptoms. The phenomenon called
Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS) has been widely discussed and investigated for several years in Sweden
and some other countries. Our previous results indicated that the EHS patients have a) a disbalanse of the
autonomous nervous system regulation with a trend to hyper sympathotone, as measured by heart rate (HR)
and electrodermal activity, b) hyperresponsitivity to different external physical factors, as measured by brain
evoked potentials and sympathetic skin responses to visual and audio stimulation, c) arousal effect as
displayed in EEG and higher critical fusion frequency value. These data are in agreement with
physiological findings observed in some other studies on persons with perceived EHS.
There is no consensus about to what extent EMF are involved in this and if so what is the most biologically
relevant parameters of the EMF exposure. Current concepts of exposure assessment are based mostly on
frequency-intensity-duration characteristics. As pointed out in a recent comprehensive review of EMF
studies (WHO International EMF Project, 1997) there have been no completed study that specifically
investigated the possibility of biological effects from exposure to transients (from switching electric
currents) or high frequency harmonic fields superimposed on the 50/60 Hz fields encountered in residential
or working environments.
The goal of this project is to find out possible correlation between the dynamic of the physiological
processes and the EMF exposure characteristics for persons with perceived EHS and persons without EHS.
We will use long term monitoring of individual EMF exposure with simultaneous recording of basic
autonomous nervous system processes - ECG, HR and heart rate variability(HRV) - which are most
sensitive integral parameters of central and autonomous regulation. The EMF monitoring will be done
using EMDEX II and EMDEX Transient Counter. The ECG recording, using Tracker 2 (Reynolds Medical
Ltd UK), two channels 24 hour ambulatory tape recorder, will be done to detect possible transient
abnormalities of neuro-cardio-vascular regulation (arrhythmia's, extrasystols etc.) and to quantitatively
assess ongoing balance of sympatho-parasympathetic regulation. A standard program will detect and
calculate pathological events as well as dynamic of HR and HRV. The ECG data will also used to analyze
possible correlation with EMF characteristics.
Two groups of subjects (approx. 25 persons in each) will be included in the investigation. Patients with
perceived EHS symptoms will be selected from the Departments of Occupational Medicine and
Dermatology at the Norrland University Hospital (Ume, Sweden). Age and sex matched group of healthy
"office" workers will be used as control persons. The participant will wear the ECG and EMF recorders for
24 hours during a typical working day and maintain a concurrent diary of the activities during that time.

271

P-186
A STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL RF EXPOSURES AND MELATONIN RESPONSE. J.B. Burch,
M.G. Yost, J. Touchstone and J.S. Reif. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7243, USA.
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA.
We will conduct a comprehensive study of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures in a population of radio
frequency (RF) heat sealer operators and monitor changes in melatonin, a proposed biomarker of response
to EMF. The hypothesis of this study is that melatonin levels will decrease in the subjects exposed to RF
fields, in a pattern that mimics the dose-dependent decrease in melatonin we have observed previously in
studies of utility workers exposed to ELF magnetic fields. Melatonin has antioxidant properties and protects
against oxidative DNA damage in animals. Therefore, we will also measure a urinary marker of oxidative
DNA damage, 8-OHdG, to determine whether this biomarker is altered by RF-induced changes in melatonin
production. RF exposures at field strengths near and below those required to produce thermal effects are
found around a variety of occupational sources (heat sealers, computer terminals, telecommunications and
navigation equipment, industrial dielectric heaters, medical diathermy devices). To date, there have been no
occupational studies of human melatonin production following RF exposure, nor of combined exposure to
RF and 60 Hz fields. This study will be the most detailed exposure survey of RF heat sealer workers to
date, and will use state-of-the-art full-shift personal monitoring to document the diverse exposures to both
RF and power-frequency EMFs in this worker population. The exposed group will be heat sealer operators
and the comparison group will be comprised of persons in the same workplace without elevated RF
exposure. To monitor personal RF exposure, we will apply two novel instruments, one that characterizes
the induced ankle currents in the operators and a second that monitors electric and magnetic field
components. The EMDEX II meter will be used to characterize 60 Hz exposures. The study will use taskbased assessment with time-activity records to identify tasks that contribute to the greatest exposures. This
will help identify important exposure scenarios for possible engineering changes or other controls. Potential
confounders such as solvent exposures have been identified and will be controlled in the analysis, and effect
modifiers such as ambient light exposure will be evaluated concurrently. The application of induced body
currents for free ranging subjects is a novel approach that can be applied to other RF exposed occupational
populations where whole body exposure is a concern. Understanding the benefits and limitations of
improved personal monitoring methods for RF exposures in the workplace could provide new tools for
worker assessment in emerging technologies that use the RF spectrum.
This study is sponsored by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

P-187
EFFECTS OF RADIOCELLULAR TELEPHONES ON HUMAN SLEEP. F. Espa1, B. Ondze1, A.
Besset1, M. Billiard1 and R. de Seze2. 1Unit des Troubles du Sommeil et de l'Eveil, hpital Gui de
Chauliac 34295 Montpellier cedex 5 France; 2Laboratoire de Biophysique Mdicale, CHU Nmes 30907
Nmes cedex 2 France.
INTRODUCTION: The increasing use of radiocellular telephones (RCT) has raised the problem of its
effects on human health. In an attempt to test the effects of exposure to RCT on sleep, a preliminary study
was conducted in our sleep laboratory using GSM 900 type (Global System for Mobile at 900 MHz).
SUBJECTS: 8 subjects (7 female and 1 male aged 25.7 3.8 years) who never used RCT previously were
selected and randomly divided into two groups: 5 with emitting RCT and 3 with non-emitting RCT.
STUDY DESIGN: The subjects underwent 3 selection and habituation nights of sleep recording (night
polysomnography: NPSG) in order to be included in the study as good sleepers. 2 baseline NPSG (N0, N1)
were performed 2 weeks later. At day 3 (D3) subjects began the exposure period (EP). Subjects came to
the lab and were "exposed" (sitting on a chair, hanging a RCT and watching a movie on TV in order to
sustain attention) during 4 weeks (until D28) 2 hours/day, 5 days/week from 06:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.m. In the
272

middle (N14, N15) and at the end (N28, N29) of EP two new NPSG were performed. Finally two last
NPSG were performed 2 weeks later in order to appreciate the reversibility of possible effects of RCT on
sleep.
METHODS: Classical methods were used for NPSG: 2 channels of electroencephalography, 2 channels of
electrooculography, 1 channel of chin electromyography and 1 channel of electrocardiography. Sleep
macrostructure was analysed according to Retschaffen and Kales criteria and sleep microstructure was
assessed by means of spectral analysis (Embla recorder).
RESULTS: There was no difference between the 2 groups and between all of the different periods of the
study on polysomnographic data (total sleep time, sleep stage latencies, percentage of occupation of each
sleep stage, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency) and spectral analysis did not reveal any disturbance of
power density in any frequency band (0.5-25 Hz). Finally, the exponential decay of slow wave activity
(best homeostatic process marker) was similar in the 2 groups during all of the experiment periods.
CONCLUSION: No effect of RCT has been found in this study but the limited number of subjects does not
allow such a conclusion. Complementary studies with more subjects are needed to confirm these
preliminary results.
Research supported by a BOUYGUES TELECOM grant.

ANIMAL STUDIES
P-188
0.5 T STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD, GEOMAGNETIC FIELD AND VERAPAMIL, A CALCIUM
CHANNEL BLOCKNG AGENT EFFECT ON BAROREFLEX SENSITIVITY. J. Gmitrov*1,2 and C.
Ohkubo*1. 1Department of Physiological Hygiene, The National Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, 108,
Japan. 2IV Internal Medicine Clinic, L. Pasteur Faculty Hospital, Kosice, 041 91, Slovak Republic.
The objective was to study the static magnetic field (SMF) effect on sinocarotid baroreceptors with
decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) induced by a calcium channel blocking agent administration, and to
study geomagnetic field influence on BRS and actual hemodynamic parameters. Fifty-four experimental
runs were made in 11 healthy Japanese White rabbits (27 sham controls, and 27 SMF series) in the National
Institute of Public Health in Tokyo from 09. 20 1996 to 01.24. 1997. Phasic and mean femoral artery blood
pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) derived electronically from phasic arterial pressure were recorded
simultaneously in each rabbit by Nihon Kohden polygraph during the entire experiment. BRS was assessed
with steady-state method (BRSSS) that measured changes in heart rate (HR) during phenylephrine-induced
blood pressure and HR variations, and by means of spectral analysis estimating the transfer function from
MAP to HR (BRSTF). BRS, MAP, HR, HR SD and MAP SD were measured before and after 40 min of
sham or 0.5 T Nd2-Fe14-B alloy magnet (PIP-Tokyo Corporation) local exposure to the sinocarotid
baroreceptor region, accompanied by the calcium channel blocking agent, verapamil infusion at 20
g/kg/min. The approximate field at the sight of baroreceptors, which were located about 0.5 cm from the
pole faces, was 0.35 T. For each section of the experiment (control - exposure - exposure cessation) the
mean value and standard deviation of the means of measured hemodynamic parameters were calculated
using a KYOWA (DAA-110 B) data analyzer with sampling time of 100 ms. Rabbits were under sedation
induced by pentobarbital infusion (5 mg/kg/h). In addition we studied geomagnetic field (GMF)
disturbance association with BRS and measured hemodynamic parameters using pooled controls of both
sham and SMF series. GMF disturbance was estimated by K-index during actual experiment. The values of
K-index were kindly supplied by the nearby Kakioka Magnetic Observatory. We found that SMF
prevented the significant decrease of BRS induced by verapamil administration (2.30.1 - 1.70.2* vs.
2.30.1 - 2.10.1 bpm/mmHg; SHAM vs. SMF, *p < 0.05). SMF did not significantly alter MAP, HR,
MAP SD and HR SD. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant (1) positive correlation
between K and HR (p<0.027), (2) a significant negative correlation between K and BRSSS (p<0.046), K and
273

MAP SD (p<0.038), and (3) a nonsignificant trend toward increase of MAP and decrease of BRSTF in the
days with larger geomagnetic activity. A number of recent clinical studies have indicated that baroreceptor
dysfunction, decreased BRS and increase in HR positively correlate with sudden cardiac death, occurrence
of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular complications of diabetes mellitus and others. Therefore observed
beneficial effect of 0.5 T SMF on sinocarotid baroreceptors with decreased BRS may have a wide range of
clinical application in cardiovascular pathology. Increase of HR and MAP indicate elevated sympathetic
tone which in combination with BRS decrease can result in the enlargement of blood pressure swings on
days with intense geomagnetic activity. This may be one explanation of the greater incidence of severe
cardiovascular events during magnetic storms associated with solar flares. Diurnal and seasonal GMF
variations should be carefully monitored for forecasting geomagnetic storms and making prophylactic
measurements in patients at high cardiovascular risk. It is especially important in 2000 when peaks 11 year
sunspot cycle. We recommend adapting therapy for hypertension on days with intense geomagnetic
activity, to moderate the circadian blood pressure amplitude elevation that is a larger independent risk factor
for ischemic stroke and other severe cardiovascular pathology. 0.35 T SMF may be effective for this
purpose as well as in other cardiovascular pathology with baroreceptor malfunction. The results here
complement our previous findings that arterial baroreceptors react to natural and artificial magnetic fields
(Electro- Magnetobiol. 17, 1988; 19, 1999). Further experiments are needed to support this point of view,
but it is probable that living beings use the same sensitive structures such as photoreceptors, and
mechanoreceptors, to respond to both their normal modalities and natural or artificial magnetic input.

FIG 1. Bar graphs showing percent change in baroreflex sensitivity calculated from results of the steadystate (SS) and transfer function (TF) methods. Open bars, sham exposure; filled bars, SMF exposure. TF I,
TF after exposure + verapamil infusion; TF II, TF after exposure cessation; TF III, TF after verapamil
infusion cessation. Verapamil caused a significant decrease in baroreflex sensitivity in sham series. In SMF
series the decrease was significant only after SMF cessation. Values are presented as means SEM; ***p <
0.005 (ANOVA on ranks); *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.005 (Mann-Whitney rank sum test). MAP, mean arterial
pressure; HR, heart rate (Electro- Magnetobiol, 18, 43-56, 1999).

274

Fig. 2. Multiple linear regression analysis model of the relation between K-index, baroreflex sensitivity
(BRSSS) and heart rate (HR). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between K-index and
BRSSS (n = 40, p < 0.046), and positive between K-index and HR (n = 40, p < 0.027). This indicates
increased sympathetic tone and arterial baroreceptor malfunction in the days with intense geomagnetic
activity associated with solar flares.

P-189
EFFECTS OF 50 Hz HORIZONTALLY POLARIZED MAGNETIC FIELDS ON CHEMICALLY
INDUCED MAMMARY TUMORS IN RATS. T. Negishi1, S. Imai*1, K. Shibuya*2, M. Itabashi*2, I.
Nishimura1 and T. Sasano*1. 1Bio-Science Department, Central Research Institute of Electric Power
Industry, 1646 Abiko, Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan. 2Contract Testing Department, Nippon Institute for
Biological Science, 2221-1 Shin-machi 9, Ome, Tokyo 198-0024, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Several epidemiological studies have suggested that occupational exposure to power
frequency magnetic fields (MF) might increase the risk of breast cancer. In addition, several in vivo studies
have also suggested that exposure to 50 Hz horizontally polarized MF might promote the chemically
induced mammary gland tumors in rats. The objective of this study is to elucidate the possible promotional
effects of 50 Hz horizontally polarized MF exposure in female Sprague-Dawley (Crj:CD) rats after a single
administration of chemical carcinogen.
METHODS: A total of 360 female rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 60 rats each. One group
was served as a vehicle control (sesame oil only ; negative control group). Other animals were initiated
with a single oral administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene; DMBA, 30 mg/kg body weight at 5052 days of age, which dosage was selected from the results obtained in the preliminary dose-finding study.
After initiation, one group was served as a positive control group, fed a diet containing 10% corn oil without
MF exposure. Other four groups were simultaneously exposed to 0 (sham-exposed), 5, 50 or 250 T(rms),
continuous horizontally polarized 50 Hz MF, 22 hrs/day, 7 days/week for 26 weeks after one week of
DMBA administration. Animals were observed every day for their clinical signs, weighed, and palpated
weekly to assess the appearance and the development of mammary gland nodules. Histopathological
examination of tissues and organs, including mammary glands, is in progress. Experiment was done under
SPF condition and all procedures have been conducted in a blinded manner.
RESULTS: In the present study, one to three animals died during the experiment in the positive control and
4 MF-exposed groups, but not in the negative control group. The first nodule was palpated at the 5th to 7th
week of experiment in the positive and 4 MF-exposed groups. The incidence of palpable mammary gland
nodules in these 5 groups showed the statistically significant increase compared with that in the negative
275

control group from the 10th week of experiment. However, there was no statistically significant difference
in the incidence of palpable mammary nodules between 4 MF-exposed groups. Furthermore, the numbers
of palpable mammary gland nodule per live animal and per animal bearing mammary nodule were also not
statistically significant different between 4 MF-exposed groups.
CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it was not supported that continuous horizontally polarized 50 Hz
magnetic fields at up to 250 T affect the incidence and the number of chemically induced mammary gland
nodules in female SD rats under the present experimental conditions.
This study is funded by the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, the Ministry of International Trade
and Industry (MITI), Japan.
P-190
CAN 50 HZ MAGNETIC FIELDS ALTER IRON METABOLISM AND INDUCE ANEMIA? L.
Devevey1*, H. Brugre2*, J. Lambrozo, M. Bernard*, M. Debray, C. Patinot1*, J.J. Guillosson1* and J.
Nafziger1*. 1Laboratoire dHmatologie Cellulaire et Molculaire, UPRES-EA 2509, UFR des Sciences
Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 4 avenue de lObservatoire, 75006 Paris, France. 2Laboratoire de
Physiologie Thrapeutique, Ecole Nationale Vtrinaire dAlfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
OBJECTIVE: Modifications of iron metabolism were recently reported in a population living within 200
meters of 2x400 kV power lines (Coutiches, France). A significant increase of the percentage of adults
exhibiting lower serum iron concentration and higher total iron binding capacity (estimated serum
transferrin) than an age and sex-matched control population was found. In addition, some variations of
hemoglobin level and hematocrit were observed in animal studies after exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields
(MFs). Therefore, we conducted experiments to investigate whether 50 Hz MF exposure could induce
modifications of iron metabolism and anemia in rats.
METHODS: The study was performed in male Brown Norway rats 4-5 weeks old. A total of 225 rats was
used for the experiments: 125 controls and 100 rats exposed to a sinusoidal 50 Hz MF of 500 T for 15
weeks (18h / day; 7 days / week). Blood hematological parameters were determined each week on 25
controls and 25 MF exposed rats: red blood cell counts, hemoglobin level, hematocrit, mean cell volume,
mean cell hemoglobin and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. Differential bone marrow cell counts were
performed on 25 controls and 25 MF exposed animals on weeks 3 and 15. Serum iron and ferritin levels
and total iron binding capacity were determined on weeks 3, 5, 10 and 15. The percentage of sideroblasts
was evaluated on bone marrow smears obtained on weeks 3 and 15. Spleen and liver were taken on weeks
3, 5 ,10 and 15 to evaluate their total iron content.
RESULTS: In general, no significant or consistent differences were detected between the MF exposed and
control animals in the different hematological parameters related to red cell lineage and in the parameters
related to iron metabolism, although some inconsistent and random differences were occasionally observed
for hemoglobin and total iron binding capacity. The evaluation of spleen and liver total iron content are
under investigation.
CONCLUSION: These data indicate that exposure of rats to a MF intensity of 500 T for 15 weeks did not
induce anemia. In addition, the preliminary results obtained under our experimental conditions on
parameters related to iron metabolism did not allow to support the changes reported in humans.
This work was supported by Electricit de France (EDF).

276

P-191
THYROID GLAND MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL ALTERATIONS UNDER ELF-EMF INFLUENCE
AND ITS RESTITUTION AFTER THE EXPOSURE PERIOD. V. Rajkovic1, M. Matavulj1, T. Lukac1
and B. Lazetic 2. 1Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science, 2Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty,
University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine the effect of alternating extremely low
frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on the structure of male rat thyroid gland follicles and
interfollicular tissue, the thyroid hormone level and the possible morpho-functional recovery of the gland
after exposure period.
METHOD: A total of 89 Mill Hill rats were used in this experiment. Forty-seven animals were exposed to
50 Hz EMF of decaying intensity along the animals cages from 500 T ( at the side of the cage near the coil
which produced EMF) to 50 T (at the opposite side of the cage) while the intensity of electric field was 10
V/m, from 24 hours after birth, 7 hours a day, 5 days a week for three months. After this period, animals
were divided into four groups. First group (group I) of animals was sacrificed when exposure period was
completed, while the rest of animals were subjected to recovery evaluation of the gland and sacrificed after
one (group II), two (group III) and three (group IV) weeks after three months of EMF exposure. Control
animals for each EMF exposed group were housed to identical conditions excepting the EMF. Histological
and stereological analyses of thyroid gland were performed on paraffin slices stained with haematoxylineosin and PAS alcian blue. Semifine sections stained with toluidine blue-cresyl violet were also used for
histological analysis. Serum T3 and T4 concentrations were determined by radioimmunological analysis
(RIA).
RESULTS: The most prominent morphological changes of thyroid gland were the absence of apical
protrusions on thyrocites, common presence of large colloid droplets in these cells and appearance of
follicles with extremely low epithelium in group I, group II and group III, while thickness of follicular
epithelium in group IV was almost same as in control group. Colloid in the follicles of the first three EMF
exposed groups of animals was amassed, generally homogenous and explicitly PAS positive, while in group
IV the amount of intrafollicular colloid was similar to control group. Stereological analysis showed the
increased volume density of thyroidal follicles (p<0.05), decreased thyroidal activation index (p<0.01) and
decreased volume density of interfollicular tissue (p<0.01) after three months of ELF-EMF exposure, while
values of all these parameters after three weeks of recovery period following the EMF exposure were
similar to corresponding controls. After insignificant rise of T4 and insignificant fall of T3 in group I,
serum T4 and T3 concentrations were significantly (p<0.01) lower in all other EMF exposed animals
compared to adequate controls.
DISCUSSION: Results of our experimental study showed that after significant changes caused by ELFEMF exposure, thyroid gland recovered morphologically, as measured by histological and stereological
parameters, but not physiologically, in a period of three weeks after three months of ELF-EMF exposure,
but at this point, it is difficult to predict the possible mechanism by which ELF-EMF affected thyroid gland
and caused the obtained changes. The question arise here whether these changes may be the result of the
direct influence on the gland or indirect via some factors which can affect thyroid activity.

P-192
RESPONSE OF THYROID GLAND ON SUBCHRONICAL INFLUENCE OF EXTREMELY LOW
FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD. M. Matavulj1, V. Rajkovic1, T. Lukac1, G. Uscebrka2
and B. Lazetic 3. 1Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science, 2Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture,
3
Department of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and thyroid has been studied nearly
25 y. Although the data base has grown substantially over past decades, much of the information
277

concerning EMF effects on thyroid gland is generally inconclusive, incomplete and sometimes
contradictory. The available data imply that the thyroidal response to the EMF extremely heterogenous with
regard to lasting of exposition and to field strength and frequency. Our purpose in this study was to
determine the effect of low frequency electromagnetic field ELF-EMF of intensities to which humans can be
exposed in their homes and work environment, on thyroid morphology.
METHOD: In this study 16 male Mill Hill rats were used. Eight animals were exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF
of a decaying intensity along the animals cages from 1000 T to 60 T for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week,
beginning from 24 h after birth until the end of five months. Eight control animals were housed to identical
conditions like exposed animals except for the ELF-EMF. After sacrificing, thyroids were removed and
fixed in Bouin's solution. Paraffin-embedded thyroids were cut serially in four-micrometer sections stained
after with haematoxylin-eosin. Every forth section from the middle of the gland to the periphery was
subjected to histological and stereological analysis.
RESULTS: Five months exposure to the ELF-EMF didn't change significantly the volume density of
follicular epithelium while volume density: of thyroidal follicles (p<0.01) and colloid (p<0.01) were
significantly decreased. In same time index of activation of the thyroid gland (which represent ratio
between volume density of epithelium and colloid) (p<0.01) and volume density of interfollicular tissue
(p<0.01) were significantly increased. In regard to the cytological changes prominent dilatation of some
thyroid follicles in the central part of gland was noticed which were lining with vary low epithelium. Also,
follicles with vary high epithelium in some region were noticed.
DISCUSSION: The present study gives evidence that long-term exposition to ELF-EMF can disturb
normal thyroidal structure and data generated in it will eventually help epidemiologists and other
researchers to better assess the confounding effects of home and workplace magnetic field on
neuroendocrine based heath effects studies. Additional analyses of full data set are in progress.

P-193
EFFECTS OF RF FIELDS AT THE FREQUENCIES OF CELLULAR PHONES ON AUDITORY
SYSTEM OF EXPOSED RATS. P. Galloni*, M. Piscitelli*, D. Asta*, G.A. Lovisolo* and C. Marino*.
Section of toxicology and biomedical science, ENEA Casaccia, 00060 Rome, Italy.
It has been accepted that the presence of sound elicited emission in the ear canal may represent an active
nonlinear mechanism within the cochlea. Distortion-product otoacustic emissions (DPOAE) are elicited by
2 pure tone at different frequencies generated by or in connection with the outer hair cell in the cochlea. A
number of studies have already shown the dependence of DPOE properties on cochlear status; the
physiological character of the outer hair cells and small but significant changes in the characteristics of
otoacustic emissions may serve as an indicator of outer hair cell subclinical or clinical pathology.
OBJECTIVE: This work has been performed to evaluate possible effects on the cochlea functionality of
the rat after exposure to electromagnetic fields at the frequencies of mobile communications (900 MHz).
METHOD: While in previous experience a far-field situation was adopted [1,2,3], to obtain a near-field
condition, simulating the daily use of a cellular phone, a set of loop antennas [3] was chosen as EM source
for localized exposure. A first test was carried out exposing 6 animals (male Sprague Dawley rats weighted
about 250 gr.) using a two antennas system; for the subsequent experiment a four antennas set has been
performed, treating 12 animals (each protocol involved an equal number of sham exposed rats). Animals
were exposed to a 900 MHz field, 1 W/kg of SAR, 3 hours/day, 5 days/week.
DPOAE were measured before and after the exposure at 0 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours (in the later experiment
a measurement at one week after has been also carried out) in all animals under general gas (HalothaneN2O/O2) anesthesia. The following acoustic frequencies were tested: F1 2600 - F2 3174 Hz, F1 3284 - F2
4004, F1 4126 - F2 5042 Hz, F1 5200 - F2 6348 using the ILO equipment (ILO 92 for the fist, ILO 96 for
the second experiment) by Otodynamics (L.t.D.).
278

RESULTS: No significant variations in the level of DPOAEs have been observed in animals at any time of
evaluation, neither in first nor in second test.
CONCLUSION: Protocols with a prolonged overall exposure time will be performed to test eventually
exposure time dependence. Other experiments involving different frequency (1800 MHz, 217 Hz
modulation) and higher field strength are also in progress.
1. G Cristalli, P Galloni, S Mancini, P Pasqualetti, M Piscitelli, GA Lovisolo and C Marino, Effects of 900
MHz electromagnetic fields on distortion product of rats using a new-project exposure system: preliminary
results, poster presentation at 20th annual meeting of BEMS, St. Pete Beach, Florida, June 7-11, 1998;
2. C Marino, G Cristalli, P Galloni, P Pasqualetti , M Piscitelli, GA Lovisolo. "Effects of Microwaves (900
MHz) on the cochlear receptor: exposure systems and preliminary results". Radiation and Environmental
Biophysics, in press.
3. G Cristalli, P Galloni, P Pasqualetti , M Piscitelli , and C Marino. Effects on auditory system in rats
exposed to electromagnetic field at the frequencies of cellular phones. 4th European Bioelectromagnetic
Association Congress, Zagreb, 21st-22nd November 1998.

P-194
ELF MAGNETIC FIELDS IN DIFFERENT INFANT INCUBATORS. G. Anger*1, K. Sderberg*2
and M. Feychting2. 1Swedish Radiation Protection Institute, S-171 16, Stockholm, Sweden. 2Institute of
Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE: Several epidemiological studies have shown an elevated risk of leukaemia among children
living near high-power transmission lines. The results are, however, inconclusive and often based on few
cases. Previous measurements of some single infant incubators have revealed that magnetic fields inside
incubators are often considerably stronger than fields that can be measured at a distance of 50 metres from
transmission lines. The magnetic field exposure of neonatal children nursed in incubators can be used as a
different approach to test the leukaemia-hypothesis. This study, therefore, describes the measurement of
magnetic fields of almost all models of incubators that have been in use at Swedish hospitals during the last
thirty to thirty-five years, comprising all together 68 incubators including 16 models from six
manufacturers.
METHOD: A standard procedure for measurements of the flux density of 50 Hz magnetic field was
established after interviewing an experienced nurse at the neonatal ward of Karolinska hospital. During
measurements the environmental factors affecting the strength of the magnetic field resembled the actual
nursing conditions as closely as possible. When possible at least three incubators of each model are
measured. For six of the models (1a, 1c, 2c, 3a, 4d+ and 5a, se figure 1), however, only one or two
incubators were available. After replacing the mattress of the incubator bed with a 1 cm thick plastic plate
and elevating the left-hand side of the bed to a standard position of 10 cm above the bottom, each incubator
is measured at three defined spots (C, L, R), 15 minutes each, corresponding to the position of the infants
body. The measurement of the rms magnetic flux density is done with a calibrated Combinova MFM10
magnetic field meter adjusted to a sample rate of six seconds. After the hood has been turned down and all
the arm-ports have been closed the air temperature of the incubator is set to 33 C and the humidity level is
adjusted to maximum. The ambient air temperature is held at 23-24 C. Measurements of the magnetic
field start when the air temperature inside the incubator is stable. At the central spot one additional 15
minutes long measurement is performed with both the frontal arm-ports open. Measurements of about 30
incubators were done in the lab according to this procedure. In hospitals a shorter protocol could be used
when this did not affect the measurement results in a considerable way. Additional measurements are also
done at other positions and with the bed at its lower horizontal position in order to look for the strongest
field inside the incubator.
RESULTS: Figure 1 shows the mean value of the magnetic flux density B measured at three positions C, L
and R inside the incubators. The lowest field, 0.07 T, was found at position L in incubator 3a1 and the
279

strongest field, 7.58 T, was found at position R in incubator 2b11. The ambient magnetic fields varied
between 0.01 and 0.05 T.
DISCUSSION: The main sources for magnetic fields inside incubators are air heaters, blower motors and
other electric components, for example transformers. All incubator models, except 1a and 1b, run with
internal heating consisting of electromechanical or microprocessor controlled air heaters situated beneath
the incubator bed or at the rear of the hood. The other models are warmed by means of a heat-producing
lamp outside the incubator. These incubators are provided with a potentiometer or an adjustable transformer
in order to control the lamp manually. All models, with exception of 1a, 1b and 4d, are also equipped with a
blower, even that one situated beneath the bed and operating all the time the incubator is switched on. All
models except 4d are supplied with an air humidifier, too, which in some models is furnished with an
additional heater. The relative location of all these components, their different working conditions in time
and the superposition of their fields determine the magnetic field distribution inside the incubators. In most
of the models the strongest field has been measured at position R, but in models 1a, 1b and 4d+ the fields
are stronger at position L than at the other positions, and in incubators 1e and 4c the fields are strongest at
position C. Measured field values of incubators of the same model correspond quite well with each other.
There are, however, two exceptions: Fields in incubator 2a8 and incubator 2b11 are as much as 10 20
times stronger than fields in the other incubators of model 2a and model 2b. These stronger fields are
caused by a different type of blower motor those incubators are supplied with.
Figure 1: Mean value of magnetic flux density measured at three spots inside 68 incubators (with closed arm-ports)
8
7
6

4
3
2
1

280

6b3

6a2

6b1

6a1 5a2

4d+1
5a14d+4

4d1

4d3

4c1

4b1

4a4

4b3

4c3

4c5

Designation of incubators: First number: manufacturer,

small letter: model, second number: sample
Measurement spots: C: central, L: 11.5 cm to the left of
C, R: 11.5 cm to the right of C

4a1
4a2

2b11

3a1
2c1

2b7

Incubator

2b9

2b3

2b5

2a7

2b1

2a3

R
2a5

2a1

1d8

L
C
1d10
1e1
1e2

1d4

1d6

1c1
1d1
1d2

0
1a1
1b1
1b2

B (T)

Position

P-195
EFFECTS OF 2.45 GHz CW MICROWAVE ON PHYSICAL ENDURANCE AND
MOTIVATIONAL LEVELS IN RATS. S.-T. Lu, S.P. Mathur* and Y. Akyel*. McKessonHBOC
BioServices, U.S. Army Medical Research Detachment, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235, USA.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of CW microwave on the physical performance and the
level of motivation in rats that received a graded dose of 2.45 GHz continuous-wave microwaves. A rodent
treadmill and electrical stimuli were used. Rats were provided with a choice between running on a treadmill
moving surface or receiving electrical stimuli at 1 s intervals. Physical endurance was defined as the total
run time until exhaustion on the treadmill operated at 25 m/min and 8 inclination. Exhaustion was defined
operationally when an animal failed to keep in pace with the treadmill moving surface and received
motivational stimuli continuously for 20 s. At 25 m/min and 8 inclination, the work intensity was 29
W/kg. This level of work intensity was about 5 times the basal metabolic rate and 78-80% of the maximum
aerobic power of an endurance trained rat. Adult male Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (n= 22) were trained
under a familiarization protocol (10 m/min at 8 inclination) for 10 min each day for 5 consecutive days. By
the end of training sessions, rats spent less than 10 s on the stimulus grid during the 10 min familiarization
session. Three to 4 days after training, rats were run at 25 m/min and 8 inclination till exhaustion.
Baseline data of total run time and cumulative time on the stimulus grid were recorded. One week after the
first exhaustion run, rats were exposed randomly to 2.45 GHz CW microwaves in a circularily polarized
waveguide exposure system at sham (n= 6), 0.3 W/kg (n= 6), 3.0 W/kg (n= 5) and 6.0 W/kg (n= 5) for 30
min. Twenty-four hours after the exposure, total run time and cumulative time on the stimulus grid were
again evaluated at 25 m/min and 8 inclination. Results failed to indicate the existence of a microwave
effect on physical performance or motivation level of rats.

This work was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command under contract No.
DAMD 17-94-C-4069 with the McKessonHBOC BioServices. The views, opinions and/or findings
contained in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official Department of
Army position, policy or decision unless so designated by other documents. Approved for public release.
Distribution is unlimited.

281

P-196
CAN MODERATE MAGNETIC FIELDS SUPPRESS PAIN? H. Tatsuoka1, T. Suzuki2, and S. Ueno 3.
1
Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Pharmacology, School of Medecine, Chiba University, 1-8-1
Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan. 3Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Tokyo,
Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: Several studies have reported on the physiological and theoretical effects of magnetic fields
on neurotransduction. These studies, however, mainly concentrated on intact nerve fibers, and almost none
on degenerative fibers. We used a suitable animal model with moderate spinal cord injury to investigate the
magnetic effects on neurotransduction, especially the blocking effects of the posterior funiculus
neurotransduction of the spinal cord, which is the pathway of pain.
METHOD: 6 Male Wister rats, weighing 250-300g, were used in this experiment. Moderate spinal cord
injury was performed by applying an 8 g weight on either side of a thread, which was placed at the rat spinal
level T13 for 5 min. In this case, rats usually recovered within 2 weeks after laminectomy. The forepaw
and hindpaw was stimulated electrically, and the compound action potential through the posterior funicullus
was recorded by bipolar silver ball electrodes placed on the ipsilateral posterior funiculus at the spinal level
C1 10 days after laminectomy. During this time, the rat spinal cord still underwent moderate degeneration.
The yoke shaped 0.3-0.4 T static magnet was placed on T13 (direction of the magnetic fields was almost
parallel to the direction of neurotransduction). The spinal cords of several rats were fixed for light
microscopic and electron microscopic studies.
RESULTS: The compound action potential was gradually affected, and the velocity of neurotransduction
decreased by almost 10-20 % after 2-hour magnetic exposure. This reduction was only observed when the
magnet was placed on the spinal level T13. Morphological differences of posterior funiculus fibers with or
without magnet were not detected.
DISCUSSION: We observed a brief decrease of neurotransduction velocity with moderate magnetic field
strength. Although the reasons for this decrease have yet to be clarified, magnetic fields might affect the ion
channels of degenerative or regenerating nerve fibers in the posterior funiculus of the spinal cord.

P-197
EFFECTS OF ACUTE MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE ON MELATONIN PRODUCTION IN
MICE. T. Kumlin1, P. Heikkinen1, J. Laitinen2* and J. Juutilainen1. 1Department of Environmental
Sciences and 2Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio,
Finland.
OBJECTIVE: The reducing effect of magnetic fields (MFs) on melatonin production of pineal gland has
been suggested to be one explanation for the reported carcinogenic effects of MFs. Melatonin is thought to
have cancer protective effects. Our aim was to test the effect of an acute MF exposure on the melatonin
production in mice. We used a mouse strain that has earlier shown effects of MFs on tumor development
(Kumlin et al. 1998 Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 73:113-121).
METHODS: Sixty female mice (BALB/c x DBA/2) were used. Half of the mice were exposed to vertical
50 Hz (100 T) MF and the rest were sham-exposed. The animals were put into the metabolic cages for a
night 1, 3, 7, 14, 16 and 23 days after the beginning of MF exposure. The nocturnal excretion of the main
metabolite of melatonin, 6-hydroxy melatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) was determined from the urine collected
over the night. To study the difference between the night and daytime 6-OHMS excretion the urine was
collected for 12 hours both during daytime and nighttime. The concentration of 6-OHMS in urine is thought
to reflect the production of melatonin. The number of animals per one cage (one sample) was 3. The
intensity of light was 200 lux during daytime and less than 1 lux during nights (7 pm-7 am). At the end of
the study the pineal glands of the mice were dissected for the analyses of melatonin content. The animals
were killed at five different time points during one hour before and after the middle of the dark period. The
282

aim was to catch the melatonin peak that has been reported to be at the middle of the dark period. The
animals were killed and the organs were removed and frozen in dry ice under dim red light.
RESULTS: The mouse strain used in the present study seems to lack the diurnal melatonin rhythm or at
least the rhythm is very weak. The MF exposure caused significantly (p= 0.01, paired t-test, two tailed)
elevated nocturnal levels of 6-OHMS, however. There is no difference between the exposed and the nonexposed animals in the excretion of 6-OHMS during the 24-hour period.
DISCUSSION: The production of melatonin is very weak in the mouse strain used in the present study
compared to many other strains. This is characteristic to many inbred strains for which the diurnal rhythm
of melatonin does not seem to offer any advantage like for their wild relatives. Also the light-regulated
natural rhythm of melatonin seems to be absent when measured as an excreted 6-OHMS in urine. The
exposure to MF seems to cause a rhythm in the 6-OHMS excretion, however, so that the excretion is weak
at daytime and clearly stronger at night. The finding does not support reduced melatonin production in MFexposed animals, but nevertheless suggests effects of MF on the pineal gland. The biological meaning of
this effect is not known. More studies are needed with this same mouse strain and also with mice that have
a normal melatonin rhythm.
This work was supported by the Finnish Energy Industries Federation (Finergy), Finland.
P-198
EFFECT OF A STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD ON RAT DUODENUM SPONTANEOUS
CONTRACTILE ACTIVITY IN VITRO. R. Santini1, L. Bonhomme-Faivre*2, M. Seigne*1. 1Institut
National des Sciences Appliquees, Laboratoire de Biochimie-Pharmacologie, 69621 Villeurbanne, France.
2
Hopital Paul Brousse, Service Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, 94800 Villejuif, France.
INTRODUCTION: According to animal species, in vitro frequencies of duodenum spontaneous contractile
activity are different: example for rat and rabbit, duodenum mean ( SD) frequencies are respectively 33
(3) and 15 (1) contractions per minute (1). Results from our laboratory have shown that low level
microwave irradiation has an inhibiting effect on rat intestinal myoelectrical activity (2) and that extremely
low frequency and static magnetic fields can modulate drugs effects at intestine level in vivo and in vitro (34). Here we have studied the effect of a static magnetic field on rat duodenum frequency of spontaneous
contractile activity in vitro.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Eight Wistar adult male rats (Iffa Credo. France) were sacrificed and a
portion of 2 cm of their duodenum was introduced in a 25 ml isolated tissue bath full of Tyrode solution,
oxygenated and maintained at a constant temperature of 37 0.5 C (Magnus Technic). Duodenum
spontaneous contractile activity was recorded on an oscillograph by the way of an isotonic transducer
(Harvard Apparatus Inc. Holliston. USA). Magnetic field was generated by a magnet (Alphapole Society.
69009 Lyon. France) which induced, in the isolated tissue bath, a south (negative polarity) magnetic field of
56 millitesla (Gaussmeter. Mod. 4048. FW Bell. Orlando. USA). Frequencies (per minute) of duodenum
spontaneous contractile activity were established from recordings during periods without and with the
presence (since 15 minutes) of the static magnetic field. Comparison of duodenum frequencies was
performed by use of non parametric rank test of Mann-Whitney.
RESULTS: Table 1 shows that the frequency of rat duodenum spontaneous contractile activity is not
significantly modified by the presence of a static magnetic field.
Periods

Frequencies (per minute) of rat duodenum

spontaneous contractile activity in vitro (M SEM)
- Without the static magnetic field.
34.0 0.9
- With the static magnetic field.
34.4 0.9
Table 1: Frequencies per minute (M SEM) of rat duodenum spontaneous contractile activity in vitro during
periods without and with presence of a static magnetic field.
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CONCLUSION: In our experimental conditions, the frequency of rat duodenum spontaneous contractile
activity in vitro is not significantly affected by the presence during 15 minutes of a static magnetic field of
56 millitesla. This result is in agreement with the fact that frequency of duodenum spontaneous contractile
activity is a steady parameter of animal digestive physiology which is not easily altered (1).
References.
(1) R. Santini. Recherche de facteurs biochimiques et morphologiques impliqus dans le dterminisme des
activits digestives motrices. Thse Doctorat s-sciences. 1974. 182 pages.
(2) R. Santini, P. Deschaux. Incidence of low-level microwave irradiation on intestinal myoelectrical
activity in the rat. Health Physics. 1983. 45: 775-778.
(3) R. Santini. Incidence of 50 and 100 Hz magnetic field on digestive transit in mice: Modulation of
atropine effect. In: Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine. Martin Blanck Editor. 1993. 825827.
(4) R. Santini, L. Bonhomme-Faivre, M. Seigne et al. Incidence of a static magnetic field on melatonininduced relaxation of rat duodenum in vitro. BEMS 21st Meeting, 1999. Abstract book, pages 199-200.

P-199
THE EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE ON CALCIUM EFFLUX RATE OF SPM IN RAT BRAIN AND
ITS MECHANISM. Z. Zhao1, Y. Xu1, and S. Zhang2. 1Department of Occupational Health, 2Department
of Biophysics, Beijing Medical University, Beijing, 100083 P R China.
OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of nonthermal effect by the effect of microwave on calcium efflux
of synaptosome membrane(SPM) in the rat brain.
MATERIALS and METHODS: TEM Cell at 450 MHz was used either with 16 Hz modulated signal or
without it. The rats were divided into some groups according different field strength(0.75, 0.1, 0 mW/cm2),
different exposure time(15,5,0 min) with or without modulated signal. SPM was isolated by Rendon and
Guo Zuo method. Calcium efflux rate was measured by Lin-Liu method. Ca2+ Mg2+ ATPase was
determined by Reinila method. Membrane lipid fluid was measured by Lin Ke Chun method. Adenylate
cyclase(AC) was determined by cAMP method.
RESULTS: Increased calcium efflux rate of SPM by microwave(450 MHz) at 0.75 mW/cm2 with
modulation(16 Hz), increased activity of Ca2+ Mg2+ ATPase at 0.75 mW/cm2 with and without modulation
as well as increased activity of AC at 0.75 mW/cm2 without modulation were found. No change was found
in membrane lipid fluid.
CONCLUSION: Calcium efflux rate of SPM was changed by microwave(450 MHz) at lower field strength
(<l mW/cm2) with modulated signal(16 Hz). Calcium pump and AC-cAMP were involved in the regulation
of calcium efflux due to microwave exposure.

P-200
AUDITORY EVOKED RESPONSES TO COMPLEX STIMULI: MICROWAVE PULSE AND
ACOUSTICAL PULSE - CLICK. V. Ivanova*, O. Martynova* and G. Kulikov*. Laboratory of
Sensorimotor System Physiology, A.A. Ukhtomskii Institute of Physiology, Saint-Petersburg State
University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
OBJECTIVE: Auditory evoked potentials (EP) of neocortex in cat to complex stimuli: microwave pulse
and click with different interstimuli delays were studied for determination of possible impact of auditory
sensory system in brain response to low-level microwave exposure. In our previous work it has been
reported that similar changes of EEG spectral patterns were observed both after 1 minute of pulsemodulated microwave exposure of low intensity (0.1 mW/cm2) and acoustic stimulation with equal type of
284

modulation. In present study our goal was to find possible dependence of parameters of cortex auditory EPs
from the duration of delay between microwave pulse and following click.
METHODS: The clicks (intensity 60 dB over the noise level, duration 1 ms) were presented to adult cat
with chronically implanted silver spherical electrodes. The electrodes were placed in the skull bone above
auditory, parietal and sensorimotor areas of cortex. The microwave pulses (peak power 0,15 mW/cm2,
duration 0,01 ms) at 980 MHz were applied using microwave generator and conic antenna located in front
of animal's head at a distance of 3 wave lengths. EPs were recorded in response to complex stimulus: the
microwave pulse and following click with delays 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 ms.
RESULTS: Comparing with EP to single click amplitude of first two components of EP was significantly
higher when the delays between microwave pulse and click were 5 or 10 ms. The effect was more
expressed for EPs of auditory cortex.
DISCUSSION: An increase of amplitude of EPs at short delays between microwave and acoustic stimuli
accounts for similar mechanisms of influence of acoustic and microwave stimulation on the central nervous
system. Together with previously received data these results were considered as a confirmation of possible
impact of auditory sensory system in brain response to low-intensity microwave exposure.
This work supported by the program "Valeologia" grant 154, Ministry of Education of Russia.

P-201
EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE EXPOSURE AND 3-NITROPROPIONIC ACID ON RAT
ACTIVITY, ACOUSTIC STARTLE, AND BRAIN HISTOLOGY. R.L. Seaman1, S.P. Mathur*1,
E.J. Dick, Jr.*2, and M.Y. Gonzalez*1. 1McKessonHBOC BioServices and USAMRD Microwave
Bioeffects Branch, Brooks AFB, Texas 78235 USA; 2AFRL Veterinary Sciences Branch, Brooks AFB,
Texas 78235 USA.
OBJECTIVE: An animal model of CNS neurodegeneration was used to study the effects of microwave
exposure on degeneration processes. The model utilizes the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid
(3-NP), which produces lesions in the rat caudate-putamen. Endpoints included general activity and
prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle, both of which involve striatal neural circuitry.
METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (508-688 g), aged 16-25 weeks, were injected IP on two
consecutive days with 10 mg/kg 3-NP in deionized water, with pH adjusted to 7.4, or saline (0 mg/kg) 3-6 h
into the light period in a 12/12 cycle. One hour after injection, animals were placed in a nonrestraining
holder for exposure to 1.25-GHz 6-s microwave pulses at 10 Hz. Exposure started 30 min later and lasted
30 min. Specific absorption rate (SAR) was set to 0, 0.6, or 6 W/kg by adjusting pulse amplitude and
distance from the open end of a WR650 rectangular waveguide. This gave six experimental conditions; six
animals were tested for each condition. Colonic temperature was measured immediately before the animal
was placed in the holder and immediately after exposure. At 3.5 h after the second 3-NP injection,
spontaneous activity was measured as light beam interruptions in a 38.5x38.5 cm arena for 5 min. The
whole-body startle response to 20-ms bursts of 120-dBA broadband noise was then measured. Prepulses 0,
3, 6, and 12 dBA above a 70-dBA background level were delivered 100 ms before the startling stimulus.
Three animals per condition were perfusion fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde 4-5 h after the second 3-NP
injection. Samples of heart, lung, liver, and brain, including caudate-putamen and cerebellum, were
embedded in paraffin; sectioned at 5 m; stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E); and evaluated by light
microscopy.
RESULTS: Mean colonic temperature did not change more than 0.5C for all 0 and 0.6 W/kg conditions,
but it increased 3.1C and 2.7C for 0 and 10 mg/kg 3-NP, respectively, for 6 W/kg. Mean activity was
somewhat less for 10 mg/kg 3-NP and 0.6 W/kg conditions. Mean PPI was generally the same or larger for
0.6 and 6 W/kg at each nonzero prepulse for both 3-NP doses. The exception was smaller PPI for 0.6 W/kg
at 6 and 12 dBA for 0 mg/kg 3-NP. However, ANOVA showed no main effect of either microwave SAR or
3-NP dose for either activity or PPI. Histologic findings in H&E sections included minimal bilaterally
285

symmetrical pigmentation of cortical astrocytes for 10 mg/kg 3-NP and 0 W/kg (1 animal) and mild
spongiosis of cerebellar and brain stem white matter for 10 mg/kg 3-NP and 6 W/kg (1 animal).
CONCLUSIONS: Endpoints were obtained early in the course of 3-NP-induced neurodegeneration,
27-29 h after the first injection. At this time point, changes were noted in activity, startle PPI, and
histopathology that might be caused by 3-NP action and/or microwave exposure; however, no change
reached statistical significance.
Supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command under contract DAMD17-94-C4069 awarded to McKesson HBOC BioServices. The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this
report are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position,
policy or decision.

P-202
EFFECT OF STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE SEROTONIN CONTENT OF MICE BRAIN
AND PERIPHERAL BLOOD. H. Xiaoyang, H. Qingguo and Z. Xiaoyun*. Department of
Biotechnology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P.R. China.
To explore mechanism of analgesic and anti-emetic effects of strong rotating magnetic field (SRMF), KM
614 mice were used to study the changes of 5-HT contents. Three test groups animals were exposed under
varies strength rotate magnetic fields with different treat times (6000 G, 10 min; 6000 G, 30 min and 4000
G, 10 min). Control group with sham magnetic exposure was set coincidentally. After magnetic treating,
tissues of brain and blood were taken at immediately, 30 min, 60 min later and every subgroup consists 6-8
mice. The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine were measured by fluorescence spectrometer. The
experimental data shown that contents of 5-HT of mice brain deduced while those of mice serum increased
significantly after exposing under strong rotate magnetic field. Furthermore, the influences of magnetic
field shown a typical "window effect", the heaviest affection magnetic strength and exposing time is 4000G,
10 minutes. And the posteffects also shown a positive relationship with magnetic exposure time
remarkably. Further study focusing on the effects of SRMF on mice emetic model is carrying on.

Time (min)
Fig. 1. Contents of 5-HT in mice brain after exposed
under different magnetic field

Time (min)
Fig.2. Contents of 5-HT in mice peripheral serum
after exposed under different magnetic field.

286

P-203
NIR OXYGEN MEASUREMENT IN RAT'S HEAD UNDER INTENSE MAGNETIC FIELD. Y.
Yoshimura*, K. Yamaguchi*, M. Iwasaka, and S. Ueno, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate
School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
In the present study, the effect of magnetic fields on the population of oxyhemoglobin and
deoxyhemoglobin around the brain of an experimental animal was studied. We used a noninvasive
oxyhemoglobin monitor utilizing near infrared optical absorption. Near infrared light of two wavelengths
(690nm and 820 nm) emitted at the top of rat's head, and the scattered lights were introduced into an optical
fiber which was fixed at the edge of the rat's head. We measured the time course of near infrared light
absorption, and calculated the relative change of optical absorption [OD] of oxyhemoglobin and
deoxyhemoglobin inside red blood cells. The optical absorption [OD] was proportional to the oxy-/deoxyhemoglobin concentration. A horizontal type superconducting magnet, which produced 8 T magnetic field
at its center, was used as the magnetic field generators. Before magnetic field exposure, a rat was placed in
a temperature stabilized chamber inside the superconducting magnet's bore. We observed that the optical
absorption of both oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin showed no change without magnetic field exposures.
However during the magnetic field exposure of up to 8 T, the optical absorption of oxyhemoglobin around
the brain increased by ~0.1 [OD], and that of deoxyhemoglobin decreased by ~0.1 [OD].
We also carried out an in vitro study of hemoglobin oxygenation under magnetic fields. Optical absorption
of hemoglobin suspension at 565 nm was measured with and without an 8 T magnetic field exposure. No
significant effects of an 8 T magnetic field on hemoglobin oxygenation was observed when a red blood cell
suspension was kept in a closed optical cell.
The results suggested that magnetic fields of up to 8 T did not affect the hemoglobin oxygenation but
increase the population of oxyhemoglobin inside the rat's body. The magnetic force possibly affected the
paramagnetic oxygen dissolving process in the lung of rat, consequently oxyhemoglobin in blood vascular
increased in number.

P-204
EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS INDUCED IN CATTLE LIVING NEAR
ELECTROMAGNETIC SOURCES. O. Zeni1,1, B. Bisceglia2, M.B. Lioi3,1, R. Barbieri4,1, A. Santoro3,1
and M.R. Scarf1,1. 1ICEmB. 1Italian National Research Council, IRECE, Via Diocleziano, 328 - 80124
Naples, Italy. 2Pontifical Gregorian Pontifician University, Rome, Italy. 3Dept. of Animal Sciences,
University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: The increasing use of electromagnetic fields at different frequencies and intensities raises
the question concerning the health effects of such non ionising radiation on living organisms. Most of the
results available in literature on this topic regard risks for humans: however, data address to animals do not
refer to cattle, except few cases (Scarf et al., 1996). Aim of this study is to evaluate the induction of
genotoxic effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes cultured in vitro from cattle living near sources of
electromagnetic radiation. For this purpose the cytokinesis block micronucleus (MN) assay was employed.
METHOD: Blood samples were obtained from 80 individuals aged between 3 and 10 years and living in
different rearings located near electromagnetic sources, as signalised by the Provincial Breeder Association
(APA) of two provinces of the south of Italy: Salerno and Avellino. As control, a group of 20 healthy
subjects matched for age and sex was used. Peripheral blood was drown from the jugular vein by using
heparinized vacutainers and centrifuged at 1200 r.p.m. for 20 minutes; the buffy coat was cultured as
previously described (Scarf et al., 1993). Briefly, 1 ml of buffy coat was added to 9 ml of RPMI 1640
medium (Dutch modification) supplemented with 15% heat inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS, Gibco), 10
g/ml L-glutamine, 10 g/ml pokeweed mitogen, and 5 g/ml penicillin streptomycin (Gibco). The
samples were cultured in Falcon plastic flasks for 72 h at 37C. After 44 h of cell growth, cyt. B. (Sigma,
287

St. Louis, MO, USA 2mg/ml dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide) was added to give a final concentration of 6
g/ml. At the end of the culture period cultures were harvested, slides were scored at 1000 magnification
and MN frequency was evaluated as the ratio between CB cells presenting MN and the total number of CB
cells scored.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained by comparing bovine cultures from each rearing
with the control group did not show statistically significant differences. The data were analysed by tStudent test. The results here reported are particularly interesting taking into account the higher genotoxic
sensitivity of cattle lymphocytes respect to human once (Scarf et al., 1996). Due to the biological and
economical relevance of this species and the large diffusion of electromagnetic sources, our study is will be
extended by considering aspects related to fertility and reproduction.
We wish to thank Dr. Comentale and Dr. De Lorenzo from APA of Salerno and Avellino. This work was
supported by P.O.P. Regione Campania, misura 5.4 grant to M.R.S.

P-205
CORTISOL ALTERATIONS OBSERVED IN MICE PLACED IN FRONT OF A COLOR T.V
SCREEN : A PARALLEL STUDY WITH A PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. L. Bonhomme-Faivre1, R.
Santini2, S. Orbach-Arbouys*1. 1Service Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie 2Institut National des
Sciences Appliques, Laboratoire de Biochimie-Pharmacologie, 20, Avenue Albert Einstein, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex - France.
INTRODUCTION: In order to evidence cortisol modification after TV exposure, we placed mice in front
of a television screen. We present here evolution of cortisol value in exposed Swiss mice compared to those
of unexposed mice and to exposed mice protected by a techno AO electromagnetic bioprotective
technology. The device is an autonomous magnetic oscillator (8-12 hertz ; 100-150 lF made of double
antenna filled with an electromagnetically treated saline solution.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: 4 week old Swiss male mice (n=9) were placed at a distance of 20 cm of
a TV screen (Waltham 230 V, 50 Hz, 35 cm diagonal screen), 5 days/week, 9 2 h a day during 106 days,
in transparent plastic 21x14 cm cages (2 cages). Another group (n=9) was placed in the same conditions
with the techno AO EM compensation equipment. Measurement of the magnetic field strength was
performed with a Mag check 50+ USA. The magnetic field was spatially homogeneous within the cage.
The magnetic field was 0.8 T in front of the cage and 0.23 T its back. TV was left on stand by after
exposure (0.03 T). The control group (n=9) was placed in another room under identical light, noise and
temperature conditions except for the magnetic field which was below 0.01 T. The geomagnetic field in
the exposure room was 572 milliGauss (Geo-magnetometer BPM 2001 Bio-physic Mersmann D5471
Wassenach). The light value was 400 lux (lux-meter LX 101. Bioblock France). The electric field at 50 Hz
was 30 V/m in the center of the cage for the exposed groups and 3 V/m for the control group. (EFM 130
Electric field measurement Stockbridge MA 01266 USA). Serum cortisol levels were determined at 8h AM
by the fluorescence immunopolarization technique (TDX, Abbott Rungis France) on days 21 and 106. All
data are given as means standard deviation for each group. Analysis of differences between groups on a
given day was done using Students t test. p<0.05 was considered as significant.
RESULTS: On day 21 : (when mice were 7 weeks-old) no significant difference in cortisol value was
observed in the three groups. On day 106 : after 3 months exposure, we observed a significant fall in
cortisol value in the exposed group as compared to control or exposed protective mice.
CONCLUSION: Several studies have shown a decrease in cortisol values after exposure to ELF. It could
be objected that light from the TV screen could have had an influence on cortisol secretion. It seems
however more likely that the effects on cortisol are due to EMF since it has already been reported (1,2) and
since cortisol is not diminished in antenna protected mice placed under day light.

288

CORTISOL VALUE ng/ml

CONTROL
EXPOSED
EXPOSED-PROTECTED

DAY 21
5.9 3.5
10.7 5.4
8.9 4.9

DAY 106
35.5 14.8
15.4 10.51,2
31.6 19.9

Students t test : p<0.05 : 1 - compared to control, 2 - compared to exposed protected.

1 - Kavet R., and Tell R.A. VDTs : Health Physics. 61-45-57 (1991).
2 - Wilson BW., Stevens RG, Anderson LE. Life Sciences 45:1319-1332 (1989).

P-206
TERATOLOGICAL RESEARCH ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF STATIC ELECTROMAGNETIC
FIELDS ON THE PRENATAL GROWTH OF NMRI-MOUSE. H.J. Wagner1, J. Gatzka2, N. Miosge1,
F. Odoj2, A. Haase1 and R. Herken2. 1Lehrstuhl fr Experimentelle Physik (Biophysik), Bayrische
Maximilian Universitt, Wrzburg. 2Zentrum Anatomie, Abteilung Histologie, Georg-August Universitt,
Gottingen, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MNRI) is a clinically established method for noninvasive picture signals, whose teratogenic potential in contrast to ionizing radiation has neither been proved
nor disproved so far. An essential parameter for the resolving power of the MNR-picture is the power of the
used static magnetic field, which is usually between 1 and 2 Tesla (T) in clinical routine.
The future developments of nuclear magnetic resonance tend, though, to increase this power of the static
magnetic field additionally.
METHOD: In order to realize a possibly teratogenic power of static magnetic fields, pregnant NMRI mice
in groups of four animals each were exposed on the 8th, 9th, and 10th day of pregnancy to static magnetic
fields with a field strength of 2 T and 7T. The exposition was carried out during night and always lasted 4
hours.
Simultaneously a group of control mice was placed into a dummy magnet. The dams were killed off on the
18th day of pregnancy, the foetus were taken out of them and teratologically treated (brightening of skeleton,
Wilson cuts, histology).
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: A significant difference in the rate of mortality, rate of resorption and
frequency of occurred deformities couldnt be realized, neither with the animals exposed to 2 Tesla nor
those to 7 Tesla, compared with the control test animals. As a result it seems that static magnetic fields of
this order of magnitude produce no teratogenic effects, with pregnant mice at least.
This study is funded by the Bundesarnt fr Strahlenschutz (St. Sch. 4141).

P-207
CHANGES IN NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNITY IN MICE AFTER A WHOLE BODY EXPOSURE TO
LOW-INTENSITY EXTREMELY-HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION.
A.B. Gapeyev*1, M.P. Kolomyceva*1, V.B. Sadovnikov*2, N.K. Chemeris*1. 1Institute of Cell Biophysics
of Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow region, 142292, Russian Federation. 2Branch of MM
Shemyakin and YuA Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences,
Pushchino, Moscow region, 142292, Russian Federation.
Application of EHF-therapy for diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases is
based on empirically obtained data and is poorly confirmed by the knowledge of interaction mechanisms of
extremely-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (EHF EMR) with the organism of animals and humans.
289

OBJECTIVE: Our research was focused on mechanisms of changes in non-specific immunity in healthy
mice caused by low-intensity EHF EMR. We studied dynamics of leukocyte content and phagocytic
activity of peripheral blood neutrophils after a whole-body exposure to EHF EMR.
METHODS: The work was performed with 48 male NMRI mice, 25-30 g body weight. Three series of
experiments were carried out. In each experimental series, three groups of mice (5-6 mice per group) were
used. Group I was a sham-exposed control; these mice were daily sham-exposed for 20 min when generator
was turned on but the output power was attenuated to zero. Group II was exposed at 0.15 mW/cm2, 42.0
GHz for 20 min daily in the far-field zone of a horn antenna. In order to compare changes caused by EHF
EMR with changes caused by known inflammation agents, mice of the group III were injected i.p. with 0.6
mmol CCl4/kg of body weight administered in castor oil (total volume 0.1 ml). Blood was collected from
the tail vein once every day for 12 successive days of the experiment. During the first 2 days of the
experiment mice of groups I and II were sham-exposed, during the next 5 days mice of group I were shamexposed and mice of group II were exposed to EHF EMR, and then sham-exposure and exposure procedures
were ceased and mice of all groups were tested during the last 5 days. We measured the content of
leukocytes in the peripheral blood and phagocytosis of peripheral blood neutrophils.
RESULTS: The experiments established that the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils was
suppressed by 50% (p<0.01 as compared with the sham-exposed control) in 3 hours after the first EHF EMR
exposure. The effect stayed at the same level for 1 day after the exposure and then the phagocytic activity
of neutrophils returned to the norm within several days. When the effects of EHF EMR and CC14 were
compared, we have found that levels of phagocytosis suppression were the same, but the EHF EMR effect
developed faster. Maximum suppression of neutrophil phagocytic activity under the influence of EHF EMR
was revealed in 2-3 hours after single exposure, whereas the same level of phagocytosis suppression was
registered in 2-3 days after single i.p. injection of CC14 at the concentration used. A significant
modification of leukocyte blood profile in mice which were exposed to EHF EMR for five days was
observed after cessation of the exposures: the number of leukocytes increased by 44% (p<0.05 as compared
with sham-exposed animals), mostly due to increase in the lymphocyte content. The number of peripheral
blood neutrophils was not significantly changed during either exposure or post-exposure periods.
CONCLUSION: The study established that the whole-body exposure to low-intensity EHF EMR has a
profound effect on the non-specific immunity indices. This result can be the basis for further investigation
of a role of the immune system in the EHF EMR effects realization at the level of whole organism.
The work was supported by a grant from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project 99-04-48169).

P-208
50 Hz, SINUSOIDAL MAGNETIC FIELDS EFFECT ON IN VITRO PINEAL N-ACETYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY. L. Chacn1* and O. Massot2*. 1Servicio de Bioelectromagnetismo. Dpto.
de Investigacin. Hospital Ramn y Cajal. 28034-Madrid. Spain. 2Unit de Pharmacologie Neuro-ImmunoEndocrinienne de l Institut Pasteur. 28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724-Paris. France.
The pineal enzyme N-acetyltransferase (NAT) regulates the synthesis of melatonin by limiting the
availability of N-acetylserotonin in the pineal gland. In mammals, pineal NAT activity is controlled by the
ambient photoperiod. The neural pathway includes the eyes, the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the superior
cervical ganglia. The activity of NAT is suppressed during the day and activated at night resulting in
enhanced melatonin synthesis during the dark phase. The rhythm in NAT activity is similar to the rhythm in
the concentration of melatonin in the pineal and in the blood. Some studies have shown a decrease of the
pineal NAT activity and/or the blood melatonin concentration in rodents exposed to ELF and low magnetic
flux densities electromagnetic fields. It has been suggested that the magnetic fields (MF) could act through
the photic pathway, being the eyes the primary site in the induction of pineal effects. The aim of the present
study is to examine whether 50 Hz MF at three different magnetic flux densities, 10, 100 or 1000 T could
change the NAT activity of isolated rat pineal glands. The rats were sacrificed, under a red dim light by
290

decapitation, 6 hours after the beginning of the period of darkness, which corresponds to the expected peak
time of NAT activity. Twelve animals were used for each of four experiments performed in four
consecutive days. Six pineals in each experiment were exposed to different magnetic flux densities of 10,
100 or 1000 T or sham-exposed. The pineals in the tube within the Krebs-Ringer medium were exposed
and/or incubated at 37 C. After 1-hour exposition and/or incubation, the glands were immediately frozen
on dry ice and kept at - 20 C until the enzymatic determinations were performed by the radioenzymatic
assay method of Deguchi and Axelrod. The results were expressed as mean SD. Statistical significance
of difference between control and exposed glands was performed by ANOVA followed by the StudentNewman-Keuls test. A value of p < 0.05 was regarded as significant.
The results showed that the MF at 1000 T significantly reduced the pineal NAT activity (6100 240 vs.
4950 240 pmol/h/pineal). The magnetic flux densities of 10, 100 T or sham-exposure produced no
significant differences in NAT activity (Fig. 1). The present work reinforces the hypothesis of a possible
direct AC MF effect over the pineal gland, at least under the conditions tested in our study. This does not
necessarily mean, however, that the only mechanism by which MF exposure influences NAT activity, in
vivo, is via a direct effect on the pineal gland. More than one mechanism could be involved in the response
of the pineal gland to the MF exposure.
NAT activity (pmol/gland/h)
7500

Control
Exposed
**

5000

2500

10

100

1000

Magnetic flux density (T)

Support was received from Fondo de Investigacin Sanitaria for L Chacn (B.A.E. 97/5405).

P-209
INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIC FIELD ON NITRIC OXIDE IN RAT HYPOTHALAMUS AND
ADRENAL GLAND. L. Zhenguo, H. Qinguo, Z. Xiaoyun and Z. Weide. Life Science Institute, Shenzhen
University, Shenzhen, P.R. China.
The nitric oxide (NO) was thought as important neurotransmitter or massage substance which had influence
on endocrine. Our previous study found that magnetic field had anesthesia effect ,and made plasma betaendorphin increase markedly. The hypothalamus and adrenal gland was important endocrine organs. The
hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal gland axis played important role in maintaining balance between
endoenvironment and extraenvironment. Our present work aimed at that NO changed after treatment of
magnetic field. Adult Wister rats were used. The experimental group were treated by magnetic field for 60
min, then animals were killed under deep anaesthesia, hypothalamus and adrenal gland tissue were dissected
, added 0.25 mol/L sucrose solution ,broken with strong speed machine, centrifugal (4C, 10000R/min,
10min), NO were determined by employing nitric acid reductase-spectrophotometry and NADPHdiaphorase cytochemistry technique-image analysis system. NO content increased markedly in
hypothalamus and adrenal gland in experimental group, got top level at 1 hr after treatment of magnetic
field, decreased slightly at 2-3 hr after treatment of magnetic field, but still higher than control group, at 4 hr
291

after treatment of magnetic field returned to normal level. The hypothalamus contained paraventricular
nucleus (PVN), periventricular nucleus (PEN), supraoptic nucleus (SON), suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).
Histochemicaly, SON, PVN, PEN were stained heavily, but SCN were not stained by NADPH-d, so NO of
hypothalamus came from SON, PVN, PEN mainly. NO increased in hypothalamus after treatment resulted
from NO gene expressed strongly in No-ergic neurons of SON, PVN, PEN. NO and AVP, OT coexisted in
peptidergic neurons of SON, PVN, PEN, first, magnetic field made NO increase, then exerted effect on
neuroendocrine of peptidergic neurons in SON, PVN, PEN. Our work also found that NO distributed in
cortex and medula parentchyma cells of adrenal gland. Angiotensin II receptor existed in cell membrane of
adrenal cortex, activation of which will make adrenal cortex hormone cells secret, angiotensin I receptor
distributed in chromaffin cell membrane of adrenal medula, activation of which will make
catecholamineigic cells secret. In vivo and in vitro research showed that ON inhibit secretion of aldosterone
and catecholamine in adrenal gland. It is possible that NO increase in adrenal gland after treatment of
magnetic field has great significance for regulation to stress reaction.
Control

140

Treatment

120

NO(mol/L)

100
80
60
40
20
0
0

0.5

time(hr)

Fig.1. Comparison of NO (OD) at different time after the treatment of magnetic field in rat hypothalamus
Control

250

Treatment
NO(mol/L)

200
150
100
50
0
0

0.5

time(hr)

Fig.2. Change of NO after treatment of magnetic field in rat adrenal gland

P-210
HYPOALGESIC EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC MILLIMETER WAVES TREATMENT
CAN BE ABOLISHED BY DEAFFERENTATION OF THE AREA EXPOSED: DOUBLE BLIND
EXPERIMENTS IN MICE. A. Radzievsky*, M. Rojavin, A. Cowan*, S. Alekseev, A. Radzievsky Jr. *,
M. Ziskin. Center for Biomedical Physics, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
In a series of previous double blind experiments, we were able to reproduce and quantitatively assess
hypoalgesic effects of single electromagnetic millimeter wave (MW) treatment in human volunteers and in
mice. In animal experiments we have shown that maximum hypoalgesia could be achieved by exposing to
292

MW the most densely innervated skin areas, and that the entire effect could be abolished by administration
of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The objective of the present study was to define whether exposure of
surgically deafferented skin can produce a similar generalized systemic hypoalgesic effect in mice.
Male Swiss Albino mice were used. The murine paw was deafferented by surgical sciatic nerve transection.
The MW treatment was conducted on day five after the surgery. Before the treatment each mouse was
restrained in a plastic tube with one paw uncovered for exposure purposes, and the murine tail placed
outside the restrainer. To prevent the influence of electromagnetic noise, the exposure of mice to MW
radiation was conducted in a shielded chamber made of 0.5-inch thick low-carbon steel sheets. MW
characteristics were: frequency = 61.22 GHz; incident power density = 15 mW/cm2; duration = 15 min. The
cold-water tail flick test (cTFT) was used for the evaluation of pain sensitivity in animals. The cTFT was
performed on two consecutive days. The results of the first day tests were discarded (training). On the
second day, the first test was recorded as a baseline. Following 15 min of MW or sham exposure, each
mouse was tested four more times: immediately after the exposure, and 15, 30 and 45 min after the
exposure. Raw data were converted to percent of each mouses baseline response, and the average percent
change was calculated for each mouse. Post-treatment group means were compared to those of the sham
group means using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

The conducted experiments have shown (Fig. 1) that deafferentation of the area exposed to MW completely
abolishes the systemic hypoalgesic effect of MW treatment. It was also discovered that sciatic nerve
transection, probably because of bilateral changes in the spinal cord following the unilateral nerve injury,
resulted in the statistically insignificant decrease in the hypoalgesic effect of MW applied to the
contralateral paw.
The presented results provide a direct proof for the key role of the nervous system in the initial acceptance
and further conductance of the MW signal.
The Richard J. Fox Foundation supported this work.

P-211
EXPOSURE OF MICE TO AN EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY (ELF) MAGNETIC FIELD:
EFFECTS ON CELLS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. D. Frasca*, P. Barattini*, P. Galloni*, and C.
Marino*. Section of toxicology and biomedical science, ENEA Casaccia, 00060 Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: In the present work, we have studied the effects of the exposure of adult female C57BL/6
mice to an electromagnetic field at an extremely low frequency (ELF).
METHOD: Mice were exposed at 50 Hz, at a magnetic field intensity of 2 mT, for 6 hrs, over a period of 5
days and for 2 weeks, in order to simulate a professional exposure. Mice were sacrificed at different times
(1, 7, 14 and 21 days) after the end of the exposure. Their thymuses, spleens and femours were individually
assayed for cell count, proliferative responses and cytokine production.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results show that the total number of thymocytes, as well as their ability
to respond to the T cell mitogen ConA, were decreased by ELF exposure at 1, 7 and 14 days, whereas, at 21
days, the spontaneous recovery was completed and these parameters were comparable to those yielded by
the untreated or sham-treated controls. In the spleen, cell numbers were found increased at day 7 after the
end of the treatment, decreased at 14 days and spontaneously recovered at later times. Mitotic responses,
even if to a lesser extent, followed the same pattern of the cellularity. As to the Th1-derived cytokine IL-2,
its production in culture supernatants was decreased by ELF exposure at days 1 and 7 and recovered at later
times. The decrease in IL-2 production after ELF exposure correlates with a concomitant increase in Nil-2a,
a zinc finger protein which negatively controls IL-2 gene transcription in both human and murine cells. As
to other Th1-derived cytokines, no effect of the treatment was evident at the level of IFN- production.
Conversely, the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 were significantly increased by ELF treatment as
compared with untreated controls. No effect of the treatment was evident on splenic NK cells, nor on bone
marrow cells.
CONCLUSION: These results altogether indicate that the treatment of mice with ELF has induced in their
lymphoid tissues a cytotoxic effect, which can be counteracted by a spontaneous recovery occurring in a
sufficient short time, since it is complete in 21 days after the end of the treatment. Work in progress is
addressed to characterise the molecular mechanisms involved in the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory
cytokines production in splenocytes from ELF-exposed mice.

P-212
PHOTORECEPTORS BEHAVIOR IN ALTERNATIVE FIELDS OF VARIOUS FREQUENCIES.
E. Kovacs, R. Pologea-Moraru and K. Iliescu. Biophysics Research Department, Carol Davila Medical
University, P. O. Box 15-205, Bucharest, Romania.

Orientation degree (u. rel.)

Orientation of photoreceptor rods in alternative fields of various frequencies and intensities was studied in
order to correlate the turnover frequencies with dielectric/viability properties of the cell. Orientation of
photoreceptor rods was shown to be strongly dependent on field frequency. At low frequencies (below 450
kHz) the rods are orienting along the field direction while at high frequencies (over 450 kHz) they orient
perpendicularly to the field (Fig. 1). Fitting this data by elongated ellipsoid model shows that this behavior
is determined by minimal energy of interaction between the rods and electric field. The object of present
paper is to find the sharp frequency change of cellular orientation and its dependance on dielectric cell
parameters. The optimal field parameters at which cell functional and morphological integrity is preserved
are revealed.
0.8
0.6

paralel
perp

0.4
0.2
0.0

300

600

900

1200

1500

Frequency (KHz)

Fig. 1. Photoreceptor cell orientation in alternative electric fields of different frequencies

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References.
Iglesias F.J., Santamaria C., Asencor F.J., A Dominguez, Dielectrophoresis: Effect of Nonuniform Electrical
Fields on Cell Movement, in : Electrical Manipulation of Cells editori. Linch si M. Davey, ed. Chapmann &
Hall, 1996.
Pethig R., Y Huang, Dielectrophoresis and electrorotation behavior of cells, in: Bioelectrochemistry of Cells
and Tissues, vol. 2, p. 159-208, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel Boston Berlin, 1995.
E Kovacs, Hermann Berg , Ac and dc electric field effects on photoreceptor rods from frog retina of
Xenopus Laevis, Bioelectrochem. and Bioenerg. (Elsevier), 47 (1) 1998, 3-12.

EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC POLICY

P-213
PROTECTION OF THE SWISS POPULATION FROM NON IONIZING RADIATION (0 Hz 300
GHz). THE NEW SWISS ORDINANCE. J. Baumann*1, S. Joss*1, G. Leutert*1, N. Kuster2. 1Swiss
Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland. 2Federal Institute of
Technology, CH-8092 Zrich, Switzerland.
On 1 February 2000 the Swiss government has put into force a new ordinance on the protection of the
general population from non ionizing radiation (NIR) in the frequency range from 0 Hz to 300 GHz. The
legal framework is laid down in the Swiss federal law relating to the protection of the environment.
According to this law NIR in the environment must be limited to a level which is neither harmful nor a
nuisance to humans. In addition exposures which could be harmful or a nuisance shall be limited in the
sense of precaution as much as technology and operating conditions will allow provided this is
economically acceptable.
Harmful effects for humans at high exposure are scientifically proven. In addition there are important
findings suggesting adverse effects at low intensities, specifically regarding long term exposure. The Swiss
government considers the precautionary reduction of long term exposure important in order to reduce
possible long term risks.
The following stationary installations are subject to regulation under the new ordinance: high voltage
overhead transmission lines and underground cables, sub-stations, transformer stations, electric in-house
wiring, railways, transmitters and radar stations. No restrictions are imposed on mobile equipment like
cellular phones or electric appliances because emission reducing strategies for such consumer products must
be standardized at the international level.
The ordinance enforces ICNIRP's [1] reference levels for the general population to protect people from
scientifically proven harmful effects. These exposure limit values have to be respected at all places
accessible to the general public. They are applicable to the sum of radiations present at a given location
originating from all existing sources according to the summation rules of ICNIRP [1].
The principle of precaution is translated into so called "installation limit values" (ILV). The ILV differ from
one type of installation to another. They have not been derived from biological effects but rather with
regard to the technical and economic possibilities to reduce long term exposure well below the exposure
limit values. The ILV are expressed in terms of electric field strength for transmitters and magnetic flux
density for electric power and railway installations. For cellular base stations e.g. the ILV equals 4 V/m
(900 MHz band) and 6 V/m (1800 MHz band). For electric power lines it equals 1 T. The ILV is
applicable only to that part of the radiation which originates from the considered installation. Furthermore,
it has to be respected only in places where people stay for a prolonged time, like rooms in an apartment,
classrooms, hospitals and children's playgrounds. The ordinance leaves the choice of appropriate measures
up to the operators. Possible measures are proper siting of or technical means at the installation as well as
shielding. According to current experience the respect of the ILV is generally possible if an installation is
295

newly constructed. This is not necessarily true for existing installations. The ordinance therefore defines a
detailed set of conditions on which exceptions can be granted.
Finally the ordinance also sets a requirement for land use planning: new residential areas are permitted only
where the ILV of existing or planned installations are not exceeded.
[1] Guidelines for limiting exposures to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to
300 GHz). International commission on non-ionizing radiation protection. Health Physics 1998, 74, 494.

P-214
PUBLIC RISK PERCEPTION CONCERNING CELLULAR BASE STATIONS. E. Neeman and S.
Kandel. Radiation Safety Division, Ministry of the Environment, State of Israel.
The Radiation Safety Division (RSD) of the Israeli Ministry of the Environment is responsible for insuring
that the public is protected from exposure to hazardous levels of electromagnetic fields. To insure public
safety we initiated a two staged procedure based upon the following:
a) Issuing a construction permit following an environmental risk assessment report which takes into account
the expected / calculated EMF levels in the vicinity of the base stations, based upon the parameters of the
antennae.
b) Issuing an operational permit based on the actual EMF field measurements in the vicinity of the base
station.
The EMF levels have to comply with ICNIRP 1998 basic restrictions. The RSDs expectations that these
stringent inspection measures would refute the publics fear of the health effects from the EMF radiation
were not met. The siting of base stations in the proximity of populated areas (without a dialogue with the
public) and the fact that this technology is relatively new resulted in it being the main environmental
concern of the general public for the last year. The media took advantage of the fact and the risk associated
with the base stations was blown out of proportion and created a massive hysteria. Most of the antennae
were installed without building permits and camouflaged, this caused concern, angered the public and
resulted in a number of law suits against the companies and the ministries, some of which are ongoing.
The public was bombarded with contradicting information from various EMF specialists, doctors and
members of the academia, which added to the confusion of the general public. As a result the government
responded by creating a Ministerial Committee in order to resolve the issue and address the publics
concerns. The cellular companies formed a forum whose main purpose was to address public issues. The
Environmental Office, the cellular companies and the Nuclear Research Center Soreq published information
booklets at the same time. This is a classic example of all the mistakes one can make in risk communication
and its effects on the perceived risk.

P-215
CAN ONE ESTIMATE THE LIMITS OF THE POSSIBLE CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA RISK
ATTRIBUTABLE TO ELF MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE? V. DelPizzo and R.R. Neutra,
California EMF Program, 1515 Clay St, Oakland, California 94612, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Although the debate about the possible causal link between EMF exposure and the risk of
childhood leukemia is far from settled, it is unlikely that much more information will become available in
the foreseeable future. Sufficient data exist at least to explore the possible bounds of the impact that EMF
exposure may have on the leukemia incidence rate, if the association is indeed causal.
METHOD: For simplicity, we assume that the dose-response function is linear between an exposure value,
Emin, below which no risk is incurred, and a maximum Emax, above which the effects of exposure saturate.
The incidence rate of childhood leukemia, if EMF exposure could be totally eliminated is given by:
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E max

E min

R0 = RN / N E dE + (1 + kE ) N E dE + RRmax N E dE
0

Emin
Emax

where Ro = base rate of the disease, ie the rate in total absence of EMF exposure, R = observed overall rate
of the disease, N = total number of subjects in the population studied, NE = number of subjects at exposure
E, k = risk gradient (ie, increase in risk for each unit increase of exposure), RRmax = risk ratio at exposure =
Emax. NE is approximately described by the lognormal probability distribution function: NE ={1/(E 2p )
exp[- (ln(E)- )2/2 2]}, where and are the logs of the geometric mean and geometric standard
deviation. We use = -0.1 and = 0.775, which gives a very close fit of the distribution reported by the
1000 People Study 1. Obviously, the most controversial parameters are the threshold and ceiling points,
Emin and Emax, and the slope of the risk function between these two points. To estimate a possible range
for these, we used the pooled data provided by Greenland et al.2, supplemented by data from the UK
Childhood Leukemia Study3. Instead of using the spline regression method used in reference 2, we obtained
information on the shape of the dose-response relationship by plotting the proportion of cases in each
discrete exposure stratum (see Figure). This method, while not producing a smooth curve, yields tighter
confidence intervals.
RESULTS: The data thus plotted are not consistent with the null hypothesis. The no-threshold linear doseresponse model fits barely within the confidence intervals, if the gradient is very shallow (0.02/mG). The
Population Attributable Risk Percent [PAR% = (R-Ro)/R] is very low, of the order of 2.5%. Assuming a
threshold of 2 mG, the shallowest slope consistent with the data is 0.028/mG (PAR% =1.3%) and the
steepest is 0.15/mG (PAR% = 8.9%). With a 3 mG threshold, the minimum and maximum slopes become
0.06/mG and 0.32/mG, respectively and the PAR% ranges from 2.4 to 11.7.
DISCUSSION: Surprisingly, according to these data, a higher threshold results in a higher PAR%, since a
low or no threshold dose-response function can only fit the data if the risk gradient is very small. The value
of the ceiling does not affect these estimates significantly, since proportionately very few subjects are
exposed to fields stronger than 5 mG. The two Canadian studies4,5 are puzzling, since, for opposite reasons,
neither is consistent with the data plotted in the figure, Greens suggesting a strong gradient with no
threshold and McBrides a statistically significant protective effect at intermediate exposures.
References.
1. Zaffanella, DOE EMF-RAPID Program Engineering Project #6.
2. Greenland et al., Abstract Book of the 21st BEMS Meeting, pg 15.
3. UK Childhood Cancer Study, The Lancet, 354: 1925-31. 1999.
4. McBride et al., Am J Epidemiol. 1999 May 1;149(9):831-42.
5. Green et al., Int J Cancer. 1999 Jul 19;82(2):161-70.
This work was supported by the California EMF Program, administered by the California Department of
Health Services.

P-216
BRAIN TUMOUR EXCESS IN THE VICINITY OF A RADAR-STATION AND A
TRANSMISSION AND THE CONCERN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS MIGHT BE THE
CAUSE - A TASK OF PUBLIC POLICY. H. Brggemeyer1, Dieckmann2. 1Niederschsisches
Landesamt fr kologie (NL), Hannover D-30449, Germany. 2Niederschsisches Landesgesundheitsamt
(NLGA), Hannover D-30449, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: In a small northern Germany village a local physician recognized that there are more brain
tumours among his patients than he expected. Together with the local public health department he tried to
find the reason for this increasing number. 15 brain tumours (12 malignant) were found between 1981-94.
A reason could not be seen. In the centre of the village there is a visual huge transmission tower and just
297

outside there is a military radar station for air defence. So the question whether there is a relation between
this cancer-cases and the emitted electromagnetic waves arose in the public. There was a controversial
debate in the local media and the local policy.
METHOD: In this situation the local public health department asked for the help of the Governmental
Institute of Public Health Service Lower Saxony (NLGA). Together with the Lower Saxony Agency for
Ecology (NL), the expert for radiation protection, this topic was investigated. The cancer patients or their
relatives were questioned with a detailed personal medical and social questionnaire. All known reasons like
genetic relationship, pesticides, diet, water, jobs, illness etc. were examined. No known reasons were found
for this increased number of cases. The epidemiological centre of Bremen (BIPS) confirmed that this
elevation is statistical significant. They calculated that the expected value for the village is 3. In the mean
time several measurements were made to estimate the current levels of electromagnetic field strength in the
village. A member of the local interest group was included in the fact-finding committee and was present at
all meetings. The international scientific literature was examinated. Different hypotheses were investigated
and falsified. With the help of the local group the history of the two emitters was investigated. The
provider of the transmission tower and the German army made all relevant data available. Because of a
change of the provider so years ago some of the installation data were no completely available. Additional
measurements were made from an independent expert to clear differences in older measurements. For each
living place of a case the possibility of exposure was investigated. The results of all investigations were
presented in several public meetings. So the public was continuously informed what was the state of the
investigation.
RESULTS: The measured levels of electromagnetic fields were not elevated in the area were people live.
There where no reasons found that there could be a much higher level in the past. Nearly all of the places
were cases lived were protected by the topography against the possible radiation of the radar. The installed
radiation power on the transmission tower was very small. This tower was only used for directional
antennas and mobile communications. These results were discussed in detail with the local stakeholders. It
was accepted that the investigation group did its best to clear the question why there were so many cancercases in this village. Until now no new brain tumour was found in this village.
DISCUSSION: It was very helpful that from the beginning the fear of the local population was taken
serious, that local stakeholders were members of the fact-finding committee during the whole investigation
and that the public was continuously informed. So the negative results were accepted by the local public.

P-217
ASSOCIATION OF TRAFFIC DENSITY WITH WIRE CODES, COMPARISON OF PATTERNS
SEEN IN LOS ANGELES AND DENVER. R. Pearson1, H. Wachtel2, K. Ebi3 and J. Crawford1. 1Radian
International LLC, Denver, Colorado 80202, USA. 2Electrical Computer Engineering Department,
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0425, USA. 3Electric Power Research Institute, Palo
Alto, California 94303, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To apply the distance weighted traffic density (DWTD) metric developed for Denver to the
London et al. data set from Los Angeles and to compare the wire code to DWTD patterns in these two cities.
BACKGROUND: Both Denver and Los Angeles were mainly developed in the twentieth century, much
later than other cities in the Eastern United States and Canada or in Europe. As a result, the layout of streets
and power lines in these two western cities developed simultaneously and with overlapping geographies.
We previously hypothesized and demonstrated in several ways that this led to a high degree of association
between traffic density and wire code across virtually all homes in the Denver area. We have also shown
that DWTD is a risk factor for childhood cancer in Denver (Wachtel and Pearson, 2000) and that combined
exposure to high wire code and high DWTD lead to very high risks. We also suggested that a similar
pattern might be seen in Los Angeles, but perhaps not in older Eastern United States cities. The first step to
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testing this hypothesis was to apply the DWTD coding technique to the London et al. Los Angeles homes
and compare the DWTD and wire code associations with those seen in Denver.
METHODS: The techniques used for determining DWTD in Denver (Pearson, Wachtel and Ebi, 1999)
were also used in Los Angeles. The method distance weights the traffic counts on all streets surrounding a
residence with a Gaussian function and sums them. For Denver, Gaussian weighting curves of 250, 500 and
750 foot half width were used and in Los Angeles, we used the 500 and 750 foot width weighting curves.
The location of the homes in Los Angeles were provided to us by the USC London et al. study team without
identifying case control status. Wire codes were those determined previously for the study groups in each
city (Savitz et al., 1988, London et al., 1991).
RESULTS: The overall distribution of DWTD for buried and VHCC wire code were determined for
Denver and Los Angeles. The DWTD counts are generally higher in Los Angeles especially above 50,000
vehicles per day (VPD). In both cities the lower traffic strata are dominated by buried wire code whereas
the higher traffic strata are dominated by high wire code (VHCC). A variety of analyses substantiate this
visually obvious similarity of associations between DWTD and wire code in the two cities.
DISCUSSION: These results show that the pattern of collocation of high traffic density and high wire code
seen in Denver is also seen in Los Angeles. This leads us to suggest that in both cities the reported
associations between wire code and childhood cancer might be attributed to some interaction between wire
code and traffic risks. This hypothesis is explored in our companion paper. The extended hypothesis that
older cities in Eastern US and Canada or in Europe would show less association between traffic and wire
code remains to be explored.
This research was supported by EPRI contract WO5173-01.

P-218
THE LIMITATION OF EXPOSURE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ELECTRO-MAGNETIC
FIELDS (0 HZ TO 300 GHZ) - THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION. J. Brix, R.
Matthes*, O. Schulz*. Federal Office for Radiation Protection, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
The Council of the European Union has considered the Treaty establishing the European Community, in
particular Article 152 (4), and has passed a recommendation on the limitation of exposure to Non-Ionizing
Radiation (NIR). The electromagnetic field spectrum covers the range from static magnetic fields up to 300
GHz.
Limiting exposure levels to EMF must be based on the best available scientific data for assessing possible
health effects. For evaluating the results of in vivo and in vitro studies, only established effects can be used
for the recommended limitation of NIR exposure. The Council agreed with the protection concept, which
has been developed from the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
The regular reviewing and reassessing in the light of new knowledge and development in technology and
application of sources and practices is necessary.
The objective of this recommendation is the protection of public health and it therefore applies to relevant
areas, where members of the public spend a long time. Separate occupational exposure protection or EMF
interference with active implants are not included in this recommendation. It leaves to the Member States to
provide for detailed rules concerning the sources and practices which give rise to exposure to EMF and the
classification, as work-related or not, of exposure conditions of individuals in accordance with Community
provisions concerning the safety and health protection of workers.
The protection concept presents two classes of limiting values, the basic restrictions and the reference
levels. Basic restrictions (current density, SAR and power density) are based directly on established health
effects. Appropriate safety factors referring especially to long-term effects, or potentially higher sensitivity
in certain population groups were considered, taking account of insufficient information on certain
biological effects of EMF exposure and related health consequences. Reference levels are provided for
practical proposes of exposure assessment in order to determine whether the basic restrictions are likely to
299

be exceeded. The frequency dependence of the reference field levels is consistent with data on both
biological effects and coupling of the fields.
In accordance with the Treaty, Member States may provide for a higher level of protection than set out in
this recommendation. Regarding the state of the art of science and technology, the Council recommends
revision and updating of the limit levels, taking also into account possible effects which are currently the
object of research, including relevant aspects of precaution.

P-219
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROENDOCRINOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RESIDENTIAL
EXPOSURE TO 50-HZ MAGNETIC FIELDS. M. Crasson, P. Pirotte*, F. Rog*, M-T. Hagelstein*, JJ. Legros. University of Liege, Psychoneuroendocrinology Unit, B-35, Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liege,
Belgium.
OBJECTIVES: One of the premise of the "melatonin hypothesis" is that chronic exposure to 50-60 Hz
magnetic field suppresses the normal nocturnal synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. But, to date, no
study has been published relative to residential exposure to MF and pineal function. Moreover, the
melatonin hypothesis was extended to other pathological situations related to magnetic field exposure like
psychological depression. In 1997, Beale and colleagues found significant linear dose-response
relationships between residential exposure and some psychological and mental health variables. The goal of
our study was to evaluate psychological well-being in relation to residential magnetic field exposure and to
evaluate conjointly pineal function through measures of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), the
principal metabolite of pineal melatonin.
METHODS: Urinary excretion of aMT6s was measured during three periods of urine samples (19-23h, 2307h, 07-11h). To investigate psychological well-being, we used the French version of the General Health
Questionnaire (GHQ-28) (Goldberg and Williams, 1988). A Life habits (including electrical apparatus use)
and health status questionnaire was also specifically developed for this study.
The MF measurements were taken at three places in each room occupied for at least on hour per day to
provide an estimate of total-time-integrated exposure and average exposure according to Beale et al. (1997)
methodology. Electrical consumption and measurements taken near some electrical appliances and near the
energy meter were also recorded.
POPULATION: 111 persons, recruited through bills sticked at the CHU hospital and university boards,
were initially included in this study. Completed data were obtained for 77 persons which represent 50
houses (mean age : 38 13 years (from 19 to 70), 36 females, 41 males).
RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis including confounding factors like age, gender and weight didn't
indicate significant correlation between the neurohormonal variable (aMT6s) or the scores of the GHQ-28
and the MF parameters.
However, one GHQ28 factor, social dysfunction, was positively associated with electrical consumption
(kWh) (p=0.01).
Using gender, age and height as possible confounding variables, weight was correlated with many MF
measurements (p = 0.0005) indicating that weight gains with MF exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study failed to demonstrate consistent alteration of pineal function and
psychological well-being in humans exposed to different degree and different sources of ELF magnetic field
at home. An unattended result is the significant correlation between weight and MF parameters because
there are few studies in which body weight is altered by 50 Hz MF exposure.
This work was supported by the Belgian Electrical Company, Electrabel under Contract Belgian
BioElectromagnetic Group (BBEMG)/Electrabel.

300

P-220
ELECTROSMOG: A JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICA. E.W. Eckert, Independent Researcher,
53125 Bonn, Germany.
This poster aims to reveal the daily influences of electricity to an average person undertaking a journey from
Europe through the USA and Canada. A comparison between the major influences on the two continents is
performed.
As exact dosimetry exceeds by far all possibilities for such average person travelling, a new method for
detection had to be found and practiced, permitting to gain sufficient -but not too much- qualitative,
individual-related information. This may be highlighted by the fact, that even the mere number of cells of
our body or the functioning there is far beyond any rational handling or control by will or senses, our senses
are designed for accumulated, macroscopic events -and limited operating periods. Access to the
microscopic world in our body is only by feeling, dreams and intuition (all not too popular in natural
research laboratories).
Major attention has been devoted to the magnetic field, as this is expected to have the most important
influences to the human body. Man-made magnetic fields or basically natural, but man-made denaturated
magnetic fields may lead to deviations in physiological and other functions.
Existing literature, methods and results in technology and medicine of about the past two centuries has been
reviewed in that aspect and been analyzed for potential know how-transfer to actual needs and desires. In
that context, some white spots not yet touched by (public known) research have been detected.
Epidemic investigations and statistics may contribute a major part to reveal direct or direct influences of socalled electrosmog.
But the absolute must and prerequisite for progress is an interdisciplinary approach.

P-221
SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH ON BIOLOGIC EFFECTS OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS BY CROSS-LINKING DIFFERENT LITERATURE
DATABASES. K.-F. Thier*, T. Gailus*, I. Herget*, R. Raczek*. T-Nova, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany.
OBJECTIVE: The increasing complexity of research on biological effects of electromagnetic fields and the
growing number of publications make it difficult to keep track with the state of knowledge in this field. It is
the purpose of literature databases to collect the bibliographic data of published work and provide a retrieval
system for the individual publications. In these databases, content-related information is included also to
some extend which makes them an important tool for research- and risk-assessment purposes.
At present, several databases exist, which either are exclusively dedicated to literature on biological effects
of electromagnetic fields or contain such entries as a subset. However, the searchable and accessible
information of the individual databases is limited and usually not optimised for content-related access. This
makes it difficult to obtain a complete overview over the research field as a whole or on a specific scientific
topic.
The development of highly structured and knowledge-based literature databases overcomes this problem by
providing additional content related information in a well defined and searchable way. This is definitely an
important step towards a better access to the scientific knowledge. However, the implementation of such
databases involves large financial and personal resources and the existing projects is expected not to be
completed within the next years.
Therefore, we looked for a method to access and characterise EMCE research using the information that is
available in databases. Our aims were (1) to compare the information content of existing databases, (2) to
collect and combine the information of these databases, and (3) to analyse the data in order to get an
overview of present and past research activities.
301

METHOD: Data were collected using the freely accessible MEDLINE database, the commercial EMF
Database (Information Ventures Inc., Philadelphia) and the knowledge based WBLDB/LEEMFO Database
presently developed by FEMU (RWTH Aachen, Germany). In order to automate the query and the analysis
of the databases a set of software-tools for data mining and evaluation has been developed.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: The completeness of the data body and the information potential of each
individual database and their combination is analysed and compared. Statistical evaluations of the
bibliographic and content-related information are presented, which primarily focus upon biological effects
of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields. The potential and the limitations of the use of this data for an
assessment of EMCE research has been investigated. It turns out that an intelligent combination and crosslinking of the information in the different databases enhances this potential substantially compared to an
independent use of the databases.

P-222
WHO INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECT. IS YOUR PROJECT INCLUDED IN THE
DATABASE? M.H. Repacholi1, K.R. Foster1 and K. Hansson Mild2. 1World Health Organization,
Occupational and Environmental Health, Geneva, Switzerland and 2National Institute for Working Life,
Ume, Sweden.
Technologies using the electromagnetic spectrum have provided immense benefits and reshaped the way we
communicate, practice medicine, travel, conduct business and manufacture goods. While extensive research
has been conducted into possible health effects of exposure to many parts of the spectrum, not all
frequencies have been fully researched. Further, some of this research has suggested that exposure to
electromagnetic fields (EMF) may produce a broad range of health effects such as cancer, changes in
behaviour, memory loss, Parkinsons and Alzheimer's diseases. While the available scientific evidence does
not substantiate these effects, sufficient concerns and perceptions of risks have been raised with the public
that there is an urgent need for an accelerated programme to help establish a scientific consensus and
clarification of these issues.
The International EMF Project was established by WHO in 1996. For the Project, EMFs are defined as
static and time varying electric and magnetic fields with frequencies from 0 to 300 GHz.
One of the cornerstones of the EMF Project is a searchable database of ongoing, funded research projects
relevant to WHO's EMF Research Agenda. This agenda needs to be completed to allow WHO to make
better health risk assessments from EMF exposure. A comparison of the database with the research agenda
will inform members of the research community about projects of which they might otherwise not be aware
and help determine what additional research is necessary to fill the gaps in knowledge that remains or where
replication or confirmation might be desirable. It also helps funding agencies determine how to best apply
scarce resources. The database is limited to studies relating to biological effects and human health. In
addition, for RF fields, only studies using non-thermal exposures were included.
It is essential to keep the database as up to date as possible so key areas that remain unaddressed or that
might have been newly identified can receive the necessary attention and funding. Therefore, it is important
that all researchers submit details regarding their ongoing, funded contribution to research efforts for
inclusion in the database.
The WHO International Project will commence its formal review process in the years to come. First the
WHO/IARC will start with an ELF evaluation in the years 2001 and 2002, followed by an RF field
evaluation on carcinogenicity in 2003, and a WHO/ ICNIRP task group will conduct an overall health risk
assessment in 2004.
At the poster the database will be demonstrated and instructions for submission of projects will be given.

302

P-223
CASES OF CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA OCCURRING IN GERMANY THAT MAY BE
EXPLAINED BY EXPOSURE TO POWER-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS. J. Schz1*, J.P.
Grigat2*, B. Strmer2*, K. Brinkmann2, J. Michaelis1*, 1Institute for Medical Statistics and Documentation,
German Childhood Cancer Registry, University of Mainz, D-55101 Mainz, Germany. 2Forschungsverbund
EMV biologischer Systeme, Technical University of Braunschweg, D-38023 Braunschweig, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: From 1993 to 1997 we conducted an epidemiological study on childhood leukemia and
residential magnetic fields. Since the results were inconclusive, in 1998, the EMF-study was extended to a
nationwide case-control study on childhood acute leukemia. Recently, international studies on this topic
were combined in several meta-analyses, showing a consistent very small risk increase at exposure above
.2T and somewhat stronger risk increases of about 50-90% at higher exposures (.3T to .5T). Based on
the distribution of magnetic fields in German residences we intended to analyse the relevance of this
potential risk factor under German conditions.
METHODS: 24h-measurements of the residential 50 Hz-magnetic field were conducted in the childs
bedroom and in a second room in the home where the child lived longest before the date of diagnosis. Spot
measurements were conducted to identify sources of elevated magnetic fields. Moreover, we collected
information on the type of the building, the age and type of the heating system, the hot water supply, the
neighbourhood traffic density, the degree of urbanization, and on nearby power lines, underground wiring,
transformers, and substations. Measurements were performed between late 1997 and December 1999. The
review of 1,841 measurements will be completed in February 2000.
RESULTS: The annual incidence rate of childhood leukemia in Germany is about 4.7/100,000 children
leading to an expected number of about 600 newly diagnosed children per year. Our measurements indicate
a prevalence of residential magnetic fields above .2T of 1.5%. Magnetic fields above .4T were a very
rare event (about .3%). Only about half of all stronger magnetic fields were attributable to outdoor sources
like high-voltage power lines or buried wire. Dominant indoor sources were wires conducting the current to
upper storeys of apartment buildings. At .2T, the population attributable risk was calculated to be .7%.
Hence, under these assumptions only about 4 cases (confidence limits <0 to 17) of childhood leukemia
could be explained by exposure to stronger magnetic fields.
CONCLUSIONS: If our risk analyses will show an association between childhood leukemia and stronger
magnetic fields, we expect that only a small fraction of childhood leukemia cases can be explained by
exposure to stronger residential magnetic fields. In the spirit of prudent avoidance, overall exposure could
be considerably reduced by eliminating indoor sources of higher magnetic fields.
This study is funded by The German Federal Environment Ministry.

P-224
CHARACTERIZATION OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO POWER FREQUENCY FIELDS
IN HOSPITALS. A. beda1, M.A. Cid*1, M.A. Martnez1, M.A. Trillo 1, M.A. Bayo*2 and J. Leal1. Dept.
Investigacin1 and Servicio Tcnico2, Hospital Ramn y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
OBJECTIVE: It has been proposed that chronic exposure to moderately intense, power frequency (PF)
magnetic fields (MF) in occupational environments could represent a risk factor for a number of disorders
including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Data have been issued indicating that medical and
technical staffs working in hospitals could be exposed to relatively intense PF fields. However, such
indications are mostly based on small numbers of ambient measurements taken in few, selected
workstations. The objective of the present study was to better characterize the PFMF levels to which the
different categories of professionals working in large hospitals are exposed.
METHODS: The study was conducted in occupational environments at a hospital with about 4000
employees, many of them working in two or more different workstations and consequently, exposed to
303

PFMF levels that are expected to be unevenly distributed in the space and time. To initially estimate the
exposure levels in different occupational environments, preliminary measurements were taken with a WG
(Model EFA3) magnetometer in 73 rooms and laboratories. On the basis of these data, volunteers working
in environments of interest and representing the different professional categories, were selected for personal
monitoring and asked to wear EMDEX II meters during their working hours. The meters were set to record
and store MF values every 60 sec and the data were subsequently transferred to a computer for analysis with
EMCALC95 software. Provided that substantial differences exist in the number of working hours for
different professional categories (between 5 and 10 h/day), a correct estimation of the MF doses must take
into consideration the exposure time. Consequently, the data corresponding to the personal monitoring were
expressed in Trms-h. Next, the occupational MF ambient for each of the volunteers was further
characterized by weight-averaging the MF values in her/his workstations (one point per station) and the MF
ambient in the room (five points per room). The measurements were taken with the WG magnetometer and
the data were expressed in Trms.
RESULTS: At present, 103 volunteers have been monitored for PFMF exposure doses and their respective
occupational MF ambient were characterized. These results are shown in Fig. 1, where the data (T)
corresponding to each occupational MF ambient are arbitrarily represented in a growing order and compared
to those (T-h) from the respective personal monitoring. As can be observed, the two sets of values are
similar and follow overall growing patterns; however, discrepancies exist between some of the data pairs.
In Fig. 2 the MF values are grouped together attending the professional category of the volunteers. Again,
both data sets present obvious similarities, although noticeable discrepancies are observed for some of the
groups, like in the case of physiotherapists or in the intensive care units.
DISCUSSION: The present study constitutes an attempt to efficiently define PFMF exposures in hospitals.
1) The results indicate that the best description of the field exposure conditions for a particular worker is
obtained from the personal monitoring. 2) The description of the occupational MF ambient as a weighted
average of the values (T) registered in the workstations and in the room ambient, thought coherent with the
data after the personal monitoring, presents noticeable limitations for the estimation of PFMF exposure in
some professional categories. 3) Also, the error bars in some of the groups represented in the histogram
indicate that, though belonging to the same professional category, individuals involved in different working
activities are exposed to different MF levels. 4) All the PFMF values measured were found to be 2 to 4
orders of magnitude below the safety limit recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP, guidelines 1998) for occupational exposures to power frequencies fields: 500
T for 50 Hz MF. Thus, and according to the ICNIRP98 criteria, the PF magnetic ambient in working
environments of hospitals can be considered safe.
15.0
Occupational MF ambient (T)

12.5

Personal monitoring (T-h)

T; T-h

10.0
7.5
5.0
2.5
0.0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

Volunteer No.

Fig. 1: Comparative values of occupational MF ambient (T) and the corresponding personal monitoring
(T-h) in 103 volunteers: Raw data.
304

Occupational MF ambient (T)

Personal monitoring (T-h)

T; T- h

4
3
2

Surgeons

Physicians

Nurses

Intensive Care

Physiotherapists

Radiologists

Laboratory

Admin. Officers

Attendants

Fig.2: The raw data in figure 1 were grouped together attending the professional category of the volunteers.
(Means SEM).
Supported by Hospital Ramn y Cajal, ENDESA S.A. and FIS

P-225
THE UK CHILDHOOD CANCER STUDY: ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND DISTANCE
FROM POWER LINES. M.P. Maslanyj*, S.G. Allen and T.J. Mee*. National Radiological Protection
Board. Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK.
The main results of the EMF part of the case-control UK Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) were reported
in 19991. One control per case was chosen randomly from the Family Health Services Authority (or Health
Board in Scotland), matched on date of birth and sex. The study focused on the relationship between
childhood cancer and exposure to power frequency magnetic fields in the year prior to diagnosis. Magnetic
flux density measurements were made for all participants in the home and school. Here we describe the
design of the external source questionnaire that was used to support the exposure assessment. With the cooperation of the UK electricity industry the external source questionnaire was completed for each study
participant. Several important sources associated with the electricity supply were targeted: 1) 275-400 kV
overhead transmission lines within 400 m, or underground cables located within 100 m of a home or school;
2) 66 132 kV lines located at distances up to 200 m depending on load rating; 3) 11-33 kV lines at
distances up to 80 m; 4) 11 - 66 kV substations within 20 m; 5) phase-separated cables of 33 kV or above
within 20 m; 6) three-phase 415 V distribution circuits within 2m of the exterior wall of the home. Also
identified were low voltage circuits that had been operating under atypical conditions, at the time of the
initial measurement or during the year of interest. The homes situated close to these sources, where
potentially high or varying exposures might have been encountered, were re-visited during a second
extended measurement phase. In prescribed situations, measurements were adjusted for historical line load
conditions to estimate average exposure in the year of interest. The information, masked for case or control
status, was processed by NRPB. The ensuing database forms a unique source of information on children in
the UK living near to power lines. It is estimated that 1.8% of study children lived within 400 m of 275-400
kV transmission lines. Overall for all high voltage power lines, close to 4% of residences were located
within the threshold distances described above. Previous studies have used distance as a potential indicator
of exposure and some have suggested an association with disease. The external source data provide an
opportunity to examine the potential association with distance from power lines in the UK.
305

Reference.
1. UK Childhood Cancer Study Investigators. Exposure to power frequency magnetic fields and the risk of
childhood cancer. The Lancet, 354, 1925-1931 (1999).

Figure 1 UKCCS the proportion of study children living within 400 m of 275-400 kV power lines
This work was carried out as part of the UKCCS funded by the UK Coordinating Committee on Cancer
Research.

P-226
COMPARING EXPOSURES OF GARMENT WORKERS TO THOSE OF ELECTRIC UTILITY
WORKERS FOR DESIGNING A STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL MAGNETIC-FIELD EXPOSURE
AND FEMALE BREAST CANCER. T.D. Bracken1, M.A. Kelsh2, J.D. Sahl3, R.F. Rankin4. 1T. Dan
Bracken, Inc., Portland, Oregon, 97202, USA. 2Exponent Health Group, Menlo Park, California, 94025,
USA. 3J. Sahl Associates, Pasadena, CA, 91101, USA. 4Applied Research Services, Inc., Lake Oswego,
Oregon, 97035, USA.
OBJECTIVES: To design an epidemiologic study of occupational magnetic field exposures and female
breast cancer, we conducted an exposure comparison study of electric utility and garment industry workers.
METHODS: Magnetic field personal exposure (PE), survey, and fixed-location transient measurements
were collected at a small garment facility and several work environments at an electric utility (service
center, substation, generation plant, and distribution line). Garment worker results are reported here. At the
garment facility, PE measurements were collected by six workers for approximately 48 minutes each.
Survey measurements were made at four body locations (head, chest, waist, and knees) near 35 sewing
machines of various types. All machines were turned on and operated at 110 V. Fixed-location transient
counters were deployed at five sewing machine workstations for approximately 75 minutes each.
RESULTS: Mean PE field measured at the waist ranged from 0.07 to 0.33 T at sewing machine work
locations and maximum PE field ranged from 0.16 to 1.3 T. Sixty-hertz field magnitude was lower at
sewing machines than at utility workstations except for locations in service centers. Harmonic (100 800
Hz) field levels at sewing machine workstations were comparable to levels at utility locations except in
substations, where harmonic levels were higher. The survey measurements indicated that fields near the
sewing machines were associated with the motor technology employed by the machine. Fields were highest
for machines equipped with AC motors, which had higher current ratings than machines with DC motors.
Transients above the low-channel threshold (>0.0033 T) were less frequent near sewing machines than in
most utility work locations. Saturation of the low channel of transient counters occurred regularly at utility
workstations with computers or terminals present, but this saturation was not observed near sewing
machines. Transients above the high-channel threshold (>0.033 T) occurred near sewing machines as
306

frequently as in all utility work locations except near substation control consoles and in the substation yard
where these transients were more frequent.
DISCUSSION: Our measurements indicate that the fields near sewing machines at this facility were lower
than those reported elsewhere for garment workers. Even with this limited set of measurements, we can
conclude that sewing machine technology is a major determinant of exposures for garment workers.
Estimation of past exposures may require measuring worker exposure due to older machine technologies.
Quantification of present and future exposures will require ongoing monitoring of technological changes in
production facilities.
This research was funded by EPRI under WO#6778-01.

P-227
THE UK CHILDHOOD CANCER STUDY: ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND DISTANCE
FROM POWER LINES. M.P. Maslanyj*, S.G. Allen and T.J. Mee*. National Radiological Protection
Board. Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK.
The main results of the EMF part of the case-control UK Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) were reported
in 19991. One control per case was chosen randomly from the Family Health Services Authority (or Health
Board in Scotland), matched on date of birth and sex. The study focused on the relationship between
childhood cancer and exposure to power frequency magnetic fields in the year prior to diagnosis. Magnetic
flux density measurements were made for all participants in the home and school. Here we describe the
design of the external source questionnaire that was used to support the exposure assessment. With the cooperation of the UK electricity industry the external source questionnaire was completed for each study
participant. Several important sources associated with the electricity supply were targeted: 1) 275-400 kV
overhead transmission lines within 400 m, or underground cables located within 100 m of a home or school;
2) 66 132 kV lines located at distances up to 200 m depending on load rating; 3) 11-33 kV lines at
distances up to 80 m; 4) 11 - 66 kV substations within 20 m; 5) phase-separated cables of 33 kV or above
within 20 m; 6) three-phase 415 V distribution circuits within 2m of the exterior wall of the home. Also
identified were low voltage circuits that had been operating under atypical conditions, at the time of the
initial measurement or during the year of interest. The homes situated close to these sources, where
potentially high or varying exposures might have been encountered, were re-visited during a second
extended measurement phase. In prescribed situations, measurements were adjusted for historical line load
conditions to estimate average exposure in the year of interest. The information, masked for case or control
status, was processed by NRPB. The ensuing database forms a unique source of information on children in
the UK living near to power lines. It is estimated that 1.8% of study children lived within 400 m of 275-400
kV transmission lines. Overall for all high voltage power lines, close to 4% of residences were located
within the threshold distances described above. Previous studies have used distance as a potential indicator
of exposure and some have suggested an association with disease. The external source data provide an
opportunity to examine the potential association with distance from power lines in the UK.
Reference.
1. UK Childhood Cancer Study Investigators. Exposure to power frequency magnetic fields and the risk of
childhood cancer. The Lancet, 354, 1925-1931 (1999).

307

Figure 1 UKCCS the proportion of study children living within 400 m of 275-400 kV power lines
This work was carried out as part of the UKCCS funded by the UK Coordinating Committee on Cancer
Research.

308

Index of Authors
Abd-Alhameed, R.A. ........ 147
Adair, E.R. ......................... 87
Agelan, A. .......................... 95
Ahlonsou, L.N. ......... 143, 205
Ajayan, P............................ 49
kesson, S........................ 237
Aksyonov, S.I................... 112
Akyel, Y. .......................... 281
Alborn, A.-M.................... 190
Aldana, R.H...................... 120
Alekseev, S....................... 292
Alekseev, S.I. ..................... 42
Alexandrova, T.A. ............ 113
Allen, S.G................. 305, 307
Aloe, A.M. ................. 55, 238
Anane, R......17, 101, 120, 136
Anderson, L.E............. 69, 105
Anderson, V. .................... 121
Ando, J. ............................ 156
Anger, G................... 225, 279
Anisimov, I.V................... 224
Ano, T. ............................. 151
Ardoino, L.................. 37, 124
Arnetz, B.B......................... 90
Arvidsson, P. .................... 190
Asta, D. ...............37, 124, 278
Avivi, L. ............................... 5
Bachelet, C. ...................... 162
Bakos, J. ........................... 126
Balcavage, W.X.......... 73, 170
Ballen, M.......................... 138
Balzano, Q..57, 119, 137, 138,
140
Barattini, P................ 268, 293
Barbi, M. .......................... 213
Barbieri, R. ....................... 287
Barbul, A. ............................. 5
Barnes, E.M...................... 208
Barnes, F.S. .................. 51, 88
Bauer, H. .......................... 195
Baumann, J....................... 295
Bavendam, T. ..................... 77
Bayo, M.A. ....................... 303
Bazn, E. .................. 165, 166
Beeman, D.......................... 51
Belyaev, I.Ya.............. 32, 169
Berglind, N......................... 90

Bergstrom, W.H. .................45

Bernard, M........................276
Bernardi, P............ 41, 55, 238
Bernhardt, J.H.....................99
Bertotto, P.........................135
Besset, A...........................272
Bianco, B. .........................118
Billaudel, B......... 17, 120, 136
Billiard, M. .......................272
Binhi, V.N. .........................11
Bisceglia, B.......................287
Bitz, A. ..63, 92, 150, 160, 161
Bizios, R. ............................49
Bjerle, P. ...........................271
Blackman, C.F. .................178
Blanchard, J.P. ..................178
Blank, M. ........................7, 18
Blick, D.W. ................. 94, 267
Blix, N. ......................... 4, 271
Bloch, I. .................... 123, 139
Blondin, J.P.......................249
Bock, H.............................188
Bodet, D..............................17
Bognr, G. ........................168
Bolomey, J.Ch. ... 19, 206, 207
Bonhomme-Faivre, L. ......265,
283, 288
Boonpanyarak, S-N...........210
Bornhausen, M..................253
Btzel, K...........................133
Boulahchiche, F. ....... 206, 207
Bourdages, M......................97
Bousquet, T.......................123
Bowley, K...........................77
Bowman, J.D. .................1, 62
Bracken, T.D............... 60, 306
Braimah, B........................186
Brendel, H................... 92, 150
Breysse, P.N. ......................62
Brinkmann, K. .......... 221, 303
Brix, G..............................244
Brix, J. .......133, 163, 244, 299
Brugre, H. .......................276
Brggemeyer, H................297
Brmmer, F.......................175
Bruna, S. ...........................118
Bruzon, R.P.......................120
309

Bryngelsson, K. ................ 153

Buhl, J. ............................... 16
Bulychev, A.A.................. 112
Burch, J.B. ....................... 272
Brdalo, M. ...................... 115
Buschmann, J. .................... 63
Cabrales, L.B.................... 120
Callin, M. ......................... 197
Cameron, I.......................... 55
Campbell, D.D. ................ 127
Caputa, K. .......................... 56
Carson, J.J.L................... 8, 25
Cavagnaro, M.41, 55, 177, 238
Cavalleri, A. ..................... 213
Cedervall, B. .................... 100
Cerri, G. ........................... 142
Chacn, L......................... 290
Chaillou, S...................19, 139
Chamberlain, J.K. ............. 170
Chapman, C.E. ................. 249
Chatterjee, I...................... 172
Chavdarov, D. .................... 58
Chemeris, N.K.................. 289
Chernyshov, M............88, 264
Chiarandini, S................... 142
Chizhenkova, R.A. ........... 250
Cho, K.Y. ..................130, 131
Cho, W.Y. ........................ 130
Cho, Y.S........................... 216
Choi, H.D..................130, 131
Choleris, E........................ 247
Chou, C.K. ....................... 138
Chung, M.S. ..................... 130
Ciammetti, L. ................... 124
Cicchetti, R. ..................... 138
Cid, M.A. ......................... 303
Ciolek, Z. 13, 44, 81, 200, 248
Ciria, H.C......................... 120
Cleveland, Jr., R.F. ....127, 128
Close, J.J. ......................... 180
Cobb, B.L........................... 87
Conover, D.L...................... 14
Conrad, G......................... 188
Cooper, J. ........................... 16
Cowan, A. ........................ 292
Cox, D...................82, 87, 202
Crasson, M. ...................... 300

Craviso, G.L..................... 172

Crawford, J....................... 298
Creim, J.A. ..................69, 105
DAlisa, A. ....................... 176
dAmbrosio, G...............6, 103
DAndrea, J. .. 82, 94, 202, 208
DInzeo, G... 37, 107, 118, 124
Dabrowski, M.I. ............... 152
Dabrowski, M.P. .........44, 152
Daigle, J.P. ......................... 70
Dale, C. ...............19, 139, 143
Davey, K. ........................... 77
David, E. ...................227, 270
Dawson, T.W. .................... 56
de Bernardo, S...........165, 166
de Klerk, A....................... 215
de Seze, R. ................139, 272
Deans, J.K. ................259, 260
Debouzy, J.C. ............162, 258
Debray, M. ....................... 276
Dehos, A. ......................... 163
Del Pizzo, V. ...............98, 296
Dertinger, H. ...................... 33
deRuiter, N................180, 194
Detlefsen, J....................... 212
Devevey, L. ...................... 276
Dick, E.J. Jr...................... 285
Dietrich, A........................ 140
Dillman, C.J. ...................... 47
Ding, G.R..........3, 5, 104, 106
d'Inzeo, G......................... 177
Doyle, J. ........................... 262
Droste, S. ........................... 30
Drucker-Colin, R. ......158, 190
du Toit, L.J....................... 231
Dulou, P.E...........17, 120, 136
Dumont, M......................... 97
Dunker, L. ........................ 227
Durante, M. ...................... 103
Ebi, K..........................70, 298
Eckert, E.W. ..................... 301
Edwards, R.M. ................... 14
Eggert, S. ......................... 227
Eicher, B. ......................... 122
Engstrm, S........................ 35
Enikova, A.I. ...................... 58
Eriksson, P.S. ................... 190
Eriomina, N.V. ................. 245
Eschenko, O. .................... 254
Espa, F. ............................ 272
Excell, P.S.................141, 147

Exuzides, A. ....................... 96
Faber, R. ................... 238, 243
Faber, S. ............................. 53
Faden, J.S. .......................... 78
Faludy, B. ......................... 257
Faraone, A. .69, 119, 137, 138,
140
Feichtinger, M. ......... 238, 243
Feiner, F. .......................... 244
Fews, A.P. .................. 64, 180
Feychting, M. ................... 279
Finnie, J. ........................... 144
Fitzsimmons, R.J. ............... 47
Florig, K. ............................ 98
Forget, R........................... 249
Foster, K.R. ...................... 302
Fox, M.T........................... 170
Francavilla, M................... 135
Frasca, D. ................. 268, 293
Fredericks, D.C................... 93
Fujimori, A. ...... 3, 5, 104, 106
Fujinami, R....................... 151
Fujiwara, K. .............. 154, 155
Funk, R.H.W. ................... 195
Furuya, K.......................... 239
Fushimi, M. ...................... 239
Gabriel, C. ........................ 196
Gailey, P.C. ........................ 13
Gailus, T............114, 269, 301
Gajda, G. .......................... 210
Gajsek, P. ................... 39, 201
Galloni, P.................. 278, 293
Galloway, N........................ 77
Galt, S........111, 148, 153, 190
Gapeyev, A.B. .................. 289
Garay, R. .......................... 202
Garnero, L. ....................... 139
Gatzka, J........................... 289
Gauvin, D. .......................... 97
Geffard, M.......................... 17
Geisbusch, L. .................... 230
Geissinger, L.G................... 60
Gessner, A. ....................... 140
Gingras, S........................... 97
Giordano, S....................... 118
Gjtterud, K................ 24, 109
Glaser, R.....50, 153, 159, 186,
187
Gmitrov, J......................... 273
Gobba, F. .......................... 213
Goitz, S............................. 227
310

Goldman, R.................11, 246

Glfert, F. .........................195
Gollnick, F. ............... 150, 188
Gonzalez, M.Y. .................285
Goodman, R. .......................18
Goryachev, S.N.................112
Gottwald, E. ........................33
Goulet, D. .........................249
Grangeat, C. ...... 123, 143, 205
Green, A.C. .......................174
Greene, Y............................77
Griffing, K. .......................233
Grigat, J.P. ................ 221, 303
Grigoriev, Yu.G. ...............192
Grimaldi, S................ 184, 191
Grossi, G...........................103
Grunina, T.Yu. ..................112
Guan, K.............................194
Guillosson, J.J. ..................276
Ha, T...................................95
Haase, A. ..........................289
Habel, B. .....................50, 186
Haberhauer, P....................133
Haberland, L. ..............50, 187
Hadjiargyrou, M..................29
Hagelstein, M-T. ...............300
Haider, H. ...........................40
Hmlinen, A-M................91
Hambrook, J.L. .................164
Hamnerius, Y. ..... 71, 153, 190
Hand, U.K. ..........................51
Hansen, V. ... 63, 92, 150, 160,
161
Hardman, E. ........................55
Hare, E..............................208
Harms-Ringdahl, M.....32, 169
Hart, F.X.............................25
Hatcher, D.J. .......................82
Heikkinen, P. ...... 68, 129, 282
Heinrich, W.........................59
Henderson, A. ..... 27, 185, 186
Henry, P......................82, 202
Henshaw, D.L. ............64, 180
Herget, I............ 114, 269, 301
Herken, R..........................289
Hidaka, E. .........................154
Hietanen, M. .......................91
Hiles, M. .....................66, 233
Hillert, L. ............................90
Hiraoka, M........................104
Hirasaki, T. .......................155

Hirvonen, A. ......................... 4
Hiwaki, O. ........................ 252
Hofer, A. .......................... 195
Hoffmann, A....................... 53
Hofmann, W. ............ 238, 243
Holcomb, R.R............... 35, 86
Holte, K.............................. 66
Hombach, V. ...................... 16
Hooper, H.C. .................... 218
Hopfengrtner, R. ..... 238, 243
Hrnsten, R. ..................... 271
Hosokawa, K. ........... 167, 183
House, D.E. ...................... 178
Houti, H............................ 167
Hristova, L................ 218, 268
Huasheng, L. .................... 242
Hlser, D.F. ...................... 175
Hurt, W. ..............39, 201, 202
Huuskonen, H................... 129
Hyysalo, P. ................. 68, 129
Iimoto, M. ................ 154, 155
Ikeda, K.................... 149, 189
Ikehara, T. ................ 167, 183
Imai, H. ............................ 266
Imai, S.............................. 275
Inns, R.H. ......................... 164
Irmer, U............................ 175
Ishido, M. ......................... 182
Ishihama, N....................... 262
Ismagyilov, V.S........ 224, 232
Itabashi, M........................ 275
Iucci, N..............173, 224, 232
Ivanova, V. ....................... 284
Iwasaka, M. ......156, 157, 167,
171, 287
Jakobus, U. ............... 203, 230
Jrventaus, H. ....................... 4
Jauchem, J.R..................... 208
Jenrow, K.A. ...................... 93
Johnson, L.R............... 94, 267
Johnson, R. ..........94, 233, 267
Jokela, K................... 192, 222
Joss, S............................... 295
Juutilainen, J......107, 129, 282
Kabuto, M. ............... 182, 266
Kagaya, O......................... 135
Kainz, W. ........................... 19
Kanda, M.................. 119, 138
Kandel, S.......................... 296
Kantell, T. .........116, 219, 234
Kashimoto, H. .......... 167, 183

Katane, T. .........................155
Kavaliers, M. ....................252
Kavet, R.................. 56, 60, 70
Kawaguchi, H. ..................167
Keikko, T.......... 116, 220, 234
Keitch, P.A. ................ 64, 180
Kellnyi, L. .......................257
Kelsey, J.L. .......................235
Kelsh, M. .................... 96, 306
Kentner, S. ........................270
Keskinen, K. ............. 192, 222
Kheifets, L.I......................235
Khizhnyak, E.P. ..................43
Khokhlova, N.Yu. .............245
Kim, H.K. .........................145
Kim, J.S. ...........................145
Kim, N. .............................145
Kim, Y.S...........................216
Kinouchi, Y. ............. 167, 183
Klar, M. ............................212
Klucharev, V.....................271
Kolomyceva, M.P. ............289
Komulainen, H..................129
Kopytenko, E.A. ....... 224, 232
Kopytenko, Y.A.173, 224, 232
Korenstein, A. .......................5
Korenstein, R. .......................5
Korpinen, L...... 116, 219, 220,
234
Kosma, V.-M. ...................129
Kostenkova, V. .................254
Kosub, K..................... 82, 202
Kotani, H. ................. 156, 167
Kotiniitty, J. ..... 116, 219, 220,
234
Kotnik, T. ...........................70
Kovacs, E..........................294
Kraemer, P..........................93
Krafczyk, S. ......................133
Kriehuber, R. .............. 30, 181
Krger, E. ...........................97
Krueger, H. .........................89
Kubacki, R. .... 13, 44, 81, 200,
248
Kubinyi, Gy. .....................126
Kuchel, T.R.......................144
Kuiken, T.A. .....................109
Kulikov, G. .......................284
Kullnick, U. .............. 180, 194
Kumlin, T. ................ 129, 282
Kurokawa, Y............. 182, 266
311

Kuster, N...................194, 295

Kutome, M. ...................... 239
Kutrumbos, T.D. ................ 88
Kuusiluoma, S.................. 116
Lagroye, I..................120, 136
LaGroye, I........................ 101
Laitinen, J......................... 282
Lambrozo, J...................... 276
Landstorfer, F.M. ......212, 230
Lang, C.S. ........................ 100
Lang, S.............. 107, 129, 181
Lapierre, A.M................... 249
Lavrova, A.I. .................... 114
Lazetic, B. ........................ 277
le Roux, D.B..............203, 229
Leal, B.Z. ......................... 101
Leal, J................ 165, 166, 303
Lee, A.K....................130, 131
Lee, G. ......................218, 268
Legros, J-J........................ 300
Lemay, E.......................... 210
Lendahl, U............................ 1
Leonowich, J.A. ........199, 233
Lerchl, A. .... 92, 150, 160, 161
Lerchl, D. ..................160, 161
Leutert, G. ........................ 295
Levallois, P. ................97, 268
Levque, P........................ 162
Li, L. ................................ 101
Liberti, M. .................118, 177
Liboff, A.R....................27, 93
Liccardi, A. ...................... 103
Lin, J.C........................55, 238
Lindgren, M. .............148, 153
Lindsay, C.D. ................... 164
Lindstrm, E..................... 271
Linovitz, R.J....................... 78
Lioi, M.B...................176, 287
Lisi, A. ......................184, 191
Lobanov, A.I. ................... 114
Logani, M.K. ...................... 95
Lscher, W. ...................... 188
Lovisolo, G.A.....37, 124, 268,
278
Lu, S.-T.....................202, 281
Lukac, T........................... 277
Lukyanova, S.N................ 192
Lyskov, E. .. 88, 173, 232, 264,
271
Machlup, S. ...................... 111
Magee, F.P. ........................ 78

Mai, N. ............................. 133

Maier, M. ......................... 230
Malabiau, R...................... 162
Malyapa, R.S.................... 101
Mancini, S...........37, 124, 268
Mangoud, M.A. ................ 147
Manni, V. ..................184, 191
Marcolongo, R.................... 48
Marino, C. .. 37, 124, 268, 278,
293
Marion, S. ........................ 265
Markkanen, A................... 107
Markoll, R. ....................48, 76
Markov, K.G. ..................... 58
Markov, M.M..................... 31
Markov, M.S. ................52, 55
Mrquez, J........................ 123
Martn, A.......................... 126
Martnez, M.A. .. 165, 166, 303
Martnez-Brdalo, M. ....... 126
Martinyuk, V.................... 232
Martinyuk, V.S..........173, 224
Martirosyan, V. ...........27, 185
Martynova, O. .................. 284
Marx, B. ............................. 16
Mashevich, M....................... 5
Maslanyj, M.P. ..........305, 307
Mason, P. ...... 39, 82, 201, 208
Massa, R. ......................6, 103
Msse, B. ........................... 97
Massot, O. ........................ 290
Matavulj, M...................... 277
Mathur, S. . 202, 262, 281, 285
Matthes, R. ..................99, 299
Mattia, F........................... 107
McCreary, C.R. ................ 158
McDevitt, J......................... 62
McDonald, P.W.................. 86
McLean, M.J. ................35, 86
McLeod, K.J..................21, 29
McNamee, J. .................... 210
Mee, T.J. ...................305, 307
Meister, A. ....................... 194
Meltz, M.L. ...............101, 198
Menzel, K......................... 122
Mevissen, M..................... 188
Meyer, F.J.C...... 203, 229, 231
Meyer, R. ..................150, 188
Mezei, G. ......................... 235
Michaelis, J. ..............221, 303
Michalsky, M. .................. 153

Miclaus, S................. 161, 179

Midkiff, P. .......................... 31
Mikhailik, L.V. ................. 241
Mikhailov, V. ............. 88, 264
Miklavcic, D....................... 70
Mild, K. Hansson. 4, 225, 271,
302
Miosge, N. ........................ 289
Miranda, J.M. ................... 115
Miyakoshi, J. .... 3, 5, 104, 106
Miyamoto, H. ........... 167, 183
Mizuta, T. ......................... 239
Modesti, A. ....................... 191
MollaDjafari, H. ............... 40
Monebhurrun, V. ................ 19
Morgan, R........................... 96
Moros, E........................... 101
Morris, J.E. ....................... 105
Morrissey, J.J.57, 69, 138, 140
Moss, C.E. .......................... 14
Muehsam, D.J..................... 36
Mueller, Ch.H..................... 89
Muenz, L.R......................... 78
Muheim, R........................ 237
Munderloh, J..................... 233
Muoz, S. ......................... 115
Mylacraine, K.S.................. 87
Naarala, J.......................... 107
Nafziger, J. ....................... 276
Nagawa, H. .......................... 85
Nair, I. .................................. 9
Nakagawa, M.................... 264
Nakamoto, Y. ................... 228
Nakamura, K. ................... 167
Nakasono, S...................... 217
Natarajan, M. .................... 198
Navarro, L. ....................... 190
Neeman, E. ....................... 296
Negishi, T......................... 275
Nelson, D.A. ....................... 94
Nepola, J.V. ........................ 93
Nerucci, A. ......................... 48
Neubauer, G............ 15, 19, 40
Neutra, R. ........... 98, 218, 268
Neutra, R.R....................... 296
Nguyen, D.H..................... 249
Nie, K. ........................ 27, 185
Niemuller, M.L. ................ 170
Nigro, R............................ 103
Nikeshina, I. ............... 88, 264
Nikolskaya, K. .................. 254
312

Nimtz, G. ............................34
Nindl, G. .............................73
Nishimura, I. .....................275
Nitta, H. .................... 182, 266
Niu, Z................................110
Nondez, L. .......................126
Nordenson, I. ........................4
Norppa, H. ............................4
Oca, L.M de ......................120
Odoj, F..............................289
Oetzel, H...........................269
Ohashi, Y. .........................155
Ohkubo, C.........................273
Ohlsson, T.........................148
Okuno, K. .........................151
Olivares-Banuelos, T.........190
Olsen, R.G. .......................211
Ondze, B. ..........................272
Orbach-Arbouys, S.... 265, 288
Ossenkopp, K.-P. ..............252
Ovchinnikov, E.L..............245
Pakhomov, A.G.................262
Palmer, K.D. .....................203
Park, J.D. ..........................145
Park, K.H. .........................167
Park, K-H..........................183
Park, W. ..............................69
Pascanu, S.........................161
Pasche, B. .........................240
Patinot, C. .........................276
Paulsson, L-E. ...................225
Pearson, R...................98, 298
Pena, O.G..........................120
Pennders, R.M.J. ...............215
Pernodet, N. ........................21
Perrin, A. ..........................162
Perrone, D.........................118
Person, C...........................205
Persson, A. ........................190
Persson, M. .......................190
Petrucci, F. ............................2
Pettersen, E.O. ..................197
Peyman, A. .......................196
Pfluger, D.......... 173, 224, 232
Pfotenhauer, M..................227
Picard, D. .......... 143, 206, 207
Pickard, W. .......................101
Pilla, A.A. ...................36, 204
Pinto, R. ......................37, 124
Pirotte, P. ..........................300
Pisa, S. .................. 41, 55, 238

Piscitelli, M. ..................... 278

Pitkaho, R. ........................ 68
Piuzzi, E. ............................ 41
Plante, M. ......................... 249
Plusnina, T.Yu.................. 114
Podorolskaya, L................ 254
Polk, C. .............................. 22
Pologea-Moraru, R. .......... 294
Ponder, R............................ 78
Popovic, M. ................ 23, 109
Porres, L............................. 29
Pozzi, D.................... 184, 191
Prato, F.S.......74, 79, 158, 247
Pruppers, M.J.M. .............. 215
Ptitsyna, N.G. ....173, 224, 232
Publicover, N.G. ............... 172
Puia, D.............................. 179
Puranen, L. ..68, 129, 192, 222
Qian, H............................. 242
Qingguo, H....................... 286
Qinguo, H......................... 291
Quevedo, M.S................... 120
Quiroz, C.......................... 158
Raczek, J. ......................... 269
Raczek, R. ................ 114, 301
Radzievsky Jr., A.............. 292
Radzievsky, A. ................. 292
Rafailovich, M.................... 21
Rajkovic, V. ..................... 277
Ramundo-Orlando, A........ 107
Rankin, R.F. ............... 60, 306
Rasson, J............173, 224, 232
Ravagnan, G. .................... 107
Reich, U. .......................... 153
Reif, J.S............................ 272
Reilly, J.P. ........................ 199
Reinke, G. .................. 50, 186
Reiser, M............................ 53
Reienweber, J. ........ 227, 270
Repacholi, M.H. ............... 302
Reynolds, P. ..................... 218
Rezazadeh, A.A................ 196
Richard, D. ....................... 181
Richiardi, G. ..................... 135
Rieti, S...................... 184, 191
Rifai, H............................. 139
Rivas, B............................ 115
Rivera, T........................... 139
Riznichenko, G.Yu. .......... 114
Rogachefsky, R.A............... 52
Rog, F............................. 300

Rojavin, M. .......................292
Romanchuk, P.I.................113
Rnnbck, L......................153
Roti Roti, J.L. ...................101
Rowley, J.R.......................121
Runow, K..........................269
Ruo, H.-O. ......................212
Ruoss, H.O........................230
Russo, P............ 119, 137, 142
Ryaby, J.T...........................78
Ryan, K.L. .................. 94, 208
Sadovnikov, V.B...............289
Sahl, J.D. ..........................306
Saiki, H.............................217
Sakaguchi, K.....................155
Salas, M.F.........................120
Salvemini, F.................. 2, 176
Sancho, M.........................115
Sanderson, L.M...................86
Sandstrm, M................ 4, 271
Sano, R. ............................217
Santini, R. ................. 283, 288
Santoro, A.........................287
Sasano, T. ................. 217, 275
Sasser, L.B........................105
Sassone, D. .........................62
Sastre, A. ............................56
Scarf, M.R. ...... 2, 6, 176, 287
Scarpa, S...........................191
Scheingraber, H. ...............253
Schellinger, M...................140
Schiavoni, A. ....................135
Schierz, Ch. ........................89
Schmid, G. ..........................40
Schmidt, J. ........................172
Schmitt, F. ................ 123, 244
Schnborn, F.....................194
Schubert, F.................. 50, 159
Schler, C. ........................195
Schller, M. ......................122
Schulz, O. .........................299
Schz, J..................... 221, 303
Scott, R. ............................261
Seaman, R.L. ....................285
Sebastian, J.L. ...................115
Seigne, M..........................283
Sekijima, M. ............. 149, 189
Senior, R.S..........................60
Serafino, A.L. ...................191
Serebryakova, T. ...............254
Shcheglov, V.S. ..................32
313

Sheen, D............................. 69
Shekhotkin, A.V............... 173
Shepard, R.B. ..................... 56
Shibuya, K........................ 275
Shigemitsu, T. .................. 217
Shioga, M......................... 104
Shoda, M.......................... 151
Shpinkova, V.................... 254
Simk, M. ...................30, 181
Simon, B. ........................... 93
Simunic, D. ...................... 233
Sisken, B.F. ........................ 31
Slobodianuk, I.L............... 245
Sobiczewska, E. .....13, 44, 81,
152, 200, 248
Soda, A. ........................... 183
Sderberg, K. ................... 279
Sokolov, G. .................88, 264
Sokolov, J........................... 21
Sommerfeldt, D.W. ............ 29
Somosy, Z. ....................... 168
Sontag, W......................28, 33
Soo, L................................... 7
Spadaro, J.A. ...................... 45
Spandau, D.F...................... 73
Spanoudaki, A. ................... 34
Spera, D. .......................... 177
Spreitzer, W. .................... 230
Stankiewicz, W. ..........44, 152
Stefan, H. ..................238, 243
Stepanov, V.S................... 192
Strmer, B. ................221, 303
Stoykov, N. ...................... 109
Straube, W........................ 101
Streckert, J.... 63, 92, 122, 150,
160, 161
Stuchly, M.A. ..................... 56
Sundstrom, L.E..........259, 260
Supronowicz, P. ................. 49
Surducan, E. ..................... 179
Surpris, J. ......................... 186
Suzuki, T.......................... 282
Swez, J.A. ...................73, 170
Swicord, M.L.57, 69, 138, 140
Szasz, A. ............................ 74
Szilagyi, M. ...............101, 198
Szmigielski, S. 13, 44, 81, 152,
200, 248
Taflove, A. ..................23, 109
Tagawa, A. ....................... 155
Takahashi, K. ................... 156

Takahashi, M.................... 228

Takeuchi, M. .................... 171
Taki, M. 83, 85, 135, 228, 251
Taki, T. .............................. 84
Tanaka, T. ...................84, 251
Tao, Q. ............................... 27
Tatsuoka, H. ..............262, 282
Tattersall, J.E.H.174, 259, 260,
261
Taxile, M............................ 17
Telbisz, . ........................ 168
Temuriantz, N.A............... 232
Temuryants, N.A. ......173, 224
Testylier, G. ..................... 258
Thansandote, A. ............... 210
Thier, K.-F. ...............114, 301
Thomas, A.W. .......74, 79, 247
Thompson, C.J. ................ 121
Thorlin, T. ........................ 153
Thuile, C. ........................... 76
Thun-Battersby, S............. 188
Thurczy, G. ..... 126, 168, 257
Toivo, T. ...................192, 222
Tonduli, L. ....................... 258
Torudd, J. ......................... 169
Touchstone, J. .................. 272
Touitou, Y.......................... 97
Travers, J.B. ....................... 73
Trillo, M.A. ....... 165, 166, 303
Trmper, T. ...................... 221
Tsurita, G. .......................... 85
Tugulea, L. ....................... 161
Turovetsky, V.B. .............. 112
Twehues, A. ....................... 31
Tyasto, M.I....................... 232
beda, A. .......... 165, 166, 303
berbacher, R. ................... 19
Uddma, T. .......................... 71
Ueno, S. 51, 85, 151, 156, 157,
167, 171, 262, 282, 287
Ulcek, J.L. .................127, 128
Ullmann, K......................... 49
Uno, T.............................. 135
Ursini, M.V. ......................... 2

Uscebrka, G. ..................... 277

Ushakov, V.D. .................... 32
Utteridge, T.D................... 144
van der Plas, M. ................ 215
Van Matre, B.J.................. 211
Varakina, N.I. ........... 241, 245
Vaughan, T.E...................... 10
Vaul, J.A........................... 141
Vedin, N.G. ...................... 245
Verdugo-Diaz, L. ...... 158, 190
Vernon-Roberts, B. ........... 144
Vesper, D.N................ 73, 170
Veyret, B. ....17, 120, 136, 143
Viergutz, T. ...................... 181
Vijayalaxmi ...................... 101
Villa, H............................. 186
Villar, R............................ 126
Villoresi, G. .......173, 224, 232
Vishnevskiy, A. .......... 88, 264
Vistnes, A.I......... 24, 109, 197
Vitolo, G........................... 103
Volobuev, A.N.................. 113
Voronkov, V.N. .................. 43
Voronov, P.M ................... 232
Wachtel, H............ 51, 98, 298
Wagner, H.J...................... 289
Wainwright, P.R. ................ 38
Wake, K.............................. 83
Waldmann, J. .................... 230
Walleczek, J.................... 8, 25
Walters, T.J...39, 94, 201, 208,
267
Walzl, M............................. 76
Wang, X. .......................... 178
Wang, Yu-J................. 55, 238
Watanabe, S....83, 84, 85, 135,
228, 251
Watanabe, Y. ........ 83, 84, 251
Weaver, J.C. ....................... 10
Weibezahn, K.-F................. 33
Weide, Z. .......................... 291
Weidner, M......................... 34
Weiss, D.G. ........................ 30
White, K.P. ......................... 74

314

Wiart, J. .............. 19, 139, 143

Wilding, R.J. ...............64, 180
Wiln, J.........................4, 225
Williams, C.D. ....................55
Wilson, B.W. ..............69, 105
Winterfeldt, D. von .............98
Wleklinski, M. ..................180
Wobus, A.M................33, 194
Wojtysiak, A. ............ 180, 194
Xiaoyang, H. .....................286
Xiaoyun, Z. ............... 286, 291
Xu, Y. ...............................284
Yagachi, H. ...........................5
Yaguchi, H............ 3, 104, 106
Yamaguchi, H. .... 85, 167, 183
Yamaguchi, K. ..................287
Yamanaka, Y. ........... 135, 228
Yano, A..................... 154, 155
Yaping, G..........................242
Yasunaga, K.............. 149, 189
Yatsenko, A.V...................224
Yomori, H................. 149, 189
Yoshida, M. ...... 3, 5, 104, 106
Yoshimura, Y....................287
Yoshizaki, K. ............ 167, 183
Yost, M.G. ........................272
Yukawa, Y. .......................239
Yun, J.H............................145
Zaffanella, L.E. ...........70, 218
Zaitsev, D.B. .....................232
Zeni, O.............. 2, 6, 176, 287
Zhadin, M.N......................171
Zhang, P............................101
Zhang, S............................284
Zhao, K. ..............................96
Zhao, Z. ............................284
Zhenguo, L........................291
Zielinski, H. ......................152
Ziriax, J......... 39, 82, 201, 202
Ziskin, M. ....... 42, 43, 95, 292
Zubkova, S.M. ..................241
Zubov, P. ............................58