PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE PRELIMINARY OPINION ON POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (EMF)

La Commissione europea e il Comitato scientifico dei rischi sanitari emergenti e recentemente identificati (SCENIHR) ha lanciato una consultazione pubblica sul parere preliminare sulla 'Potenziali effetti sulla salute dell'esposizione ai campi elettromagnetici (CEM)' dal 4 febbraio fino al 16 di Aprile. Sono state presentate oltre 200 osservazioni e SCENIHR ora li sta analizzando accuratamente al fine di finalizzare un'oppinione.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The European Commission and the Scientific Committee on Emerging Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) launched a public consultation on the preliminary opinion on 'Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)' from the 4th of February until the 16th of Avril. More than 200 comments have been submitted and the SCENIHR is now thoroughly analysing them in order to finalise the opinion.

Preliminary opinion

The purpose of this opinion is to update the SCENIHR opinions of 19 January 2009 (Health effects of exposure to EMF) and 6 July 2009 (Research needs and methodology to address the remaining knowledge gaps on the potential health effects of EMF) in the light of newly available information, and to give special consideration to areas where important knowledge gaps were identified in the previous opinion. In addition, biophysical interaction mechanisms and the potential role of co-exposures to other environmental agents are discussed.

In line with the Stakeholder Dialogue Procedures (Annex IV to the Rules of Procedures of the Scientific Committees), SCENIHR sought feedback from the scientific community and stakeholders on the risk assessment related to the potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF).

As stated in the Rules of Procedures (Annex IV), a submission will not be considered if it is:

• submitted after the deadline set out in the call;
• presented in any form other than what is provided for in the instructions and template;
• not related to the contents of the document;
• contains complaints against institutions, personal accusations, irrelevant or offensive statements or material;
• is related to policy or risk management aspects, which is outside the scope of SCENIHR's activities.

The SCENIHR is now assessing all comments received from interested parties which were submitted in line with the criteria above to takethem into consideration, if found relevant.

A public hearing took place on 27 March 2014 in Athens, Greece to receive contributions on the topic of the preliminary opinion.

FONTE : EUROPEAN SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES

• clicca qui per il LINK al 1°DOC in PDF
• clicca qui per il LINK al 2°DOC in PDF
• clicca qui per leggere il EUROPEAN MANIFESTO IN SUPPORT THE ECI

IPERSENSIBILITÀ ELETTRICA: STATO DELL'ARTE DI UN DANNO FUNZIONALE

Electrohypersensitivity: state-of-the-art of a functional impairment.

Johansson O.

Author information

Abstract

Recently, a new category of persons, claiming to suffer from exposure to electromagnetic fields, has been described in the literature. In Sweden, electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is an officially fully recognized functional impairment (i.e., it is not regarded as a disease). Survey studies show that somewhere between 230,000-290,000 Swedish men and women report a variety of symptoms when being in contact with electromagnetic field (EMF) sources. The aim of our studies has been to investigate possible alterations, in the cellular and neuronal systems of these person' skin. As controls, age- and sex-matched persons, without any subjective or clinical symptoms or dermatological history, served. Immunohistochemistry using antisera to the previously characterized marker substances of interest has been utilized. In summary, it is evident from our preliminary data that various alterations are present in the electrohypersensitive person' skin. In view of recent epidemiological studies, pointing to a correlation between long-term exposure from power-frequent magnetic fields or microwaves and cancer, our data ought to be taken seriously and further analyzed

FONTE : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17178584?dopt=AbstractPlus

MODELLO TEORICO BASATO SULL'ATTIVITÀ DEI MASTOCITI E DELL'ISTAMINA PER SPIEGARE LA SENSIBILITÀ DEGLI ESSERI UMANI AI CAMPI ELETTRICCI E/O MAGNETICI

A theoretical model based upon mast cells and histamine to explain the recently proclaimed sensitivity to electric and/or magnetic fields in humans.

Gangi S1, Johansson O.

Author information

Abstract

The relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and human health is more and more in focus. This is mainly because of the rapid increasing use of such EMFs within our modern society. Exposure to EMFs has been linked to different cancer forms, e.g. leukemia, brain tumors, neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, asthma and allergy, and recently to the phenomena of 'electrosupersensitivity' and 'screen dermatitis'. There is an increasing number of reports about cutaneous problems as well as symptoms from internal organs, such as the heart, in people exposed to video display terminals (VDTs). These people suffer from subjective and objective skin and mucosa-related symptoms, such as itch, heat sensation, pain, erythema, papules and pustules. In severe cases, people can not, for instance, use VDTs or artificial light at all, or be close to mobile telephones. Mast cells (MCs), when activated, release a spectrum of mediators, among them histamine, which is involved in a variety of biological effects with clinical relevance, e.g. allergic hypersensitivity, itch, edema, local erythema and many types of dermatoses. From the results of recent studies, it is clear that EMFs affect the MC, and also the dendritic cell, population and may degranulate these cells. The release of inflammatory substances, such as histamine, from MCs in the skin results in a local erythema, edema and sensation of itch and pain, and the release of somatostatin from the dendritic cells may give rise to subjective sensations of on-going inflammation and sensitivity to ordinary light. These are, as mentioned, the common symptoms reported from patients suffering from 'electrosupersensitivity'/'screen dermatitis'. MCs are also present in the heart tissue and their localization is of particular relevance to their function. Data from studies made on interactions of EMFs with the cardiac function have demonstrated that highly interesting changes are present in the heart after exposure to EMFs. One could speculate that the cardiac MCs are responsible for these changes due to degranulation after exposure to EMFs. However, it is still not known how, and through which mechanisms, all these different cells are affected by EMFs. In this article, we present a theoretical model, based upon observations on EMFs and their cellular effects, to explain the proclaimed sensitivity to electric and/or magnetic fields in humans

FONTE : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10859662?dopt=AbstractPlus

NUOVO STUDIO CINESE SU LEUCEMIA E CAMPI ELETTROMAGNETICI

Recente meta-analisi di ricercatori cinesi che hanno esaminato articoli scientifici riportanti indagini epidemiologiche relative agli effetti dei campi a di basse frequenze sulla popolazione in particolare vicino a tralicci dell'alta tensione.

Oltre 11000 casi e 13000 soggetti di confronto sono stati elaborati con programmi statistici ( Una meta-analisi basata su 11.699 casi e 13.194 controlli ).

OBIETTIVO: Osservare l'associazione tra leucemia infantile ed esposizione a campi magnetici .

Interessanti i livelli di esposizione osservati

< 0.1 μT ; ≥ 0.4 μT ; < 0.2 μT ; ≥ 0.2 μT

ben lontali dai valori " a norma di legge " presenti in Italia

CONCLUSIONI: Il risultato di questa meta-analisi ha indicato che il livello di esposizione campo magnetico può essere associato con la leucemia infantile.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Magnetic fields exposure and childhood leukemia risk: a meta-analysis based on 11,699 cases and 13,194 controls.

Zhao L1, Liu X2, Wang C3, Yan K1, Lin X1, Li S1, Bao H1, Liu X4.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the association between childhood leukemia and magnetic field exposure.

METHODS:

The literature was searched by PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science (SCI) and Medline databases during 1997-2013. Heterogeneity in several studies was weighted by I-squared value. Publication bias was tested by funnel plot and Egger's test. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were used to evaluate the association strength. The statistical analyses in present study were carried out by STATA software package (version 12.0, College Station, TX).

RESULTS:

A total of 11,699 cases and 13,194 controls in 9 studies were stratified by different exposure cut-off points. On condition of the reference <0.1 μT, statistical association between magnetic field intensity ≥0.4 μT and childhood leukemia was exhibited (for total leukemia: OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.03-2.40; for acute lymphocytic leukemia: OR=2.43, 95% CI = 1.30-4.55). On condition of the reference level of <0.2 μT, the positive association between magnetic field intensity ≥0.2 μT and childhood leukemia was found (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.06-1.61).

CONCLUSIONS:

The result in this meta-analysis indicated that magnetic field exposure level may be associated with childhood leukemia.

FONTE : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24388073?dopt=Abstract

COLOSSO DEL TABACCO DEVE RISARCIRE VEDOVA DI FUMATORE: 23 MILIARDI DI DOLLARI

Il maxi risarcimento deciso da una giuria della Florida. Il signor Johnson morì di cancro ai polmoni nel 1996 a 36 anni. Fumava fino a tre pacchetti di sigarette al giorno

Venerdì 18 luglio, quando la giuria del tribunale della contea di Escambia, in Florida, si è pronunciata, Cynthia Robinson ha pensato di aver capito male. Invece no. Il colosso del tabacco americano RJ Reynolds (tra gli altri: Camel, Winston, Pall Mall) dovrà sborsare alla donna la cifra record di 23,6 miliardi di dollari, circa 17,1 miliardi di euro. Il marito di Cynthia Robinson, fumatore incallito, era morto di tumore ai polmoni a 36 anni.Venerdì 18 luglio, quando la giuria del tribunale della contea di Escambia, in Florida, si è pronunciata, Cynthia Robinson ha pensato di aver capito male. Invece no. Il colosso del tabacco americano RJ Reynolds (tra gli altri: Camel, Winston, Pall Mall) dovrà sborsare alla donna la cifra record di 23,6 miliardi di dollari, circa 17,1 miliardi di euro. Il marito di Cynthia Robinson, fumatore incallito, era morto di tumore ai polmoni a 36 anni.

La giuria è rimasta «turbata dalle prove che la società utilizzasse tecniche di marketing molto aggressive, dirette in particolare ai giovani, e dalla tesi della difesa secondo la quale la scelta di fumare era stata fatta dallo stesso Johnson». A convincere i giurati sono stati soprattutto i filmati del 1994 nei quali alcuni dirigenti di società produttrici di sigarette affermavano che il fumo non provoca il cancro né crea dipendenza. Documenti interni risalenti a 60 anni fa confermano invece che alla RJ Reynolds sapevano che la verità era tutt’altra, le società erano infatti già a conoscenza del contrario. «La RJ Reynolds aveva assunto il rischio calcolato di produrre sigarette e venderle senza informare i consumatori», ha comunicato Willie Gary, uno degli avvocati di Robinson. «Speriamo che questo messaggio faccia arrivare alla RJ Reynolds e agli altri colossi del tabacco un messaggio forte e chiaro e li costringa a non mettere più a rischio la vita di gente innocente».  [ leggi QUI l'articolo completo ]

FONTE : CORRIERE DELLA SERA

EFFETTO DEI CELLULARI SULLA QUALITÀ' DELLO SPERMA : LEGGI LA RELAZIONE E METANALISI

Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis ^☆

• Jessica A. Adams^a, 
• Tamara S. Galloway^a, 
• Debapriya Mondal^a, 
• Sandro C. Esteves^b, 
• Fiona Mathews^a, 

• ^b Androfert, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil

Received 14 January 2014, Accepted 22 April 2014, Available online 10 June 2014

Abstract

Mobile phones are owned by most of the adult population worldwide. Radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from these devices could potentially affect sperm development and function. Around 14% of couples in high- and middle-income countries have difficulty conceiving, and there are unexplained declines in semen quality reported in several countries. Given the ubiquity of mobile phone use, the potential role of this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. A systematic review was therefore conducted, followed by meta-analysis using random effects models, to determine whether exposure to RF-EMR emitted from mobile phones affects human sperm quality. Participants were from fertility clinic and research centres. The sperm quality outcome measures were motility, viability and concentration, which are the parameters most frequently used in clinical settings to assess fertility.

We used ten studies in the meta-analysis, including 1492 samples. Exposure to mobile phones was associated with reduced sperm motility (mean difference − 8.1% (95% CI − 13.1, − 3.2)) and viability (mean difference − 9.1% (95% CI − 18.4, 0.2)), but the effects on concentration were more equivocal. The results were consistent across experimental in vitro and observational in vivo studies. We conclude that pooled results from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that mobile phone exposure negatively affects sperm quality. Further study is required to determine the full clinical implications for both sub-fertile men and the general population.

leggi QUI la relazione completa 

FONTE : Environment International

SCARICA QUI IL PDF DELLA RELAZIONE 

NELLO STUDIO " INTEROCC " SI RILEVA CHE L'ESPOSIZIONE PROFESSIONALE A CAMPI MAGNETICI A FREQUENZA ESTREMAMENTE BASSA E' ASSOCIATA A RISCHI DI TUMORE CEREBRALE

1. 1. 1. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS AND BRAIN TUMOUR RISKS IN THE INTEROCC STUDY

2. 1. Michelle C. Turner1,*, 
   2. Geza Benke2, 
   3. Joseph D. Bowman3, 
   4. Jordi Figuerola4,
   5. Sarah Fleming5, 
   6. Martine Hours6, 
   7. Laurel Kincl7, 
   8. Daniel Krewski8, 
   9. Dave McLean9,
   10. Marie-Elise Parent10, 
   11. Lesley Richardson11, 
   12. Siegal Sadetzki12, 
   13. Klaus Schlaefer13,
   14. Brigitte Schlehofer13, 
   15. Joachim Schuz14, 
   16. Jack Siemiatycki15,
   17. Martie Van Tongeren16, and 
   18. Elisabeth Cardis4

+Author Affiliations

1. ¹Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Doctor Aiguader, 88, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology
2. ²Monash University
3. ³National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4. ⁴Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology
5. ⁵University of Leeds
6. ⁶Unité Mixte de Recherche Epidémiologique Transport Travail Environnement Université Lyon 1/IFSTTAR
7. ⁷Oregon State University
8. ⁸McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa
9. ⁹Massey University
10. ¹⁰INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, University of Quebec
11. ¹¹Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal
12. ¹²The Cancer & Radiation Epidemiology Unit, The Gertner Institute
13. ¹³Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center
14. ¹⁴Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
15. ¹⁵Hospital Research Center, University of Montreal
16. ¹⁶Exposure Assessment, Institute of Occupational Medicine

1. ↵* Corresponding Author:

2. Michelle C. Turner, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Doctor Aiguader, 88, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona, 08003, Spainmturner@creal.cat

Abstract

Background: Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF) is a suspected risk factor for brain tumours, however the literature is inconsistent. Few studies have assessed whether ELF in different time windows of exposure may be associated with specific histologic types of brain tumours. This study examines the association between ELF and brain tumours in the large-scale INTEROCC study. Methods: Cases of adult primary glioma and meningioma were recruited in seven countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, United Kingdom) between 2000 and 2004. Estimates of mean workday ELF exposure based on a job exposure matrix assigned. Estimates of cumulative exposure, average exposure, maximum exposure, and exposure duration were calculated for the lifetime, and 1-4, 5-9, and 10+ years prior to the diagnosis/reference date. Results: There were 3,761 included brain tumour cases (1,939 glioma, 1,822 meningioma) and 5,404 population controls. There was no association between lifetime cumulative ELF exposure and glioma or meningioma risk. However, there were positive associations between cumulative ELF 1-4 years prior to the diagnosis/reference date and glioma (odds ratio (OR) ≥ 90th percentile vs < 25th percentile = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36-2.07, p < 0.0001 linear trend), and, somewhat weaker associations with meningioma (OR ≥ 90th percentile vs < 25th percentile = 1.23, 95% CI 0.97-1.57, p = 0.02 linear trend). 

Conclusions: Results showed positive associations between ELF in the recent past and glioma. Impact: Occupational ELF exposure may play a role in the later stages (promotion and progression) of brain tumourigenesis.

• Received January 30, 2014.
• Revision received June 2, 2014.
• Accepted June 4, 2014.

FONTE : http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2014/06/14/1055-9965.EPI-14-0102.abstract

ROMA MUNICIPIO V: SÌ AL REGISTRO DEI TUMORI PER MONITORARE I FATTORI DI RISCHIO

Passa un atto dei M5S che chiede di monitorare la diffusione della malattia in relazione a fattori di rischio quali discariche illecite, inquinamento elettromagnetico e da diossina.

Passa con voto unanime (con la sola astensione di David Di Cosmo, lista Marino)  l'atto presentato dal M5S Roma V,  che impegna la giunta e il Presidente del Municipio ad attivarsi il prima possibile affinché l'amministrazione regionale istituisca anche sul nostro territorio il Registro dei Tumori al fine di attivare un serio percorso di Prevenzione.

Per i i 5 Stelle si tratta di "uno strumento di valore fondamentale  per la raccolta di informazioni sui malati di cancro residenti in un specifico territorio e che permetterà di delineare una mappa di situazioni e cause che possono condurre a trasformare una cellula sana in una malata".

A COSA SERVE - "Con il l'istituzione  del registro – spiega la consigliera pentastellata Eleonora Guadagno - sarà possibile monitorare la diffusione della malattia e con lo studio dei dati raccolti sarà possibile  mettere in relazione eventuali aumenti dei casi di cancro con l'esposizione  fattori di rischio che insistono sul V Municipio come  ad esempio la presenza di discariche illecite, inquinamento elettromagnetico o quello da diossina.  Sarà utile inoltre per valutare la qualità dell'assistenza sul nostro territorio".“

FONTE : ROMATODAY

52 SCIENZIATI PROVENIENTI DA 18 NAZIONI CHIEDONO AL GOVERNO CANADESE UNA RIDUZIONE DELLA ESPOSIZIONE

Con questa dichiarazione 52 dei più noti esponenti della ricerca 'indipendente' internazionale esprime al governo canadese la loro preoccupazione nel mantenere livelli di esposizione ai campi elettromagnetici troppo alti anche in rapporto alle nuove conoscenze sui meccanismi d'azione di questi agenti fisici, possibilmente cancerogeni, sulla salute umana.

Leggi QUI , il testo originale