Cell Phone Use Could Damage Semen
"We found increased oxidative stress and a decrease in sperm motility," said investigator Ashok Agarwal, PhD, Director of Reproductive Research at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Dr. Agarwal and his colleagues conducted a prospective, controlled trial looking at the effects of Bluetooth technology on male fertility. Dr. Agarwal, who presented the study findings here at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine annual meeting, said carrying a cell phone in a trouser pocket while talking on a Bluetooth device may expose the human testes to high-power radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) when the phone is in the talk mode.
In a recent in vitro study, the researchers found an increased production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen after exposing semen to RF-EMW emitted by a cell phone. The team realized, however, that it is difficult to estimate the accurate amount of RF-EMW exposure to human testes because testes are separated by scrotal layers from the cell phone. They used a computer biomodeling program to calculate the distance in an in vitro experiment. The experiment was designed to mimic the RF-EMW exposure while a cell phone is kept in the trouser pocket (in the talk mode). For their new investigation, the researchers examined the effect of RF-EMW exposure on sperm parameters at a specific distance and identified the type of free radicals produced by human sperm.
After liquefaction, 17 semen samples were divided into two aliquots. One aliquot (experimental) from each patient was exposed to cell phone radiation (while the phone was in talk mode) for 60 minutes and a second unexposed aliquot served as the control under identical conditions, including a temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Dr. Agarwal's group used computational biomodeling to calculate the distance of 3.3 cm between the antenna and the sample tube center. The investigators then looked at the percentage of sperm motility and viability. ROS production in the semen specimens was measured using lucigenin (extracellular) and flow cytometry (intracellular).
The investigators found RF-EMW exposed semen samples showed significantly lower sperm motility and viability. The exposed samples also showed an 18% increased production of extracellular seminal ROS compared with the non-exposed semen samples. The investigators concluded that the significant decline in sperm quality in specimens exposed to RF-EMW may be mediated by increased ROS production. They hypothesized that when a man talks on a Bluetooth and the cell phone is on talk mode in the pocket or attached to a belt, it might be dangerous and could cause infertility. Dr. Agarwal told Renal & Urology News, that "we do feel further studies are needed. At this time I would say excessive use should be avoided. However, there is a need for new studies to prove our in vitro findings in an in vivo condition."
Two studies from the Cleveland Clinic in the past three years have shown the harmful effects of cell phone-generated electromagnetic radiation on semen quality. In recent years more than a dozen studies have been published by other groups supporting Cleveland Clinic's findings.
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Mobile Phone Use: Brain Tumor Risk
Mobile phones are undeniably convenient, but the fact that they emit electromagnetic radiation means that they have the potential to affect individuals who use them. For a long time, the party line was that mobile phones are safe. This is a message the industry has been particularly keen to cultivate. However, some evidence suggests otherwise. In this column last year, [1] I wrote about a study, which found that mobile phone use was associated with an increased risk of gliomas (the most common form of brain tumor) and acoustic neuromas (benign tumors that grow on the nerve responsible for hearing). [2]
This week, I came across a newspaper report in the Daily Telegraph of a World Health Organization (WHO) study that raises further doubts about the safety of mobile phones. [3] The study involved interviewing almost 13,000 from 2000–2004 over 13 countries. The study has yet to be published (it is due for publication later this year), but this report about it claims that:
· Six of eight studies found an increased risk of glioma associated with mobile phone use.
· Two of seven studies found an increased risk of acoustic neuroma associated with long-term mobile phone use.
One study found an increased risk of tumors of the parotid gland (a salivary gland in the side of the face near where mobile phones are held) associated with heavy mobile phone use.
The results, though not entirely conclusive, clearly have concerned the WHO. Its head, Dr. Elisabeth Cardis, is quoted as saying "In the absence of definitive results and in the light of a number of studies which, though limited, suggest a possible effect of radio-frequency radiation, precautions are important."
There is particular concern regarding use by children, as their thinner skulls are less likely to shield the brain from harmful frequencies.
I suggest, whatever age you happen to be, that you use your mobile phone as infrequently as possible, and for as short a time as possible when you do. One thing I do is to make as much of my mobile phone communication via SMS/text. Communication in a few words of text can be quicker and just as good as a phone call.
References:
1. Can mobile phones cause brain tumors?
http://epoch-archive.com/a1/en/uk/nnn/2008/10-Oct/01/011_Health.pdf
2. 1. Hardell L, et al. Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumors. International Journal of Oncology. 2008; 32(5): 1097–1103
3. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/6420093/Long-term-use-of-mobile-phones-may-be-linked-to-cancer.html
Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and health writer with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. His Web site is Drbriffa.com
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Hi All
There is something in the article below from the mobile industry, about 'protecting consumers'. Does that mean that they are going to remove cell phone antennas and recall cell phones? Maybe they will warn consumers about the 'health effects of electro magnetic radiation'?
Martin.
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GSMA press releases.
Regards,
Margaret
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http://www.gsmworld.com/about-us/index.htm
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
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http://www.gsmworld.com/newsroom/press-releases/2009/4107.htm
GSMA Launches European Mobile Manifesto to Help Create a Prosperous, Green and Inclusive Europe
03 November 2009, Brussels
The GSMA, the body that represents the worldwide mobile communications industry, today unveiled a European Mobile Manifesto which sets out how the mobile industry will help achieve key European Union objectives to boost economic performance, improve efficiencies, protect consumers and increase the use of green technology. To do this, the mobile industry has undertaken to work more closely with governments, education and health authorities and technology manufacturers. The mobile industry is also calling upon the EU to provide a number of measures to support the initiative.
Through the Mobile Manifesto, the mobile industry outlines its goals to:
- Increase internet connectivity and drive productivity through widespread mobile broadband access – on the move and at home, in cities and in rural areas
- Engage consumers and improve efficiency by enabling the "mobilisation" of commercial and public services particularly eCommerce, eLearning, eHealth and eGovernment
- Build a greener mobile planet by reducing Europe's carbon footprint through M2M technologies
- Empower users and maintain consumer trust by providing mobile privacy tools
"Mobile is a key element in today's society – it is the most ubiquitous, connected and personalised communications tool that we have, and it holds significant potential to improve the lives of European citizens and the economic performance of the region through social inclusion and continued investment in innovation," said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board, GSMA. "Europe has contributed considerably to the global success of the mobile industry and it is an area where Europe continues to be a forerunner. Together the leaders of the industry have developed this Manifesto showing where mobile will help to create a more prosperous, green and inclusive Europe for all."
"The manifesto gives a very good insight in the key role mobile will play in European society - if we take the right measures now," said Viviane Reding, the EU's Telecoms Commissioner.
The Manifesto focuses exclusively on the role mobile can play in achieving the ICT policy objectives of the European Commission and iterates the support that the mobile industry is seeking to facilitate this Manifesto. Specifically the industry is asking the EU for more spectrum to develop a harmonised roadmap for release; for roll-out support to remove barriers to eco-efficient coverage expansion; to be pro-mobile in public services, utilities and infrastructure; to help educate the consumer and promote user responsibility for online data and security; and provide continued flexibility in network management to preserve choice and quality of service and experience.
The Mobile Manifesto outlines specific, detailed goals from the industry and highlights Europe's existing strength in mobile and estimates the economic, social and environmental benefits of these goals. The effects of these goals are measureable; calculations show that mobile teleworking can reduce carbon emissions by 22.1 MtCO2e a year, or energy savings of €7.7bn by 2015; mHealth, calculations show a saving of up to €78bn by 2015 and increasing connectivity through mobile will deliver greater productivity, which is estimated to add an aggregate of up to €349bn (or 2.9% of EU GDP) by 2015.
The mobile sector represents 1.3% of EU Gross Value Added, 1.2% of EU GDP, and employs over 600,000 people. Within EU telecoms, mobile now accounts for approximately 61% of revenues, up from 47% in 2002. The sector continues to invest in its next-generation infrastructure, providing a strong economic stimulus. Current estimates suggest that the mobile industry in Europe will deploy €145bn in capital expenditure through 2013, creating direct and indirect employment for more than 4.7 million people. Mobile is expected to make a significant contribution to recovery from the current downturn and to Europe's longer term fulfilment of the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy* which are aimed at making the European Union the most competitive economy in the world and achieving full employment by 2010.
A video interview can be found on Mobile World Live: http://www.mobileworldlive.com/
The report can be found at: www.gsmworld.com/mobilemanifesto
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the new online portal for the mobile communications industry, at http://www.mobileworldlive.com/ or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com/ or contact:
GSMA
Daniel Lowther: +44 7747 636 687
press@gsm.org
