Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

The incidence of electromagnetic pollution on wild mammals: A new “poison” with a slow effect on nature?

The Environmentalist Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A review on the effects of radiofrequency radiation from wireless telecommunications on living organisms and its possible impact on wild mammals are presented. Physical and technological characteristics of mobile telephone and phone masts, the scientific discoveries that are of interest in the study of their effects on the wildlife, action mechanisms on biological systems and experimental difficulties are described. Keeping in mind that electromagnetic pollution (in the microwave and radiofrequency range) is a possible source for decline of some mammal populations, it is of great importance to carry out studies on the effects of this new pollutant to wildlife. Some research types that could be useful to determine adverse health effects are proposed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adey WR (1981) Tissue interactions with non-ionizing electromagnetic fields. Physiol Rev 61:435–514

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adey WR (1996) Bioeffects of mobile communications fields: possible mechanisms for cumulative dose. In: Kuster En, Balzano Lin (eds) Mobile communication safety. Chapman and Hall, London, pp 95–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Balmori A (2004). ¿Pueden afectar las microondas pulsadas emitidas por las antenas de telefonía a los árboles y otros vegetales? Ecosistemas: (http://www.revistaecosistemas.net/articulo.asp?Id=29&Id_Categoria=1&tipo=otros_contenidos)

  • Balmori A (2005) Possible effects of electromagnetic fields from phone masts on a population of white stork (Ciconia ciconia). Electromagn Biol Med 24:109–119. doi:10.1080/15368370500205472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmori A (2006a) The incidence of electromagnetic pollution on the amphibian decline: Is this an important piece of the puzzle? Toxicol Environ Chem 88:287–299. doi:10.1080/02772240600687200

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balmori A (2006b) Efectos de las radiaciones electromagnéticas de la telefonía móvil sobre los insectos. Ecosistemas: (http://www.revistaecosistemas.net/articulo.asp?Id=396&Id_Categoria=2&tipo=portada)

  • Balmori A, Hallberg Ö (2007) The urban decline of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus): a possible link with electromagnetic radiation. EBM 26(2) (in press)

  • Balode S (1996) Assessment of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation by the micronucleus test in bovine peripheral erythrocytes. Sci Total Environ 180:81–85. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(95)04923-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balodis VG, Brumelis K, Kalviskis O, Nikodemus D, Tjarve VZ (1996) Does the Skrunda radio location station diminish the radial growth of pine trees? Sci Total Environ 180:57–64. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(95)04920-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barteri M, Pala A, Rotella S (2005) Structural and kinetic effects of mobile phone microwaves on acetyl cholinesterase activity. Biophys Chem 113:245–253. doi:10.1016/j.bpc.2004.09.010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beasond RC, Semm P (2002) Responses of neurons to an amplitude modulated microwave stimulus. Neurosci Lett 33:175–178. doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(02)00903-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belyaev I (2005). Non-thermal biological effects of microwaves. Microw Rev 11: 13–29. Available on: http://www.mwr.medianis.net/pdf/Vol11No2-03-IBelyaev.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Belyaev I, Hillert L, Markova E, Sarimov R, Malmgren L, Persson B, Harms-Ringdahl M (2004). Microwaves of mobile phones affect human lymphocytes from normal and hypersensitive subjects dependent on frequency, presented at 26th Annual Meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics (BEMS)

  • Berman E, Chacon L, House D, Koch BA, Koch WE, Leal J, Lovtrup S, Mantiply E, Martin AH, Martucci GI, Mild KH, Monahan JC, Sandstrom M, Shamsaifar K, Tell R, Trillo MA, Ubeda A, Wagner P (1990) Development of chicken embryos in a pulsed magnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics 11:169–187. doi:10.1002/bem.2250110208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter RL, Livstone EM (1971) Evidence for nonthermal effects of microwave radiation: abnormal development of irradiated insect pupae. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech 19:173–178. doi:10.1109/TMTT.1968.1127480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou CK, Guy AW, Kunz LL, Johnson RB, Crowley JJ, Krupp JH (1992) Long-term, low-level microwave irradiation of rats. Bioelectromagnetics 13:469–496. doi:10.1002/bem.2250130605

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniells C, Duce I, Thomas D, Sewell P, Tattersall J, de Pomerai D (1998) Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress. Mutat Res 399:55–64. doi:10.1016/S0027-5107(97)00266-2

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dasdag S, Ketani MA, Akdag Z, Ersay AR, Sar I, Demirtas ÖC, Celik MS (1999) Whole body microwave exposure emitted by cellular phones and testicular function of rats. Urol Res 27:219–223. doi:10.1007/s002400050113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davoudi M, Brössner C, Kuber W (2002) Der Einfluss elektromagnetischer wellen auf die Spermienmotilität. J für Urol Urogynakol 9:18–22

    Google Scholar 

  • De Pomerai D, Daniells C, David H, Allan J, Duce I, Mutwakil M, Thomas D, Sewell P, Tattersall J, Jones D, Candido P (2000) Non-thermal heat-shock response to microwaves. Nature 405:417–418. doi:10.1038/35013144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delgado JMR (1985) Biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. J Bioelectr 4:75–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Demsia G, Vlastos D, Matthopoulos DP (2004) Effect of 910-MHz electromagnetic field on rat bone marrow. Sci World J 4:48–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Carlo A, Wite N, Guo F, Garrett P, Litovitz T (2002) Chronic electromagnetic field exposure decreases HSP70 levels and lowers cytoprotection. J Cell Biochem 84:447–454. doi:10.1002/jcb.10036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diem E, Schwarz C, Adlkofer F, Jahn O, Rudiger H (2005) Non-thermal DNA breakage by mobile-phone radiation (1800 MHz) in human fibroblasts and in transformed GFSH-R17 rat granulosa cells in vitro. Mutat Res 583:178–183

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doherty PF, Grubb TC (1996) Effects of high-voltage power lines on birds breeding within the power lines electromagnetic fields. Sialia 18:129–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutta SK, Ghosh B, Blackman CF (1989) Radiofrequency radiation-induced calcium ion efflux enhancement from human and other neuroblastoma cells in culture. Bioelectromagnetics 10:197–202. doi:10.1002/bem.2250100208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EPA (United States environmental agency protection) (2002). Letter from Norbert Hankin (Radiation Protection Division) to Janet Newton. Available on: http://www.avaate.org/article.php3?id_article=243

  • Everaert J, Bauwens D (2007) A possible effect of electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone base stations on the number of breeding House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). Electromagn Biol Med 26 (in press). doi:10.1080/15368370701205693

  • Farrel JM, Litovitz TL, Penafiel M (1997) The effect of pulsed and sinusoidal magnetic fields on the morphology of developing chick embryos. Bioelectromagnetics 18:431–438. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1521-186X(1997)18:6<431:AID-BEM5>3.0.CO;2-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fedrowitz M, Kamino K, Löscher W (2004) Significant differences in the effects of magnetic field exposure on 7, 12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in two sub-strains of Sprague-Dawley rats. Cancer Res 64:243–251. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-03-2808

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fejes I, Za Vaczki Z, Szollosi J, Kolosza RS, Daru J, Kova Cs L, Pa LA (2005) Is there a relationship between cell phone use and semen quality? Arch Androl 51:385–393. doi:10.1080/014850190924520

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernie KJ, Bird DM (1999) Effects of electromagnetic fields on body mass and food-intake of American kestrels. Condor 101:616–621. doi:10.2307/1370191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernie KJ, Bird DM (2001) Evidence of oxidative stress in American kestrels exposed to electromagnetic fields. Environ Res A 86:198–207. doi:10.1006/enrs.2001.4263

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernie KJ, Reynolds SJ (2005). The effects of electromagnetic fields from power lines on avian reproductive biology and physiology: A review. J Toxicol Environ Health, Part B 8: 127–140. (http://www.ierp.bham.ac.uk/publications/Fernie%20and%20Reynolds%202005.pdf)

  • Fernie KJ, Bird DM, Dawson RD, Lague PC (2000a) Effects of electromagnetic fields on the reproductive success of American kestrels. Physiol Biochem Zool 73:60–65. doi:10.1086/316726

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernie KJ, Leonard NJ, Bird DM (2000b) Behavior of free-ranging and captive American kestrels under electromagnetic fields. J Toxicol Environ Health Part A 59:597–603

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Firstenberg A (1997). Microwaving our planet: the environmental impact of the wireless revolution. Cellular Phone Taskforce. Brooklyn, NY 11210

  • Flipo D, Fournier M, Benquet C, Roux P, Le Boulaire C (1998) Increased apoptosis, changes in intracellular Ca2+, and functional alterations in lymphocytes and macrophages after in vitro exposure to static magnetic field. J Toxicol Environ Health A 54:63–76. doi:10.1080/009841098159033

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frey AH, Feld SR (1975) Avoidance by rats of illumination with low power nonionizing electromagnetic energy. J Comp Physiol Psychol 89:183–188. doi:10.1037/h0076662

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galeev AL (2000) The effects of microwave radiation from mobile telephones on humans and animals. Neurosci Behav Physiol 30:187–194. doi:10.1007/BF02463157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gandhi AG, Singh P (2005) Cytogenetic damage in mobile phone users: preliminary data. Int J Hum Genet 5:259–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Garaj-Vrhovac V, Horvat D, Koren Z (1991) The relationship between colony-forming ability, chromosome aberrations and incidence of micronuclei in V79 Chinese hamster cells exposed to microwave radiation. Mutat Res 263:143–149. doi:10.1016/0165-7992(91)90054-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman R, Blank M (2002) Insights into electromagnetic interaction mechanisms. J Cell Physiol 192:16–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grefner NM, Yakovleva TL, Boreysha IK (1998) Effects of electromagnetic radiation on tadpole development in the common frog (Rana temporaria L.). Russ J Ecol 29:133–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigoriev IuG (1996) Role of modulation in biological effects of electromagnetic radiation. Radiats Biol Radioecol 36:659–670

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigoriev IuG (2003) Influence of the electromagnetic field of the mobile phones on chickens embryo, to the evaluation of the dangerousness after the criterion of this mortality. J Radiat Biol 5:541–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigoriev IUG, Luk’ianova SN, Makarov VP, Rynskov VV, Moiseeva NV (1995) Motor activity off rabbits in conditions of chronic low-intensity pulse microwave irradiation. Radiatsionnaia Biologiiia Radioecologiia 35:29–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallberg Ö, Johansson O (2004) Mobile handset output power and health. Electromagn Biol Med 23:229–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K (2006) Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997–2003. Int J Oncol, 28: 509–518, 2006 509

    Google Scholar 

  • Haumann T, Munzenberg U, Maes W, y Sierck P (2002) HF.Radiation levels of GSM cellular phone towers in residential areas. 2nd International Workshop on Biological effects of EMFS. Rhodes, Greece

    Google Scholar 

  • Heredia-Rojas L, Rodríguez-Flores M, Santoyo-Stephano E, Castañeda-Garza A, Rodríguez-De la Fuente (2003) Los campos electromagnéticos: ¿Un problema de salud pública? Respyn 4:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Hondou T (2002) Rising level of public exposure to mobile phones: accumulation through additivity and reflectivity. J Physical Soc Japan 71:432–435

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hotary KB, Robinson KR (1992) Evidence of a role for endogenous electrical fields in chick embryo development. Development 114:985–996

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M (2006) Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations. Occup Environ Med 63:307–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyland GJ (2000) Physics and biology of mobile telephony. Lancet 356:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyland GJ (2001) The physiological and environmental effects of non-ionising electromagnetic radiation. Working document for the STOA Panel. European Parliament. Directorate General for Research

  • Kemerov S, Marinkev M, Getova D (1999) Effects of low-intensity electromagnetic fields on behavioral activity of rats. Folia Med 41:75–80

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kolodynski AA, Kolodynska VV (1996) Motor and psychological functions of school children living in the area of the Skrunda Radio Location Station in Latvia. Sci Total Environ 180:87–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kramarenko AV, Tan U (2003) Effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on human EEG: a brain mapping study. Int J Neurosci 113:1007–1019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krstić DD, Đinđić BJ, Sokolović DT, Marković VV, Petković DM, Radić SB (2005) The results of experimental exposition of mice by mobile telephones. Microwave review. In: TELSIKS Conference, Serbia and Montenegro, pp 34–37

  • Lai H (2005) Biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field. Encyclopaedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering 1–8. doi:10.1081/E-EBBE-120041846

  • Lai H, Singh NP (1995) Acute low-intensity microwave exposure increases DNA single-strand breaks in rat brain cells. Bioelectromagnetics 16:207–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lai H, Carino MA, Horita A, Guy AW (1989) Acute low-level microwave exposure and central cholinergic activity: a dose-response study. Bioelectromagnetics 10:203–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee GM, Neutra RR, Hristova L, Yost M, Hiatt RA (2002) A nested case-control study of residential and personal magnetic field measures and miscarriages. Epidemiology 13:21–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leszczynski D, Joenväärä S, Reivinen J, Kuokka R (2002) Non-thermal activation of the hsp27/p38MAPK stress pathway by mobile phone radiation in human endothelial cells: Molecular mechanism for cancer- and blood-brain barrier-related effects. Differentiation 70:120–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Löscher W, Käs G (1998) Conspicuous behavioural abnormalities in a dairy cow herd near a TV and radio transmitting antenna. Practical Vet Surgeon 29:437–444

    Google Scholar 

  • Magras IN, Xenos TD (1997) Radiation-induced changes in the prenatal development of mice. Bioelectromagnetics 18:455–461

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mann K, Roschkle J (1996) Effects of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields on human sleep. Neuropsychobiology 33:41–47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marino AA, Nilsen E, Frilot C (2003) Nonlinear changes in brain electrical activity due to cell phone radiation. Bioelectromagnetics 24:339–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks TA, Ratke CC, English WO (1995) Strain voltage and developmental, reproductive and other toxicology problems in dogs, cats and cows: a discussion. Vet Human Toxicol 37:163–172

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGivern RF, Sokol RZ, Adey WR (1990) Prenatal exposure to a low-frequency electromagnetic field demasculinizes adult scent marking behavior and increases accessory sex organ weights in rats. Teratology 41:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mevissen M, Haübler M (1998) Acceleration of mammary tumorigenesis by exposure of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-treated female rats in a 50-Hz, 100-μT magnetic field: replication study. J Toxicol Environ Health Part A 53:401–418

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moorhouse TP, Macdonald DavidW (2005) Indirect negative impacts of radio-collaring: sex ratio variation in water voles. J Appl Ecol 42:91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Navakatikian MA, Tomashevskaya LA (1994) Phasic behavioral and endocrine effects of microwaves of nonthermal intensity. In: Carpenter DO (ed) Biological effects of electric and magnetic fields. vol. 1. Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Navarro EA, Segura J, Portolés M, Gómez Perretta C (2003) The microwave syndrome: a preliminary study in Spain. Electromagn Biol Med 22:161–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls B, Racey PA (2007) Bats avoid radar installations: could electromagnetic fields deter bats from colliding with wind turbines? Plos One 3:e297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaevich N, Igorevna A, Vasil G (2001) Influence of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation at non-thermal intensities on the human body (A review of work by Russian and Ukrainian researchers). No place to hide, 3. Supplement

  • Novoselova ET, Fesenko EE (1998) Stimulation of production of tumour necrosis factor by murine macrophages when exposed in vivo and in vitro to weak electromagnetic waves in the centimeter range. Biofizika 43:1132–1133

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panagopoulos DJ, Karabarbounis A, Margaritis LH (2004) Effect of GSM 900 MHz mobile phone radiation on the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster. Electromagn Biol Med 23:29–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulraj R, Behari J, Rao AR (1999) Effect of amplitude modulated RF radiation on calcium ion efflux and ODC activity in chronically exposed rat brain. Indian J Biochem Biophys 36:337–340

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • REFLEX (2004): http://www.verum-foundation.de/cgi-bin/content.cgi?id=euprojekte01

  • Salford LG, Brun AE, Eberhardt JL, Malmgren L, Persson BR (2003) Nerve cell damage in mammalian brain after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones. Environ Health Perspect 111:881–893

    Google Scholar 

  • Santini R, Seigne M, Bonhomme-Faibre L (2000) Danger des téléphones cellulaires et de leurs stations relais. Pathol Biol 48:525–528

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Selga T, Selga M (1996) Response of Pinus Sylvestris L. needles to electromagnetic fields. Cytological and ultraestructural aspects. Sci Total Environ 180:65–73

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sobel E, Dunn M, Davanipour Z, Quian Z, Chui Hc (1996) Elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease among workers with likely electromagnetic field exposure. Neurology 47(6):1477–1481

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stever H, Kuhn J, Otten C, Wunder B, Harst W (2005) Verhaltensanderung unter elektromagnetischer Exposition. Pilotstudie. Institut für mathematik. Arbeitsgruppe. Bildungsinformatik. Universität Koblenz-Landau. http://agbi.uni-landau.de/

  • Tofani S, Agnesod G, Ossola P, Ferrini S, Bussi R (1986) Effects of continuous low-level exposure to radio-frequency radiation on intrauterine development in rats. Health Phys 51:489–499

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Úbeda A, Leal J, Trillo MA, Jimenez MA, Delgado JMR (1983) Pulse shape of magnetic fields influences chick embryogenesis. J Anat 137:513–536

    Google Scholar 

  • Úbeda A, Trillo MA, Chacón L, Blanco MJ, Leal J (1994) Chick embryo development can be irreversibly altered by early exposure to weak extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 15:385–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisbrot D, Lin H, Ye L, Blank M, Goodman R (2003) Effects of mobile phone radiation on reproduction and development in Drosophila melanogaster. J Cell Biochem 89:48–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Youbicier-Simo BJ, Bastide M (1999) Pathological effects induced by embryonic and postnatal exposure to EMFs radiation by cellular mobile phones. Radiat Protect 1:218–223

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to Denise Ward who revised the English version of this article and thanks to ‘‘Centro de Información y Documentación Ambiental’’ in Castilla y León (Spain) for providing some papers.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alfonso Balmori.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Balmori, A. The incidence of electromagnetic pollution on wild mammals: A new “poison” with a slow effect on nature?. Environmentalist 30, 90–97 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-009-9248-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-009-9248-y

Keywords

Navigation