Wireless communication devices emit nonionizing electromagnetic radiofrequency (RF) fields in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz, raising public concern regarding the increasing use of mobile phones and their potential health related risks. The intermediate frequency (IF) EMF (300 Hz to 10 MHz) is also now widely used for wireless power transmission (WPT) or domestic kitchen appliances such as induction heating cooking. Unfortunately, although plenty of research has been conducted on RF, little information exists on the potential health effects associated with the exposure to IF magnetic fields. With growing concerns regarding the potential health hazards, it has become necessary to investigate the risks of IF magnetic fields in more detail.This chapter discusses the biological effects of IF and RF exposure. This chapter is divided into the following three parts: epidemiological study, animal study, and cellular study. In the RF field, the frequency of 2.45 GHz is mainly discussed because of the future use of WPT.

Chapter Contents:

• 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 Epidemiological studies
• 12.3 Animal studies
• 12.4 Cellular studies
• 12.4.1 Genotoxic effects
• 12.4.1.1 Chromosomal or chromatid aberration
• 12.4.1.2 DNA strand breaks
• 12.4.1.3 Micronucleus formation
• 12.4.1.4 Mutation
• 12.4.2 Nongenotoxic effects
• 12.4.2.1 Cell proliferation and differentiation
• 12.4.2.2 Gene and protein expression
• 12.4.2.3 Immune response
• 12.4.2.4 Apoptosis
• 12.5 Conclusions on IF and RF studies
• References

Inspec keywords: biomagnetism; radiofrequency power transmission; biological effects of microwaves; biological effects of fields; cellular effects of radiation; health hazards

Other keywords: frequency 2.45 GHz; epidemiological study; nonionizing electromagnetic radiofrequency fields; intermediate frequency; wireless power transmission; electromagnetic fields; wireless communication devices; animal study; mobile phones; induction heating cooking; domestic kitchen appliances; IF magnetic fields; frequency 300 Hz to 10 MHz; frequency 300 MHz to 300 GHz; health effects; electromagnetic waves; health related risks; cellular study

Subjects: Biomagnetism; Cellular biophysics; Health Physics; Bio-optics (effects of microwaves, light, laser and other electromagnetic waves)