Human-made electromagnetic fields: Ion forced-oscillation and voltage-gated ion channel dysfunction, oxidative stress and DNA damage (Review)

Abstract

Overview

This review focuses on the exposure of animal and biological samples to human-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs), particularly at extremely low frequency (ELF) and microwave/radio frequency (RF) bands. Such exposures are detailed to cause significant DNA damage, linked to various severe ailments including infertility, cell death, and notably, cancer.

Findings

• Both high-voltage power lines and wireless communication devices emit EMFs that may lead to increased cancer risks due to their ELF and RF components.
• Human-made RF EMFs generally include ELF components, which involve modulation, pulsing, and random variability that contribute to their biological impact.
• The study extensively describes the ion forced-oscillation mechanism. This mechanism involves irregular gating of voltage-gated ion channels caused by polarized/coherent EMFs, leading to cell membrane dysfunction.
• Disruption of ion channels alters intracellular ionic concentrations, thereby modifying the electrochemical balance and compromising cellular homeostasis.
• Reactive oxygen species and free radicals are overproduced as a result of such disruptions, ensuing DNA damage.

Conclusion

The research offers a comprehensive view on how human-made EMF exposure correlates to DNA damage and resultant pathologies, including cancer. Furthermore, non-thermal biological effects typically attributed to RF EMFs are, in fact, derived from their ELF components.