Can electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones stimulate the vestibular organ?

Pau HW, Sievert U, Eggert S, Wild W.

Source

ENT Department, Medical School, University of Rostock, Germany. hans-wilhelm.pau@med.uni-rostock.de

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Pulsating electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by mobile phones is often incriminated for causing tissue alterations by caloric effects. In particular, the eye and the ear were regarded as possible "hot spots," with heating up to 1 degree C, in which EM radiation might have negative effects. If so, these temperature increments should be large enough to cause vestibular excitation. In this study, we attempted to verify this theory by clinical testing and in vitro experiments.

METHODS AND MEASURES:

In our laboratory, a simulated GSM signal (889.6 MHz/2.2 W) was applied to 1 ear at a time, while video nystagmography was performed. The experimental setup was similar to that used for caloric (hot and cold water) testing of the peripheral vestibular organ. Data were evaluated by a computer system. There were 13 volunteers (26 ears) included in our study. In an additional experiment, temperatures of human temporal bones were measured by thermography, while a continuous or pulsating EM field was applied.

RESULTS:

In no volunteer could EM radiation-induced nystagmus be recorded. This corresponds well to our findings that in the human temporal bone very weak caloric effects could only be found in the tissue layers next to the radiation source (antenna of the mobile phone), whereas deeper regions (horizontal semicircular canal) seemed unaffected (at least less than 0.1 degree C).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

These results do not support the theory that mobile phone-induced EM radiation may cause caloric negative effects in the human ear.

J Med Eng Technol. 2005 Nov-Dec;29(6):257-67.

A perspective on medical infrared imaging.

Jiang LJ, Ng EY, Yeo AC, Wu S, Pan F, Yau WY, Chen JH, Yang Y.

Source

Institute of Infocomm Research (A*Star), Singapore. jianglijun1998@yahoo.com

Abstract

Since the early days of thermography in the 1950s, image processing techniques, sensitivity of thermal sensors and spatial resolution have progressed greatly, holding out fresh promise for infrared (IR) imaging techniques. Applications in civil, industrial and healthcare fields are thus reaching a high level of technical performance. The relationship between body temperature and disease was documented since 400 bc. In many diseases there are variations in blood flow, and these in turn affect the skin temperature. IR imaging offers a useful and non-invasive approach to the diagnosis and treatment (as therapeutic aids) of many disorders, in particular in the areas of rheumatology, dermatology, orthopaedics and circulatory abnormalities. This paper reviews many usages (and hence the limitations) of thermography in biomedical fields.

Infrared imaging technology and biological applications.

Kastberger G, Stachl R.

Source

Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. gerald.kastberger@uni-graz.at

Abstract

Temperature is the most frequently measured physical quantity, second only to time. Infrared (IR) technology has been utilized successfully in astronomy (for a summary,see Hermans-Killam, 2002b) and in industrial and research settings (Gruner, 2002; Madding, 1982, 1989; Wolfe & Zissis, 1993) for decades. However, fairly recent innovations have reduced costs, increased reliability, and resulted in noncontact IR sensors offering mobile, smaller units of measurement (EOI, 2002; Flir, 2000, 2001,2002). The advantages of using IR imaging are (1) rapidity in the millisecond range, facilitating measurement of moving targets, (2) noncontact procedures, allowing measurements of hazardous or physically inaccessible objects, (3) no interference and no energy lost from the target, (4) no risk of contamination, and (5) no mechanical effect on the surface of the object. All these factors have led to IR technology's becoming an area of interest for new kinds of applications and users. In both manufacturing and quality control, temperature plays an important role as an indicator of the condition of a product or a piece of machinery (EOI, 2002; Flir, 2000, 2001, 2002; Raytek, 2002). In medical and veterinary applications, IR thermometry is increasingly used in organ diagnostics, in the evaluation of sports injuries and the progression of therapy, in disease evaluation (e.g, breast cancer, arthritis, and SARS; Flir, 2003), and in injury and inflammation examinations in horses, livestock (Tivey & Banhazi, 2002), and zoo animals (Hermans-Killam, 2002a; Thiesbrummel, 2002). Lastly, physiological expressions of life processes in animals (Kastberger, Winder, & Steindl, 2001; Stabentheiner, Kovac, & Hagmüller, 1995; Stabentheiner, Kovac, & Schmaranzer, 2002; Stabentheiner & Schmarnzer, 1987) and plants (Bermadinger-Stabentheiner & Stabentheiner, 1995) can be monitored. The most recent field in which IR technology has been applied is animal behavior. This article focuses on the practical options for noncontact IR thermometry--in particular, in biological applications.