Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1980 / Includes bibliographical references. / by Tarek Mohamed Habashy. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on [3H]glucose uptake in the peripheral tissues and organs of rats. Rats were exposed to ELF-EMF (frequency-10 Hz, induction -1.8-3.8 mT) one hour daily for 14 consecutive days. Control animals were sham exposed. On the 15th day (24 hours after last exposure) rats were injected with D-[3H]-6-glucose 500μCi/kg IP. Fifteen minutes later animals were sacrificed by decapitation and peripheral tissues were excised and examined for radioactivity (desintegrations per minute, DPM/ 100 mg wet tissue weight), which expressed [3H]glucose uptake. In most of the examined tissues and organs, such as liver, kidney, heart muscle, cartilage, connective tissue, tendon and skin, [3H]glucose uptake in ELF-EMF-exposed animals was significantly higher as compared to that in the sham control. Exposure to ELF-EMF did not influence [3H]glucose uptake in the thoracic aorta and the skeletal muscle. It is concluded that ELF-EMF impacts tissue glucose uptake by facilitating glucose transport via cell membranes, dependent and probably also independent of its role in increasing insulin action in insulin-dependent tissues.

Exponering av det lågfrekventa ELF (Extremely low frequency) magnetfältet som genereras vid dagens elnät är något som är relativt nytt för människokroppen och den ökar ständigt i och med den tekniska utvecklingen. Eftersom det inte finns ett klart svar på hur fältet påverkar kroppen så tillämpas försiktighet för att hålla exponeringsnivåerna nere och försäkra sig om att ingen skada sker. Med hjälp av tidigare forskning inom området och uppmätta värden från olika anläggningar samt överslagsberäkningar har ett verktyg i Excel tagits fram för att kunna uppskatta magnituden av magnetfältet. Verktyget innehåller information om styrkan på magnetfältet från transformatorer, ställverk, elcentraler, kraftledningar och kanalskenor. Användaren skriver in ett antal parametrar för att få utdata om hur starkt magnetfältet är på olika avstånd ifrån källan. Detta presenteras i form av en tabell och en graf för respektive utrustning. Eftersom magnetfält alstras beroende på strömmens riktning, påverkar själva geometrin i olika elanläggningar magnetfältets styrka. För att beräkna exakta värden krävs då avancerade simuleringsprogram. Med detta verktyg kan projektörer redan vid ett tidigt skede uppskatta magnetfältet. / The exposure of ELF (Extremely low frequency) magnetic field generated by today’s electrical power system, is something that is relatively new to the human body and it is constantly increasing as more technology is developed. As there is no clear answer on how the field actually affects the body, a measure of caution is applied to ensure that the exposure levels are kept down to make sure no harm is done. With the help of previous research in the field, measured values from different locations and approximate calculations, a tool was developed in Excel to estimate the magnitude of the magnetic fields. The tool provides information about the magnitude of magnetic fields from transformers, switchgears, switchboards, powerlines and busbars. The user enters a number of parameters and the tool provides output data with the magnitude of the magnetic field at different distances from the source. This is presented in the form of a table and a graph for each equipment. Since the magnetic field is generated depending on the currents direction, the actual geometry of the electrical system needs to be taken in consideration when calculating the exact magnetic field. This requires an advanced simulation software to be accurate. With this tool, designers have the opportunity to estimate the magnetic fields at an early stage of development.

Exponering av det lågfrekventa ELF (Extremely low frequency) magnetfältet som genereras vid dagens elnät är något som är relativt nytt för människokroppen och den ökar ständigt i och med den tekniska utvecklingen. Eftersom det inte finns ett klart svar på hur fältet påverkar kroppen så tillämpas försiktighet för att hålla exponeringsnivåerna nere och försäkra sig om att ingen skada sker. Med hjälp av tidigare forskning inom området och uppmätta värden från olika anläggningar samt överslagsberäkningar har ett verktyg i Excel tagits fram för att kunna uppskatta magnituden av magnetfältet. Verktyget innehåller information om styrkan på magnetfältet från transformatorer, ställverk, elcentraler, kraftledningar och kanalskenor. Användaren skriver in ett antal parametrar för att få utdata om hur starkt magnetfältet är på olika avstånd ifrån källan. Detta presenteras i form av en tabell och en graf för respektive utrustning. Eftersom magnetfält alstras beroende på strömmens riktning, påverkar själva geometrin i olika elanläggningar magnetfältets styrka. För att beräkna exakta värden krävs då avancerade simuleringsprogram. Med detta verktyg kan projektörer redan vid ett tidigt skede uppskatta magnetfältet. / The exposure of ELF (Extremely low frequency) magnetic field generated by today’s electrical power system, is something that is relatively new to the human body and it is constantly increasing as more technology is developed. As there is no clear answer on how the field actually affects the body, a measure of caution is applied to ensure that the exposure levels are kept down to make sure no harm is done. With the help of previous research in the field, measured values from different locations and approximate calculations, a tool was developed in Excel to estimate the magnitude of the magnetic fields. The tool provides information about the magnitude of magnetic fields from transformers, switchgears, switchboards, powerlines and busbars. The user enters a number of parameters and the tool provides output data with the magnitude of the magnetic field at different distances from the source. This is presented in the form of a table and a graph for each equipment. Since the magnetic field is generated depending on the currents direction, the actual geometry of the electrical system needs to be taken in consideration when calculating the exact magnetic field. This requires an advanced simulation software to be accurate. With this tool, designers have the opportunity to estimate the magnetic fields at an early stage of development.

This study employed multiple assessments, including sleep/resting waking EEG (visual scoring and power spectral analysis) and psychomotor vigilance task, to access effects of varying pulse-modulated microwaves (such as: 'talk', 'listen' and 'standby' mode signals) emitted from a standard mobile phone. The idea was prompted by a finding that the pulse modulation frequencies of mobile phone signals correspond to the frequencies of brain delta and alpha waves. Thereby it is possible the brain is able to recognize and respond to the low-frequency components of the mobile phone signals. Supporting evidence comes from repetitively reported EEG alpha and spindle effects of the 2, 8 and 217-Hz pulsed microwave exposure. Furthermore, brain imaging (EEG and PET) studies reveal 'low-frequency pulse-modulated waves' rather than the 'microwave frequency carrier waves' is the sine qua non for inducing these brain physiological effects [Huber et al., 2002, 2005; Regel et al., 2007a]. On the other hand, recent converging evidence, from molecular, behavioural and electrophysiological level, have shown that brain plasticity is a continuous process from waking to sleep and, sleep, a well-defined physiological condition, is 'shaped' by the waking experiences. The latter findings suggest certain sleep EEG features may characterize levels of cortical plasticity during wakefulness. The work presented in this thesis was inspired by these studies and aimed to understand how the real mobile phone signals with different low-frequency pulsing components [such as 'talk' (8, 217 Hz pulsed), 'listen' (2, 8, 217 Hz pulsed) and 'stand by' mode < 2 Hz pulsed)] change human brain electrical activities from waking to sleep. We approached this question based on EEG analysis in two domains: (1) EEG visual scoring; (2) EEG spectral analysis from relaxed waking to the deeper stages of non-NREM sleep. We also looked at the effects on the psychomotor vigilance performance. Results suggest 'talk' and 'Iisten/standby' modes have inverse effects on the distinctive thalamo-cortical oscillation modes and may thus impart inverse effects on their sleep structures. The implications of this study are of practical importance as it suggests the thalamo-cortical oscillations can be modulated by synchronizing rTMS/tDCS/DBS and sleeplwaking EEG. This concept may be applied to modulate the brain oscillation modes for enhancing sleep-dependent brain plastiCity or information processing.

Contexte. Au cours du siècle, les expositions aux champs électromagnétiques se sont multipliées avec l'électricité et les moyens de télécommunications. En 2002, les champs électromagnétiques d'extrêmement basse fréquence (CEM-EBF) ont été classés comme possiblement cancérogène pour l'homme, suivis des radiofréquences en 2011. A ce jour, ce rôle cancérigène reste controversé. L'association entre les tumeurs cérébrales (TC) et l'exposition aux champs électromagnétiques a été étudiée dans une étude cas-témoins, CERENAT. Méthodes. Les sujets de plus de 16 ans, résidant dans quatre départements français, avec un diagnostic de TC posé en 2004-2006 ont été inclus, ainsi que 2 témoins appariés par cas. Le calendrier professionnel détaillé et l'utilisation du téléphone portable (TP) ont été recueillis dans un questionnaire standardisé lors d'un entretien en face-à-face afin d'estimer l'exposition aux CEM-EBF (par l'application d'une matrice emploi-exposition), et aux radiofréquences. Résultats. L'étude a inclus 596 cas et 1192 témoins. Aucune association n'a été observée entre l'exposition aux CEM-EBF et les gliomes ou les méningiomes. Pour les neurinomes, le risque augmentait avec l'exposition, non significativement, atteignant un rapport de cotes (RC)=2,7 [0,8-9,0] pour une exposition moyenne sur la vie ≥ 0,2μT. Par ailleurs, l'usage régulier du TP (O/N) n'était pas associé aux TC (RC=1,1 [0,8-1,4]). Cependant, une association significative était observée pour les gliomes chez les plus grands utilisateurs pour une durée cumulée des appels ≥ 896 heures (RC=2,3 [1,4-3,8]). Les risques étaient plus élevés pour les tumeurs temporales, l'utilisation professionnelle et l'utilisation urbaine du téléphone. Conclusion. Nos résultats vont dans le sens des études antérieures, montrant une association entre les tumeurs cérébrales et l'utilisation importante du TP; et l'absence d'association avec l'exposition aux CEM-EBF. Cependant, le lien entre CEM-EBF et neurinomes reste à explorer, de même que le suivi à plus long terme des effets du TP. / Context. During the century, exposure to electromagnetic fields have increased with electricity and telecommunications facilities. In 2002, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans, followed by radiofrequencies in 2011. To date, this carcinogenic role remains controversial. We investigated the association between brain tumors and exposure to electromagnetic fields in a case-control study, CERENAT. Methods. Subjects over 16 years, living in four French areas, with a diagnosis of brain tumor in 2004-2006 were included, with 2 matched controls per case. The detailed occupational history and mobile telephone use were collected in a standardized questionnaire during a face- to-face interview to estimate exposure to ELF-EMF (using job-exposure matrix) and to radiofrequencies. Results. The study included 596 cases and 1192 controls. No association was observed between exposure to ELF-EMF and gliomas or meningiomas. For neuromas, the risk increased with exposure, not significantly, reaching an odds ratio (OR)=2.7 [0.8 - 9.0] for a life-long mean exposure ≥ 0.2 μT. Moreover, regular use of mobile phone (Y/ N) was not associated with brain tumor (OR=1.1 [0.8 - 1.4]). However, a significant association was observed for gliomas in the heaviest users when considering a life-long cumulative duration of calls ≥ 896 hours (OR=2.3 [1.4 - 3.8]). Risks were higher for temporal tumors, occupational or urban mobile phone use. Conclusion. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing an association between brain tumors and the extensive use of MP, and no association with exposure to ELF-EMF. However, the association between ELF-EMF and neuromas remains to be explored, as well as the follow of mobile phone effects in the long term.

La directive européenne 2013/35/UE précise les exigences minimales pour la protection des travailleurs exposés aux champs électromagnétiques et définit les porteurs d’implants comme travailleurs à risques particuliers. Concernant les porteurs de défibrillateur automatique implantable (DAI) ou de stimulateur cardiaque (SC), l’exposition au champ électrique ou magnétique d’extrêmement basse fréquence crée des inductions à l'intérieur du corps humain pouvant générer une tension perturbatrice susceptible de causer le dysfonctionnement de l’implant. Le sujet de ce travail de thèse porte sur la compatibilité électromagnétique des implants cardiaques soumis à un champ électrique basses fréquences (50/60 Hz). Des simulations numériques ont été effectuées afin de concevoir un banc expérimental pour l’exposition de fantômes incluant des stimulateurs ou des défibrillateurs implantables. Une étude expérimentale a permis d’établir par provocation les seuils de champ électrique permettant d’éviter tout dysfonctionnement éventuel de l’implant. Dans la partie simulation numérique ; un modèle humain virtuel (fantôme numérique contenant un implant cardiaque) a été placé en position debout sous une exposition verticale à un champ électrique. La méthode des éléments finis a été utilisée pour définir les phénomènes induits au niveau de l’implant cardiaque avec une résolution de 2mm (logiciel CST®). Dans la partie expérimentale, un banc d'essai dimensionné pour permettre de générer un champ électrique pouvant atteindre 100 kV/m aux fréquences 50-60 Hz a été conçu, optimisé et réalisé afin d’analyser le comportement des implants cardiaques. Plusieurs configurations ont été étudiées. Sur 54 implants cardiaques actifs testés (43 stimulateurs et 11 défibrillateurs) à des niveaux de champs électriques très élevés (100 kV/m) générés par notre dispositif expérimental, aux fréquences de 50-60 Hz, aucune défaillance n’a été observée pour des niveaux d’exposition publics et pour la plupart des configurations (+99%) sauf pour six stimulateurs cardiaques dans le cas d’une configuration « pire cas » peu réaliste en clinique : mode unipolaire avec une sensibilité maximale et en détection auriculaire. Les implants configurés avec une sensibilité nominale en mode bipolaire résistent bien à des champs électriques dépassant les valeurs seuils telles que définies par 2013/UE/35. / The European Directive 2013/ 35 / EU specify minimum requirements for the protection of workers exposed to electromagnetic fields and define with implants as “workers at particular risk”. Regarding the implantable cardioverter defibrillator wearers (ICD) or pacemaker (PM), exposure to electric or magnetic field of extremely low frequency creates inductions inside the human body that generate interference voltage which may cause the dysfunction of the implant. This thesis investigates the electromagnetic compatibility of cardiac implants subjected to an electric field low frequency (50/60 Hz). Computational simulations are effectuated in order to design an experimental bench for the exposure of a phantom including pacemakers or implantable defibrillators. A provocative study is established to define the electric field thresholds for preventing any malfunction of the implant. In numerical simulations; a virtual human model (digital phantom containing a cardiac implant) was placed in an upright position in a vertical exposure to an electric field. The finite element method was used to define the inductions in the cardiac implant level with a resolution of 2 mm (CST® software). In the experimental part, a test bench designed to allow generating an electric field up to 100 kV / m at frequencies 50-60 Hz was constructed, optimized and employed to investigate the behavior of cardiac implants.Several configurations were studied. 54 active cardiac implants (43 pacemakers and 11 defibrillators) are submitted to very high electric field of 50-60 Hz (up to 100 kV / m) inside the experimental bench. No failure was observed for public exposure levels for most configurations (+ 99%) except for six pacemakers in the case of a configuration clinically almost inexistent: unipolar mode with maximum sensitivity and atrial sensing.The implants configured with a nominal sensitivity in bipolar mode are resistant to electric fields exceeding the low action levels (ALs), even for the most high ALs, as defined by 2013 / 35 / EU

Presents results of research in the field of low-level electromagnetic fields interacting with the higher organisms, in the frequency band from 0,01 to 30 Hz effect on the individual or social group. Provides a description of the methodology of measuring and evaluating the impact of workplace assembled measuring low-level electromagnetic fields, extremely low frequency (ELF) on a sample of respondents. It was proposed measuring device for monitoring and evaluating how respondents' reactions to changes in the geomagnetic or external - external magnetic / electromagnetic field and to work for the measurement and evaluation of changes in external magnetic fields very low levels (ELF). This work is designed to process and evaluate implemented within experimental research into the influence of low-level magnetic fields in the Earth's resonator psychophysiological parameters of human organism and its behavior and decision-making. The work confirmed the influence of low-level magnetic fields on the psychophysiological parameters of the organism to be simultaneously confirmed the hypothesis established in accordance with the objectives of work.

No description available.