Wifi and health: Perspectives and risks
Main Article Content
Abstract
Increased exposure to electromagnetic fields such as radio frequencies used by Wifi technology raise questions and concerns about their impact on health. For answer these questions, several scientific studies have carried out followed by results publication in prestigious scientific revues. Literature conducted on the effects of non-ionizing radiation and Wifi waves is vast and sometimes controversial. Epidemiological studies and the results of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have showed the biological effects of electromagnetic field in different frequencies range. These effects caused disorders at the molecular and behavioral level. However, these studies were insufficient to confirm the directly related effects to the cause. Therefore, further research must be done to raise the controversy about the safety of wireless waves.
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2018 Salah MB, et al.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Esteves Sobral, Jordan PS. Teyssendier de Maistre (2009) Les Effets du Wifi sur la santé. Note de synthèse.
UNEP/WHO/IRPA. United Nations Environment Programme/International Radiation. 1987.
Barnothy MF. Biological effects of magnetic field. Plenum Press: New York Press. 1964.
Adey WR. Biological effects of electromagnetic fields. J Cell Biochem. 1993; 51: 410-416. Ref.: https://goo.gl/YUw7nj
Blank M. Biological effects of environmental electromagnetic fields: molecular mechanisms. Biosystems. 1995; 35: 175-178. Ref.: https://goo.gl/gZ6jo7
Blank M. Electromagnetic fields: biological interactions and mechanisms. New York: American Chemical Society. 1995. Ref.: https://goo.gl/p84koe
Binhi VN, Savin AV. Molecular gyroscopes and biological effects of weak extremely low frequency magnetic fields. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2002; 65: 1-10. Ref.: https://goo.gl/jvm4Gp
Starvroulakis P. Biological effects of electromagnetic fields. Berlin Heidelberg Springer-Varlag. Postgrad Med J. 2003; 80: 253-261. Ref.: https://goo.gl/sVsW4Q
Chater S, Abdelmelek H, Couton D, Joulin V, Sakly M, et al. Subacute exposure to magnetic field induced apoptosis in thymus female rats. Pak J Med Sci. 2005; 21: 292-297. Ref.: https://goo.gl/s1Mcgd
Abdelmelek H, Molnar S, Servais S, Cottet−Emard JM, Pequignot JM, et al. Skeletal muscle HSP72 and norepinephrine response to static magnetic field in rat. J Neural Transm. 2006; 113: 821-827. Ref.: https://goo.gl/KNg8Sh
Amara S, Abdelmelek H, Abidi R, Sakly M, Ben Rhouma K. Zinc prevents hematological and biochemical alteration induced by static magnetic field in rats. Pharmacol Rep. 2006; 57: 616-622. Ref.: https://goo.gl/nC2tgc
Chater S, Abdelmelek H, Pequignot JM, Sakly M, Rhouma KB. Effects of subacute exposure to static magnetic field on hematologic and biochemical parameters in pregnant rats. Electromagn Biol Med. 2006 ; 25: 135-144. Ref. : https://goo.gl/mAQTFT
Elferchichi M, Mercier J, Coisy-Quivy M, Metz L, Lajoix AD, et al. Effects of exposure to a 128-mT static magnetic field on glucose and lipid metabolism in serum and skeletal muscle of rats. Arch Med Res. 2010; 41: 309-314. Ref. : https://goo.gl/Sa9ymB
Lahbib A, Elferchichi M, Ghodbane S, Belguith H, Chater S, et al. Time-dependent effects of exposure to static magnetic field on glucose and lipid metabolism in rat. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2010; 29: 390-395. Ref.: https://goo.gl/WnKpJn
Roy S, Noda Y, Eckert V, Traber MG, Mori A, et al. The phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced oxidative burst in rat peritoneal neutrophils is increased by a 0.1 mT (60 Hz) magnetic field. FEBS Lett. 1995; 76: 164-166. Ref.: https://goo.gl/6DF13d
Lacy-Hulbert A, Metcalfe JC, Hesketh R. Biological responses to electromagnetic fields. Faseb J. 1998; 12: 395-420. Ref.: https://goo.gl/Fg9AAE
Crouzier D, Debouzy JC, Bourbon F, Collin A, Perrin A, et al. Neurophysiologic effects at low level 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field exposure: a multiparametric approach on freely moving rats. Pathologie Biologie. 2007; 55: 134-142. Ref.: https://goo.gl/UTTeYg
Crouzier D, Testylier G, Perrin A, Debouzy JC. Which Neurophysiologic effects at low level 2.45 GHz exposure?. Pathologie Biologie. 2007; 55: 235-241. Ref.: https://goo.gl/yVctHF
Akoev IG, Pashovkina MS, Dolgacheva LP, Semenova TP, Kalmykov V L. Enzymatic activity of some tissues and blood serum from animals and humans exposed to microwaves and hypothesis on the possible role of free radical processes in the nonlinear effects and modification of emotional behavior of animals. Radiat Biol Radioecol. 2002; 42: 332-330. Ref.: https://goo.gl/5grcK6
Belpomme D, Irigaray P, Hardell L. Electromagnetic fields as cancer-causing agents. Environmental Research. 2008; 107: 289-290.
Conseil Supérieur de la Santé (2008) Effets biologiques potentiels des micro-ondes modulées. Publication N°8194, 1
Baptiste J (2001) Effets biologiques des ELF. Sciences et avenir : 87-88.
Hée G, Méreau P, Dornier G (2002) Champs et ondes électromagnétique. Travail et sécurité
Hygiène et sécurité du travail N°182, 1er trimestre (2001) Guide pour l’établissement de limites d’exposition aux champs électriques, magnétiques et électromagnétiques
Feychting M. Health effects of static magnetic fields--a review of the epidemiological evidence, Prog Biophys Mol Biol, 2005; 87: 241-246. Ref.: https://goo.gl/TtJCmD
Jelenkovic A, Janac B, Pesic V, Jovanovic DM, Vasiljevic I, et al. Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic field in the brain of rats. Brain Research Bulletin. 2006; 68: 355-360. Ref.: https://goo.gl/SsL3v4
Hashish AH, El-Missiry MA, Abdelkader HI, Abou-Saleh RH. Assessement of biological changes of continuous whole body exposure to static magnetic field and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in mice. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2008; 71: 895-902. Ref.: https://goo.gl/XnfV65
Plante M. Cellulaires et santé: êtes-vous sur la même longueur d’onde que vos patients?. Le Médecin du Québec. 2010; 45: 41-46.
Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS) (2012) Champs électromagnétiques: Les réseaux sans fil de proximité. ED 4207.
Lai H. Singh NP. Single- and double-strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Int J Radiat Biol. 1996; 69: 513-521. Ref.: https://goo.gl/wUGG5y
Lixia S, Yao K, Kaijun W, Deqiang L, Huajun H, et al. Effects of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells. Mutat Res. 2006; 602:135-142. Ref.: https://goo.gl/3VgLnx
Zhao TY, Zou SP, Knapp PE. Exposure to cell phone radiation up-Regulates apoptosis genes in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes. Neurosci Lett. 2007; 412: 34-38. Ref.: https://goo.gl/CyMVWH
Belyaev IY, Koch CB, Terenius O, Roxström- Lindquist K, Malmgren LOH, et al. Exposure of rat brain to 915MHz GSM microwaves induces changes in gene expression but not double stranded DNA breaks or effects in chromatin conformation. Bioelectromagnetics. 2006; 27: 295-306. Ref.: https://goo.gl/PzZaYx
Programme national de recherche PNR 57 Résultats du programme national de recherche sur les éventuels risques sanitaires émanant des rayonnements électromagnétiques. Rayonnement non ionisant. Environnement ET santé. 2011.
Wertheimer N, Savitz DA, Leeper E. Childhood cancer in relation to indicators of magnetic fields from ground current sources. Bioelectromagnetics. 1995; 16: 86-96. Ref.: https://goo.gl/L5W3pp
AldrichTE, Andrews KW, Liboff AR. Brain cancer risk and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) assessing the geomagnetic component. Arch Environ Health. 2001; 56: 314-319. Ref.: https://goo.gl/5ywgq1
Rozanski C, Belton M, Prato FS, Carson JJ. Real-time measurement of cytosolic free calcium concentration in DEM-treated HL-60 cells during static magnetic field exposure and activation by ATP. Bioelectromagnetics. 2009; 30: 213-221. Ref.: https://goo.gl/ZF9RdD
De Nicola M, Cordisco SC, Cerella MC, Albertini M, D'Alessio A, et al. Magnetic fields protect from apoptosis via redox alteration. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006; 1090: 59-68. Ref.: https://goo.gl/v5XkcA
Nuccitelli S, Cerella C, Cordisco S, Albertini MC, Accorsi A, et al. Hyperpolarization of plasma membrane of tumor cells sensitive to antiapoptotic effects of magnetic fields. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2006; 1090: 217-225. Ref.: https://goo.gl/avn5tp
Tenuzzo B, Vergallo C, Dini L. Effect of 6mT static magnetic field on the bcl-2, bax, p53 and hsp70 expression in freshly isolated and in vitro aged human lymphocytes. Tissue Cell. 2009; 41: 169-179. Ref.: https://goo.gl/P6xXkq
Khadir R, Morgan JL, Murray JJ. Effects of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure on polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation. Biochem Biophys Acta. 1999; 1472: 359-367. Ref.: https://goo.gl/oFpwpB
Kula B, Sobczak A, Kuska R. Effects of static and ELF magnetic fields on free-radical processes in rat liver and kidney. Electron Magnetobiol. 2000; 19: 99-105. Ref.: https://goo.gl/FWoA55
Simko M, Droste S, Kriehuber R, Weiss DG. Stimulation of phagocytosis and free radical production in murine macrophages by 50 Hz electromagnetic field. Eur J Cell Biol. 2001; 80: 562-566. Ref.: https://goo.gl/YDdtZv
Lupke M, Rollwitz J, Simko M. Cell activating capacity of 50 Hz magnetic fields to release reactive oxygen intermediates in human umbilical cord blood-derived monocytes and in Mono Mac 6 cells. Free Radic Res. 2004; 38: 985-993. Ref.: https://goo.gl/oPfU4k
Savitz DA. Overview of occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields and cancer, advancements in exposure assessment. Environ Health Perspect. 1995; 103: 69-74. Ref.: https://goo.gl/VrDCw6
Lewy H, Massot O, Touitou Y. Magnetic field (50 Hz) increases N-acetyltransferase, hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity and melatonin release through an indirect pathway. Int J Radiat Biol, 2003; 79: 431-435. Ref.: https://goo.gl/5SP48W
Yokus B, Cakir DU, Akday MZ, Sert C, Mete N. Oxidative DNA damage in rats exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. Free Radic Res. 2005; 39: 317-323. Ref.: https://goo.gl/zpBY8Y
Lai H, Singh NP. Acute exposure to a 60Hz magnetic field increases DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 2004; 18: 156-165.
Amara S, Abdelmelek H, Garrel C, Guiraud P, Douki T, et al. Zinc supplementation ameliorates static magnetic field oxydative stress in rat tissues. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2007; 23:193-197. Ref.: https://goo.gl/XVjwji
Valberg PA, van Deventer TE, Repacholi MH. Workgroup Report, Base Stations and Wireless Networks-Radiofrequency (RF) Exposures and Health Consequences. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007; 115: 416-424. Ref.: https://goo.gl/VbzGE8
Micallef N, Vallé S, Woringer M. Effets des ondes électromagnétiques sur le vivant Culture libre. sciences ouverte. 2008.
Brunel JL. Les risques liés au WiFi. Observatoire Académique de la Sécurité Informatique: études/actualités. 2004.
Mokdad M. Wi-Fi et son usage Contexte et implication. CIW, 2007, Le WI-FI. 2009.
Hardell L, Mild KH. Re: “cellular telephone use and risk of acoustic neuroma” (author reply 4-5). Am J Epidemiol. 2004; 160: 923-926. Ref.: https://goo.gl/VQLhBX
Lonn S, Ahlbom A, Hall P, Feychting M. Mobile phone use and the risk of acoustic neuroma. Epidemiology. 2004; 15: 653-659. Ref.: https://goo.gl/4G7dSL
Lai H, Horita A, Chou CK, Guy AW. Effects of low-level microwave irradiation on hippocampal and frontal cortical choline uptake are classically conditionable. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1987; 27: 635-639. Ref.: https://goo.gl/YnQ9H9
Lai H, Carino MA, Horita A, Guy AW. Low-level microwave irradiation and central cholinergic systems. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1989; 33: 131-138. Ref.: https://goo.gl/ApRU22
Lai H, Carino MA, Wen YF, Horita A, Guy AW. Naltrexone pretreatment blocks microwave induced changes in central cholinergic receptors. Bioelectromagnetics. 1991; 12: 27-33. Ref.: https://goo.gl/pLmLy2
Kwee S, Raskmark P, Velizarov S. Changes in cellular proteins due to environmental nonionizing radiation. I. Heat-shock proteins. Electro Magnetobiol. 2001; 20: 141-152. Ref.: https://goo.gl/JtCejg
Friedman J, Kraus S, Hauptman Y, Schiff Y, Seger R. Mechanism of short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequencies. Biochem J. 2007; 405:559-568. Ref.: https://goo.gl/5ShXWY
Blank M, Goodman R. Electromagnetic fields stress living cells. Pathophysiology. 2009; 16: 71-78. Ref.: https://goo.gl/29j8ZU
Fragopoulou AF, Margaritis LH. Is cognitive function affected by mobile phone radiation exposure? In: L. Giuliani, M. Soffritti, eds. Non Thermal Effects and Mechanisms of interaction between electromagnetic fields and living matter. European Journal of Oncology-Library. 2010; 5: 261-273. Ref.: https://goo.gl/tdGN2r
Fragopoulou A, Grigoriev Y, Johansson O, Margaritis LH, Morgan L, et al. Scientific panel on electromagnetic field health risks-consensus points, recommendations and rationales. Reviews on Environmental Health. 2010; 25: 307-317. Ref.: https://goo.gl/EdiKB8
Ntzouni MP, Stamatakis A, Stylianopoulou F, Margaritis LH. Short term memory in mice is affected by mobile phone radiation. Pathophysiology. 2011; 18: 193-199. Ref.: https://goo.gl/9LgK8R
Ntzouni MP, Skouroliakou A, Kostomitsopoulos N, Margaritis LH. Transient and cumulative memory impairements induced by GSM 1.8 GHz cell phone signal in a mouse model. Electromagn Biol Med. 2013; 32: 95-120. Ref.: https://goo.gl/Un2ZdW
Firstenberg A. Radio Wave Packet. President, Cellular Phone Taskforce. 2001. Ref.: https://goo.gl/8mH4M4
Butrous GS, Male JC, Webber R S, Barton DG, Meldrum SJ, et al. The effect of power frequency high intensity electric fields on implanted cardiac Pacemakers. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1983; 6: 1282-1292. Ref.: https://goo.gl/Zi5BKG
Kainz W, Casamento JP, Ruggera P S, Chan DD, Witters DM. Implantable cardiac pacemaker electromagnetic compatibility testing in a novel security system simulator. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2005; 52: 520-530. Ref.: https://goo.gl/AbaWwj
Elferchichi M, Mercier J, Abdelmelek H, Sakly M, Lambert K, et al. Effects of exposure to a 128-mT static magnetic field on glucose and lipid metabolism in serum and skeletal muscle of rats. Arch Med Res. 2010; 41: 309-314. Ref.: https://goo.gl/bNTFkK