Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiations, Emitted by a Cellular Phone, Modify Cutaneous Blood Flow

Background: Our surroundings are full of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of different frequency and power. The non-ionizing EMRs emitted by television, computer and cellular phone (CF) sets have been increasing over the past few years. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the effects of non-ionizing EMRs (frequency 3 × 10 8 to 3 × 10 11 Hz), emitted by CFs, on cutaneous blood flow in healthy volunteers. Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (14 male and 16 female; age: 18–53 years) entered the study. Measurements of cutaneous blood flow were taken under standard conditions (temperature and humidity), using a laser Doppler He-Ne flowmeter that was applied to the ear skin by an optical fibre probe. Microflow values were recorded without CF contact with the skin (T₀), with the CF turned off but in contact with the ear skin (T 1 ), with CF contact and turned on (T 2 ), with CF contact, turned on and receiving (T 3 ). The microflow values were also recorded backwards: with CF contact and set turned on (T 4 ), with CF contact and turned off (T 5 ), without CF contact (T 6 ). Results: The mean value of basal microflow (T₀), expressed as perfusion units (PU), was 51.26 ± 11.93 PU. During the T 1 phase, the microflow increase was 61.38%; in T 2 it was 131.74%, in T 3 157.67%, in T 4 139.21% and in T 5 122.90%; in T 6 , the microflow value was 57.58 ± 10 PU (similar to the basal microflow). Statistically significant cutaneous microflow values (p < 0.050) were observed comparing the T 1 to T 5 values with basal microflow (T₀). Furthermore, in comparison with T 1 values (CF turned off in contact with the ear skin), the T 2 , T 3 and T 4 data were statistically significant (T 2 vs. T 1 : t = 7.763 with p < 0.050; T 3 vs. T 1 : t = 9.834 with p < 0.050; T 4 vs. T 1 : t = 8.885 with p < 0.050).