title: Preliminary evaluation of nanoscale biogenic magnetite-based ferromagnetic transduction mechanisms for mobile phone bioeffects.
abstract: Ferromagnetic transduction models have been proposed as a potential mechanism for mobile phone bioeffects. These models are based on the coupling of RF and pulsed electromagnetic emissions to biogenic magnetite (Fe3O4) present in the human brain via either ferromagnetic resonance or mechanical activation of cellular ion channels. We have tested these models experimentally for the first time using a bacterial analogue (Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum) which produces intracellular biogenic magnetite similar to that present in the human brain. Experimental evaluation revealed that exposure to mobile phone emissions resulted in a consistent and significantly higher proportion of cell death in exposed cultures versus sham exposure (p = 0.037). Though there appears to be a repeatable trend toward higher cell mortality in magnetite-producing bacteria exposed to mobile phone emissions, it is not yet clear that this would extrapolate to a deleterious health effect in humans.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Science and Technology in Medicine, University of Keele, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB UK.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cranfield
authors.forename: Heinz Gregor
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wieser
authors.forename: Jaffar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al Madan
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dobson
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D040421:Cell Phone; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D042201:Magnetospirillum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves; D010087:Oxides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011846:Radio Waves; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C405425:MpsA protein, Magnetospirillum sp.; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide