6. Discussion

Briefly, epidemiological data on the human effects of microwave radiation suggest a predominance of brain tumors and leukemia. In vivo and in vitro animal studies point to genotoxic effects that can trigger apoptosis and detrimental effects on the immune system. Human cell studies corroborate the genotoxic effects of microwave radiation and its ability to cause various kinds of DNA damage resulting in cell death. Possible immune effects are also recorded. These results are in keeping with a two-stage apoptotic model of carcinogenesis [11].

The induction of apoptosis by microwaves in human and rat neural cells and in human lymphocytes correlates well with the increased incidence of brain tumors and leukemia epidemiologically associated with the high-frequency radio waves emitted by cellphone towers. However, further studies need to be conducted on the apoptotic potential of microwaves in non-transformed neural and human lymphocytes at 1800–1900 MHz in order to test this parameter definitively since significant biochemical differences can exist between transformed and non-transformed cells. Blood cells of children should also specifically be tested since they are susceptible to leukemia from high power voltage (HPV) lines, which emit low-frequency radio waves. The developing tissues of children have already been found to be more susceptible to the penetration of cellphone radiation. According to a new approach to cancer risk assessment, if apoptosis is induced in these normal tissues from adults and children, along with the epidemiological data, this would be sufficient criteria to establish cellphone tower EMR as a complete carcinogen providing that microwave exposure is at a high enough specific absorption rate (SAR).

As an example, sufficiently high SAR levels for microwave radiation are likely to be achieved only very close to or directly in front of cellular antennas mounted on a roof, whereas a distance of up to 400 meters from cellphone towers, which emit more EMR, has been found to be associated with an increased cancer incidence. In any case, access to such rooftop areas with cellular antennas should be restricted or limited [69]. Actually, defraying the total EMR load in this way may be one potential method of decreasing total human exposure in urban neighborhoods. Dividing up the EMR load between several buildings in an urban area could help to minimize overall individual microwave exposure, while having one large cellphone tower in the same area would tend to maximize the microwave exposure of a few.

According to various animal studies, there appears to be a significant effect of microwaves in the cellphone tower frequency range on mammals, avian species, and insect pollinators such as honey bees. There also appears to be a negative impact on plant life in the vicinity of cellphone towers. Decreases in fruit and other crop yields could translate into economic losses. As a result, some countries like India have already taken positive action against the potential threat of cellphone tower EMR to wildlife by proposing to have EMR levels audited and recognized as a pollutant and passing a special law to safeguard the surrounding environment. Other countries should also follow suit in setting safe environmental limits on EMR emission levels from cellphone towers in order to preserve the urban flora and fauna. Such safety standards should always be based on the latest research and must be subject to constant revision as new data become available.
