{"id":16719,"date":"2017-09-25T11:34:27","date_gmt":"2017-09-25T11:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/?p=16719"},"modified":"2020-04-24T11:09:49","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T11:09:49","slug":"mobile-phone-electromagnetic-waves-causing-fatty-change-in-the-hepatocytes-of-the-developing-chick-embryo-are-smart-phones-too-close-for-comfort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/vol10no3\/mobile-phone-electromagnetic-waves-causing-fatty-change-in-the-hepatocytes-of-the-developing-chick-embryo-are-smart-phones-too-close-for-comfort\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Waves Causing Fatty Change in the Hepatocytes of the Developing Chick Embryo: Are Smart Phones too Close for Comfort?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Smart phones have added a new dimension into our lives. We are busier with our mobile than talking to the person sitting next to us. Parents give their mobiles to their two-year old to play with instead of toys. Before traveling we make sure that the mobile charger is not left behind. Indeed smart phones have dramatically invaded into our lives; kids and teenagers spend more time playing with mobiles than playing outside. But do we know that we are risking our health from spending too much time with smart phones? They use non-ionizing low frequency electromagnetic waves for communication. These waves were initially thought to be harmless to the humans, however, now scientific research has revealed that these waves may cause damage to the living cells. Smart phone emits radio waves while in use which include downloading data from the internet.<sup>1,2<\/sup> Fetus and children are more radiosensitive than adults due to the presence of embryonic stem cells.<sup>3,4,5,6,7<\/sup> A child born in this era will start electromagnetic waves exposure as early as two years old and will remain in this environment until he dies. Divan et al. reported behavioral problems in children who were exposed to prenatal and postnatal cell phone<sup>9<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Hypothesis of this research conducted at Oman Medical College, is that electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phone affects the normal functioning of the living cells.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To measure the strength of the electromagnetic waves emitted by different mobile sets<\/p>\n<p>To study the effects of these electromagnetic waves on the living cells.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Material and methods<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This study was approved by the Institutional Review (Research) Board of Oman Medical College.<\/p>\n<p>Different models of mobile sets from different companies were randomly selected to measure the RFW emission during receiving a call. This included older version of mobile sets and smart phones. TriField Meter was placed next to the mobile phone while it was receiving a call. The TriField meter will show a deflection of the needle towards the right which was ranging from .01 to 1 mW\/cm.<sup>2<\/sup>\u00a0 Pictures were taken to record the position of the needle showing the intensity of the electromagnetic waves.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Animal experiment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Cobb\u2019 (<em>Gallus gallus domesticus) <\/em>breed zero-day fertilized chicken eggs were acquired from Sohar poultry, by applying pre-fixed inclusion and exclusion criteria. \u00a0\u00a0Chick embryo model was previously extensively used as an animal model to access the effects of electromagnetic waves<sup>10-19<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>A 30-egg incubator (Egg incubator Model EH-35, Sino-PFE Company, China) with automatic temperature, humidity control and forced air ventilation was used. It was also equipped with special egg holders with automatic egg rotation capability which was fixed at ten rotations per day. The mobile phone was placed in the center of the incubator under the egg holder so that the farthest egg was within a radius of 16 cm .\u00a0 The temperature was set at 37 degrees and the humidity at 50-60%. 30 eggs were placed at one time in the egg holders.<\/p>\n<p>The experiment was done twice and the specimens were sent to two different laboratories for histological preparations. It was partially blinded.\u00a0 For each experiment, 40 fertilized eggs were randomly divided into the two groups, control and experimental group. One incubator was used carrying 20 eggs at a time; one wave of exposed group experiment and one wave of control group.<\/p>\n<p>Fresh fertilized chicken eggs were exposed to RFW emitted by a mobile phone during embryonic development and compared with the control eggs, which were not exposed to RFW. A popular mobile phone and service provider was selected with 1800 MHz frequency, power of 0.47 W\/kg body and SAR 1.10 w\/KG (head). A TriField Meter, model 100XE was used to detect the strength of RFW of the mobile phone during the experiment (Fig.1).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Experimental<\/strong><strong> group<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>20 fertilized eggs were incubated in the incubator with the mobile phone in silent mode with the vibration mode disabled. The distance of all the eggs form the mobile phone was maintained within one wavelength (approximately 16.5 cm) of the emitting 1800 MHz frequency electromagnetic waves.<sup>14<\/sup> The mobile phone was rung from another mobile phone for 5 min, ten times daily with an exposure-free period in between the calls. No calls were made at night. The total daily exposure duration was 50 minutes in each 24 hours starting from day 1. The eggs were sacrificed at day 10 (maximum exposure time 500 minutes) and day 15 (total exposure time 750 minutes). For each set of experiments, for both the control and exposed groups, 20 eggs were placed in the incubator, and 10 eggs were sacrificed at day 10 and 15.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16722\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 1.a: A 30-egg incubator b) TriField Meter showing high electromagnetic waves from mobile during call receiving mode\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig1-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig1.jpg 937w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 1.a: A 30-egg incubator b) TriField Meter showing high electromagnetic waves from mobile during call receiving mode<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>On the scheduled day of sacrifice, in each egg, a small hole was first made in the shell and then a portion of the shell was carefully cut by scissors and removed. The embryo was dissected from the membranes and its survivability noticed by either movements of the limbs or beating of the heart. Liver was dissected and placed in formalin<\/p>\n<p><strong>Control<\/strong> <strong>Group<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>20 eggs were incubated at same conditions in the same incubator. The mobile phone was turned off, battery removed and placed in the middle of the incubator. The embryos were examined just as in the experimental groups at days 10 and 15.<\/p>\n<p>5 specimens from day 10 and day 15 each in the exposed group and control groups were selected for histological preparation. One set of 20 specimens were sent to Department of Pathology, Royal Hospital, Muscat and the other set of 20 specimens were sent to Department of Pathology, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat. They were partially blinded.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16723\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig2-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 2: The chick embryo after removal of the egg shell but still the membranes are intact.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig2-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig2.jpg 372w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 2: The chick embryo after removal of the egg shell but still the membranes are intact.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Results<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The TriField meter revealed different intensity of electromagnetic waves from different mobile sets. The intensity of RFW was divided into four groups as follows:<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16724\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig3-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 3: Tri Field meter showing the intensity of the electromagnetic waves by deflecting the needle towards right\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig3-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig3.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 3: Tri Field meter showing the intensity of the electromagnetic waves by deflecting the needle towards right<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig3.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Group 1: .01-.1 mW\/cm2<\/p>\n<p>Group 2: .1- .2 mW\/cm2<\/p>\n<p>Group 3: .2-1 mW\/cm2<\/p>\n<p>Group 4: more than 1 mW\/cm2<\/p>\n<p>All the old mobile sets were placed in Group 4 showing highest levels of radiation (\u2265 1mW\/cm2) which is recommended dangerous to health. Mostly the smarts phones were in groups 1 (<strong>.<\/strong>01-.1 mW\/cm<sup>2<\/sup>), 2 (.1- .2 mW\/cm<sup>2<\/sup>) and 3 (.2-1 mW\/cm<sup>2<\/sup>), but few in group 4. It was further observed that downloading from the net using WiFi also results in high levels of radiations.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16725\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig4-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 4: Tri Field meter showing the needle moving towards the right which means increasing the intensity of the electromagnetic waves\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig4-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig4.jpg 855w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 4: Tri Field meter showing the needle moving towards the right which means increasing the intensity of the electromagnetic waves<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig4.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Results from Royal Hospital, Muscat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>C<\/strong><strong>ontrol group<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At day 10, control group showed hepatocytes with central large nucleus and showing prominent nucleolus. They were arranged in rows, showing central vein with few RBCs, and the beginning of sinusoid formation. The classical hepatic lobule was not yet fully formed. At day 15, control group revealed well-formed anastomosing cords of hepatocytes with prominent nucleus around the sinusoids lined by epithelium cells and scattered RBCs.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16726\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig5-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 5: Control Group: a) Day 10 b) Day 15. Histology of liver showing normal hepatocytes arranged in rows, forming central vein, sinusoids and scattered RBCs\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig5-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig5.jpg 823w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 5: Control Group: a) Day 10 b) Day 15. Histology of liver showing normal hepatocytes arranged in rows, forming central vein, sinusoids and scattered RBCs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig5.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Exposed group<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At day 10, in all the specimens, the hepatocytes were observed with prominent nucleus, central vein, and sinusoids. However, RBCs were scattered all over the hepatocytes. At day 15, the structure of hepatic classic lobule was completely destroyed. Hepatocytes were not lining in row, many hepatocytes showed signs of necrosis. Majority of hepatocytes were showing fat vacuoles in the cytoplasm which pushed the nucleus to one side. Sinusoids were completely disorganized and no lining epithelium was seen. RBCs were scattered all over the specimen.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16727\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig6-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 6: Exposed Group: a) Day 10, Histology of liver showing rows of hepatocytes which was not clearly seen, forming large sinusoids and very few RBCs b) Day 15, showing marked destruction of the liver structure, loss of sinusoids, and fatty infiltration in\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig6-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig6.jpg 904w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 6: Exposed Group: a) Day 10, Histology of liver showing rows of hepatocytes which was not clearly seen, forming large sinusoids and very few RBCs b) Day 15, showing marked destruction of the liver structure, loss of sinusoids, and fatty infiltration in the hepatocytes with necrotic cells<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig6.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Results from SQU, Muscat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>C<\/strong><strong>ontrol group<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At day 10, hepatocytes were seen with rounded central nucleus and nucleoli. They were lying in rows with spaces in-between to form the sinusoids. Central veins with few RBCs and portal area was observed. At day 15, typical structure of the liver was apparent. Well-formed hepatic lobules formed by rows of hepatocytes and sinusoids lined with epithelium in between with increase number of RBCs were clearly seen.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16728\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig7-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 7: Control Group: a) Day 10 showing developing hepatocytes an sinusoids in between with RBCs b) Day 15, showing well formed hepatic lobules, normal hepatocytes arranged in rows, forming central vein, sinusoids lined by epithelial cells and scattered well-formed RBCs inside the sinusoids.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig7-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig7-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig7.jpg 948w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 7: Control Group: a) Day 10 showing developing hepatocytes an sinusoids in between with RBCs b) Day 15, showing well formed hepatic lobules, normal hepatocytes arranged in rows, forming central vein, sinusoids lined by epithelial cells and scattered well-formed RBCs inside the sinusoids.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig7.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>In the exposed group at day 10 and day 15, many hepatocytes the nucleus was absent or pushed to the side and without prominent nucleolus. The hepatocytes were seen in rows with sinusoids in-between, however, marked infiltration of the fat vacuoles was observed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The sinusoids were formed showing lining epithelial cells and RBCs\u00a0 \u00a0This signifies the beginning of fatty change.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 70%;\" border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-16729\" src=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig8-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 8: Exposed Group: a) Day 10, showing infiltration of few lipid vacuoles in the hepatocytes and few necrotic hepatocytes b) marked infiltration of lipids causing necrosis of the hepatocytes\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig8-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig8-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig8.jpg 949w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Figure 8: Exposed Group: a) Day 10, showing infiltration of few lipid vacuoles in the hepatocytes and few necrotic hepatocytes b) marked infiltration of lipids causing necrosis of the hepatocytes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vol10No3_Mob_Naj_fig8.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to View figure<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are now living in a world totally depended on smart phones. Most of us don\u2019t realize that these mobile phones are emitting electromagnetic waves all the time and we are living in an environment in which we are surrounded by these waves. Are these waves which are invisible to naked eye totally safe to our body is a big question. Are the babies as old as two years watching cartoons on such devices for hours every day safe from this environment hazard? Are the teenagers spending most of their evening time on computer games instead of outdoor activities or sports are growing normally? The pregnant women unknowingly sleeping with the mobile next to her abdomen will not be affecting the growing embryo? And of course the adults who are chatting all the time with their loved ones and sending pictures using what\u2019s app are not prone to more diseases in the old age?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Measuring mobile phones RFW strength<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To answer these questions and to confirm the emission of RFW from different mobile sets and to understand its strength, we decided to measure the RFW from different mobile sets using a TriField meter. It was found that the old mobile sets were emitting very high intensity of RFW which the triField meter showing above 1mW\/cm<sup>2<\/sup>. \u00a0Absolute hazard thresholds have not been established yet, however, studies suggest that RFW above 0.1mW\/cm2 may not be safe. Our study revealed that most of the smart mobile sets are emitting RFW above 0.1mW\/cm2. According to our classification, only group 1 comes under 0.1mW\/cm2; groups2, 3 and 4 are all above this threshold.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Radio waves effect living cells<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In this experimental study, it was found that electromagnetic waves caused fatty change in the hepatocytes of the developing chick embryos. In fatty liver, there is increase in lipid droplets in cytoplasm of the hepatocytes suggesting that cells are under oxidative stress when exposed to electromagnetic waves.<sup>20,21,22<\/sup> The damage is dose dependent.<sup>14<\/sup> Lahijani et al had similar results showing abnormal lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm and pushing the nuclei to one side.<sup>23<\/sup> Similar results were reported in rats and rabbits.<sup>23,24<\/sup> The breakdown of fat in the liver may be disrupted by radiation exposure, which may be similar to alcoholism, malnutrition, poising and pregnancy. Fatty change is the beginning of injury to the hepatocytes, showing increase vacuoles filled with triglyceride fat, a sign of abnormal metabolism which may be due to production of oxygen radicles species in the hepatocytes.<sup>20,21,22<\/sup> Many authors have reported different effects of electromagnetic waves on the chick embryo which increases mortality of the developing chick embryo and resulted in malformations.<sup>10-19<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species and DNA damage in human sperm, affecting genes, cell membrane function and signal transduction.<sup>26-29<\/sup>\u00a0 Different theories have been postulated regarding the effects of radio waves on the biology of living cells. Rao et al recently provided new evidence supporting the theory that radio waves affect the plasma membrane.<sup>30<\/sup> Radio waves also induce oxidative stress, NADH oxidase enzyme stimulation, which might play a key role in the various cellular adverse effects observed in <em>in vitro studies.<\/em><sup>31-38<\/sup><em><sup>\u00a0<\/sup> As a <\/em>consequence of increased levels of free radicals, various cellular and physiological processes can be affected including gene expression, release of calcium from intracellular storage sites, cell growth, and apoptosis. Radio wave effects on genes have also been reported resulting in signal transduction effects and alterations in membrane structure and function, metabolic effects associated with free-radical production.<sup>36-38<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Recently, increase incidence of gliomas in Sweden, thyroid cancer in Korea, and other malignant brain tumors were reported, and it was associated with long term use of mobile phones.<sup>39-43<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>It is important that to realize that smart phones are not 100% safe hence caution is necessary to avoid much use.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Electromagnetic waves exposure to developing chick embryo has caused fatty change in the liver at 15th day of development. This result is in agreement with other researchers showing the same effect in liver of chick embryo and other animals. Clinical studies reported by other authors also associate brain tumors with excessive use of mobile phones. Hence it is quite clear that these electromagnetic waves are producing damage to the living cells. Further studies should be carried out to fully understand the mechanism of this fatty change in the hepatocytes\u00a0 when exposed to RFW.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Take home message \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Keep mobile phones at least 2 feet away from your body.<\/p>\n<p>Use headphones or speakers while talking.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid long conversation on mobiles; use land line phones.<\/p>\n<p>Pregnant women and children should use mobile phones only in emergency.<\/p>\n<p>Mobile companies should inform the public of the RFW hazards.<\/p>\n<p>More research should be done to make the mobile phones safer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Acknowledgment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are thankful to Dr. Susan Thomas, Department of Pathology, Royal Hospital, Mr Trevor Wicks, in-charge of histology preparations at pathology laboratory and Dr. Syed Mohammad Saud for collaborating in this project. We are also grateful to Dr. Irfan Ullah, Department of Pediatrics, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman for his continuous support. There is no conflict of interest and it was funded by OMC.<\/p>\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Samkange-Zeeb F., Blettner M.\u00a0 Emerging aspects of mobile phone use. <em>Emerging Health Threats Journal<\/em>. 2009;2:2-8.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3402\/ehtj.v2i0.7082\" target=\"_blank\">CrossRef<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Blake L. B., Lai H. Biological effects from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell tower base stations and other antenna arrays.<em> Environ Rev<\/em>. 2010;18:369-397.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1139\/A10-018\" target=\"_blank\">CrossRef<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Leitgeb N. 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