Current issue
Journal content
Articles in press
Archive
About the Journal
About the Polish Annals of Medicine
Editorial Board
Abstracting & indexing
Open Access policy
Charges
Affiliated institutions
Contact
Instructions
Peer review process
Guide for authors
Publication ethics
Ethics and Patient Consent
User License
Usage of third party materials
Disclaimer
Statement on Artificial Intelligence
Reviewers
Guide for reviewers
Review Form
REVIEW PAPER
Ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in modern medicine
1
Faculty of Public Health, Stanislaw Staszic College of Public Administration, Białystok, Poland
2
Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University, Białystok, Poland
3
Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Białystok, Poland
4
Department of Allergy, Cambridge University Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
5
Department of Respiratory Diagnostics and Bronchoscopy, Medical University, Białystok, Poland
Submission date: 2012-06-03
Acceptance date: 2012-07-10
Publication date: 2020-04-10
Corresponding author
Pol. Ann. Med. 2012;19(2):134-138
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has been successfully employed in modern medicine for many years. The medical community, however, often lacks in-depth knowledge concerning different types of radiation, their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.
Aim:
Our review offers a comprehensive overview of the biological action of ionizing radiation (IR) and non-ionizing radiation (NIR) and their applications in modern medicine. Chronic exposure to a high frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) as a potential public health risk is also discussed.
Material and methods:
Current literature on IR and NIR has been reviewed and grouped thematically.
Results and discussion:
Biological effects of EMR depend on its physical properties. IR is a potentially lethal stream of high energy particles. NIR carries less energy. EMR can damage DNA directly or indirectly via reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. It has been, however, successfully used in oncology (radiotherapy), physiotherapy (microwaves), rheumatology and endocrinology. Effective communication and data transmission are possible thanks to radio-, micro- and infrared waves. Cybernetics and modern forms of communication have been instrumental in the development of telerehabilitation and telemedicine. Evidence for the detrimental effects of cell phones, the most common source of EMR, on the developing central nervous system is scarce, but concerns have been raised about their carcinogenicity.
Conclusions:
Modern medicine cannot function without IR and NIR. However, their potentially undesirable biological side effects need to be taken into account.
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has been successfully employed in modern medicine for many years. The medical community, however, often lacks in-depth knowledge concerning different types of radiation, their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.
Aim:
Our review offers a comprehensive overview of the biological action of ionizing radiation (IR) and non-ionizing radiation (NIR) and their applications in modern medicine. Chronic exposure to a high frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) as a potential public health risk is also discussed.
Material and methods:
Current literature on IR and NIR has been reviewed and grouped thematically.
Results and discussion:
Biological effects of EMR depend on its physical properties. IR is a potentially lethal stream of high energy particles. NIR carries less energy. EMR can damage DNA directly or indirectly via reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. It has been, however, successfully used in oncology (radiotherapy), physiotherapy (microwaves), rheumatology and endocrinology. Effective communication and data transmission are possible thanks to radio-, micro- and infrared waves. Cybernetics and modern forms of communication have been instrumental in the development of telerehabilitation and telemedicine. Evidence for the detrimental effects of cell phones, the most common source of EMR, on the developing central nervous system is scarce, but concerns have been raised about their carcinogenicity.
Conclusions:
Modern medicine cannot function without IR and NIR. However, their potentially undesirable biological side effects need to be taken into account.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None declared.
REFERENCES (45)
1.
Banik S, Bandyopadhyay S, Ganguly S. Bioeffects of micro- wave – a brief review. Bioresour Technol. 2003;87(2):155–159.
2.
Barolet D. Light-emitting diodes (LED) in dermatology. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2008;27(4):227–238.
3.
Chen CC, Chapman P, Petit J, Loeffler J. Proton radiosurgery in neurosurgery. Neurosurg Focus. 2007;23(6):1–5.
4.
Cherry SR. Multimodality imaging: beyond PET/CT and SPECT/CT. Semin Nucl Med. 2009;39(5):348–353.
5.
Cornelis F, Balageas P, Le Bras Y, Rigou G, Boutault JR, Bouzgarrou M, et al. Radiologically-guided thermal ablation of renal tumours. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2012;93(4):246–261.
6.
Diffey BL. Sources and measurement of ultraviolet radiation. Methods. 2002;28(1):4–13.
7.
Dizdaroglu M. Oxidatively induced DNA damage: mech- anisms, repair and disease. Cancer Lett. 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ca....
8.
Faran G, Dworakowska D, Jassem E. Kliniczne znaczenie immunohistochemicznej ekspresji białek p53, Bcl-2 i Bax u chorych na niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca [Clinical value of immunohistochemical assessment of expression of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in non small cell lung cancer]. Współcz Onkol. 2004;8(7):328–337 [in Polish].
9.
Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering and Technology. Questions and answers about biological effects and potential hazards of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. OET Bull. 1999;56:1–38 Available from: http://transition.fcc.gov/Bure....
10.
Giombini A, Giovannini V, Di Cesare A, Pacetti P, Ichinoseki-Sekine N, Shiraishi M, et al. Hyperthermia induced by microwave diathermy in the management of muscle and tendon injuries. Br Med Bull. 2007;83(1):379–396.
11.
Głuszewski W, Zagóski ZP. Sterylizacja radiacyjna wyrobów medycznych [Radiation sterilization of healthcare products]. Współcz Onkol. 2003;7(10):787–790 [in Polish].
12.
Gonzales AJ. Biological effects of low doses of ionising radiation: a fuller picture. IAEA Bull. 1994;4:37–45.
13.
Hanada E. The electromagnetic environment of hospitals: how it is affected by the strength of electromagnetic fields generated both inside and outside the hospital. Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2007;43(3):208–217.
14.
Hardell L, Sage C. Biological effects from electromagnetic field exposure and public exposure standards. Biomed Pharmacother. 2008;62:104–109.
15.
Janosik E. Światło spolaryzowane i jego zastosowanie w medycynie [Polarized light and its application in medicine]. Pr Inst Elektrotech. 2006;228:317–326 [in Polish]. Accessed 12 April 2012. Available from: /http://www.iel.waw.pl/strony/w....
16.
Jauchem JR. Effects of low-level radio-frequency (3 kHz to 300 GHz) energy on human cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and other systems: a review of the recent literature. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2008;211(1–2):1–29.
17.
Karihtala P, Soini Y. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant mechanisms in human tissues and their relation to malignancies. APMIS. 2007;115(2):81–103.
18.
Kiciński W, Żera A. Pole elektromagnetyczne w śodowisku człowieka [Electromagnetic field in the human environment]. In: II Krajowa konferencja naukowo-techniczna ‘‘Ekologia w elektronice’’ [Proceedings of the 2nd National Scientific and Technical Conference ‘‘Ecology in electronics’’]; 2002:43–51 [in Polish]. Available from: http://www.pie.edu.pl/eko_2002....
19.
Kucharski M, Kokowska U. Wpływ promieniowania niejonizującego na żywy organizm. [Effect of non-ionizing radiation on the living organism]. In: Jaroszyk F, ed. Biofizyka. Podręcznik dla studentów [Biophysics. Textbook for Students]. Warszawa: PZWL; 2008: 723–757 [in Polish].
20.
Kulbacka J, Saczko J, Chwiłkowska A. Stres oksydacyjny w procesach uszkodzenia komórek [Oxidative stress in cells damage processes]. Pol Merk Lek. 2009;37(157):44–47 [in Polish].
21.
Leer JW, van Houtte P, Davelaar J. Indications and treatment schedules for irradiation of benign diseases: a survey. Radiother Oncol. 1998;48(3):249–257.
22.
Lewicka M, Dziedziczak-Buczyńska M, Buczyński A. Wpływ promieniowania elektromagnetycznego na organizmy żywe [The influence of electromagnetic radiation on living organisms]. Pol Hyperb Res. 2008;25(4):33–41.
23.
Makar VR, Logani MK, Bhanushali A, Alekseev SI, Ziskin MC. Effect of cyclophosphamide and 61.22 GHz millimeter waves on T-cell, B-cell, and macrophage functions. Bioelectromagnetics. 2006;27(6):458–466.
24.
Makar VR, Logani MK, Bhanushali A, Kataoka M, Ziskin MC. Effect of millimeter waves on natural killer cell activation. Bioelectromagnetics. 2005;26(1):10–19.
25.
Maverakis E, Miyamura Y, Bowen MP, Correa G, Ono Y, Goodarzi H. Light, including ultraviolet. J Autoimmun. 2010;34(3):247–257.
26.
Miyata M, Kihara T, Kubozono T, Ikeda Y, Shinsato T, Izumi T, et al. Beneficial effects of Waon therapy on patients with chronic heart failure: results of a prospective multicenter study. J Cardiol. 2008;52(2):79–85.
27.
Ng KH. Non-ionising radiations – sources, biological effects, emissions and exposure. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Non-Ionising Radiation at UNITEN (ICNIR 2003). Electromagnetic Fields and Our Health; 2003. Available from: http://www.who.int/peh-emf/mee....
28.
O’Dea E, Hoffmann A. NF-kB signalling. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med. 2009;1(1):107–115.
29.
Pakhomov AG, Akyel Y, Pakhomova ON, Stuck BE, Murphy MR. Current state and implications of research on biological effects of millimetre waves: a review of the literature. Bioelectromagnetics. 1998;19(7):393–413.
30.
Pasek J, Pasek T, Sieron´ A. S´wiatło spolaryzowane w poradni rehabilitacyjnej [Polarized light at a rehabilitation centre]. Rehabil Prakt. 2008;3(3):23–24.
31.
Radio waves. The American Practical Navigation. Publication 9, National Imagery & Mapping Agency. Bethesda; 1995:165–177. Available from: http://msi.nga.mil/MSISite Content/StaticFiles/NAV_PUBS/APN/Chapt-10.pdf.
32.
Robertson V, Ward A, Low J, Reed A. Fizykoterapia. Aspekty kliniczne i biofizyczne. [Physiotherapy. Clinical and Biophysical Aspects]. Wrocław. Elsevier: 2009 [in Polish].
33.
Rutkowski R, Moniuszko T, Rutkowski K. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie–Skłodowska. Lublin, Polonia. Sectio D. 2002;58(suppl 9):91–100.
34.
Rutkowski R, Pancewicz S, Rutkowski K, Rutkowska J. Znaczenie reaktywnych form tlenu i azotu w patomechanizmie procesu zapalnego [Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in inflammatory process]. Pol Merk Lek. 2007;23(134):131–136 [in Polish].
35.
Sage C, Carpenter D. Public health implications of wireless technologies. Pathophysiology. 2009;16(2–3):233–246.
36.
Sambrook A, Cooper KG. Second-generation treatment: microwave. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2007;21(6):969–977.
37.
Schmid E, Schrader T. Different biological effectiveness of ionising and non-ionising radiations in mammalian cells. Adv Radio Sci. 2007;5:1–4.
38.
Ścibor-Bentkowska D, Czeczot H. Komórki nowotworowe a stres oksydacyjny. [Cancer cells and the oxidative stress]. Postępy Hig Med Dośw. 2009;63:58–72 [in Polish].
39.
Straburzyńska-Lupa A, Straburzyński G, eds. Fizjoterapia z elementami klinicznymi [Physiotherapy with Clinical Aspects], Vol. 1. Warszawa: PZWL; 2008: 272–324 [in Polish].
40.
Vecchia P, Matthes R, Ziegelberger G, Lin J, Saunders R, Swerdlow A. Exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields, biological effects and health consequences. INCIRP. 2009;16:1–382 Available from: http://transition.fcc.gov/Bure....
41.
Waselenko JK, MacVittie TJ, Blakely WF, Pesik N, Wiley AL, Dickerson WE, et al. Medical management of the acute radiation syndrome: recommendations of the Strategic National Stockpile Radiation Working Group. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140(12):1037–1105.
42.
Wideł M, Przybyszewski W, Rzeszowska-Wolny J. Popromienny efekt sąsiedztwa, ważny element odpowiedzi na promieniowanie jonizujące–potencjalne implikacje kliniczne [Radiation-induced bystander effect: the important part of ionizing radiation response. Potential clinical implications]. Postępy Hig Med Dośw. 2009;63:377–388 [in Polish].
44.
Ziółkowska E, Kubiak M, Wisniewski T, Zarzycka M. Oftalmopatia w przebiegu choroby Graves–Basedowa – rozpoznanie i leczenie z uwzględnieniem roli radioterapii [Ophthalmopathy in the course of Graves–Basedow disease – diagnosis and treatment with regard to the role of radiotherapy]. Współcz Onkol. 2007;11:463–468.
45.
Ziółkowska E, Zarzycka M, Windorbska W, Reszke J. Zastosowanie promieniowania jonizującego w leczeniu dolegliwości bólowych spowodowanych zmianami degeneracyjnymi układu kostnego [The value of radiotherapy in the treatment of pain in the degenerative bone diseases]. Reumatologia. 2005;43(2):93–98.
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
