Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 52 No. 3, 2021.
Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.52.3.5
The effects of radiofrequency radiation on humans and animals, with special reference to honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Ivona Žura Žaja
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marinko Vilić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Tomulić
; Croatia
Ana Shek Vugrovečki
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Krešimir Malarić
; Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Perica Tucak
; State inspectorate of Republic of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Tlak Gajger
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Wireless technology, based on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR), now has unimaginable possibilities. However, the use of wireless technology raises concerns about its possible harmful effects on human and animal health. The general population, and even a considerable number of scientists, seem to be unaware of the changing nature of the natural electromagnetic environment, despite huge increases in electrosmog. This may be due to poor knowledge of the effects of RF-EMR of anthropogenic origin on human and animal health, and a lack of understanding of its effects on other natural and artificial atmospheric components and the ionosphere. Moreover, the large number of published research results is even controversial. When referring to the biological effects of RF-EMR on animals, it must be stated that research has been performed on numerous animal species, from invertebrates to mammals. This paper briefly explains the basic concepts of RF-EMR and the effects of this radiation on living beings, with special reference to honey bees. A comprehensive understanding of the non-thermal biological effects of RE-EMZ on living beings, despite the rapid increase in the number of devices and users of wireless technology, certainly requires long-term research on different ecosystems. Despite numerous studies on bee communities, the effects of RF-EMR are still not completely understood and the mechanism of action remains unknown, and no consensus has been reached regarding the harmfulness of RF-EMR to living beings. A possible reason is that earlier studies of the impacts of RF-EMR on bee communities were conducted primarily on adult bees and through shorter exposure times, and in the absence of simultaneous observation of impacts on different developmental stages or individual tissues. There has also been a lack of research on all the physical properties of radiation, such as frequency, modulation, polarization, intensity, power density, electric field strength and others. Finally, the currently unclear results of the effect of RF-EMR on bee communities should not exclude the possibility of bee adaptations during short- or long-term exposure, depending on changing environmental conditions.
Keywords
electrosmog; electromagnetic radiation; biological effects; honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Hrčak ID:
247366
URI
Publication date:
16.12.2021.
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