Validation of New Devices Against Ambient Electromagnetic Radiation: A Randomized Double Blind Controlled Study

Project Summary Cell phones have become indispensable devices in the investigator's daily life. These phones operate between 400 and 2000 MHz frequency bands and emit radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (EMW). Radio-frequency electro-magnetic field exposure from cell phones or other sources of microwaves have deleterious effects on sperm parameters (like sperm count, morphology, motility). Further, EMW radiation emitted by mobile phones affects cells and organelles, and results in disorientation of charged molecules within the cytosol and a distortion of electron flow along the internal membranes of the cells. These cellular changes results in the generation of ROS leading to oxidative stress, which in turn results in radiation-induced sperm DNA fragmentation.

Radiation shield can help provide protection from high levels of EMW radiations deflecting, diverting, and absorbing the radiation between the user and the source. A new EMW radiation shield, Qi-Shield device developed by Waveguard GmbH (Bautzen, Germany) provides protection against the radiations emitted by the smartphone and laptop devices. Qi-Shield utilizes conductive fluids in a particular geometric arrangement intended to ameliorate the negative effects of EMW radiation.

Study Aims:

To evaluate the changes in the semen parameters from the use of Qi-Shield device in sham (control) and user groups To determine the molecular changes pertaining to sperm proteins from the use of Qi-Shield device in sham (control) and user groups

Significance The negative health consequences of EMWs have been documented across a wide range of device types, exposure frequencies and doses (Giuliani, 2010), at field strengths substantially below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for permissible exposures. In the absence of a revision in the ICNIRP guidelines, near-term public exposures to EMWs will most certainly continue to increase, despite the scientific evidence suggesting more careful review and recommendations to limit exposure to electromagnetic fields as much as possible. At present, there is no veritable means for counteracting the negative health consequences of human-made EMWs, revealing an unmet need for a means of protecting from or ameliorating the negative effects of EMWs, and the need for devising strategies for creating safer living and working environments in a time of increasing EMW exposures.

Positive results in this study would demonstrate a means of counteracting negative effects on human sperm due to EMWs. Documentation of protection due to the Qi-Shield devices would show proof of principle that a low-cost passive device, portable and without battery or mains power, can provide improvements in human sperm parameters, with promise for a means of counteracting EMW-reduced fertility in large numbers of people. Confirmation of changes on protein expression would provide data needed to identify specific pathways of action, insight that is necessary for a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action of the EMW protection effect. Taken together, these results would suggest further lines of study in EMW protection, and provide clinical support for the adoption of EMW-protecting devices in the home and workplace.