modifications induced by EMF for most of the volunteers exposed to the EMF from a computer monitor irrespective of age and gender . This indicates that topical application of specific materials can protect the skin against the adverse effects of EMF
Laymen and scientists are becoming increasingly concerned by the effect of electro-magnetic fields [ EMF ] originating from man-made devices such as Video Display Units ( VDU ) of computers or televisions , cellular telephones , electric wires and overhead power lines [ 1 ]. EMF originating from VDU of computers have been extensively studied by the Bio-electromagnetic community . As an example , see for instance reference [ 2 ].
From epidemiological observations it can be gathered that people working with computers develop the so-called “ screen dermatitis ”, characterized by rosacea-like symptoms such as itch , heat sensation , pain , erythema , papules and pustules .
People affected by “ screen dermatitis ” present with specific histological features , such as high numbers of histamine-positive mast cells and somatostatin-positive dendritic cells , even before the exposure to the radiation from the screen [ 3 , 4 ]. This is to say that the general population comprises people prone to react heavily to the exposure to VDU with immune responses and with the release of histamine . Microwaves in the range of frequencies used for cellular phones have been shown to increase chromosomal aberrations in cultured V79 cells [ 5 ] and in human lymphocytes [ 6 ], and to increase the release of histamine from mast cells [ 7 ]. In rats exposed to these microwaves , there is an increase in the number of benzodiazepine recep-
35
modifications induced by EMF for most of the volunteers exposed to the EMF from a computer monitor irrespective of age and gender . This indicates that topical application of specific materials can protect the skin against the adverse effects of EMF
INTRODUCTION
Laymen and scientists are becoming increasingly concerned by the effect of electro-magnetic fields [ EMF ] originating from man-made devices such as Video Display Units ( VDU ) of computers or televisions , cellular telephones , electric wires and overhead power lines [ 1 ]. EMF originating from VDU of computers have been extensively studied by the Bio-electromagnetic community . As an example , see for instance reference [ 2 ].
From epidemiological observations it can be gathered that people working with computers develop the so-called “ screen dermatitis ”, characterized by rosacea-like symptoms such as itch , heat sensation , pain , erythema , papules and pustules .
People affected by “ screen dermatitis ” present with specific histological features , such as high numbers of histamine-positive mast cells and somatostatin-positive dendritic cells , even before the exposure to the radiation from the screen [ 3 , 4 ]. This is to say that the general population comprises people prone to react heavily to the exposure to VDU with immune responses and with the release of histamine . Microwaves in the range of frequencies used for cellular phones have been shown to increase chromosomal aberrations in cultured V79 cells [ 5 ] and in human lymphocytes [ 6 ], and to increase the release of histamine from mast cells [ 7 ]. In rats exposed to these microwaves , there is an increase in the number of benzodiazepine recep-