tors [ 8 ], which are responsive to anxiety and stress. Neural transmission also is affected by microwaves, since it has been shown that cholinergic activity decreases in rats exposed to microwaves, and all the three opioid receptor subtypes are involved in the phenomenon [ 9 ]. These results, extrapolated to man, could account for the headaches and other diseases found to be associated with the use of cell phones.
50-60 Hz EMFs have several biological effects. Among them one finds the capability to affect intracellular Calcium transport and induce Calcium oscillations in cultured cells [ 10 ]. It can thus be expected that these EMFs interfere with Calciuminduced differentiation of keratinocytes and also that, by modulating Calcium activity, they might provoke cellular necrosis and the consequent inflammation.
For the immediate relevance to human well being, it appears that the EMF above share as a common feature, the capability to trigger the release of histamine, and thus to provoke itch, redness, pain, papulae and pustules. There are reports, which suggest that EMF might affect the mental well being by interfering with the proper functioning of neural physiology and thus provoke headaches, migraines, anxiety and stress.
Human skin is a very complex organ and a same cause, such as the exposure to EMF, might have in different individuals, consequences of different extent. The clinical observations could in some instances be elusive and the clinical relevance of phenomena resulting upon exposure to EMF might be difficult to assess. It is therefore necessary to identify a parameter of the skin, which could be used as endpoint when exposing humans to electromagnetic fields.
This chapter describes a methodology to acquire information on the electric properties of the surface of the skin by analyzing the
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tors [ 8 ], which are responsive to anxiety and stress. Neural transmission also is affected by microwaves, since it has been shown that cholinergic activity decreases in rats exposed to microwaves, and all the three opioid receptor subtypes are involved in the phenomenon [ 9 ]. These results, extrapolated to man, could account for the headaches and other diseases found to be associated with the use of cell phones.
50-60 Hz EMFs have several biological effects. Among them one finds the capability to affect intracellular Calcium transport and induce Calcium oscillations in cultured cells [ 10 ]. It can thus be expected that these EMFs interfere with Calciuminduced differentiation of keratinocytes and also that, by modulating Calcium activity, they might provoke cellular necrosis and the consequent inflammation.
For the immediate relevance to human well being, it appears that the EMF above share as a common feature, the capability to trigger the release of histamine, and thus to provoke itch, redness, pain, papulae and pustules. There are reports, which suggest that EMF might affect the mental well being by interfering with the proper functioning of neural physiology and thus provoke headaches, migraines, anxiety and stress.
Human skin is a very complex organ and a same cause, such as the exposure to EMF, might have in different individuals, consequences of different extent. The clinical observations could in some instances be elusive and the clinical relevance of phenomena resulting upon exposure to EMF might be difficult to assess. It is therefore necessary to identify a parameter of the skin, which could be used as endpoint when exposing humans to electromagnetic fields.
This chapter describes a methodology to acquire information on the electric properties of the surface of the skin by analyzing the