Programmreport 2012 - DORIS - Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz

assessment methods are based on person-specific information on the one hand and on empirical models of
risk of radiation-induced cancer on the other. They take into account various stochastic factors which define
or affect the distribution of assigned share of radiation in the probability of cancer development ('Z', from the
German word “die Zusammenhangswahrscheinlichkeit” = probability of link). The assessment methods, which
are completely new, and the algorithms of ProZES have been developed in close co-operation with the experts
groups of UNSCEAR and of the German National Commission on Radiation Protection (SSK), and have
been approved by these groups. The first version of ProZES covers four of the most frequent cancer types:
stomach, colon, female breast, and lung cancer following exposures to low LET radiation. The program Pro-
ZES is a highly efficient Windows application. It provides functionality to manage input data, and output results
of the calculations can be shown either in graphical or textual form. The planned second version of the program
will cover all other cancer types, and will also account for high LET radiation.
The project “Communication of information regarding radiation protection and its public perception
(3611S70005)“ aimed to identify German organisations in science, public authority, industry and civil
society, who inform the public about radiation protection. The literature study showed that comprehensive data
exists for non-ionising and ionising radiation regarding risk perception and risk communication. Gaps were
found in the fields of visible light, infrared, TETRA as well as static electric and magnetic fields. Work package
two showed, regarding the field of ultraviolet radiation, mobile communication and nuclear accidents, almost
all groups of players offer widespread information on radiation protection including recommendations for personal
protection. In contrast we found no or just few information offers in the field of low frequency field, mobility
(electric tram, city train, and railway), radioactivity in mining and building material. The survey showed a
high public interest in radiation protection. Especially the topics nuclear power plants and ultraviolet radiations
reach strong attention. The highest public risk perception was found with regard to radiation of nuclear power
plants. A comparably high perceived risk is associated with ultraviolet radiation. Finally the contractor recommends
the BfS to extend its online performance and increase the publicity of the BfS and its topics.
SUBJECT AREA 08 - NON-IONISING RADIATION
The purpose of the study “Influence of high frequency electromagnetic fields of mobile phone
telecommunication on human fibroblasts (gene toxicity)(3607S04504)“ was to clarify possible genotoxic
effects of electro-magnetic fields (EMF) in human dermal fibroblasts as reported in a previous REFLEX
study. Therefore, conditions were mainly based on the above mentioned study: primary human dermal fibroblasts
from 10 juvenile (age 18-19) and 10 adult (age 50-59) donors were exposed to 1800 MHz high frequency
EMF-fields (GSM-1800, intermittent), with SAR-values of 0 (sham control), 0.2, 2 and 10 W/kg. Corresponding
positive controls were performed with assay-based chemical toxins. As analytical endpoints, Comet
assays, micronuclei formation with CREST analysis, numerical chromosomal aberrations, cell cycle distributions
and TUNEL assays were determined. The whole study was performed as a double blind study, with no
access to exposure values until after completing all analyses as well as statistical pre-analysis of the blind
data. For none of the analyzed endpoints did high frequency EMF-exposure of primary human dermal fibroblasts
in vitro reveal any statistically significant genotoxic or dose-dependent effects.
In the study “Influence of low frequency electromagnetic fields on the developing hematopoietic
system, immune system and CNS in vivo (3608S30006)“ possible effects of a lifelong exposure to
low-frequency magnetic fields on the development of juvenile animals and the maturation of the hematopoietic
and immune system as well as on the central nervous system were assessed in a mouse model in vivo.Three
dose groups (10 µT, 1 mT, 10 mT) of free moving CD-1 mice in group housing were exposed for 20 hrs per
day, starting at gestation day 10. Two additional groups of animals were either sham exposed or cage controls.
In two separate sub-studies, neither adverse influences on the reproductive success of the exposed maternal
animals nor on the physical development of the juvenile animals or their behaviour were observed. However,
at age 90 days, a reduced number of CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells (CTL) was seen in peripheral blood and
spleen in the middle and high dose groups. Although the effect was relatively moderate, it was significant. The
effect was not detected at age 28 days or after 18 months of exposure. CTL are known to be important effector
cells of the immune system. By destroying cells that express foreign antigens on their surface through MHC
class I molecules they protect against viral infections and also against certain cancers. Whether the observed
reduction of CTL has a functional effect can not be concluded from the studies. In the haematological assessment
after 18 months of exposure, increased lymphocyte counts and decreased counts of banded neutrophiles
were seen in peripheral blood from all 3 exposure groups. The results of the histopathological examination
did not display any exposure related alterations, especially neither for neoplastic nor for non-neoplastic
lesions of the haematopoietic or immune system.
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