Overview
Project Lead and Co-Leads: Prof Mireille Toledano (Imperial), Dr Paul O’Mahoney (UKHSA), Dr Azadeh Peyman
Imperial leads the largest epidemiological investigations worldwide into possible health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), in the COSMOS, SCAMP and Airwave cohort studies. In COSMOS, we will undertake analyses of rare cancers such as acoustic neuroma, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases using information on mobile phone use prior to disease onset, among over 300,000 adult mobile phone users (100,000 in the UK). We will characterise 5G usage and exposures in the COSMOS cohort and undertake modelling of 5G exposures to the public at the small-area level. Via SAHSU we will investigate risk of early childhood cancers associated with 5G base stations. SCAMP will continue to follow up associations between RF-EMF from mobile phones and other wireless technologies, and cognitive development and mental health in over 7,000 adolescents across Greater London, with a new focus on behaviours around phone use and light exposures from mobile phones. We will continue analyses of the Airwave study of the British Police Forces involving follow-up of over 50,000 officers and staff to assess possible long-term health effects of the TETRA radio system.
Evidence relating the light environment to sleep and circadian health will inform UKHSA advice on health risks and benefits of differing light exposure habits. Research is required to better understand the effects of increased time spent indoors and the associated altered UV exposure pattern on human health. We will also seek to address uncertainties on the balance of risks and benefits associated with sunlight exposures.
Projects
- Project 1. COSMOS
- Project 2. SCAMP
- Project 3. Airwave
- Project 4. Systemic health effects of light exposure
- Project 5. Cellular stress and immunomodulation by light exposure
Project Leads: Mireille Toledano (Imperial), Rie Goto (Imperial), Azadeh Peyman (UKHSA)
Project Team: Chiara di Gravio (Imperial), Rachel Smith (Imperial), Joel Heller (Imperial), Darren Addison (UKHSA), Diji Latheef (UKHSA), Paul Elliott (Imperial), Anil Gunesh (Imperial), UKHSA staff to be recruited
The COSMOS study was established to address key questions about the potential long-term health effects of mobile phone use and other sources of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). By using a prospective cohort design and objective data sources, COSMOS overcomes many of the limitations and biases that affected earlier research in this field. The study follows over 300,000 adult mobile phone users, including 100,000 in the UK, and will analyse outcomes such as rare cancers (e.g. acoustic neuroma), cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative conditions in relation to well-characterised mobile phone use prior to disease onset. As new technologies emerge, we are incorporating analyses of 5G usage and exposure, including the potential impacts of 5G base stations on sleep quality and wellbeing. We will also explore effects of non-natural light exposure, such as screen use, on health. A new follow-up questionnaire is in development to examine 5G technologies, sleep, and environmental light exposure.
Project Leads: Mireille Toledano (Imperial), Steven Shen (Imperial), Azadeh Peyman (UKHSA)
Project Team: Darren Addison (UKHSA), Diji Latheef (UKHSA), Anil Gunesh (Imperial), UKHSA staff to be recruited
Mobile phones and other digital technologies play a ubiquitous role in the lives of adolescents in today’s digital era. This age group may be particularly sensitive to the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted from mobile phones and other wireless technologies, as the brain is still developing. The Study of Cognition, Adolescents, and Mobile Phones (SCAMP), launched in 2014, has been following up participants for over 10 years. SCAMP is the largest research project of its kind in the world, exploring how mobile phones and wireless technologies may affect cognition (i.e., how people think, make decisions and process information), behaviours, and physical and mental health of young people. Over the next few years, the SCAMP study will continue to follow more than 10,000 young people across Greater London to explore how young people use their mobile phones in everyday life and understand whether mobile phone use, including exposure to RF-EMF and screen light, has any long-term effects on their brain development, mental health, and wellbeing. Research findings will inform public health policy in relation to the use of non-ionising radiation technologies in young people. In addition, findings on screen light and cognition and health will inform UKHSA advice on risks and benefits of differing light environments.
Project Leads: David Muller (Imperial), Chiara Di Gravio (Imperial)
Project Team: Paul Elliott (Imperial), Christophe Badie (Imperial), Anil Gunesh (Imperial), Azadeh Peyman (UKHSA)
In this project, we will use the Airwave prospective cohort study to understand potential relationships between exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) as a result of police radio use and the incidence of adverse health outcomes including cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as changes in cognitive function. To facilitate this, we will link the participants in the Airwave cohort to hospital admissions, cancer, and death registry data. Initial milestones focus on obtaining and linking these data, including quality assurance and quality control of the health outcomes data. The first analytical priority is to complete an initial analysis of cancer incidence in terms of RF-EMF exposure using an already completed data linkage. Subsequently we will conduct a similar analysis focusing on incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Project Leads: Paul O’Mahoney (UKHSA), Christopher Whiteman (UKHSA)
Project Team: Martin Leonard (UKHSA), Gareth Hazell (UKHSA), Anil Gunesh (Imperial)
Light exposure on the skin is known to have systemic effects. The extent of these effects, and how they directly impact human health, is largely unknown. In the recently completed CRTH HPRU, we began investigations on the effects of UV-A light exposure on cardiovascular health, primarily through release of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO). In related work, we have also demonstrated reduction in lipid buildup in the liver of mice fed a high-fat diet, implicating UV-A in mediating metabolic disease. In this project, we will continue these investigations in cell and tissue models, innovating new methods to assess pathways of interest. Particular attention will be paid to transmission of light through the skin, and different cell populations that may be directly or indirectly involved.
Additionally, we will introduce combined exposures of light and air pollutants to this project, and in a similar manner determine potential systemic responses via pathways of interest. These combined exposures represent a more realistic environmental exposure, and will take into account mixed pollutant concentrations, seasonal variation of pollutants and light exposure.
Project Leads: Paul O’Mahoney (UKHSA), Lizzie Thomas (UKHSA)
Project Team: Mark Stoneley (MRC-Tox), Anne Willis (MRC-Tox), Lizzie Gladding (PhD student, MRC-Tox Cambridge)
Ultraviolet (UV) light induces a great number of changes within the skin, from cellular stress to complex signalling pathways. In this project we will examine cellular stress due to UV light exposure, ranging from UV-C though to UV-A. UV-C wavelengths are not present in sunlight, but are germicidal and therefore have applications in pathogen inactivation and control of disease transmission. While 254nm germicidal ultraviolet has been used for nearly 100 years for this purpose, it has a greater potential hazard to human health through direct exposure than the shorter wavelengths known as Far-UVC (200-235nm) which are produced by novel lamps. There is still much unknown about the effects that these short wavelengths have on human health, and this will be addressed in this project. Multiple avenues will be explored including assessment of DNA damage and immunomodulation.
Ribosome stalling through UV-induced cell stress will also be a key focus, and the resultant cascade of effects. A variety of light sources used will provide a holistic overview of how light may modulate these mechanisms.
