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Many scientific studies have linked cellular EMF-induced calcium-effects to the extremely important hormone melatonin which is produced in the pea-sized endocrine organ called the pineal gland, located near the centre of the brain.
Dr. Cherry writes [ref. 13]: "The calcium ion mediated responses to neurotransmitters on the membrane of the pineal cells have been discussed by Wilson et al. (1989) in relation to ELF induced melatonin reduction. Thus it is highly probable that pinealocytes exposed to modulated RF/MW will experience an outflow of calcium ions, a reduction of the cAMP signal transduction activity and a reduction in the production of melatonin. This is a highly plausible mechanism to explain why RF/MW can reduce pineal melatonin production with consequent adverse health effects."
Melatonin is produced at night and released into the blood stream to be dispersed throughout the body. Once in the blood stream, melatonin has access to every cell in the body. It passes through the cell membranes where every nucleus has receptors for it.
Melatonin is believed to have at least six fundamental physiological functions:
- mediating the whole-body 24 hour circadian rhythm;
- regulating sleep, mood and behavior like depression, anger and rage;
- scavenging free radicals (highly reactive cancer promoting agents);
- reduce secretion of tumor-promoting hormones;
- regulating gene expressions;
- protecting and stimulating the immune system.
Dr. Neil Cherry writes [ref. 13]: "Because of its action in removing free radicals, melatonin is probably the most efficient natural cell protection and oncostatic agent in our bodies. Every night, our pineal gland produces large quantities of melatonin which flood almost every cell in our body, cleaning out the free radicals and assisting cell division to take place with undamaged DNA. Since damaged DNA can undergo mutation, it may result in the growth of a tumour. As we age, our nocturnal peak melatonin production falls markedly, making elderly people much more prone to cancer".
(Reiter & Robinson, 1995)
Melatonin reduction in cells and animals has been found by several laboratories. There is direct evidence of reduction in melatonin secretion in humans exposed to EMF, the effect varying from person to person, and that the timing of the exposures is also a factor. In one of the latest reports on melatonin (1998), Dr. Burch et al. [ref. 22] found reductions in the nocturnal secretion of a urinary melatonin metabolite among electric utility workers.
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