Update: Is FM Broadcast Radiation Causing An Increase In Melanoma?

The October 2006 issue of LOOKING FIT® brought to the attention of the indoor tanning industry the fact that body-resonant frequency modulation (FM) broadcast radiation may be the ubiquitous environmental agent responsible for the rapid increase in the incidence of melanoma. This issue answers some questions we received and provides additional information regarding the way that body-resonant FM broadcast radiation may induce melanoma.

Question: How can I protect my family from being damaged by body-resonant FM broadcast radiation?

Answer: If you type the words FM radiation, shielding on a Web search engine, you will find a number of companies offering products to shield against body-resonant FM broadcast radiation. (One of the more comprehensive Web sites is www.lessemf.com/paint.html.) Several companies offer easy-to-use FM radiation shields such as copper-based paints and conductive tapes. There also are several “radio-frequency” meters that can determine the level of body-resonant FM broadcast radiation entering a home. 

Authors’ Note: It is necessary to have a working knowledge of skin morphology in order to understand and appreciate the next two questions and responses. The schematic drawing below shows the important components.

Q: Does UVR damage to keratinocytes cause melanoma?

A: No. Damage to keratinocytes from factors such as diet, genetics, endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external) toxins—including overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR)—are known causes of a) Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), b) Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and c) Actinic Keratosis (AKs) but not melanoma.

Q: Does UVR damage to melanocytes cause melanoma?

A: As shown in the September 2006 issue of LOOKNG FIT, there is no molecular evidence “linking” UVR and melanoma. In fact, several new scientific studies show that UVR does not induce melanoma.

Q: What is an epidermal melanin unit?

A: An epidermal melanin unit (EMU) is defined as one melanocyte in direct contact with up to 36 keratinocytes. When one or more of the keratinocytes in an EMU “senses” that more melanin is required to protect the DNA in its nucleus, a “cellular signal” is sent by the keratinocyte to the melanocyte to convert melanosomes into both forms, i.e., pheomelanin and eumelanin, of melanin.

Individuals with darker natural (constitutive) skin color produce more eumelanin and individuals with lighter natural skin color produce more pheomelanin. The melanin granules that are “oxidized” by the longer UVR wavelengths cover and protect the DNA of the keratinocyte nucleus is called facultative pigmentation but is better known as a “tan” by the American public.

Q: How does body-resonant FM broadcast radiation induce melanoma?

A: Before answering this question, it is necessary to take a look at normal melanocyte homeostasis during the critical time period when a melanocyte undergoes cell division. A melanocyte must:

• Detach from the basement membrane.
• Detach from contact with the keratinocytes in its EMU.
• Undergo cell division to produce two new (identical) "daughter" cells.
• Reestablish contact with the basement membrane.
• Reestablish contact with the basement membrane and form a new EMU with up to 36 keratinocytes.

As you can see from the above, the most critical time period is when the melanocyte has undergone cell division and formed two new daughter cells but has not yet reestablished contact with a) the basement membrane and b) the keratinocytes that will make up the new EMU.

Thus, the most likely way that body-resonant FM broadcast radiation causes a melanocyte to “transform” and become malignant (i.e., cancerous) is via a perturbation of cellular signaling at this critical time during cell division that causes it to continue dividing over and over again.

The bottom line is that there is now persuasive evidence to support the premise that body-resonant FM broadcast radiation is responsible for the recent worldwide increase in the incidence of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma; therefore, continuing to blame this increase on UVR is not warranted. 

Patricia E. Reykdal owns and operates four tanning salons in Tucson, Ariz.. Her husband, Donald L. Smith, is director of research of the Non-Ionizing Radiation Research Institute. Together, they have written more than 200 articles promoting sensible, moderate and responsible exposure to ultraviolet radiation. You can e-mail them your comments or questions to reyksmith@aol.com.