Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of chronic exposure to cellular telephone electromagnetic fields on hearing in rats med./bio.

By: Kayabasoglu G, Sezen OS, Eraslan G, Aydin E, Coskuner T, Unver S

Published in: J Laryngol Otol 2011; 125 (4): 348-353

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of the electromagnetic field emitted by cell phones on the inner ear of rats.

Background/further details

20 adult rats and 20 newborns were divided into two exposure and two control groups (each group n=10).

Endpoint

effects on the auditory system (distortion product otoacoustic emissions)

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900–1,800 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 6 h/day on 30 days	SAR: 0.934 W/kg (Samsung SGH-N170 mobile phone) SAR: 0.851 W/kg (LG KG 275 mobile phone)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900–1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 6 h/day on 30 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.934 W/kg	-	-	-	Samsung SGH-N170 mobile phone
SAR	0.851 W/kg	-	-	-	LG KG 275 mobile phone

Reference articles

Burkhardt M et al. (1997): Exposure setup to test effects of wireless communications systems on the CNS

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the auditory system (distortion product otoacoustic emissions)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

For both the newborn and adult rat groups, there was no significant difference in distortion product otoacoustic emissions recorded before and after exposure. Exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones for 6 hours a day for 30 consecutive days had no effect on the hearing of newborn or adult rats at the outer ear, middle ear or cochlear level.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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Bhagat S et al. (2016): Effects on auditory function of chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones
Galloni P et al. (2009): No effects of UMTS exposure on the function of rat outer hair cells
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Budak GG et al. (2009): Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in pregnant adult rabbits
Budak GG et al. (2009): Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions of rabbits: comparison of infants versus adults
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Kizilay A et al. (2003): Effects of chronic exposure of electromagnetic fields from mobile phones on hearing in rats