Epidemiological Study (survey)

The "Mainzer EMF-Wachhund": results from a watchdog project on self-reported health complaints attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields. epidemiol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
A survey on self-reported health complaints attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields was conducted in Germany.
Background/further details:
The "Mainzer EMF-Wachhund," a watchdog project, offered an Internet-based system of self-notification of health complaints. The user could fill in a questionnaire that contained personal questions, a list of 30 symptoms possibly experienced during the last month, a list of potential sources of electromagnetic field exposure, self-classification of hypersensitivity, and seeking medical advice.

Endpoints/type of risk estimation

• symptoms of discomfort: headache, tiredness, concentration difficulties, increased heart beat, vertigo, impaired vision, loss of appetite, anxiety, and other symptoms
• sleep disturbances
• hypersensitivity: self-classified hypersensitivity

Exposure

• mobile communication system, analog mobile phone, digital mobile phone, cell phone base station, cordless phone, electric field, magnetic field, 50/60 Hz (AC), power transmission line, electrical substation, train, domestic appliance, personal exposure
• type of exposure: residential, personal
• assessment by questionnaire (potential sources to which the participants attribute their symptoms)

Population
Study group: men and women
Observation period: October 2003 - March 2005
Study location: Germany (Rhineland-Palatinate)

Further parameters acquired by questionnaire (age, gender, education, family status)

Study size
number participating	205

Results/conclusion (according to author)
192 persons reported health complaints in relation to electromagnetic field exposures. Of these, 56% classified themselves as electromagnetic hypersensitive and more common affected by all kinds of electromagnetic fields rather than single field sources. The study base obtained by the Internet-based questionnaire was not representative to estimate a population-based prevalence.

(Study character: epidemiological study, survey)

Study funded by

• Ministerium für Umwelt, Rheinland-Pfalz (Ministry for the Environment of Rhineland-Palatinate), Germany)

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