Study type: Medical/biological study (observational study)

Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations med./bio.

Published in: Neurotoxicology 2007; 28 (2): 434-440

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible neurobehavioral deficits among inhabitants living nearby mobile phone base stations.

Background/further details

85 inhabitants living nearby the mobile phone base station antenna (in Menoufiya governorate, Egypt) were investigated: 37 were living in a building under the antenna while 48 opposite the base station. A control group of 80 participants were matched with the exposure group for age, sex, occupation and educational level. None of the participants was informed about the purpose of the study (before the study).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 8 or 15 h/day

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure for 8 or 15 h/day
Modulation
Modulation type unspecified
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Additional info The average exposure time was 8 h for employees and 15 h for inhabitants of the buildings. The statements concerning the locations of these groups (in the buildings underneath or opposite the antennas) are contradictory.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 0.0067 mW/cm² maximum measured - -
power density 0.002 mW/cm² minimum measured - -
power density 0.0001 mW/cm² cf. remarks measured - apartment below antenna 1

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The prevalence of neuropsychiatric complaints (headache, memory changes, dizziness, tremors, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance) was significantly higher among exposed inhabitants than controls. The neurobehavioral tests indicated that the exposed participants exhibited a significantly lower performance than controls in one of the tests of attention and auditory short-term memory.
The inhabitants opposite the base station exhibited a lower performance in the problem solving test than those under the base station.
All exposed inhabitants exhibited a better performance in the two tests of visuomotor speed and one test of attention than controls.

Study character:

Study funded by

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