Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic fields and subjective symptoms: a double-blind study med./bio.

Published in: Psychosom Med 2008; 70 (3): 345-348

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the acute exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone may affect subjective symptoms.

Background/further details

Altogether 496 participants (330 female, average age: 23 years) were divided into three large groups differing in cognitive tasks subjects had to perform (see publication 14709 and publication 12885). Each subject was exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone in one session and sham exposed in the other session. The sessions were about one week apart.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 888 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 40 min
  • SAR: 1.4 W/kg mean (±30%)
  • SAR: 11.2 W/kg peak value
Exposure 2: 888 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 40 min

General information

Half of the participants were exposed to a GSM signal or to a CW signal, respectively. Details of the three studies are shown in [Russo et al., 2006 and Cinel et al., 2007].

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 888 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 40 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Additional info

GSM signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The phone was attached to a cap and was positioned so that the antenna was slightly behind and above the left or right ear for half of the participants, respectively.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info The approved exposure system was made for the Mobile Telecommunication and Health Research Programme in the United Kingdom [http://www.mthr.org.uk/meetings/nov_2002/summaries/human_exposure.htm].
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.4 W/kg mean - - ±30%
SAR 11.2 W/kg peak value - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 888 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 40 min
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.4 W/kg mean - - ±30%

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A statistically significant increment in dizziness was observed in only one of the three exposure groups.
No consistent evidence could be found suggesting that exposure to mobile phone radio frequency electromagnetic fields affects subjective symptoms.

Study character:

Study funded by

Comments on this article

Related articles