Epidemiological study (observational study)

The impact of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields on chronic well-being in young people - A cross-sectional study based on personal dosimetry epidem.

By: Heinrich S, Thomas S, Heumann C, von Kries R, Radon K

Published in: Environ Int 2011; 37 (1): 26-30

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Germany to investigate the possible association of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and chronic symptoms in children and adolescents.

Further details

Behavioural problems of the same study population are analyzed in Thomas et al (2010) and acute symptoms in Heinrich et al (2010).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

symptoms of discomfort: chronic symptoms over the last 6 months: headache, irritation, nervousness, dizziness, fatigue, and fear
sleep disturbances

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- RF field
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- digital mobile phone
- mobile phone base station
- GSM
- UMTS
- DECT
- W-LAN/WiFi
- residential
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire: mobile phone ownership, use of mobile phone and cordless phone, estimated distance to the next base station
dosimeter: 24-hours measurement: personal dosimeter
calculation: based on field strength for 3 frequency ranges (GSM 900; GSM 1800, UMTS and DECT; WLAN) during waking hours

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	exposure quartile 1
Group 2	exposure quartile 2
Group 3	exposure quartile 3
Group 4	exposure quartile 4
Reference group 5	children exposed to 0.13 - ≤ 0.25 % of the ICNIRP reference level
Group 6	children exposed to 0.25 - 0.92 % of the ICNIRP reference level (90th percentile)
Reference group 7	adolescents exposed to 0.13 - ≤ 0.26 % of the ICNIRP reference level
Group 8	adolescents exposed to 0.26 - 0.78 % of the ICNIRP reference level (90th percentile)
Reference group 9	child's mobile phone use: less than nearly daily
Group 10	child's mobile phone use: at least daily
Reference group 11	child's DECT phone use: less than nearly daily
Group 12	child's DECT phone use: at least nearly daily
Reference group 13	adolescent's mobile phone use: less than nearly daily
Group 14	adolescent's mobile phone use: at least daily
Reference group 15	adolescent's DECT phone use: less than nearly daily
Group 16	adolescent's DECT phone use: at least nearly daily

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 8–17 years
Characteristics: children (aged between 8 and 12 years) and adolescents (aged between 13 and 17 years)
Observation period: 2006 - 2007
Study location: Germany (4 Upper Bavarian towns)
Data source: registration offices

Study size

Type	Value
Total	6,386
Participants	3,022
Participation rate	52 %

Other:

1498 children and 1524 adolescents participated in interview and exposure measurement

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
sex
residential area
socioeconomic status
education
environmental worries

)

Results (acc. to author)

Measured exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields was far below the current ICNIRP reference levels (0.13 - 0.92 %). The most reported chronic symptom in children and adolescents was fatigue.
No statistically significant association between measured exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and chronic symptoms was observed among children and adolescents.

Study funded by

Deutsches Mobilfunk Forschungsprogramm (DMF; German Mobile Phone Research Programme) at Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)

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