Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Provocation study using heart rate variability shows microwave radiation from 2.4 GHz cordless phone affects autonomic nervous system. med./biol.

Aim of study (according to author)
To study the effect of pulsed microwave exposure on heart rate variability in humans.
Background/further details:
25 subjects participated (80 % females; age 37-79 years old).

Endpoint

• effects on cardiovascular system: heart rate variability

Exposure
General category: radio frequency field, PW (pulsed wave), DECT, cordless phone

Field characteristics	Parameters
2.4 GHz pulsed (PW) exposure duration: continuous for 3 min	power flux density: 3 µW/cm² min value power flux density: 5 µW/cm² max value

Exposed system:
human
partial body exposure: head

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• effects on cardiovascular system: heart rate variability, blood pressure, heart rate (orthostatic test to check state of autonomic nervous system and relative fitness (first laying on the back and afterwards standing) and continuous monitoring during provocation (remaing laying down); RR interval)
• hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: questionnaire on hypersensitivity

Main outcome of study (according to author)
Results of the questionnaire: Based on self-assessments, participants classified themselves as extremely electrically sensitive (24 %), moderately (n=16 %), slightly (16 %), not sensitive (8 %) or with no opinion (36 %) about their sensitivity. The top 10 symptoms experienced by those claiming to be sensitive include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, eye problems, sleep disorder, feeling unwell, headache, dizziness, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, and heart palpitations. The five most common objects allegedly causing sensitivity were fluorescent lights, antennas, mobile phones, WiFi, and cordless phones.
Data of the provocation study: 40 % of the subjects experienced some changes in their heart rate variability attributable to the pulsed microwave exposure. For some the response was extreme (tachycardia), for others moderate to mild (changes in sympathetic nervous system and/or parasympathetic nervous system) and for some there was no observable reaction either because of high adaptive capacity or because of systemic neurovegetative exhaustion.
This is the first study that documents immediate and dramatic changes in both heart rate and heart rate variability associated with microwave exposure at levels well below (0.5 %) guidelines in Canada and the United States (1000 µW/cm²).

(Study character: medical/biological study, experimental study, pilot/exploratory/preliminary study, double-blind study, provocation study)

Study funded by

• not stated/none

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