Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Mobile Phone Base Stations Health Effects epidem.

Published in: Diyala Journal of Medicine 2011; 1 (1): 44-52

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Iraq to examine health complaints among subjects living near mobile phone base stations.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation:

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 distance between residence and base station: > 300 m
Group 2 distance between residence and base station: ≤ 300 m
Group 3 distance between residence and base station: < 10 m
Group 4 distance between residence and base station: 10 - 50 m
Group 5 distance between residence and base station: 50 - 100 m
Group 6 distance between residence and base station: 100 - 200 m
Group 7 distance between residence and base station: 200 - 300 m

Population

Study size

Type Value
Total 375
Statistical analysis method:

Results (acc. to author)

Most of the health complaints such as headache, irritability, nausea, appetite loss, discomfort, sleep disturbance, depressive tendencies, memory loss, difficulty in concentration, dizziness and lowering of libido were statistically significantly more often reported by residents living in a distance of less than 300 m to a base station compared to those living in a distance of more than 300 m to a base station. Significant differences were observed up to 100 m to a base station for symptoms such as: headaches sleep disturbances, irritability, depressive tendencies, feeling of discomfort, difficulties in concentration, memory loss and lowering of libido.
The authors suggested that mobile phone base stations should not be sited closer than 300 m to residences to minimize exposure of the residents.

Study funded by

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