Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Electromagnetic field emitted by 902 MHz mobile phones shows no effects on children's cognitive function med./bio.

By: Haarala C, Bergman M, Laine M, Revonsuo A, Koivisto M, Hämäläinen H

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2005; 26 Suppl 7: S144-S150

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the potential effects of a standard 902 MHz global system for mobile communications (GSM) mobile phone on 10-14 years old children's cognitive function.

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 902 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for approx. 50 min	SAR: 2.07 W/kg maximum SAR: 1.44 W/kg average over mass (1 g) SAR: 0.99 W/kg average over mass (10 g)

General information

The subjects, 32 children 10-14 years old, performed a series of cognitive tests while being exposed or sham-exposed.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	902 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for approx. 50 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	577 µs
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	DTX mode was not activated.

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Setup	A GSM telephone placed in a leather and vinyl case was mounted with an adjustable rubber EEG head cap on the left side of the subject's head in the normal position of use. The antenna was located over the left posterior temporal lobe. The RF power was switched on and off via a data cable from a laptop.
Additional info	EMF exposure and sham exposure sessions in double-blind design were separated by 24 ± 1 h.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2.07 W/kg	maximum	measured	-	-
SAR	1.44 W/kg	average over mass	measured	1 g	-
SAR	0.99 W/kg	average over mass	measured	10 g	-

Measurement and calculation details

The SAR of the phone was measured with SPEAG's Dosimetric Assessment System 3 (DASY3) and a generic twin phantom filled with brain tissue simulating liquid. The location of the measured max. SAR value was 5.5 cm from the top and 3 cm from the inferior edge of the phone, which is on the cheek approx. 2 cm anterior and 1 cm inferior to the auditory canal.

Reference articles

Schönborn F et al. (1998): Differences in energy absorption between heads of adults and children in the near field of sources

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head (left side)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function (different reaction time tasks; vigilance task; short-term memory (n-back task))

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed no significant differences between the mobile phone off and on conditions in reaction times and accuracy.
The authors concluded that a standard mobile phone has no effect on children's cognitive function. The present findings challenge some earlier results (e.g. publication 3601 and publication 4728) suggesting that the electromagnetic field created by an active mobile phone would facilitate cognitive functioning.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double-blind study

Study funded by

Elisa Communications Corporation, Finland
Finnish 2G
Nokia
Sonera, Finland
Tekes (National Technology Agency), Finland
University of Turku, Finland

Comments on this article

Lin JC (2005): Children's cognitive function and cell-phone electromagnetic fields

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