Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

[Electromagnetic fields of a UMTS mobile phone base station and possible effects on health - results from an experimental field study] med./bio.

Elektromagnetische Felder einer UMTS-Mobilfunkbasisstation und mögliche Auswirkungen auf die Befindlichkeit - eine experimentelle Felduntersuchung

Published in: Umweltmed Forsch Prax 2007; 12 (3): 171-180

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was performed to investigate, whether the exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic field of a UMTS base station can exert influence on the well-being of persons working in its proximity.

Background/further details

Over a period of three months (70 working days), a newly installed base station was turned on or off after one, two or three days. 95 participants (67 men, 28 women, age: 26-62 years) reported their health status on each working day (in general before work start and before end of the working day) using an online questionnaire. In addition, they also appreciated on a daily basis whether the base station was turned on or off.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2,167.1 MHz
Exposure duration: intermittent, 1, 2, or 3 days on/off (random and double-blind), for a total duration of 3 months (70 working days)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2,167.1 MHz
Type
Exposure duration intermittent, 1, 2, or 3 days on/off (random and double-blind), for a total duration of 3 months (70 working days)
Additional info 5 MHz bandwidth
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

UMTS BTS signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The exposure of the building was maximised (main beam) by down-tilting the antenna.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 20 W - - - -
electric field strength 0.53 V/m maximum measured - -
electric field strength 0.1 V/m mean measured - ± 0.09 V/m
electric field strength 0.05 V/m minimum measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No evidence for a correlation between mobile phone base station exposure and self-reported health complaints was found. However, in this experiment correlation could be demonstrated for self-reported health complaints and appreciated base station status. On the days participants made significantly more health complaints, they also thought the base station was in use and vice versa.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles