Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Perception of the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone med./bio.

By: Kwon MS, Koivisto M, Laine M, Hämäläinen H

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008; 29 (2): 154-159

Aim of study (acc. to author)

In this in vivo study the possible existence of electrosensibility to mobile phone electromagnetic fields should be tested in a large sample of the general population.

Background/further details

Eighty-four young healthy adults (mean age: 24 +/- 6 years; 57 females, 27 males) participated. 100 trials each lasting 5 seconds were performed per experimental condition.
In the first task the participants should estimate whether the electromagnetic field was "on" or "off" and in the second task whether the electromagnetic field changed (from "on" to "off" and the other way round) or no electromagnetic field change occurred (always "on" or "off").

Endpoint

hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: electrosensibility

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 902 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: intermittent, 5 s on or off and a pause for reaction plus 1 s, repeated 100 times on/off task	SAR: 1.21 W/kg maximum SAR: 1.14 W/kg average over mass (1 g) SAR: 0.82 W/kg average over mass (10 g)
Exposure 2: 902 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: intermittent, 2.5 s on/off or off/on and a pause for reaction plus 1 s, repeated 100 times change task	SAR: 1.21 W/kg maximum SAR: 1.14 W/kg average over mass (1 g) SAR: 0.82 W/kg average over mass (10 g)

General information

There were 100 trials in each condition, and the four conditions other than the genuine on/off and the change condition had the same exposure types, either on or off. The order of the tasks and the conditions within each task were counterbalanced, and the trials were randomized in the genuine on/off and the change conditions and in effect double-blinded by computer. Participants could take a break between test blocks.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	902 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	intermittent, 5 s on or off and a pause for reaction plus 1 s, repeated 100 times
Additional info	on/off task

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	0.58 ms
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone GSM, with loudspeaker and buzzer removed, connected to a signal generator by a 10 m cable
Chamber	Participants performed the tasks sitting 1.5 m away from a computer monitor in a soundproof room.
Setup	The mobile phone was attached to a headset and placed on the ear (parallel to the medial plane in a normal use position) on the side usually used for mobile phone conversations or reported to be more sensitive to the EMF (67 right and 17 left).
Additional info	The on/off task consisted of one genuine on/off condition, where the EMF was either on or off with the probability of 50% each, and two other conditions where the EMF was either always on or always off.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1.21 W/kg	maximum	measured	-	-
SAR	1.14 W/kg	average over mass	measured	1 g	-
SAR	0.82 W/kg	average over mass	measured	10 g	-

Additional parameter details

Earplug-shaped earphones were inserted into both ears to deliver masking white noise.

Measurement and calculation details

The output power from the generator-amplifier setup was measured using an RF power meter roughly every tenth session. The SAR was measured before and after the modification using a Dosimetric Assessment System (DASY4) and a generic twin phantom filled with head tissue simulating liquid. The phone was in the left cheek position, and the SAR was maximum near the position of the removed loudspeaker on the ear [Haarala et al., 2007].

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	902 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	intermittent, 2.5 s on/off or off/on and a pause for reaction plus 1 s, repeated 100 times
Additional info	change task

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	0.58 ms
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Additional info	The change task consisted of one genuine change condition, where the EMF was either first on and then off or first off and then on with the probability of 50% each, and two constant conditions where the EMF was either always on or always off.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1.21 W/kg	maximum	measured	-	-
SAR	1.14 W/kg	average over mass	measured	1 g	-
SAR	0.82 W/kg	average over mass	measured	10 g	-

Reference articles

Haarala C et al. (2007): Pulsed and continuous wave mobile phone exposure over left versus right hemisphere: effects on human cognitive function

Exposed system:

human
partial body: ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: electrosensibility (force-choice task, self-reported electrosensibility), subjective electrosensitivity (symptoms questionnaire)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results of right attribution whether electromagnetic field was "on", "off" or changing were not higher than expected by chance. Therefore, this study could not prove the existence of electrosensibility to mobile phone electromagnetic fields.

Study character:

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

Study funded by

Academy of Finland
Tekes (National Technology Agency), Finland

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Riddervold IS et al. (2008): Cognitive Function and Symptoms in Adults and Adolescents in Relation to RF Radiation from UMTS Base Stations
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Zwamborn APM et al. (2003): Effects of Global Communication system radio-frequency fields on Well Being and Cognitive Functions of human subjects with and without subjective complaints
Hietanen M et al. (2002): Hypersensitivity symptoms associated with exposure to cellular telephones: no causal link
Radon K et al. (1998): [Hypersensitivity to Electricity]

Perception of the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Additional parameter details

Measurement and calculation details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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