Epidemiological study (observational study)

[Specific symptoms and radiation from mobile basis stations in Selbitz, Bavaria, Germany: evidence for a dose-effect relationship] epidem.

Spezifische Symptome und Mobilfunkstrahlung in Selbitz (Bayern) - Evidenz für eine Dosiswirkungsbeziehung

By: Eger H, Jahn M

Published in: Umwelt · Medizin · Gesellschaft 2010; 23 (2): 130-139

Journal partially peer-reviewed/peer-review process unclear

Journal

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A survey was conducted in Selbitz, Germany, to evaluate health symptoms in relation to residential proximity to mobile phone base stations.

Further details

The residents of Selbitz were asked to fill in questionnaires on their health symptoms. The exposure groups were categorized according to the distance of the address to the base station and the measured data.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

symptoms of discomfort: depression, headache, cerebral symptoms, joint illnesses, infections, skin changes, dizziness, cardiovascular symptoms, disorders of the optical and acoustic sensory systems, nosebleed, hormonal disorders, gain and loss of weight, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
sleep disturbances

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- DECT
- residential

Assessment

questionnaire: use of DECT phone
measurement: no details given
calculation: distance from home address to base station

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	distance to base station: < 100 m
Group 2	distance to base station: 100 - < 200 m
Group 3	distance to base station: 200 - < 300 m
Group 4	distance to base station: 300 - < 400 m
Reference group 5	control group: distance to base station: ≥ 400 m; mean field: 0.18 V/m
Group 6	group 1 and group 2 (distance to base station < 200 m): mean field: 1.17 V/m
Group 7	group 3 and group 4 (distance to base station 200 - < 400 m): mean field: 0.7 V/m

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: ≥ 18 years
Observation period: January 2009
Study location: Germany (Selbitz/Bavaria)
Data source: municipality of Selbitz

Study size

Type	Value
Eligible	1,080
Participants	255
Participation rate	23 %

Statistical analysis method:

t-test

Results (acc. to author)

A significant correlation was found dependent on dose-effects for sleep disturbances, depressions, cerebral symptoms, joint illnesses, infections, skin changes, cardiovascular disorders, and disorders of the optical and acoustic sensory systems and the gastro-intestinal tract with the residential proximity to the base station. The authors explain this relationship with the influence of microwaves on the human nervous system.

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