Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cognitive and physiological responses in humans exposed to a TETRA base station signal in relation to perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity med./bio.

By: Wallace D, Eltiti S, Ridgewell A, Garner K, Russo R, Sepulveda F, Walker S, Quinlan T, Dudley S, Maung S, Deeble R, Fox E

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2012; 33 (1): 23-39

Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether acute exposure to a TETRA base station signal (airwave) has an impact on cognitive function and/or physiological responses in individuals with self-reported electrosensitivity and control subjects.

Background/further details

51 individuals with self-reported electrosensitivity and 132 age- and gender-matched control subjects participated in an open provocation study (i.e. both the experimenter and the participant knew when the signal was "on" and when it was "off", session 1), while 48 sensitive and 132 control participants went on to complete two double-blind sessions (sessions 2 and 3, exposure and sham exposure; each session was spaced at least one week apart).
Airwave is the new communication system currently being rolled out across the United Kingdom for the police and emergency services.

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function

Exposure

- TDMA
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- TETRA/TETRAPOL

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 420 MHz Exposure duration: 25 min in session 1 (1 x 15 min and 2 x 5 min), 50 min each in session 2 and 3	SAR: 217 µW/kg (for a 70 kg person) power density: 10 mW/m² spatial average (upper legs, abdomen, torso, shoulders, head exposed)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	420 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	25 min in session 1 (1 x 15 min and 2 x 5 min), 50 min each in session 2 and 3
Additional info	TETRA signal release 1 with 50% traffic/no traffic

Exposure setup

Exposure source	TETRA base station antenna
Chamber	fully screened chamber with a shielding effectiveness of 55 to 60 dB
Setup	participants seated 4.95 m from the antenna; 2.8 m in front of the test person was a large white screen where the tasks were shown; projection to this screen through a shielded window
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	217 µW/kg	-	calculated	-	for a 70 kg person
power density	10 mW/m²	spatial average	-	-	upper legs, abdomen, torso, shoulders, head exposed

Reference articles

Wallace D et al. (2010): Do TETRA (Airwave) Base Station Signals Have a Short-Term Impact on Health and Well-Being? A Randomized Double-Blind Provocation Study
Eltiti S et al. (2007): Does short-term exposure to mobile phone base station signals increase symptoms in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields? A double-blind randomized provocation study

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the cardiovascular system: heart rate, blood volume pulse
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function (short-term memory (digit span test), working memory (operation span test), attention (letter cancellation test))
skin conductance

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data did not show any differences in cognitive performance between sham exposure and TETRA exposure in either group; physiological response also did not differ between the exposure conditions.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
randomized double-blind study, provocation study

Study funded by

Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR), UK

Eggert T et al. (2015): Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) exposure and its impact on slow cortical potentials
Sauter C et al. (2015): Do signals of a hand-held TETRA transmitter affect cognitive performance, well-being, mood or somatic complaints in healthy young men? Results of a randomized double-blind cross-over provocation study
Regel SJ et al. (2011): Cognitive performance measures in bioelectromagnetic research - critical evaluation and recommendations
Sauter C et al. (2011): Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects
Nieto-Hernandez R et al. (2011): Can exposure to a terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA)-like signal cause symptoms? A randomised double-blind provocation study
Rubin GJ et al. (2010): Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (formerly 'electromagnetic hypersensitivity'): An updated systematic review of provocation studies
Breckenkamp J et al. (2010): [Results of a cross-sectional study on the association of electromagnetic fields emitted from mobile phone base stations and health complaints]
Riddervold IS et al. (2010): No effect of TETRA hand portable transmission signals on human cognitive function and symptoms
Wallace D et al. (2010): Do TETRA (Airwave) Base Station Signals Have a Short-Term Impact on Health and Well-Being? A Randomized Double-Blind Provocation Study
Eltiti S et al. (2009): Short-term exposure to mobile phone base station signals does not affect cognitive functioning or physiological measures in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields and controls
Berg-Beckhoff G et al. (2009): Mobile phone base stations and adverse health effects: phase 2 of a cross-sectional study with measured radio frequency electromagnetic fields
Luria R et al. (2009): Cognitive effects of radiation emitted by cellular phones: the influence of exposure side and time
Röösli M (2008): Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure and non-specific symptoms of ill health: A systematic review
Riddervold IS et al. (2008): Cognitive Function and Symptoms in Adults and Adolescents in Relation to RF Radiation from UMTS Base Stations
Barth A et al. (2008): A meta-analysis for neurobehavioural effects due to electromagnetic field exposure emitted by GSM mobile phones
Barker AT et al. (2007): The effect of GSM and TETRA mobile handset signals on blood pressure, catechol levels and heart rate variability
Wiholm C et al. (2007): The Effects of 884 MHz GSM Wireless Communication Signals on Spatial Memory Performance: An Experimental Provocation Study
Wilen J et al. (2006): Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms
Green AC et al. (2005): An investigation of the effects of TETRA RF fields on intracellular calcium in neurones and cardiac myocytes
Lyskov E et al. (2001): Neurophysiological study of patients with perceived 'electrical hypersensitivity'
Lyskov E et al. (2001): Provocation study of persons with perceived electrical hypersensitivity and controls using magnetic field exposure and recording of electrophysiological characteristics