Effect of short-wave (6-22 MHz) magnetic fields on sleep quality and melatonin cycle in humans: the Schwarzenburg shut-down study

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a unique "natural experiment" of the operation and cessation of a broadcast transmitter with its short-wave electromagnetic fields (6-22 MHz) on sleep quality and melatonin cycle in a general human population sample. In 1998, 54 volunteers (21 men, 33 women) were followed for 1 week each before and after shut-down of the short-wave radio transmitter at Schwarzenburg (Switzerland). Salivary melatonin was sampled five times a day and total daily excretion and acrophase were estimated using complex cosinor analysis. Sleep quality was recorded daily using a visual analogue scale. Before shut down, self-rated sleep quality was reduced by 3.9 units (95% CI: 1.7-6.0) per mA/m increase in magnetic field exposure. The corresponding decrease in melatonin excretion was 10% (95% CI: -32 to 20%). After shutdown, sleep quality improved by 1.7 units (95% CI: 0.1-3.4) per mA/m decrease in magnetic field exposure. Melatonin excretion increased by 15% (95% CI: -3 to 36%) compared to baseline values suggesting a rebound effect. Stratified analyses showed an exposure effect on melatonin excretion in poor sleepers (26% increase; 95% CI: 8-47%) but not in good sleepers. Change in sleep quality and melatonin excretion was related to the extent of magnetic field reduction after the transmitter's shut down in poor but not good sleepers. However, blinding of exposure was not possible in this observational study and this may have affected the outcome measurements in a direct or indirect (psychological) way.

Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression

“…This is not necessarily true of EMF effects, because it has been shown that there are "window effects" where specific intensities have larger biological effects, than do either lower or higher intensities (Pall, 2015, Panagopoulos et al, 2013, Belyaev, 2015. Nevertheless, where different intensities were studied in these epidemiological studies, they do show the dose-response relationship assumed here including Altpeter et al, 2000;Dwyer and Leeper, 1978;Eger and Jahn, 2003;Lerner, 1978;Navarro et al, 2003;Oberfeld et al, 2004;Salama et al, 2004;Santini et al, 2003;Thomée et al, 2011. Thus these data do fit well to the assumed dose-response relationship, found in most causal roles.…”

Melatonin rhythms in renal transplant recipients with sleep–wake disturbances

“…Melatonin was measured via direct double-antibody radioimmunoassay (analytical sensitivity: 0.2 pg/ml) and a functional minimum detectable dose of 0.65 pg/ml (Bühlmann Laboratories AG, Allschwil, Switzerland) (Weber et al, 1997). Salivary melatonin is normally below 3 pg/ml during the daytime and up to 10 pg/ml at bedtime (Altpeter et al, 2006), with broad individual variability in maximum secretion (peak values: 2-84 pg/ml) (Burgess & Fogg, 2008). To determine a DLMO at least five salivary melatonin measures are needed and at least one sample has to show a significant concentration elevation compared to daytime samples.…”

Searching for the Perfect Wave: The Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cells

“…This evidence indicated melatonin as a possible target for sleep-related disorders. However, there is a lack of solid evidence to suggest a significant impact of EMF exposure on sleep quality in animal models or in the population [81]. Melatonin suppression by EMF has been indicated as a potential risk factor for breast cancer, though no direct tumorigenic effect was observed.…”