Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time

Abstract

The worldwide dramatic increase in mobile phone use has generated great concerns about the detrimental effects of microwave radiations emitted by these communication devices. Reaction time plays a critical role in performing tasks necessary to avoid hazards. As far as we know, this study is the first survey that reports decreased reaction time after exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by a high specific absorption rate mobile phone. It is also the first study in which previous history of mobile phone use is taken into account. The aim of this study was to assess both the acute and chronic effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on reaction time in university students. Visual reaction time (VRT) of young university students was recorded with a simple blind computer-assisted-VRT test, before and after a 10 min real/sham exposure to electromagnetic fields of mobile phones. Participants were 160 right-handed university students aged 18-31. To assess the effect of chronic exposures, the reaction time in sham-exposed phases were compared among low level, moderate and frequent users of mobile phones. The mean ± SD reaction time after real exposure and sham exposure were 286.78 ± 31.35 ms and 295.86 ± 32.17 ms (P < 0.001), respectively. The age of students did not significantly alter the reaction time either in talk or in standby mode. The reaction time either in talk or in standby mode was shorter in male students. The students' VRT was significantly affected by exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone. It can be concluded that these exposures cause decreased reaction time, which may lead to a better response to different hazards. In this light, this phenomenon might decrease the chances of human errors and fatal accidents.

Does exposure to GSM 900 MHz mobile phone radiation affect short-term memory of elementary school students?

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that short-term exposure of elementary school students to RF radiation leads to the better performance of their short-term memory. These findings, along with our previous reports,[78] rule out the widespread assumption that mobile-emitted-radiations increase the reaction time.…”

“…showed that the VRT of university students was significantly affected by a 10 min exposure to EMF emitted by mobile phone. [7] They found that these exposures caused decreased reaction time which might lead to a better response to different hazards. They also revealed that occupational exposure to radar radiations decreased the reaction time in radar workers.…”

“…We and other investigators have previously studied the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) on reaction time. [34567] Previously, we have indicated that the visual reaction time (VRT) of university students was significantly affected by a 10 min real/sham exposure to EMF emitted by mobile phone. [7] We found that these exposures caused decreased reaction time, which might lead to a better response to different hazards.…”

“…We have previously also shown that occupational exposures to radar radiations decreased reaction time in radar workers. [8] Over the past years, our laboratory has focused on studying the health effects of exposure of laboratory animals and humans to some common and/or occupational sources of EMF such as mobile phones[7891011121314] and their base stations,[15] mobile phone jammers,[16] laptop computers,[17] radars,[8] dentistry cavitrons[18] and MRI. [1319] The purpose of this study was to investigate whether short-term exposure of elementary school students to RF radiation leads to changes in their reaction time and short-term memory.…”

EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses

“…105-119) and cognitive function (e.g. [120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131]. A few investigations were about effects on glucose metabolism (132, 133) and regional cerebral blood flow (134,135), applying PET scan imaging.…”