Preliminary report: Symptoms associated with mobile phone use

Abstract

Mobile phone use is ubiquitous, although the alleged health effects of low level radio-frequency radiation (RFR) used in transmission are contentious. Following isolated reports of headache-like symptoms arising in some users, a survey has been conducted to characterize the symptoms sometimes associated with mobile phone usage. A notice of interest in cases was placed in a major medical journal and this was publicized by the media. Respondents were interviewed by telephone using a structured questionnaire. Forty respondents from diverse occupations described unpleasant sensations such as a burning feeling or a dull ache mainly occurring in the temporal, occipital or auricular areas. The symptoms often began minutes after beginning a call, but could come on later during the day. The symptoms usually ceased within an hour after the call, but could last until evening. Symptoms did not occur when using an ordinary handset, and were different from ordinary headaches. There were several reports suggestive of intra-cranial effects. Three respondents reported local symptoms associated with wearing their mobile phone on their belts. There was one cluster of cases in a workplace. Seventy-five per cent of cases were associated with digital mobile phones. Most of the respondents obtained relief by altering their patterns of telephone usage or type of phone. Cranial and other diverse symptoms may arise associated with mobile phone usage. Physicians and users alike should be alert to this. Further work is needed to determine the range of effects, their mechanism and the possible implications for safety limits of RFR.

The risk of subjective symptoms in mobile phone users in Poland – An epidemiological study

“…The results of our study were compared with the results of the studies from Australia [8], Scandinavian countries [9], Saudi Arabia [12,18,19] and Iran [20]. The response rates were: for the studies performed in: Australia -80% [8], Norway -58% [9], Sweden -66% [9], Saudi Arabia -86.6% [18], 97% [19] and 95% [12], Iran -75% [20].…”

“…The response rates were: for the studies performed in: Australia -80% [8], Norway -58% [9], Sweden -66% [9], Saudi Arabia -86.6% [18], 97% [19] and 95% [12], Iran -75% [20]. The largest numbers of participants were those obtained in the Scandinavian countries: Sweden -7803 and Norway -2828.…”

“…In addition to headaches, the users of mobile phones reported fatigue and general discomfort, nausea, impaired thermoregulation [5]. Results of the questionnaire on subjective complaints of the mobile phone users conducted in Sweden, Norway, England, USA, New Zealand, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Australia have shown that headache was the most frequently observed symptom [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. A study in Australia showed that headache, including migraine and cluster headache, appeared during or shortly after a call was ended, and often intensified during the day.…”

“…A summary of the studies' results was published lately by Kesari et al [1]. The authors conclude that the "regular and long term use of microwave devices, especially mobile phones, can have a negative impact upon biological system, especially on brain", because the EMF source is held very close to the continued until the evening or till the next day [8]. Some authors have confirmed a significant relationship between the frequency of headache and the use of a mobile phone [7,13], while others have not confirmed such a relationship [14].…”

The Effects of Melatonin on Oxidative Stress Parameters and DNA Fragmentation in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Microwave Radiation

“…has for several decades been an integral part of everyday life in developed societies. However, in the past few years there have been growing public concerns about the effects of chronic exposure to microwave radiation (MWs), especially when it comes to its potentially harmful effect on reproductive health [1].…”