The effects of 884 MHz GSM wireless communication signals on headache and other symptoms: An experimental provocation study

Abstract

Findings from prior studies of possible health and physiological effects from mobile phone use have been inconsistent. Exposure periods in provocation studies have been rather short and personal characteristics of the participants poorly defined. We studied the effect of radiofrequency field (RF) on self-reported symptoms and detection of fields after a prolonged exposure time and with a well defined study group including subjects reporting symptoms attributed to mobile phone use. The design was a double blind, cross-over provocation study testing a 3-h long GSM handset exposure versus sham. The study group was 71 subjects age 18-45, including 38 subjects reporting headache or vertigo in relation to mobile phone use (symptom group) and 33 non-symptomatic subjects. Symptoms were scored on a 7-point Likert scale before, after 1(1/2) and 2(3/4) h of exposure. Subjects reported their belief of actual exposure status. The results showed that headache was more commonly reported after RF exposure than sham, mainly due to an increase in the non-symptom group. Neither group could detect RF exposure better than by chance. A belief that the RF exposure had been active was associated with skin symptoms. The higher prevalence of headache in the non-symptom group towards the end of RF exposure justifies further investigation of possible physiological correlates. The current study indicates a need to better characterize study participants in mobile phone exposure studies and differences between symptom and non-symptom groups.

Cohort study on the effects of everyday life radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure on non-specific symptoms and tinnitus

“…Regarding near-field sources, no acute effects of mobile phone-like exposure were observed in laboratory trials (Nam et al 2009;Röösli 2008;Stovner et al 2008) except for one study, where a higher headache score was found after applying a 3h mobile phone-like exposure (Hillert et al 2008). In some of the earlier cross-sectional epidemiological studies, positive associations were found (Balikci et al 2005;Chia et al 2000).…”

“…Most studies were performed in laboratories, e.g. (Cinel et al 2008;Hillert et al 2008;Regel et al 2007). The advantage of laboratory trials is that the well-defined exposure setting allows for the exact determination of a person's exposure level as well as randomization and double-blinding.…”

Systematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations

“…Studies on mobile phone exposure suggest effects on EEG α-band activity during sleep, 55 with some evidence for a dose-response relationship, 56 but the results are inconsistent with regard to cognitive functions 57 and mostly negative for headache. 58,59 Interestingly, persons classified as highly exposed in the epidemiological studies were actually exposed to rather low field levels. Exposure cut-off points for the highest exposed groups were below 0.5 V/m in all studies.…”

Resolving the Enigma of Effect of Mobile Phone Usage on Spermatogenesis in Humans in South Indian Population

“…Cell phones operate using frequencies that differ by manufacturer and country, and concerns are growing about the possible hazardous effect of radiofrequency (RF) and electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted by these communication tools on human health [1]. Negative impact of usage of the mobile phone on human health was reported by many researchers [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Male infertility is upcoming problem of the modern world rising in alarming rate globally [9].…”