To examine effects of exposure to pulsed electromagnetic fields on cognitive performance.
A psycho-physiological test paradigm (auditory discrimination task; determination of auditory order threshold (OT)) was used. Subjects (n=11) had to decide on which side the first of two succeeding stimuli was presented. Inter-stimulus-intervals (ISI) were gradually reduced as long as no mistakes occured; wrong responses led to expansion of the ISI.
| Exposure | Parameters |
|---|---|
|
Exposure 1:
902 MHz
Modulation type:
pulsed
Exposure duration:
continuous for 50 min
|
|
| Frequency | 902 MHz |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Exposure duration | continuous for 50 min |
| Modulation type | pulsed |
|---|---|
| Repetition frequency | 217 Hz |
| Exposure source | |
|---|---|
| Distance between exposed object and exposure source | 4 cm |
| Chamber | electrically shielded room |
| Setup | The exposure took place in the relaxation phase (50 min) during which the participant relaxed on a couch with the mobile phone positioned 4 cm from the left ear. |
| Additional info | Each subject performed the experiment twice with either EMF or sham exposure (double blind) on separate days. |
| Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| power density | 1 mW/m² | - | - | - | manufacturer's general information about the mobile phone used - distance not specified |
The authors found that nine of the 11 test participants (81.8%) showed worse results in their auditory discrimination performance upon field exposure as compared with control conditions. The participants' cognitive performance was impaired after exposure to pulsed electromagnetic fields. With regard to this finding, the authors recommend that the use of cellular phones should be restricted generally and in particular in respect of physical hazard of high-risk groups, e.g. elderly, children and ill people.
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