Medical/biological study (experimental study, observational study)

[Investigation of sleep disorders in the vicinity of high frequency transmitters] med./bio.

Untersuchung von Schlafstörungen in der Umgebung von Hochfrequenz-Sendeanlagen

By: Leitgeb N, Schröttner J, Cech R, Kerbl R

Published in: Biomed Tech 2004; 49 (7-8): 186-193

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the potential impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields of transmitters on the sleep quality of nearby residents, a new study design is presented. In a double-blind crossover field study the effect of on-site shielding, rather than of additional exposure, is examined.

Endpoint

sleep: sleep disorders

Exposure

- Radio/TV transmitter
- FM broadcast (UKW)
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 80 MHz–2.5 GHz Exposure duration: repeated exposure for up to 13 nights	-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	80 MHz–2.5 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated exposure for up to 13 nights

Exposure setup

Exposure source	RF transmitters present in the vicinity of the subject's home
Setup	The experiments were performed in double-blind random order under screened, sham and control conditions. Screening of about 15 dB was achieved using an RF-absorbing netting which was wrapped on a cubic holder around the bed and also laid on the floor. Sham conditions were implemented using a fabric which could not be distinguished from the screening material.
Additional info	The major field contributions (about 70%) came from FM broadcast and GSM base stations. FM broadcast exceeded GSM immissions by factors of 3.2 and 16.2 in two cases, while in the third case both immissions were of roughly the same intensity. Exposure varied considerably through the night (38%) as well as between nights (65%); this variation may be greater than the GSM contribution itself.

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Additional parameter details

In all cases, total immissions (unscreened) were below 1.2%, and immissions from GSM base stations were below 0.2% of the applicable limits.

Measurement and calculation details

The actual RF immissions at the bed were monitored every night, continuously and frequency-selectively.

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: tiredness and feeling in the evening, electrosensibility, feeling and tiredness in the morning
sleep: polysomnography (EEG, EOG, ECG)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Radiofrequency measurement showed that exposure may vary considerably throughout the night, as well as from one night to the next. This variation may be greater than the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) contribution itself. Mostly, the contributions of USW radio frequency fields dominated compared to GSM. Thus, continuous broadband radiofrequency recording is required for reliable interpretation of the data. The findings show that simple sleep monitoring systems based on single-channel EEG analysis without access to original biosignals are not adequate for sleep studies.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
observational study
full/main study
feasibility study
double-blind study

Study funded by

Forschungsgemeinschaft Funk e.V. (FGF) (Research Association for Radio Applications), Germany

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