EMF-Portal | Mobile Handset Output Power and Health

Mobile Handset Output Power and Health epidem.

By: Hallberg O, Johansson O

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2004; 23 (3): 229-239

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Health statistics data and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) coverage were investigated in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

Further details

Good GSM transmitter coverage leads to low handset output power that can vary from 2 W down to 0.001 W. In less populated regions areas with weak GSM coverage the handset output power is higher which could have an impact on the health.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

mortality: due to circulation and nervous system problems, prostate cancer

health indicators e.g., sick-days, long-term sick, rehabilitation days, health cost increase

Exposure

Assessment

calculation: average numbers for GSM uncovered areas based on coverage maps of mobile communication providers

Population

Group:

men
women

Characteristics: residents

Observation period: 1981 - 2002

Study location: Sweden, Norway and Denmark

Data source: Social Insurance Agency of Sweden, Norway and Denmark

Results (acc. to author)

A strong correlation between health degradation and weak GSM coverage was found. Decreased mortality due to circulation problems was observed with increasing levels of GSM coverage. The health status in parts of Sweden with a 100 % coverage has degraded by around 11 sick days since 1997, start of GSM.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding