Medical/biological study (observational study)

Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations med./bio.

By: Abdel-Rassoul G, El-Fateh OA, Salem MA, Michael A, Farahat F, El-Batanouny M, Salem E

Published in: Neurotoxicology 2007; 28 (2): 434-440

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible neurobehavioral deficits among inhabitants living nearby mobile phone base stations.

Background/further details

85 inhabitants living nearby the mobile phone base station antenna (in Menoufiya governorate, Egypt) were investigated: 37 were living in a building under the antenna while 48 opposite the base station. A control group of 80 participants were matched with the exposure group for age, sex, occupation and educational level. None of the participants was informed about the purpose of the study (before the study).

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: neurobehavioral effects

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: RF (≥ 10 MHz) Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure for 8 or 15 h/day	power density: 0.0067 mW/cm² maximum power density: 0.002 mW/cm² minimum power density: 0.0001 mW/cm² cf. remarks (apartment below antenna 1)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	RF (≥ 10 MHz)
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure for 8 or 15 h/day

Modulation

Modulation type	unspecified

Exposure setup

Exposure source	base transceiver station with three antennas
Additional info	The average exposure time was 8 h for employees and 15 h for inhabitants of the buildings. The statements concerning the locations of these groups (in the buildings underneath or opposite the antennas) are contradictory.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	0.0067 mW/cm²	maximum	measured	-	-
power density	0.002 mW/cm²	minimum	measured	-	-
power density	0.0001 mW/cm²	cf. remarks	measured	-	apartment below antenna 1

Measurement and calculation details

The latest measurements (3-5 points per antenna) were made in the year 2000, whereas the tests were performed in 2003. It was expected that the exposure levels were higher at that time. No data were available for the buildings across the street nor for the control building.

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: neurobehavioral effects (different tests for visuomotor speed, problem solving, attention and memory)
different questionnaires about personal, occupational, medical histories and neuropsychiatric complaints (such as e.g. headache, memory changes, tremors, depressive symptoms); clinical examination (general and neurological)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The prevalence of neuropsychiatric complaints (headache, memory changes, dizziness, tremors, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance) was significantly higher among exposed inhabitants than controls. The neurobehavioral tests indicated that the exposed participants exhibited a significantly lower performance than controls in one of the tests of attention and auditory short-term memory.
The inhabitants opposite the base station exhibited a lower performance in the problem solving test than those under the base station.
All exposed inhabitants exhibited a better performance in the two tests of visuomotor speed and one test of attention than controls.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study
full/main study
cross-sectional study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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