Medical/biological study (observational study)

A Possible Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Phone Base Stations on the Number of Breeding House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) med./bio.

By: Everaert J, Bauwens D

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2007; 26 (1): 63-72

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effect of long-term exposure to low-intensity electromagnetic field irradiation from mobile phone (GSM) base stations on the number of house sparrows during the breeding season.

Background/further details

The number of house sparrow males and the strength of electromagnetic irradiation from base stations at 150 locations that were distributed over six residential areas in the region of Gent - Sint-Niklaas (province of East Flanders, Belgium) were determined.

Endpoint

number of house sparrow males

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 925–960 MHz Exposure duration: during the breeding period	electric field strength: 0.153 V/m mean (at location 1) electric field strength: 0.084 V/m mean (at location 2) electric field strength: 0.245 V/m mean (at location 3) electric field strength: 0.13 V/m mean (at location 4) electric field strength: 0.109 V/m mean (at location 5) electric field strength: 0.043 V/m mean (at location 6)
Exposure 2: 1,805–1,880 MHz Exposure duration: during the breeding period	electric field strength: 0.075 V/m mean (at location 1) electric field strength: 0.083 V/m mean (at location 2) electric field strength: 0.017 V/m mean (at location 3) electric field strength: 0.056 V/m mean (at location 4) electric field strength: 0.04 V/m mean (at location 5) electric field strength: 0.08 V/m mean (at location 6)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	925–960 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	during the breeding period

Exposure setup

Exposure source	mobile phone base station
Setup	about 90% of the locations were at a distance of 100 - 600 m from a base station

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	0.153 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 1
electric field strength	0.084 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 2
electric field strength	0.245 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 3
electric field strength	0.13 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 4
electric field strength	0.109 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 5
electric field strength	0.043 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 6

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,805–1,880 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	during the breeding period

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	0.075 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 1
electric field strength	0.083 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 2
electric field strength	0.017 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 3
electric field strength	0.056 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 4
electric field strength	0.04 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 5
electric field strength	0.08 V/m	mean	calculated	-	at location 6

Exposed system:

animal
house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

number of house sparrow males

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data indicate that spatial variation among sampling locations in the number of house sparrow males was negatively related to the electric field strength emitted by GSM base stations. This relation was highly similar among the six study areas.
The results indicate that long-term exposure to low-intensity electromagnetic irradiation from GSM base stations may have significant effects on populations of wild birds. Nevertheless, the data should be considered as preliminary results because sampling locations were each visited only once, such that counts of the number of house sparrow males and measurements of electric field strength are subjected to some variation and estimation error.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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Balmori A et al. (2007): The Urban Decline of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus): A Possible Link with Electromagnetic Radiation
Thalau P et al. (2005): Magnetic compass orientation of migratory birds in the presence of a 1.315 MHz oscillating field
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Fernie KJ et al. (2001): Evidence of oxidative stress in American kestrels exposed to electromagnetic fields
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Farrell JM et al. (1997): The effect of pulsed and sinusoidal magnetic fields on the morphology of developing chick embryos
Tanner JA (1982): The effects of chronic exposure to very low intensity microwave radiation on domestic fowl

A Possible Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Phone Base Stations on the Number of Breeding House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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