Medical/biological study (experimental study)

[Electromagnetic fields of a UMTS mobile phone base station and possible effects on health - results from an experimental field study] med./bio.

Elektromagnetische Felder einer UMTS-Mobilfunkbasisstation und mögliche Auswirkungen auf die Befindlichkeit - eine experimentelle Felduntersuchung

By: Heinrich S, Ossig A, Schlittmeier S, Hellbrück J

Published in: Umweltmed Forsch Prax 2007; 12 (3): 171-180

Journal

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was performed to investigate, whether the exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic field of a UMTS base station can exert influence on the well-being of persons working in its proximity.

Background/further details

Over a period of three months (70 working days), a newly installed base station was turned on or off after one, two or three days. 95 participants (67 men, 28 women, age: 26-62 years) reported their health status on each working day (in general before work start and before end of the working day) using an online questionnaire. In addition, they also appreciated on a daily basis whether the base station was turned on or off.

Endpoint

hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: well-being

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- UMTS

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2,167.1 MHz Exposure duration: intermittent, 1, 2, or 3 days on/off (random and double-blind), for a total duration of 3 months (70 working days)	power: 20 W electric field strength: 0.53 V/m maximum electric field strength: 0.1 V/m mean (± 0.09 V/m) electric field strength: 0.05 V/m minimum

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2,167.1 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	intermittent, 1, 2, or 3 days on/off (random and double-blind), for a total duration of 3 months (70 working days)
Additional info	5 MHz bandwidth

Modulation

Modulation type	cf. additional info
Additional info	UMTS BTS signal

Exposure setup

Exposure source	base transceiver station UMTS
Setup	The exposure of the building was maximised (main beam) by down-tilting the antenna.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	20 W	-	-	-	-
electric field strength	0.53 V/m	maximum	measured	-	-
electric field strength	0.1 V/m	mean	measured	-	± 0.09 V/m
electric field strength	0.05 V/m	minimum	measured	-	-

Additional parameter details

There was no UMTS exposure detected when the BTS was switched off.

Measurement and calculation details

The EMFs between 60 kHz and 2200 MHz were measured in the concerned offices with the windows closed using a spectrum analyser, two tuned antennas, a 3-m calibrated RF cable and a laptop.

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: well-being (questionnaire, evaluation scale (1 to 5) of 21 symptoms, e.g. headache)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No evidence for a correlation between mobile phone base station exposure and self-reported health complaints was found. However, in this experiment correlation could be demonstrated for self-reported health complaints and appreciated base station status. On the days participants made significantly more health complaints, they also thought the base station was in use and vice versa.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study
double blind study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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