Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of GSM Cellular Phones on Human Hearing: The European Project "GUARD" med./bio.

By: Parazzini M, Brazzale AR, Paglialonga A, Tognola G, Collet L, Moulin A, Lutman ME, Bell SL, Thomas NA, Uloziene I, Uloza V, Thuroczy G, Tavartkiladze G, Tsalighopoulos M, Kyriafinis G, Ravazzani P

Published in: Radiat Res 2007; 168 (5): 608-613

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible effects of exposure to GSM-modulated electromagnetic fields (at both 900 MHz and 1800 MHz) on the hearing system of humans.

Background/further details

169 subjects participated. The procedure was conducted twice: once with electromagnetic field exposure and once with sham exposure (at least 24 h apart).

Endpoint

auditory function

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 10 min	power: 2 W SAR: 0.41 W/kg maximum (1 g)
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 10 min	power: 1 W SAR: 0.19 W/kg maximum (1 g)

General information

There were two sessions on separate days (at least 24 h apart) with a real (test) exposure and with a sham (control) exposure in a double-blind counterbalanced design. Half of the participants received GSM exposure at 900 MHz and at 1800 MHz, respectively.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 10 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	GSM

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone at full power
Setup	A system of phone fixation, made of non-metallic plastic materials and consisting of a headband, an adjustable arm and a phone holder that allowed free head movement, was used for placing the phone in the normal use position, in accordance with CENELEC standard EN 50361.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	The sham or genuine exposure was realised using a 50-Ω resistive load or an open-circuit dummy load of the same shape and structure connected to the remote antenna connector of the phone.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	-	-	-	-
SAR	0.41 W/kg	maximum	measured	1 g	-

Additional parameter details

The indicated maximum SAR was measured at a distance of 30 mm from the surface of the phantom which corresponds approximately to that of the cochlea.

Measurement and calculation details

In order to estimate the level of EMF exposure in the inner ear region, SAR measurements were made in standard brain tissue equivalent liquid in a phantom using a 3-D step motor robot system, an internal E-field probe and a non-metallic phone-positioning system with the phone being held on the phantom in the ''touch position'', according to CENELEC standard EN 50361. The output of the phone had previously been measured using a frequency and power meter and circulators through the external antenna output of the phone.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 10 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	GSM

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	1 W	-	-	-	-
SAR	0.19 W/kg	maximum	measured	1 g	-

Exposed system:

human
partial body: ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

auditory function (hearing threshold level, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), auditory brainstem response (ABR))

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No effects of exposure to GSM mobile phone signals on the main measures of the status of the auditory system were found.

Study character:

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

Study funded by

European Project GUARD ("Potential adverse effects of GSM cellular phones on hearing")

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Kayabasoglu G et al. (2011): Effect of chronic exposure to cellular telephone electromagnetic fields on hearing in rats
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Effects of GSM Cellular Phones on Human Hearing: The European Project "GUARD" med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Additional parameter details

Measurement and calculation details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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