Medical/biological study (experimental study, review/survey, observational study)

[Investigation of sleep quality in electrohypersensitive residents near base stations under domestic conditions] info

Untersuchung der Schlafqualität bei elektrosensiblen Anwohnern von Basisstationen unter häuslichen Bedingungen

By: Leitgeb N

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMUB)

2007, Reihe Umweltpolitik, BMU – 2007-709: 1-127

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the potential impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields of transmitters on the sleep quality of nearby residents, a new study design is presented: In a double-blind study the effect of on-site shielding (i.e. in the bedrooms of the subjects), rather than of additional exposure, was examined (cf. publication 11333).
The report also consists of a comprehensive thematic literature survey.

Background/further details

Data of 44 subjects were analysed (data were partly pooled with data of another study, the so-called EPROS study). The subjects suffered from permanent and severe sleep disturbances and were deeply convinced that environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields caused their problems.
Sham-shielding was performed by using a sham shield.

Complete final report here.

Endpoint

sleep: sleep disorders

Exposure

- Radio/TV transmitter
- FM broadcast (UKW)
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 80 MHz–2.5 GHz Exposure duration: continuous	-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	80 MHz–2.5 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone base transceiver station radio/TV transmitters
Chamber	A mobile shield was used to examine the response of the subjects to the absence or reduction of the electromagnetic exposure. The cubic shield was made of double-layered conductive tissue and enclosed the bed completely (also on the floor). The shield was erected and taken down every day.
Setup	After an adaptation night, polysomnographic measurements were recorded from each volunteer during at least 3 nights under each of the following conditions: real shield, sham shield, and unshielded control, in random order. The measurement data were kept double-blinded.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	The median attenuation by the shield of the total immission was 19.3 dB (interquartile between 15 and 24 dB). A second, virtually undistinguishable, sham shield was transparent to EMF.

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Additional parameter details

The highest detected value of the total unshielded exposure averaged over one night reached 3.5% of the limits, generally the values were below 0.5%. In 77% of the cases, broadcast signals were the dominant part, since a radio and TV transmitter with a total power of more than 2 MW was located at about 15 km from the city of Graz. The four highest levels came from FM broadcast. Total GSM immissions were below 0.7% of the limits. The uplink part was generally below 1% of the total but reached about 25% at longer distances to the base stations.

Measurement and calculation details

The exposure levels inside the shield were continuously and selectively monitored during the night in the frequency range between 80 MHz and 2.5 GHz, also to detect manipulations, using a monitoring system, a spectrum analyser, and a broadband probe positioned in the middle of the shield about 1 m above the bed.

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: survey of EEG and sleep studies
hypersensitivity/subjective complaints: survey of electromagnetic hypersensitivity studies; tiredness, feeling, and electrosensibility in the evening/in the morning (questionnaire)
sleep: polysomnography (EEG, EOG, ECG)
questionnaire about different other factors (e.g. stress, food, drink, medication); ambient temperature, phase of the moon

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Most of the subjects exhibited an increased electrosensitivity. The measurements of the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) did not confirm volunteer's expectations to have atypically increased EMF levels within their bedrooms. The data showed a non-significant trend to improved sleep quality with the EMF levels in general. In particular, no statistical significant dependency could be found with mobile phone field levels.
For a predominant number the subjective conviction of volunteers that radiofrequency electromagnetic pollution was the cause of their sleep disturbance could be falsified. The pooled analysis resulted in statistically significant placebo-effects for subjective sleep parameters. This was confirmed by volunteer-based analysis. For 18% of volunteers it could be demonstrated that their belief in shielding improved sleep (placebo-effect).
The investigations did not indicate adverse health effects on sleep from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in general and from mobile phone fields in particular. However, the study showed that subtle effects of electromagnetic fields on the sleep onset behaviour (increased sleep onset latency times with decreasing exposure) might be possible. This finding is of particular importance regarding potential interaction mechanisms of weak (non-thermal) radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and should be verified by further investigations.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
review/survey
observational study
full/main study
double-blind study

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