Epidemiological study (observational study)

Personal exposure to mobile phone frequencies and well-being in adults: a cross-sectional study based on dosimetry epidem.

By: Thomas S, Kühnlein A, Heinrich S, Praml G, Nowak D, von Kries R, Radon K

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008; 29 (6): 463-470

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Germany to investigate the level of exposure to mobile phone frequencies and the well-being in adults based on dosimetry.

Further details

The study was nested in an ongoing stuy on noise exposure and well-being. Exposure was assessed by measurement of three different frequency ranges using a personal dosimeter. It was worn by the participant during daytime and placed next to the bed during nighttime. The field strenghts percentages of the ICNIRP reference level (publication 3602) were calculated and categorized in four quartiles for three times of day (day time, morning, and afternoon). The participants completed a questionnaire on chronic symptoms during the last six months before wearing a dosimeter and answered questions to acute symptoms at noon and in the evening during the 24-h measurements

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

symptoms of discomfort: headache, neurological symptoms (e.g., tinnitus), cardiovascular symptoms (e.g., tachycardia), concentration problems, fatigue
sleep disturbances

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- mobile phone base station
- GSM
- UMTS
- DECT
- W-LAN/WiFi
- personal

Assessment

dosimeter: 24-hours measurement: personal dosimeter was worn at the upper arm usually used to hold a phone, at night next to the bed
calculation: based on field strength for 3 frequency ranges (GSM 900; GSM 1800, UMTS and DECT; WLAN) during waking hours

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	daytime exposure, quartile 1: 0.134 - 0.145 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 2	daytime exposure, quartile 2: 0.145 - 0.167 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 3	daytime exposure, quartile 3: 0.167 - 0.211 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 4	daytime exposure, quartile 4: 0.211 - 0.583 % of ICNIRP limit
Reference group 5	morning exposure (6 a.m.-12 p.m.), quartile 1: 0.133 - 0.136 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 6	morning exposure (6 a.m.-12 p.m.), quartile 2: 0.136 - 0.153 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 7	morning exposure (6 a.m.-12 p.m.), quartile 3: 0.153 - 0.193 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 8	morning exposure (6 a.m.-12 p.m.), quartile 4: 0.193 - 0.559 % of ICNIRP limit
Reference group 9	afternoon exposure (12 p.m.-6 p.m.), quartile 1: 0.129 - 0.147 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 10	afternoon exposure (12 p.m.-6 p.m.), quartile 2: 0.147 - 0.168 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 11	afternoon exposure (12 p.m.-6 p.m.), quartile 3: 0.168 - 0.218 % of ICNIRP limit
Group 12	afternoon exposure (12 p.m.-6 p.m.), quartile 4: 0.218 - 0.713 % of ICNIRP limit

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 18–65 years
Observation period: January 2005 - August 2006
Study location: Germany (4 Bavarian cities: Munich, Freising, Ebersberg, and Grafing)
Data source: registration offices

Study size

Type	Value
Total	329

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression

(adjustment:

)

Results (acc. to author)

Exposure levels were far below the ICNIRP reference level in a range from 0.13 % to 0.56 % of the ICNIRP reference level during waking hours. The mostly reported chronic symptoms were sleeping disorders (58 %) and fatigue (21 %), the mostly reported acute symptom was fatigue in the evening (43 %). No statistically significant association between personal exposure to mobile phone frequencies and chronic or acute symptoms was found.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The sample size was relatively small. The bedtime exposure levels has to be excluded from analyses because the valid measurements of the dosimeter can only be obtained if the dosimeter is moved.

Study funded by

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz (StMUGV; Bavarian Ministry of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection), Germany

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