Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of UMTS cellular phones on human hearing: results of the European project EMFnEAR med./bio.

By: Parazzini M, Sibella F, Lutman ME, Mishra S, Moulin A, Sliwinska-Kowalska M, Woznicka E, Politanski P, Zmyslony M, Thuroczy G, Molnar F, Kubinyi G, Tavartkiladze G, Bronyakin S, Uloziene I, Uloza V, Gradauskiene E, Ravazzani P

Published in: Radiat Res 2009; 172 (2): 244-251

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

In this study, the pooled analysis of the data obtained in the course of the European "EMFnEAR project" on the possible effects of exposure to UMTS-modulated electromagnetic fields on the auditory system of humans is described.

Background/further details

EMFnEAR project: "Exposure at UMTS Electromagnetic Fields: Study on Potential Adverse Effects on Hearing".
A total of 134 participants (73 women and 61 men) were tested across different European laboratories. Not all participants were given all audiological tests.

Endpoint

effects on ear: auditory function

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- UMTS

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,947 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min	electric field strength: 39.8 V/m (at the bottom of the rod antenna) SAR: 69 mW/kg maximum (in the cochlea region)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,947 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 20 min

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Setup	earphone held in a non-metallic positioning system
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	39.8 V/m	-	measured	-	at the bottom of the rod antenna
SAR	69 mW/kg	maximum	measured	-	in the cochlea region

Exposed system:

human
partial body: ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on ear: auditory function (hearing threshold level (pure-tone audiometry), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), contralateral suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), and auditory evoked potentials (AEP))

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data did not show any consistent pattern of effects on the auditory system after a 20-min UMTS exposure at the maximum output of the cell phone with 69 mW/kg SAR in the cochlea region.
It is concluded that UMTS short-term exposure at the maximum output does not cause measurable immediate effects on the human auditory system.

Study character:

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

Study funded by

European Project EMFnEAR
European Union (EU)/European Commission

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