Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Auditory brainstem response changes during exposure to GSM-900 radiation: an experimental study med./bio.

By: Kaprana AE, Chimona TS, Papadakis CE, Velegrakis SG, Vardiambasis IO, Adamidis G, Velegrakis GA

Published in: Audiol Neurootol 2011; 16 (4): 270-276

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible electrophysiological time-related changes in auditory pathway in rabbits (n=28) during mobile phone electromagnetic field exposure.

Background/further details

Absolute wave latency as well as interwave latency data were measured at 1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min during exposure.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: effects on auditory system (auditory brainstem response)

Exposure

- CW continuous wave
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 903 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 60 min	power: 219 mW average over time (at 903 MHz) power: 0.865 mW average over time (for the second harmonics at 1806 MHz) power: 0.018 mW average over time (for the third harmonics at 2709 MHz) power: 0.22 W average over time (typical value for a cell phone under favorable conditions)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	903 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	continuous for 60 min

Exposure setup

Exposure source	monopole
Setup	radio transmitter for GSM 900 simulation connected to a 8 cm long wire antenna (λ/4 monopol antenna); antenna placed in the entrance of the external auditory bony canal of the rabbit

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	219 mW	average over time	-	-	at 903 MHz
power	0.865 mW	average over time	-	-	for the second harmonics at 1806 MHz
power	0.018 mW	average over time	-	-	for the third harmonics at 2709 MHz
power	0.22 W	average over time	-	-	typical value for a cell phone under favorable conditions

Exposed system:

animal
rabbit/New Zealand
partial body: ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on auditory system: hearing threshold and auditory brainstem response (amplitudes, absolute wave latency of wave I-V and interwave latencies I-III, I-V and III-V)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones can affect the normal electrophysiological activity of the auditory system in rabbits. This effect became detectable by auditory brainstem response recordings ipsilaterally to the side exposed to the electromagnetic field. The main finding was prolongation of interwave latencies I-V and III-V at 30 min of exposure time, while recordings from the contralateral side did not show this effect even after 60 min. The mean absolute latency of waves III-V showed a statistically significant delay after 60, 45 and 15 min of exposure to the electromagnetic field of 900 MHz. The auditory brainstem response measurements returned to baseline recordings 24 h after the exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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