Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cohort study on the effects of everyday life radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure on non-specific symptoms and tinnitus epidem.

By: Frei P, Mohler E, Braun-Fahrländer C, Fröhlich J, Neubauer G, Röösli M, QUALIFEX-team

Published in: Environ Int 2012; 38 (1): 29-36

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cohort study was conducted in Switzerland to investigate the association between radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure and non-specific health symptoms and tinnitus.

Further details

A baseline questionnaire survey was performed in 2008, a follow-up was conducted one year later. Non-specific health complaints of the previous four months were assessed by following questionnaires: von Zerssen somatic complaint list and Headache Impact Test.
Further results of the QUALIFEX study are published in Röösli et al. (2010) and Mohler et al. (2010).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

non-specific health symptoms (e.g., headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, lack of energy or concentration) and tinnitus

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

Exposure

- Radio/TV transmitter
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- mobile phone base station
- DECT
- cordless phone
- W-LAN/WiFi
- personal

Assessment

list: network operator data on all in- and outgoing private mobile phone calls for participants who gave written informed consent
questionnaire: mobile phone use, cordless phone use
calculation: model for predicting personal exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	far-field total personal exposure: < 50th percentile
Group 2	far-field total personal exposure: 50th - 90th percentile
Group 3	far-field total personal exposure: > 90th percentile
Reference group 4	far-field exposure to fixed-site transmitters: < 50th percentile
Group 5	far-field exposure to fixed-site transmitters: 50th - 90th percentile
Group 6	far-field exposure to fixed-site transmitters: > 90th percentile
Reference group 7	near-field exposure: mobile phone use based on operator data: < 50th percentile
Group 8	near-field exposure: mobile phone use based on operator data: 50th - 90th percentile
Group 9	near-field exposure: mobile phone use based on operator data: > 90th percentile
Reference group 10	near-field exposure: self-reported use of mobile phones: < 50th percentile
Group 11	near-field exposure: self-reported use of mobile phones: 50th - 90th percentile
Group 12	near-field exposure: self-reported use of mobile phones: > 90th percentile
Reference group 13	self-estimated exposure: < 50th percentile
Group 14	self-estimated exposure: 50th - 90th percentile
Group 15	self-estimated exposure: > 90th percentile

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 30–60 years
Characteristics: Swiss residents or people living in Switzerland for at least 5 years
Observation period: 2008, follow-up in 2009
Study location: Switzerland (region of Basel)
Data source: QUALIFEX study

Study size

Type	Value
Total	4,000
Eligible	3,763
Participants	1,375
Participation rate	37 %
Evaluable	1,124

Other:

1124 participants in follow-up (82 %)

Statistical analysis method:

linear regression
logistic regression
change analysis between baseline and follow-up

(adjustment:

age
sex
residential area
education
BMI, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, marital status, nightshift work, use of sleeping drugs, general attitude towards the environment

)

Results (acc. to author)

No evidence was found that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in everyday life is associated with the development of non-specific health symptoms or tinnitus.

Study funded by

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)

Comments on this article

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