Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Analgetic effects of non-thermal GSM-1900 radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the land snail Helix pomatia med./bio.

By: Nittby H, Moghadam MK, Sun W, Malmgren L, Eberhardt J, Persson BR, Salford LG
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2012; 88 (3): 245-252
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate whether a mobile phone exposure might affect snail nociception

Background/further details

29 snails were exposed and 29 snails were sham exposed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.45 m
Setup anechoic chamber with inner dimensions of 1000 mm x 1100 mm x 2050 mm, made of six plywood board panels, laminated on the inside with copper foil and covered with absorbing material on the inside; directional antenna positioned in the top part of the chamber; single snail placed in the chamber in a 10 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm styrofoam box with net covering and inner dimensions of 7 cm x 6 cm x 3.5 cm
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 16 V/m - measured - -
power density 0.68 W/m² - - - -
SAR 48 mW/kg - calculated whole body -
magnetic flux density 0.2 µT - - - at the hot plate, originating from the water bath at 75 cm distance;

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Comparing the reaction time pattern of each snail before and after exposure, the GSM exposed snails were less sensitive to thermal pain as compared to the sham exposed controls, indicating that radiofrequency exposure induced a significant analgesia.
The study might support earlier findings, describing beneficial effects of electromagnetic field exposure upon nociception.

Study character:

Study funded by

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