Epidemiological study (observational study)

Health effects of living near mobile phone base transceiver station (BTS) antennae: a report from Isfahan, Iran. (RETRACTED) retracted

By: Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Karbalae M, Moradi HA, Baradaran-Ghahfarokhi M

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2014; 33 (3): 206-210

The study design is based on the study by Alazawi (2011).

symptoms of discomfort: headaches, fatigue, depressive tendencies, irritability, feeling of discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, memory loss, visual disturbances, hearing disturbances, dizziness, cardiovascular problems, lowering of libido, nervousness
sleep disturbances

Type of risk estimation:

questionnaire: distance from base station to residence, location in relation to the base station (facing, beside, behind, beneath in the case of antennas placed on rooftop), duration of living close to base station

Group	Description
Reference group 1	distance between residence and base station: > 300 m
Group 2	distance between residence and base station: ≤ 300 m
Group 3	distance between residence and base station: < 10 m
Group 4	distance between residence and base station: 10 - 50 m
Group 5	distance between residence and base station: 50 - 100 m
Group 6	distance between residence and base station: 100 - 200 m
Group 7	distance between residence and base station: 200 - 300 m

Group:
- men
- women
Age: ≥ 18 years
Characteristics: residents have been living for more than one year near a base station
Observation period: October 2012 - November 2012
Study location: Iran (Isfahan)
Exclusion criteria: living near transformers (≤ 10 m) and/or power lines (≤ 100 m)

Type	Value
Total	250

Statistical analysis method:

Most of the health complaints such as nausea, headache, dizziness, irritability, discomfort, nervousness, depression, sleep disturbance, memory loss and lowering of libido were statistically significantly more often reported by residents living near a base station (≤ 300 m distance) compared to those living in a distance of more than 300 m to a base station.
The authors suggested that mobile phone base stations should not be sited closer than 300 m to residences to minimize exposure of the residents.

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