EMF-Portal | Preliminary report: symptoms associated with mobile phone use

Preliminary report: symptoms associated with mobile phone use epidem.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The association between symptoms and mobile phone use was investigated in a survey in Australia.

Further details

The survey participants were recruited by a notice in a medical journal which led to some media publicity.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Exposure

Assessment

interview: type of mobile phone

Population

Group:

men
women

Characteristics: respondents

Observation period: 1996

Study location: Australia

Study size

Type	Value
Total	50
Participants	40

Results (acc. to author)

40 respondents described symptoms such as unpleasant warmth or a dull ache in the head, mostly occurring minutes after beginning a call. The symptoms did not occur when using an ordinary handset, and were different from ordinary headaches. 75 % of the cases were associated with digital mobile phones. Three respondents reported local symptoms associated with wearing their mobile phone on their belts.
The author concluded that further work is needed to determine the range of symptoms and their mechanisms.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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