Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Acute effects of using a mobile phone on CNS functions med./bio.

By: Hladký A, Musil J, Roth Z, Urban P, Blažková V
Published in: Cent Eur J Public Health 1999; 7 (4): 165-167
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Aim of study (acc. to editor)

To study acute effects of using a mobile phone on CNS functions.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 5 or 6 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 5 or 6 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Duty cycle 12.5 %
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Subjects held the mobile phone to the ear with the antenna extended while talking into it.
Additional info Various tests on VEP (visual evoked potentials) and mental functions were carried out on two occasions with or without exposure (randomised) about two weeks apart. The authors claim that "while phoning with a normal wireless telephone electromagnetic field intensity is negligible".
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 1.5 W peak value estimated - -
power 187.5 mW mean estimated - -
SAR 0.1 W/kg maximum estimated 10 g -
Additional parameter details

In terms of determining exposure, the data presented are only a qualitative description.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

When speaking (5 minutes reading a text from daily newspaper) the electromagnetic fields did not affect the visual evoked potentials. Also a 6-min exposure did not reveal any effect of electromagnetic fields on the results in two tests (memory and attention) performed while speaking into the mobile phone.
On the other hand the phone call itself influenced the performance in a secondary task applying a test of switching attention which is a good model for driving a car. The response and decision speed were significantly worse.

Study character:

Study funded by

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