Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of a 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones on human cognitive function: A replication study med./bio.

By: Haarala C, Bjornberg L, Ek M, Laine M, Revonsuo A, Koivisto M, Hämäläinen H

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2003; 24 (4): 283-288

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The study was a replication and extension with methodological improvements to a previous study on effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by a 902 MHz mobile phone on human cognitive functioning.

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive functioning

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 902 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 65 min	power: 0.25 W mean SAR: 0.88 W/kg average over mass (1 g) SAR: 1.2 W/kg peak value

General information

This study is an attempt to replicate earlier findings reported in the reference article.

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	902 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 65 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	577 µs
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	Discontinuous transmission mode was not activated.

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	4 cm
Setup	A GSM telephone placed in a leather and vinyl case was mounted with an adjustable rubber head cap on the left side of the subject's head in the normal position of use. The antenna was located about 4 cm apart from the head, over the posterior part of the left hemisphere. The RF power was switched on and off via a data cable from a laptop.
Additional info	Each subject performed the tasks twice on separate days with 24 ± 1 h between the testing sessions: one day with exposure and another day with sham exposure. Both the subjects and the experimenters were unaware of the exposure condition (double blind).

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	0.25 W	mean	-	-	-
SAR	0.88 W/kg	average over mass	measured	1 g	-
SAR	1.2 W/kg	peak value	measured	-	-

Measurement and calculation details

The SAR of the phone was measured with SPEAG's Dosimetric Assessment System 3 (DASY3).

Reference articles

Koivisto M et al. (2000): Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: reaction time; accuracy of answers

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results indicate either that EMF has no effect on the cognitive functioning and the reported findings are just statistical noise, or that the EMF effect is so small that it can be detected on an behavioral level only occasionally. The results of the previous study were not confirmed.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
replication/reproduction study

Study funded by

Benefon, Finland
Elisa Communications Corporation, Finland
Finnish 2G
Nokia
Sonera, Finland
Tekes (National Technology Agency), Finland
University of Turku, Finland

Replicated studies

Koivisto M et al. (2000): Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans

Verrender A et al. (2016): Pulse modulated radiofrequency exposure influences cognitive performance
Malek F et al. (2015): Effect of short-term mobile phone base station exposure on cognitive performance, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure of Malaysians
Loughran SP et al. (2013): No increased sensitivity in brain activity of adolescents exposed to mobile phone-like emissions
Mortazavi SM et al. (2012): Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time
Ng TP et al. (2012): Long-term digital mobile phone use and cognitive decline in the elderly
Vecchio F et al. (2012): Mobile phone emission modulates event-related desynchronization of alpha rhythms and cognitive-motor performance in healthy humans
Schmid MR et al. (2012): Sleep EEG alterations: effects of different pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields
Sauter C et al. (2011): Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects
Luria R et al. (2009): Cognitive effects of radiation emitted by cellular phones: the influence of exposure side and time
Eltiti S et al. (2009): Short-term exposure to mobile phone base station signals does not affect cognitive functioning or physiological measures in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields and controls
Cinel C et al. (2008): Does the use of mobile phones affect human short-term memory or attention?
Kleinlogel H et al. (2008): Effects of weak mobile phone - electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions
Unterlechner M et al. (2008): No effect of an UMTS mobile phone-like electromagnetic field of 1.97 GHz on human attention and reaction time
Arns M et al. (2007): Electroencephalographic, personality, and executive function measures associated with frequent mobile phone use
Regel SJ et al. (2007): Pulsed radio frequency radiation affects cognitive performance and the waking electroencephalogram
Fritzer G et al. (2007): Effects of short- and long-term pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on night sleep and cognitive functions in healthy subjects
Haarala C et al. (2007): Pulsed and continuous wave mobile phone exposure over left versus right hemisphere: effects on human cognitive function
Lass J et al. (2006): Are there modulated Electromagnetic Field Effects on Human Conscious Perception during Attentional Blink Test?
Keetley V et al. (2006): Neuropsychological sequelae of digital mobile phone exposure in humans
Preece AW et al. (2005): Effect of 902 MHz mobile phone transmission on cognitive function in children
Haarala C et al. (2004): 902 MHz mobile phone does not affect short term memory in humans
Lee TM et al. (2001): Effect on human attention of exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones
Koivisto M et al. (2000): Effects of 902 MHz electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones on response times in humans