Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Human brain wave activity during exposure to radiofrequency field emissions from mobile phones med./bio.

By: D'Costa H, Trueman G, Tang L, Abdel-Rahman U, Abdel-Rahman W, Ong K, Cosic I

Published in: Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 2003; 26 (4): 162-167

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To determine whether there is an effect of mobile phone electromagnetic field emissions (full-power and standby modes) on the human electroencephalography (EEG).

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: EEG

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: intermittent for 10 x 5 min, see add. information transmission mode	power: 250 mW mean power: 2 W peak value
Exposure 2: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: intermittent for 10 x 5 min, see add. information standy mode	-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	intermittent for 10 x 5 min, see add. information
Additional info	transmission mode

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	Discontinuous transmission (DTX) and power control were disabled.

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone transmitting full power, with its speaker disabled
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2 cm
Chamber	Subjects were sitting relaxed in a back supported chair.
Setup	The mobile phone was placed horizontally behind the subject's head with the antenna positioned 2 cm away from the occipital region.
Additional info	Ten sessions of 5 min each were made with 50% randomised (single-blind) EMF or sham exposures and breaks of 10-15 min between them.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	250 mW	mean	-	-	-
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	intermittent for 10 x 5 min, see add. information
Additional info	standy mode

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	The phone was in standby mode emitting low frequencies within 1-32 Hz.

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone in standby mode
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2 cm
Additional info	Ten sessions of 5 min each were made with 50% randomised (single-blind) EMF or sham exposures and breaks of 10-15 min between them.

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: EEG

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Statistical analysis indicated significant difference in the full-power mode trial within the EEG alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta (13-32 Hz) bands. A subsequent statistical test of median spectral power in discrete EEG rhythms revealed significant differences in 7 of the 32 distinct frequencies overall. In conclusion, the data lend support to the thesis of EEG effects from mobile phones activated in talk-mode.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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Perentos N et al. (2007): Comparison of the effects of continuous and pulsed mobile phone like RF exposure on the human EEG
Regel SJ et al. (2007): Pulsed radio frequency radiation affects cognitive performance and the waking electroencephalogram
Bachmann M et al. (2005): Effect of 450 MHz Microwave Modulated with 217 Hz on Human EEG in Rest
Nanou E et al. (2005): Influence of the Interaction of a 900 MHz Signal with Gender on EEG Energy: Experimental Study on the Influence of 900 MHz Radiation on EEG
de Seze R et al. (2001): Evaluation of the Health Impact of the Radio-Frequency Fields from Mobile Telephones
Roschke J et al. (1997): No short-term effects of digital mobile radio telephone on the awake human electroencephalogram

Human brain wave activity during exposure to radiofrequency field emissions from mobile phones med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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