Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Influence of a 1,800 MHz electromagnetic field on the EEG energy. med./bio.

By: Nanou E, Hountala C, Maganioti A, Papageorgiou C, Tsiafakis V, Rabavillas A, Capsalis C

Published in: Environmentalist 2009; 29 (2): 205-209

Journal

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the influence of electromagnetic fields, similar to that emitted by mobile phones, on brain activity.

Background/further details

10 women and 10 men performed a memory task with and without exposure (two weeks interval between the tests).

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: EEG

Exposure

- RF field
- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 45 min	power: 128 mW mean

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 45 min

Exposure setup

Exposure source	dipole antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	20 cm
Chamber	Faraday room
Setup	test persons were sitting in the Faraday room with the antenna fixed near their right ear

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	128 mW	mean	-	-	-

Exposed system:

human
partial body: right ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: EEG
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: memory (auditory digit span test)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Under exposure, the EEG energy of the beta waves was significanlty greater for females than for males for 11 out of 15 electrodes.
Since beta waves are associated with the shift of attention during perception, the findings suggest that the 1800 MHZ signal exerts an influence on this brain activity that might be gender-specific.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

European Union (EU)/European Commission
Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology
Ministry of Development, Hellenic Republic/Greece
Project "PENED 2003" (Analysis of the operational requirements for the digital terrestrial television sytem in Greece)

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