Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones (GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS) on the macrostructure of sleep med./bio.

Published in: J Sleep Res 2011; 20 (1) Pt 1: 73-81

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the possible effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS cell phones on the macrostructure of sleep in a laboratory environment.

Background/further details

An adaptation night, which served as screening night for sleep disorders and as an adjustment night to the laboratory environment, was followed by 9 study nights (separated by a two week interval) in which subjects were exposed to three exposure conditions (each condition for three nights: sham exposure, GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS; randomized order). 30 healthy male subjects within the age range 18-30 years participated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: 3 nights of 8 h each
GSM
  • SAR: 2 W/kg maximum (10 g)
Exposure 2: 1,966 MHz
Exposure duration: 3 nights of 8 h each
  • SAR: 2 W/kg maximum (10 g)

General information

for further information on the setup see also: Manteuffel,D, Bahr, A , Waldow, P, and 'Wolff I, "Numerical analysis of absorption mechanisms for mobile phones with integrated multiband antennas", Proceedings of the AP-S-International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Boston MA, USA, 2001:3, 82-85

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 3 nights of 8 h each
Additional info GSM
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 553 µs
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber shielded room
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg maximum measured and calculated 10 g -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,966 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 3 nights of 8 h each
Additional info WCDMA/UMTS
Additional info 1 min sequence consisting of 45 s of toggling between 50 % and 100 % of the maximum output power every 0.67 ms and 15 s simulation of power fading with a dynamic range of 30 dB
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg maximum measured and calculated 10 g -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

13 of 177 variables characterizing the onset and maintenance of sleep in the GSM 900 and three in the WCDMA exposure condition differed from the sham exposure. The few significant results are not indicative of a negative impact on sleep architecture. From the data there is no evidence for a sleep-disturbing effect of GSM 900 and WCDMA exposure.

Study character:

Study funded by

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