Medical/biological study (experimental study, observational study)

[EMF-protection sleep study near mobile phone base stations] med./bio.

EMF-Protektions-Schlafstudie in der Nähe von Mobilfunk-Basisstationen

By: Leitgeb N, Schröttner J, Cech R, Kerbl R

Published in: Somnologie (Somnology) 2008; 12 (3): 234-243

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the potential impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields of transmitters on the sleep quality of nearby residents, a new study design is presented: In a cross-over study the effect of on-site shielding rather than of additional exposure, was examined.

Background/further details

The study was performed in the homes of volunteers under real environmental field conditions (i.e. in the bedrooms of the subjects). Data of 43 subjects (26 women, 17 men) were analysed. The subjects suffered from permanent and severe sleep disturbances and were deeply convinced that environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields caused their problems.
Sham-shielding was performed by using a sham shield.

Endpoint

sleep: sleep disorders

Exposure

- RF field
- Radio/TV transmitter
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- wireless transmitter

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 80 MHz–2.5 GHz Exposure duration: nine consecutive nights under different shielding conditions	electric field strength: 562.34 µV/m minimum (= 55 dBµV) electric field strength: 31,622.78 µV/m maximum (= 90 dBµV)

General information

volunteers were divided into three groups: i) true shield ii) sham shield iii) control

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	80 MHz–2.5 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	nine consecutive nights under different shielding conditions

Exposure setup

Exposure source	mobile phone base station
Setup	Mobile Faraday cage mounted around all sides of the volunteer's bed, including the bottom. After an adaptation night, polysomnographic measurements were recorded from each volunteer during nine nights under one of the following conditions in random order: real shield, sham shield, and unshielded control.
Additional info	Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields were recorded frequency-selectively by a broadband spectral analyser.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	562.34 µV/m	minimum	measured	-	= 55 dBµV
electric field strength	31,622.78 µV/m	maximum	measured	-	= 90 dBµV

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

sleep: polysomnography (EEG, EOG, ECG: sleep latency and duration, number of awakeness, sleep efficiancy, percentages of sleep stages, REM sleep latency); different sleep parameters (e.g. subjective sleep quality, awakening quality; morning questionnaire)
questionnaire about different other factors (e.g. lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to electromagnetic fields, stress, food, psycological problems)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Pooled data analysis did not exhibit statistically significant electromagnetic field-dependent sleep parameters, neither on total radiofrequency electromagnetic field immissions nor on base station signals. Volunteer-specific analysis mostly did not show any significant effect on sleep parameters.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
observational study
full/main study
cross-over study, blind study

Study funded by

Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS; Federal Office for Radiation Protection), Salzgitter, Germany
Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft (Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management), Austria
Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie (Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology), Austria
Vorarlberger Landesregierung (Province Government of Vorarlberg), Austria

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