Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Human sleep EEG under the influence of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Results from polysomnographies using submaximal high power flux densities med./bio.

By: Wagner P, Roschke J, Mann K, Fell J, Hiller W, Frank C, Grozinger M

Published in: Neuropsychobiology 2000; 42 (4): 207-212

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields of cellular phone GSM signals on human sleep EEG pattern. In order to evaluate a potential dose-dependent effect (see publication 646), the present investigation was designed using considerably higher power flux densities.

Endpoint

sleep: sleep EEG

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 8 h	power density: 50 W/m² unspecified SAR: 1.8 W/kg maximum (10 g)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Polarization	circular
Exposure duration	continuous for 8 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	577 µs
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	40 cm
Chamber	Metal-free cabin of 2.9 x 1.4 x 1.4 m³ the walls of which were lined with RF absorbing material.
Setup	The antenna was positioned 40 cm below the pillow of the bed.
Additional info	Each subject attended 2 sessions at least 7 days apart. After an adaptation night, polysomnographies were recorded during two consecutive nights. Half of the subjects were exposed to the EMF during the first session, whereas the other half were exposed in the second session. Subjects were blind to exposure conditions.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	50 W/m²	unspecified	measured	-	-
SAR	1.8 W/kg	maximum	estimated	10 g	-

Measurement and calculation details

The power flux density was measured before and after any exposure period, and the power density level was controlled qualitatively during the experiment via a diode detector and an oscilloscope. In a computer simulation for a homogeneous plane wave with linear polarization ('worst case scenario'), it was shown that the limiting value of the local SAR which is 2 W/kg for exposure of the general public was not reached even though the applied power flux density of 50 W/m² exceeded the derived limiting value of 4.5 W/m² by a factor of 11.

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

sleep: polysomnography (EEG, EOG, ECG, EMG)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results revealed no significant effect of the field application either on conventional sleep parameters or on sleep EEG power spectra.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Deutsche Telekom/T-Systems, Germany

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