Medical/biological study (experimental study)

No effects of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields on melatonin, cortisol, and selected markers of the immune system in man med./bio.

By: Radon K, Parera D, Rose DM, Jung D, Vollrath L

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2001; 22 (4): 280-287

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Healthy male subjects were tested to see whether or not radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as used in digital wireless telecommunication (GSM standard) have noticeable effects on salivary melatonin, cortisol (indicator of stress), neopterin (vicarious for cellular immune activity), and immunoglobulin A (protective factor in the upper parts of alimentary and respiratory tracts) levels during and several hours after exposure.

Endpoint

endocrine changes: levels of salivary melatonin, cortisol, neopterin, and immunoglobulin A

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h	power density: 1 W/m² mean (at 10 cm) SAR: 0.025 W/kg maximum (10 g) (in the head)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Polarization	circular
Exposure duration	continuous for 4 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	577 µs
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	GSM standard

Exposure setup

Exposure source	digital GSM car telephone, circularly polarized antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	10 cm
Chamber	The main room of the air conditioned exposure chamber was subdivided into four compartments open at one side. The inside of the exposure chamber and the compartments were shielded against RF EMF.
Setup	Each compartment was equipped with a wooden reclining seat and a circularly polarised antenna, individually positioned 10 cm behind the head of the upright sitting test person.
Additional info	In double blind trials, each test person attended a total of 20 randomised 4-hour sessions of exposure and sham exposure, equally distributed at day and night, being at least 2 days apart after a day session and at least 3 days apart after a night session.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	1 W/m²	mean	measured	-	at 10 cm
SAR	0.025 W/kg	maximum	measured	10 g	in the head

Measurement and calculation details

Microwave detectors installed in the control room monitored the functioning of the exposure equipment. The power-flux density applied was checked using an E-field probe. The SAR measurements were made in a liquid-filled shell-phantom of a human head.

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

endocrine changes: levels of salivary melatonin, cortisol, neopterin, and immunoglobulin A

Investigated system:

saliva

Investigated organ system:

endocrine system

Time of investigation:

during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed that the salivary concentrations of melatonin, cortisol, neopterin and immunoglobulin A did not differ significantly between exposure and sham exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double blind trials

Study funded by

Deutsche Telekom/T-Systems, Germany

Geronikolou SA et al. (2015): Frequent cellular phone use modifies hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to a cellular phone call after mental stress in healthy children and adolescents: A pilot study
Shrivastava A et al. (2014): Effect of mobile usage on serum melatonin levels among medical students
Eskander EF et al. (2012): How does long term exposure to base stations and mobile phones affect human hormone profiles?
Seyednour R et al. (2011): Effects of Exposure to Cellular Phones 950 MHZ Electromagnetic Fields on Progesterone, Cortisol and Glucose Level in Female Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)
Augner C et al. (2010): Effects of Exposure to GSM Mobile Phone Base Station Signals on Salivary Cortisol, Alpha-Amylase, and Immunoglobulin A
Lerchl A et al. (2008): Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields at nonthermal SAR values on melatonin and body weight of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Djeridane Y et al. (2008): Influence of electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM-900 cellular telephones on the circadian patterns of gonadal, adrenal and pituitary hormones in men
Wood AW et al. (2006): Does evening exposure to mobile phone radiation affect subsequent melatonin production?
Koyu A et al. (2005): No effects of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz electromagnetic field emitted from cellular phone on nocturnal serum melatonin levels in rats
Jarupat S et al. (2003): Effects of the 1900 MHz electromagnetic field emitted from cellular phone on nocturnal melatonin secretion
Burch JB et al. (2002): Melatonin metabolite excretion among cellular telephone users
de Seze R et al. (2001): Evaluation of the Health Impact of the Radio-Frequency Fields from Mobile Telephones
de Seze R et al. (1999): Evaluation in humans of the effects of radiocellular telephones on the circadian patterns of melatonin secretion, a chronobiological rhythm marker
Heikkinen P et al. (1999): Chronic exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields or 900-MHz electromagnetic fields does not alter nocturnal 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate secretion in CBA/S mice
Mann K et al. (1998): Effects of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields on the neuroendocrine system