EMF-Portal | [Hypersensitivity to Electricity]

Gibt es Elektrosensibilität im D-Netzbereich: Ein 3-AFC-Doppelblindversuch

By: Radon K, Maschke C

Published in: Umweltmed Forsch Prax 1998; 3 (3): 125-129

Journal

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A double-blind provocative study was carried out by a 3-AFC (Alternative Forced Choice)-method to prove the possible perception of electromagnetic fields as it is emitted from modern digital wireless telecommunication devices (base stations; GSM standard).

Endpoint

Exposure

mobile communications
GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated exposure with intermittent stimulus (3 x 2 min on/10 s off) for 12 times in one day	power density: 0.24 W/m² unspecified

General information

Double-blind provocation experiments using 3-AFC procedure (3-Alternative Forced Choice)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated exposure with intermittent stimulus (3 x 2 min on/10 s off) for 12 times in one day

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	signal generator
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	1.9 m
Setup	The test persons sat at a distance of 1.9 m in front of the visible antenna, which was located at about the height (1.2 m) of the subject's head.
Additional info	Only the experimenter operating the equipment knew which of the three stimuli presented the EMF. Resting phases (breaks) between the 12 tests were at least 30 min.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	0.24 W/m²	unspecified	unspecified	-	-

Additional parameter details

The ambient electric field at 50 Hz was about 5.1 V/m and the magnetic field was 57.9 nT in the exposure room.

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields could not be confirmed for these subjects because neither the mean of the group nor one of the persons reached the classical perceptive threshold. When the first six tests were compared to the last six no differences could be revealed. Thus, a habituation to the electromagnetic fields or too short breaks between retesting could not be proved.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Kaul G (2009): [Is there an ability to perceive or to be sensitive on?]

Nam KC et al. (2009): Hypersensitivity to RF fields emitted from CDMA cellular phones: a provocation study

Kwon MS et al. (2008): Perception of the electromagnetic field emitted by a mobile phone

Hillert L et al. (2008): The effects of 884 MHz GSM wireless communication signals on headache and other symptoms: an experimental provocation study

Landgrebe M et al. (2007): Altered cortical excitability in subjectively electrosensitive patients: Results of a pilot study

Eltiti S et al. (2007): Does short-term exposure to mobile phone base station signals increase symptoms in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields? A double-blind randomized provocation study

Rubin GJ et al. (2006): Are some people sensitive to mobile phone signals? Within participants double blind randomised provocation study

[Hypersensitivity to Electricity] med./bio.