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Details for Zwitsers Onderzoek UMTS
| Property | Value |
| Name | Zwitsers Onderzoek UMTS |
| Description | Background
Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) of mobile communication systems are
widespread in the living environment, yet their effects on humans are uncertain despite a
growing body of literature.
Objectives
We investigated the influence of a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)
base station-like signal on well being and cognitive performance in subjects with and without
self-reported sensitivity to RF EMF.
Methods
We performed a controlled exposure experiment (45 min at an electric field strength of 0, 1 or
10 V/m, incident with a polarization of 45o from the left back side of the subject, weekly
intervals) in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. 117 healthy subjects (33 self-
reported sensitive, 84 non-sensitive subjects) participated in the study. We assessed well
being, perceived field strength and cognitive performance with questionnaires and cognitive
tasks and conducted statistical analyses using linear mixed models. Organ and brain tissue
specific dosimetry including uncertainty and variation analysis was performed.
Results
In both groups, well being and perceived field strength were not associated with actual
exposure levels. We observed no consistent condition-induced changes in cognitive
performance except for two marginal effects. At 10 V/m, we observed a slight effect on speed
in one of six tasks in the sensitive subjects and an effect on accuracy in another task in non-sensitive subjects. Both effects disappeared after multiple endpoint adjustment.
Conclusions
In contrast to a recent Dutch study, we could not confirm a short-term effect of UMTS base
station-like exposure on well being. The reported effects on brain functioning were marginal
and may have occurred by chance. Peak spatial absorption in brain tissue was considerably
smaller than during usage of a mobile phone. No conclusions can be drawn regarding short
term-effects of cell phone exposure or the effects of long-term base station-like exposure on
human health.
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| Filename | zwitsers_onderzoek.pdf |
| Filesize | 2.12 MB |
| Filetype | pdf (Mime Type: application/pdf) |
| Creator | admin |
| Created On: |
07.06.2006 13:00 |
| Viewers | Everybody |
| Maintained by | admin |
| Hits | 1038 Hits |
| Last updated on |
07.06.2006 13:01 |
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